The Dances

$Clothes$, $Crib$, $Mattress$, $Diapers$, $Car-seat$, $Stroller$, $Baby Monitor$, $Bottles$, $Glider Rocker$, $Swing$, $Bouncer$, $Playpen$, $Blankets$. These are just a few of the new realities of parenthood that I’m facing. I didn’t know that you spelled the word BABY$$ with dollar signs, but I’m rapidly learning. I think for an equivalent sum I could have purchased a solid gold baby statue and shackled it to my leg. Of course that would not be nearly as cute and it would be hard to get into a car. I wonder what the resell value is for a solid gold baby shackle. I think Jennifer and I are doing our fair share of contributing to the “baby market”.

A recent article in Forbes: Billion Dollar Babies
The U.S. retail market for infant, toddler and preschooler products (known in the industry as ITP) grew at a healthy pace from 2004 to 2005, according to New York City-based market research firm Packaged Facts. For instance, sales of ITP home furnishings and accessories rose 5.2% to more than $8 billion; sales of ITP toys were up 3.5% to $4.6 billion; and sales of ITP clothing and footwear were up 4.5% to nearly $16.8 billion.
http://www.forbes.com/2006/05/26/luxury-baby-goods_cx_ns_0530feat_ls.html?partner=forbeslife_newsletter
This article also has a slideshow of what every baby “needs”. Sign me up for the two thousand dollar stroller.