baby planner creepiness

Yes, it is a real thing. Like wedding planning but for babies. Why do I know this? Because on Saturday Brian and I went to Babies R Us to try and register. We were there for 3 hours and only registered for 30 things. Apparently, this is an ongoing process. Luckily, I can edit/delete/add things to my registry online. Thank goodness!! I need to work on that over the next month or so. But I digress...

After our overwhelming trip to the circus that is this baby superstore, I solidified my desire for someone to just TELL ME WHAT TO BUY. Not a list of "suggested" items, but literally tell me exactly what to get -- the best brand, the most useful items for new moms -- stuff that I really need, not just stuff you want to sell me. That led me to wonder if there is such a thing as a baby planner. Google to the rescue and indeed, this is an actual industry. I found as my first few hits:

http://www.thebabyplanners.com/

http://www.sweetpeababyplanners.com/

http://www.seattlebabyplanners.com/index.php

There's even a National Baby Planner Association!
http://www.nationalbabyplannerassociation.com/

Clearly, I'm not alone. For a whopping $595 you can get the "essential" baby package at Seattle Baby Planners. There are also "deluxe" and "premier" packages with prices that are "negotiable."

Translation: These packages will cost more than the delivery of your child.

I would never hire a baby planner. It just seems creepy to me. But I suppose I can understand why women do it. One trip to Babies R Us is all it takes to push any woman over the edge.