swing and pack n play advice.....

so I had my shower yesterday. I have a couple questions... I wonder what you would do.... (The swings and playard were too big to take back with us along with the other gifts, so I'm going to inspect them next week, but I'm trying to plan what we'll do this weekend)

The swings:
I received 2 swings... one I registered for (fisher price power plus swing that plugs into the wall and has ok reviews) and one that I didn't (fisher price nature's touch papasan). I am fairly certain the nature's touch doesn't have an AC adapter (I believe the later papasans DO )
The reviews for the power plus swing complain that the motor is sometimes too fast and other units it's too slow. They also occassionally comment that the swing isn't good for infants (no head support). The nature's touch is tried and true, but runs on D batteries.
Which shoud we take home with us, and which should stay at grandma's house? Do you have experience with either swing and comments?

For the playard:
we inherited a graco pack n' play that was literally used ONCE! It has a changing table, and I presume also a bassinet (haven't opened the travel case yet to inspect it). It's probably a year old or so. we were registered for a playard (the organic one at BRU... very sturdy, but not really portable). Grandma will be taking care of scone frequently at her house, so the playard quality is crucial. I know graco is a good playard company, but do you think a random graco pack n' play in good condition will suffice for a mini-nursery? or should we buy the extra-sturdy $160 playard for her home, and just use the graco for travel?

Sorry for all of the questions! I'm just overwhelmed after our showers

Re: swing and pack n play advice.....

the batteries are no big deal. i have the FP papasan swing (which DS LOVES) and he is 2 months old and the FIRST batteries i put in are still working! and he's in it at least a half hour a day. i was initially worried about the batteries, but it has proven itself.

and the pack and play---they are all fairly the same. i have a new one and my mom has a "gently used" one. honestly i like hers better! it was so much easier to put together than my expensive one. i want to trade her!

i use the pack n play all the time at home--haven't used it to travel with once. you will probably have it set up somewhere and put DC in it when he's napping or you need a minute or he needs to be changed.

Re: swing and pack n play advice.....

that's good to know about the battery issue......

as for the pack n' play, we don't need one set-up in our home becuase we're in an apartment, and the crib / changing table is never far away. We DO need one at grandma's, and we also need some sort of set-up for Scone when we go to relatives..... so those are our only 2 concerns.... I'm wondering if a peapod would be better for the relatives or a playard