RE: Serious shoe frustration
The Lands End mary janes are very flexible, but they don't have a padded area around the ankle. I don't know how important that is to you. They are $30. We have them in two colours and love them.
Keds really aren't flexible enough for first shoes.
Really, you need to go to someplace like Stride Rite or Nordstrom and have your DD's feet properly measured. Just because you have them measured there, doesn't mean you have to make a purchase.
I KNOW it's hard to stomach $40 shoes, but for the first couple of pair, it's really imperative that you have a good, sturdy yet flexible shoe. It could mean the difference between long time foot problems and happy little feet. You need to remember that your DD isn't old enough to verbalise whether or not the shoes feel right.
As far as the LLB Comfort Mocs go, I would be concerned that you can't really get a perfect fit for a first shoe, since there aren't any laces or buckles.
Elefantens, Jumping Jacks, Ecco are all good first shoes. A lot of Mommies here also love Preschoolians. Personally, I'm not a fan of them. I do believe, however, there is a co-op going on for them right now.
I believe that somebody here just posted a thread today about Ecco first walkers that they got a really good deal on.
Good luck
-m
Wife to Jonathan
Mom to Sophia 12/02 and Amelia 12/04