3 Months Old

Today you are three months old.  How did that happen???  You are a quarter of the way through your first year of life and already been through so much.

And yet I can still remember this day oh so well...

At just 5 weeks old you had to go through surgery for an inguinal hernia.  You were such a trooper even if your mom cried buckets when they took you away.  You turned into such a happier baby from that moment forward.

You have grown so much.  I checked you yesterday and you are up to 13.5 lbs from your 8 lb, 1 oz birth weight.  You do love to eat!  Whereas we used to burp you once every ounce, now we only dare try once halfway through and even then you act like we are the cruelest people in the world.

You didn't love bath time at first, but now you love it!

Since around 10 weeks you have been sleeping from 9pm-6am...and that has increased to 7am in the last few weeks!  We certainly can't complain about that.  Your daddy actually gives you your last bottle and puts you down for the night.  He does it so well, I'm scared to do your last feeding myself.  But I always get you in the mornings and you have the biggest grin on your face for me.  It makes my insides melt.

A couple of mornings recently you have woken yourself up by rolling from your tummy to your back.  You have never liked sleeping on your back so I can understand why you don't get back to sleep.  Now if you can just roll over during the day when I can see you vs. finding you all cute in your crib.

Speaking of crib, you've been sleeping in yours in your own room since your second week home!  I was amazed that you took to it so well.  We were so proud of you.

You have recently started "talking" more and more and when you squeal with delight it lights up the world around you.  You still love your mobile gym and recently "discovered" the many toys that have been surrounding you forever.  You are looking at and eating your hands and it is one of the cutest things ever.

You had your first beach vacation with daddy's family at Emerald Isle and had your toes dipped in the ocean and guess what?  You loved it!

You spent many nights with mommy's family, too, and it was G-Ma Adams who stayed with us for the first 7 weeks of your life.  Without her, your mommy might have lost her mind ;)

We had a wonderful 12 weeks together at home and vacationing, but then mommy had to return to work and had a time with it having you in daycare three days a week, but you did great and remarkably, so did mommy!  I think it helps that I can be with you at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I love my time with my little man!

I cannot wait to see what's in store for us in your fourth month! 

Birth Story and The First 12 Weeks

It's only taken 3 months to put this out there...

Sunday, April 29

I wake up around midnight with what feels like mild, period-like cramping.  I go to the bathroom...I also have diarrhea (yes, you have to get all the gory details)...and I go back to bed.  I wake up around 1 a.m. and the cramping is a teensy bit more, but not crazy...I go back to sleep.  I wake up at 2 a.m. and notice that not only is the cramping getting worse, it seems like it's only maybe 5 minutes apart.

I call the OB number as instructed and leave a message and await callback from whoever is on call.  The Dr calls back within minutes.  He says, "yep...time to come in" so I wake Ryan.  We are in the car by 3 a.m.

We get checked into the hospital and I make it to the bathroom JUST in time for my water to break.  It was totally like peeing, but having NO control over it.  Still having diarrhea also...lovely.

They get me to a temporary bay area, changed and hooked up to monitors.  They check and I'm at 3cm.  They have to test to make sure that yes, that was amniotic fluid.  By now the contractions are getting much more intense and are only like 2 minutes apart.  They get me moved to my Labor and Delivery room.

Since I tested positive for Group B Strep, they have to hook me up to IV antibiotics.  I have to go through two bags before they want me to start delivering.  At this point the contractions are getting out of control and I'm getting virtually NO break in between.  They were coming 1 minute apart and felt like knives ripping my insides apart.  I was actually whimpering.  Ryan was a bit freaked out by the sounds I'm making.

I keep asking when can I PLEASE have the epidural???  I can't remember why they kept putting it off...but I know that it was probably around 5 a.m. that the guy came in to administer.  It was such a strange feeling...felt like electric shocks down one leg?  But nothing painful really.  After that I just waited probably 15 minutes and then the relief kicked in.  Sweet, blissful relief...ahhhhh.  I felt so much better that all of a sudden felt super relaxed and wanted to go to sleep haha.

The Dr came in and checked me out and said to just try to relax.  Ryan and I just chilled and after an hour the Dr came back in and said that I had gone from 3cm to 10cm!  He said that was kinda crazy.  He said I was almost ready to begin pushing, but we were still having to wait for the stupid antibiotics to be in my system.  So we just wait...and wait.

Finally around 8 a.m. they give me the go ahead to start pushing.  So it's just me, Ryan and the RN.  She's great though and coaches me well considering I can't feel what I'm doing like at all.  So while I'm not feeling ANYthing...the act of pushing is really exhausting.  I pushed like 3 times then would rest...then they could see on the machine when another contraction was coming so I would push 3 more times and then rest...etc.

This went on for 2 hours.  At this point the Dr comes in and tells me that if things don't progress further in a decent amount of time, we may need to do vacuum-assist, forceps or a c-section.  He said that baby's shoulder seemed to be at a non-ideal angle.  So this had me determined more than ever to make every push count. So those last 30 minutes I gave it my all.

He finally crowned and the Dr came in and tried to coach me on my pushing.  All I know is that he told me to push...then quickly said, "ok stop, stop, STOP!" but it was too late.  I had just had a third degree tear, but Nolan was here at 10:37 a.m.!


They took him away to clean him up and do all the usual checks.  Ryan had to hold him while the Dr spent over an hour repairing me.  He said had I not had such a wonderful epidural, he'd have had to have taken me straight to the OR because the damage was so great.  I lost a little over a liter of blood, but sitting there while he worked on me, I felt fine.

But then they sat me upright and my whole world faded.

It was so scary...I remember looking at Ryan and then my vision going tunnel-like and gray...and then black as my hearing also faded out.  I honestly thought I was dying.  I have never passed out in my life.  As soon as they laid me back down I came back, but I was terrified.

They wheeled me to my postpartum room.  As soon as I'm in there, they let the immediate family in.  I remember I'm just STARVING...keep in mind it's almost 1 p.m. and I hadn't eaten since maybe 6 p.m. the night before.  I remember seeing all my family and watching them all look at Nolan and pass him around.

And then they tried to sit me upright again...once again the world starts fading away and I yell for them to put me back down.  I hear a nurse say that my blood pressure is 79/54 o_0.  Apparently I was "this close" to needing a transfusion, but they really only do those if ABSOLUTELY necessary.  Apparently I look scary to everyone...my family is so freaked by my pale appearance that they insist on leaving and try to get Ryan's family to do the same...they feel as if I need to rest and looking back I think they were right.  I remember finally getting some food and Ryan had to feed me lying down.

At this point I can't yet feel anything to do with my tear and luckily I have no need to go to the bathroom for quite a while.  But later that evening I do and the nurses have to help me...I almost pass out every single time they set me upright.  And on top of that, all the feeling is coming back and it's just horrible.

I also haven't slept at all during any of my time since I checked in...every time I am finally left alone, I try to get to sleep, but then a machine in my room beeps, or the IV has an issue, or the blood pressure cuff goes super-tight and wakes me.  And if I do drift off momentarily through all of that, they bring Nolan back from the nursery to try to nurse, which is a total disaster in itself.

So this goes on for the 2 nights I am there.  Completely exhausted, in so much pain and feeling like a huge failure to Nolan who is so obviously starving that they have to ask me if they can give him some formula.  He is jaundiced :(

It was just such a stressful time.  Not at all what I had expected.  Thank GOD my mom was able to stay with us from the beginning because I couldn't do much of anything with my tear and blood loss.  It was all I could do to hold Nolan and try to breastfeed.  My milk didn't come in until the fifth day and the Dr was concerned about Nolan's health.  He had lost quite a bit of weight so we had to supplement.  I was pumping and pumping all the time, but never got more than 5 oz total from both breasts.  We gave it a solid 3 weeks, but that's all I could do.

The first three weeks of his life were hard...omg were they hard.  He wouldn't sleep more than an hour and a half at the most...ever.  Around 4 weeks I was changing him and noticed an olive-sized lump in his groin above his penis.  I knew that Ryan, his dad and his brother had all had inguinal hernias as children...but more like after 6 months of age.  Sure enough this is what Nolan has.

Poor little guy has surgery at just over 5 weeks of age.  That was so hard...to hand him over knowing he'll have to be put under at such a young age.  But he made it through and that completely changed how he slept, ate and felt overall.  Was so nice to have him nap for more than 25 minutes at the time.

By 6 weeks things were really getting good.  I had figured out a great routine that was pretty much on a 3-hour cycle.  Wake, change, feed, play, nap, repeat.  In doing this, I was getting 1-hour naps during the day and he was sleeping 5 hours a night with only one feeding.  By 8 weeks he was consistently sleeping 6 hours at night...by 10 weeks 8 hours at night with two, 2-hr+ naps and now he's going around 10 hours at night with at least two, 2-hour naps during the day.

I never used to believe it when people would say "it gets better"...but now I know it CAN happen haha.

Things he loves:
Mobile gym - omg his favorite thing ever!  He'll spend 30 min on this easily
Bumbo - he just recently can sit in this and is good for right after he eats
Eating
Cooing and laughing

Things he does not love:
The swing??  Of course the most $$$ thing we have for him he's not big on..I've gotten him to like it for like 10 min at the time haha
The bouncer??  He likes it more now than he used to, but still not much

What else...um...I know I'm forgetting things here and there...but I would say we're doing good!  I just started back to work, but with reduced hours.  I now work 30 hours...3 days are in the office so Nolan is in daycare on Monday, Wednesday and Friday...then I work a few hours from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I'm so fortunate to be able to do this...but also still mad jealous of women in the UK and Canada who get crazy maternity leave.  And REALLY jealous of those fortunate enough to be able to be stay-at-home moms.  Best job in the world I think!

I'm alive!

Hi all...sorry I've been so MIA...this first week has been a rough one.

I'm not gonna type out the birth story yet, but basically...epidurals are awesome, but a third degree tear is NOT.  I lost a good liter of blood and it took them an hour to put me back together :(  The tear is healing well apparently, but getting my energy back from the blood loss has been a struggle.  The first night home I tried to do to much and didn't wake mom to get help and I had a mini-breakdown both physically and emotionally.  But I'm better each day and he really is a cutie. 

Ryan is still adjusting too.  He's doing really well I think, but right now he says he only likes him when he's sleeping ;)  I think that's a pretty normal sentiment.

My milk JUST came in today so we've been having to do formula in the meantime.  I just tried out my breast pump...WEIRD!  But I did manage to get some.  This is all soooooooooo alien to me, but I'm going with it.  Nothing like having your mom help you shove your nipple into your baby's mouth while your husband helps hold his little arms still ;)  So long modesty!

That's all I got for now, but will try to be better about communicating in the future...just might be really scarce for a bit longer ;)  Love you all! 

How is everyone else doing??
Mandy

39 weeks 6 Days

Ok so...Ryan and I were all excited about our ultrasound today.  We get to the waiting room and the ultrasound tech comes over to us.  She says that the girl who scheduled this appt for me last week wasn't paying attention.  Insurance won't cover the ultrasound or NST monitoring until AFTER my due date, which would mean Friday.  She explains she is sorry and that I'll still meet with the Dr for the cervix check and measuring.  I'm just so so disappointed.  I tell Ryan he can go back to work.

I see the Dr and she apologizes for the mixup.  She says she will still check me and offers to strip my membranes as it can sometimes speed things up (said can trigger labor within 48 hrs?).  I say sure.  She checks and I've not made any further progress.  Still 3cm and 70% effaced.  She strips my membranes, which is only slightly more uncomfy than the check itself. 

So now I'm home and grumpy and spotting like whoa.  No cramping or contractions yet that I'm aware of.  Baby still measuring "normal"...she estimated he'll be under 8 lbs or just over.  Now the next available u/s and NST appt is Monday at 2pm.  Maybe I'll go into labor before then.  They did go ahead and put me on the schedule to be induced next Thursday if he hasn't yet arrived. 

I'm just so disappointed...but I'm hormonal and I know I'll get over it.  Just such a letdown.

39 weeks 4 days (TMI)

So over the weekend I had some TMI events...I spotted most of the day Friday after the OB appt...nothing unusual.

Saturday morning I noticed some brownish mucus so I assumed it was my mucus plug. Ryan had gotten up WAY early to go to Record Store Day so I texted him that I had lost it. His reply was too funny...I just imagined him standing in line and reacting. He kills me!


Anyway, Sunday morning was the REAL mucus plug...a brownish mass at the bottom of the toilet. Gross, but ok whatever.

Then this morning after peeing I noticed a rather sizable reddish brown streaky mucus mass on the TP...after googling I realize this is the "bloody show," which is way more indicative that things are about to start happening.

So here I sit today at my desk...highly unmotivated to work. Haven't had any menstrual-like cramping or BH contractions that I'm aware of since Tuesday, but I do think we will be meeting BB before the weekend perhaps! My brother is back stateside around 10:30am tomorrow when I'm supposed to pick him up from the airport. Crazy times!

Next OB appt is Wednesday at 1:20pm. Kinda hoping I go into labor then and there since we'll be right at the hospital ;)

39 weeks 1 day

Baby
-measuring normal
-still head down
-heart rate 140bpm

Me
-3cm dilated and still 70% effaced.
-If he hasn't yet arrived by then, the next appt is Wednesday at 1:20 where they'll do an ultrasound to make sure all is well. If he is showing any signs of stress or whatnot, they move up induction, but for now he won't be induced until May 3 if he hasn't shown up by then.

New stuff
-Had my first, definitive Braxton Hicks contractions the past two nights. No pain, just definite tightening of entire abdomen for a few minutes at the time.
-Also had more intense, menstrual-like cramps down low earlier in the week. Nothing since.

Colleen's Birth Story 4/11/12

Even though I'm planning a birth with some drugs and an epidural I'm posting my friend's birth story as it's a pretty awesome one for those wishing to go natural:

So there is totally truth to the "you'll know thing". I mean, i was not 100%, but i just felt different that morning. I actually slept so soundly the night before - natures way of getting me ready, perhaps? I had no appetite, but no other "symptoms" until we were leaving for the dr...when I peed, the toilet paper had a little pink - not enough to be sure, but I was certainly suspicious.

Ok, so I had a 9:45 dr appointment (40 weeks) and she is delivering a baby, so we are waiting. Probably 20 min go by and I tell my husband that this is the day and I ask the receptionist if I can see any dr because I think I'm going into labor. I cannot tell you any particular reason I said this. So anyway, I go back and get undressed and the nurse says my dr will be there in five minuets. I'm on the table and I have my first true contraction - major cramp, a "strong" BH feeling, and then a fairly sharp pain very low. I said "ouch" pretty loudly and made a face. Pretty soon I told my husband that I felt "leaky". Dr comes in, looks at the leak, and says that my bag hasn't fully broken, but it does have a leak. She goes to examine me, I have another contraction (much stronger!), there is an audible "pop", and I gush water everywhere! Yuck! She declares that I am 4cm, 90%, and at 0 station - and says I must go to labor and delivery now because there was slight meconium staining. Mind you, my dr is at the hospital, so we only have a one minute walk.

Call the doula (come now!), call my mom, get checked in and by now my contractions are about two minutes apart (not necessarily normal - everything was in fast forward for me). Doula arrives, Davin runs home (thankfully five minutes away) to get the camera and bags, and by the time he returns (20 min) my contractions are one minute apart and very strong. It hurt. A lot. But it is doable and that minute inbetween is heavenly! I found waking, swaying, and leaning forward on someone very helpful. Laying down made my low back really hurt. I also had this obsession with Davin rubbing between my thumb and first finger - I actually bruised but would not let him stop - I think I focused on it. Gross alert - at this point I very suddenly and painfully had to poop. I ran to the toilet and, in front of everyone, just let go. Ugh! But you truly don't care at that point. Also, my doula was great about making me drink water (with a straw - she'd just shove it in my face) and I still ended dehydrated, so put someone on water duty. At the end of this part, I suddenly got violently shaky - like I was cold, but I don't think I was. The nurse and my doula said it was normal - my teeth about rattled out of my head.

Transition came quickly for me and that was the worst part. A contraction would peak and just start to wane and another would come - I kept saying I thought I'd have a break. But that did go quickly. In fact, the whole thing flew by. At this point, I moved to the toilet to labor and that ended up feeling the best and I hung out there forever. I sometimes stood over it, but usually just kind of sat with my legs wide apart and used it as leverage. Davin was in front of me and sometimes I would lean forward on him. In between the contractions I would completely zone out - it felt like I was on the brink of fainting almost, but I never did. I felt nauseas at times, but never got sick - burped like a drunk man though! Haha! My temperature fluctuated wildly - I would have these hot, sweaty flashes and someone would fan me - bring something to fan with! Then I'd get cold and shaky and want to hug someone for warmth.

Pushing sucked - it did. But again, it flew by and I pushed for nearly two hours. The time inbetween was, again, great and I'd zone out. But when the contraction would hit, it would hurt and pushing hurt and I could never decide which was worse. So sometimes I pushed and sometimes I just breathed through it. I did this over the toilet as well and when they made me move to check me, it hurt worse, so I went back to the toilet. Good thing - I pooped again. :( ugh! The whole time I could feel his head moving lower, which was actually very reassuring. And when I did summon the strength to really push, it felt good because I felt like I was making progress.

Ok, so then I KNEW when he was starting to crown because it burned! I had to move to the bed, which I didn't love, BUT I did have a squat bar, which I used and liked a lot. Also, if I did lay back, Davin and my doula would grab my legs and pull them back and then I'd grab my thighs and pull forward and that felt good. Then when they could first see the head, Davin got excited and I reached down to feel it and that was awesome and gave me the strength to keep going. Plus, then you know it's almost over! Very shortly after, I could SEE the head when I pushed and pulled myself forward, and that was great too. While crowning did burn a lot, it was not as bad as I had expected. And it was quick. So then the dr has to kind of push your skin back a little as the head comes out, which is terrible, but the second it clears, the feeling is of tremendous relief - it was amazingly great! Then the shoulders I didn't really notice, and then my only real yelling - Davin had his shoulders and I told him to just pull and get him out! Haha! Then he was on my belly and it was over and all worth it and all the terrible thoughts seem ridiculous (I actually said out loud at one point that we were never having another kid!) and you instantly start to forget! I only vaguely remember delivering the placenta- it was easy and felt again slightly like relief.

Then unfortunately, I hemmoraged (spl?) pretty badly - my uterus would not contract and shrink and I lost A LOT of blood! I was so enamored with Henry that I was unaware for awhile. But the dr got really concerned and more nurses came in and they had to give my oxytocin to make it contract. Later, they said they really thought I was going to need a transfusion! But again, I was somewhat blissfully unaware!

The tummy time was amazing and he fed right away and Davin cut the cord. That all lasted about an hour. Then they took him (just across the room) for all the stats and I realized I was STARVING and dehydrated. I ate graham crackers and downed apple juice like a kid and let me tell you, it was the best thing I have ever tasted! Haha! Then we moved to recovery. So my water broke about 10:25 and he was born at 3:50. Fast! And I did it the way I wanted - no meds!!!

38 weeks

Nothing too crazy, but it's been far too long since I posted anything. Still need to go through pics from my formal shower at some point :)

Had my 38 week checkup yesterday...some stats:

Baby
-measuring normal
-still head down
-heart rate 158bpm

Me
-Dr confirmed I did test positive for Group B Strep. Just means I will have an IV of antibiotics at time of delivery.
-up 35 lbs...not real happy about this, but Dr said I'm fine. will just be extra motivated to get it all off and then some ;)
-cervix checked for first time...1cm dilated and 70% effaced. Dr said she doesn't expect me to go past my due date, but you never know.

In other news...how am I feeling and what's new? Been a while since I documented so this is for posterity's sake:

-backache a daily battle. always under bra-line on left in my upper back...kinda under shoulder blade. used to hit me around 5:30...now it gets me way early in the day and driving is a killer...even just my short 10-15 min commute. Only fix is laying down

-heartburn...luckily Zantac has kept it mostly at bay so long as I remember to take the 2nd dose by 4pm.

-swelling of hands and feet...it's never crazy, but definitely there and more noticeable at the end of the day

-painful hands in the middle of the night...Dr said it's from fluid redistributing during the night. hurts to do anything with my hands, but disappears almost immediately upon waking

-been waking up sometimes in the past few weeks almost choking on acid reflux...ugh. it's a pretty horrible experience. have tried sleeping propped up a bit and it does help...some

-in the past week I have had some bad (TMI) trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night. apparently this is likely due to the hormone Prostaglandin, which helps prep the body for labor by thinning the cervix and whatnot

-heart racing/elevated pulse...this has been ongoing since 36 weeks I think. will be racing up to 120bpm while just sitting at my desk. asked Dr and she said can be normal at this stage and to not worry unless I develop chest pain. but it's really annoying and causes me to sigh almost constantly. i'm sure my coworkers aren't annoyed at all ;)

I'll post more if I think of anything haha...seems like a lot of complaining, but it's more just documenting. Can't believe I get to meet my son soon...omg "my son"...WHAT??? :D

Shower #1

This past Saturday was my first shower! It was a drop-in style shower hosted by my mom and her sister, my Aunt Hilda. It was really nice, though it's pretty exhausting standing around and chatting when you're 34+ weeks pregnant ;)

Got lots of clothes and some other goodies. Shower #2 is Wednesday at work.

Diaper cake my mom made...I was so impressed! She'd never made one before:


Cake my Aunt Hilda made...sooo good!


Ryan and me:


Loot!

5 Words Babies Use

For future reference...watched this video and found it pretty amazing:



Readers Digest version:

neh = hungry
owh = sleepy
heh = discomfort (hot, cold, needs diaper change)
eair = lower gas
eh = burp me

OB appt (31w1d)

Had my 31 week OB appt Friday...and everything was good. Blood pressure normal, BB's heartrate was 128 (normal), belly/uterus measuring right on track and I'm up 25 lbs, which they said is also "normal"...at this rate I should be up ~35 lbs total at the end...should gain about a pound a week.

Not real happy about this as I had hoped 25 would be my max, but what can ya do? BB is sitting head-down, but of course he can still do flips right now, but they said this is also good. Now I will have bi-weekly appts for a bit (next one March 9) and then weekly. Ahhhhhhhhh! Time is FLYING!

Help after baby arrives...

So yesterday I had asked what you guys are planning to do/have done when it came to having family around right after the baby arrives. My mom lives 3 hours away at the coast. My MIL lives only 20 minutes away. MIL is chill and laid-back and even if she's chomping at the bit to be super-involved in BB's life, she doesn't make it known the way OMG my mom does haha. This is the first grandchild for everyone so it's a big, big deal.

Anyway, my mom I think had planned to come home with us from the hospital and stay at least a week to help out...which, initially, I was ok with. But as time has gone on, I have come to think a lot on it and I'm just not sure.

So...in order to not have shiz hit the fan later on...I sent an email to mom last night...

Been talking with other moms and with Ryan and just starting to think about what will happen once BB finally arrives. Ryan and I think it'd be good to be just he, me and the baby for the first two weeks (we'd love to have you at the hospital of course when things actually happen)...and then once Ryan goes back to work (week 3), would love for you (and dad if he wants haha) to come stay for a week.

I just think even though it'll be tiring and crazy, that it's important for us to have that time getting to know our new addition y'know? Some good bonding time. Just thinking ahead.

But then again I may call you after our first night at home on our own and beg you to come up then haha...but can we play it by ear? See how things go?

She replied better than I expected actually...

Of course we will respect whatever you and Ryan want and will be there when needed or "if" needed. I did have a small crib in our room when you were born so I could just raise my head and see you any time day or night. After about three days, with no sleep for either of us, we put you next door in your own room. It was so cute. When you would wake up, Dad, me, Chad (older brother) and Mimmie (her mom) would show up in your room. However, mother did a fantastic job giving you a bath and washing your head from the beginning.

This article below sort of says it all. You and he have to be the judge of what you need and I guarantee you will not know that until the time comes.

Knowing What Kind of Help You Need
http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/yourfamily/family-life/new-moms-how-much-help-will-you-need/article_98a5ef33-c346-53db-8d70-70ae0a54fc10.html

Thoughts?

Bumpwatch: 30 Weeks

Time is REALLY flying now!

So here's me at 24 weeks...

...and this is me today at 30!

And I still have 10 more weeks to grow?? What??

Nursery coming along...

Got the bedding in (still need to remove, launder and iron things of course), window treatment up and nightstand painted! We still have to paint the bookcase and chest of drawers.

Mom bought us a changing table, which should arrive on Tuesday. We are still looking for a glider and ottoman, too, but THEN I think we'll be set on the actual furnishing of the nursery.

We do have some Classic Pooh decals to put up (tastefully, of course) and a few things to hang on the walls. I would like to get a couple floating shelf-type deals to put around the room. Not in a huge rush.

Ahhhhhhhh time is FLYING!

Crib Bedding

Mother-in-law just ordered this for us. Classic Pooh Together Time. Yippie! Hope it comes in SOON! We're putting the crib together tonight. Oh how our Friday nights have changed ;)

The nursery begins

Still have a TON to do, but we got the blah-white walls painted a nice, neutral taupe/beige on Saturday. It's Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth (984). My friend helped me paint, but even so, my back and calves are STILL reeling haha.

Ordered the Graco Stanton crib in black over the weekend along with a Sealy crib mattress. Hope to order the stroller today. Ahhhhhhhhh!

Before:



After:



FYI that bookcase was Ryan's when he was little. We plan to paint it black(ish) to match the crib. Also have a 3-drawer dresser that was mine when I was little that we'll also be painting and using as the changing table, too. Eeek!

Have to figure out window treatments and crib bedding. Thinking of a gray-blue? Or maybe going with the teal and brown trend that is so popular at the moment? Guess will have to see what's out there. Oh and will be putting in a nice ceiling fan. Our whole house upstairs has 90s-dated brass fixtures at the moment...been slowly replacing them.

Baby Transportation and Digs

Ok so I have obsessed and obsessed and researched til I'm blue in the face, but I think I have FINALLY figured out how the heck we're gonna get this little boy around town for the first 55 lbs of his life...

The plan is to get an infant car seat and 2 bases to go with a snap 'n go frame for the first 3 months. We are leaning heavily toward a Graco SnugRide 35 and the Graco SnugRider frame:


After those first few months, the plan would be to move on to a stroller that will be *the* stroller throughout toddlerdom. Have heard so many moms say that while a travel system is very nice, it turns out to be a pain to lug around and sometimes you have to fuss with it with both hands. I wanted something that I could unfold with one hand...even do while holding baby.

After MUCH (OMG TOO MUCH) researching...I got it narrowed to the Baby Jogger City Mini and the Britax B-Agile. Once I had done that, I found this article and my decision was made...that and the reviews on Amazon were amazingly positive:

Britax B-Agile vs. Baby Jogger City Mini

So yeah...we have a $200 gift card to Sears from Ryan's grandmother so I'm pretty sure we'll be spending it very soon on the Britax B-Agile. I only wish it came in more colors. Right now they offer only black and red so we'll be doing black.


Whew...now only 1,465,983 more decisions to make o_0

At least the nursery will be painted this weekend. That's the plan anyway ;) Then we can start on furnishing. Pretty set on this crib so far...Graco Stanton:

Baby Product Advice #5 (Courtney)

We've gone through a lot of strollers. Had a travel system, but the stroller that came with it didn't work well on the sidewalks, so we got rid of it. I used the snap and go all the time - I highly recommend it. I borrowed mine.

I got a BOB when Liam was a little over a year, and we still use it now. Great for all kinds of outings, including the beach. We also have an umbrella stroller - that's what we used for the mall/stores once Liam and James were out of the snap n go.

For babyseats, it's been a while so I'm sure Baby Bargains has updates, but I used Graco infant seats and Britax convertible seats. Now back to the Graco for big boy's booster.

Pack n play - we have the Graco. It's been great. We did use it downstairs while both kids were infants and of course use it on trips.

Diaper pails ... I wouldn't bother with one. We had a diaper champ and it just always smelled bad. I switched to a trash can with a lid and that has worked much better.

Exercise ball. If you don't already have one, it's helpful for pregnancy (comfortable for sitting) and for soothing the baby (sitting on it and bouncing while holding baby).

For equipment, we used the bouncy seat with both kids. They both loved it, and we loved it too. Liam slept in it on his first few nights home. James also loved the swing. We borrowed one because it's hard to know if your baby will like it. I think Liam would have liked a swing too, but we didn't even try him on one.
We also borrowed things like the exersaucer since they use them for such a short period. I definitely recommend borrowing things!

Speaking of using things for a short period - in hindsight, I wouldn't get a high chair. Neither of my kids would use one past 12 months - they sat at little tables at daycare, so they didn't want to use them at home. You could get a booster seat (there's one for traveling that comes with a tray that we borrowed and liked), which would take up less space.

For carriers, I used the baby bjorn, the hotsling, and the ergo. I liked them all at different stages. Liam loved the hotsling and it was a godsend for the early months - I actually used it until he was 18 months, then we got the Ergo. The hotsling is very easy to use if you have a kid that needs to be held all the time. James didn't like it, but he liked the Ergo, which he calls the "mommy backpack". I didn't use the Bjorn for all that long - a few months, but it was very helpful during those months.

Swaddling is great. I highly recommend it as well. It's hard to keep up with it for a spring baby since it gets hot, but it really works. Get some of those Aden and Anais blankets. They are my absolute favorite for swaddling. James still sleeps with those blankets as lovies, so nice and soft!

Good, comfortable rocker - I have an upholstered chair and rocking ottoman that is still indispensible from Oh Baby.

Backpack diaper bag (or something that your man will be ok to carry). It's actually great to have something hands-free like a back-pack when the kids get bigger. Backpacks are not as useful when you have to carry the kids in a backpack carrier though!

Random things I found helpful - cloth diapers for burp cloths and for putting on the changing table (saves you from having to change the cover all the time), sheet savers (snaps on top of the crib sheet if you have a super soaker kid so you don't have to change sheets in the middle of the night), Eddie Bauer pack n play sheets (softer than most), the Boppy - for nursing and just arm support, quilts for the floor.

Baby Product Advice #4 (Susan)

We didn't have space for more than 1 stroller, so we got a bumbleride indie and strapped the car seat (Chicco KeyFit 30) in it until he could sit up in it on his own at about 4 months. The sidewalks in our neighborhood are awful, and the travel systems just don't have good enough tires. I jog with the indie now and love it. It has a narrower profile than the BOB. Again, space is always a premium! I will say that a snap and go would have been handy to take to the mall or Target - we didn't have anything lightweight to use until he was about 4 months old and I picked up a little umbrella stroller at a consignment sale for $10. Now I keep that in the car and we use it at stores.

Ok - all the equipment is very baby specific. We bought a bouncy seat (you are welcome to borrow it) because the swings were huge. But the I ended up borrowing a swing to see if he liked it. This was in the early days, when you think that if you just find the right appliance they'll stop crying. We hardly ever used it and I gave it back at about 3 months. The bouncy seat got used every day while I was taking a shower and while we ate dinner. It was a must have. I have the Bright Starts automatic bouncer. Ah, I can still hear that music playing when I think about it! Other people's babies would sleep in the bouncer, mine never did. Mine only slept in the Baby Bjorn during the day, which would be another recommendation. I have the Air model, which is more mesh fabric. Great for spring/summer babies. I also have a Moby wrap that you're welcome to borrow. I thought I'd really get into wrapping him up and wearing him, but it was just too much fabric and I was too hot. It did soothe him well though. Takes some practice - I practiced with a baby doll.

Pack and play- we have the Chicco one. It's at my mom's now so he can nap over there. Way too cumbersome to move back and forth. I borrowed another one and it's at my MIL's house. I never had much use for it. Our house is 1 story and very small, so it was in our living room and just became a place to put laundry or somewhere to put him for a second if I had to pee. I would imagine that in a two story house it would get more use as a diaper changing spot or a nap place. Again, mine never napped in the crib until he was 3 months old.

Practice swaddling. I've got the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD if you want to borrow. Swaddling blankets can be tricky. I actually had the most success with 2 cotton waffle weave blankets - nothing fancy. I've got a Swaddle Designs kind, a miracle blanket, a Woombie. You're welcome to try any of them in those early days and see what works before buying more. Lots of people have the Velcro kind, but for some reason I never got any of those. I can also show you the double swaddling technique that finally tamed my little Houdini - Kerry taught me. She's the best. I cried when she showed me how to do it!

My guy wasn't into pacifiers. We used the green ones that you can stick your finger into - I can't remember what they're called. That phase didn't last long.

Best toy for a baby - Manhattan Toy's Whoozit. Still plays with it now. He would stare at those black and white circles forever. Also there's this Sassy "photo album" with the infant toys at Target and it's got different black and white designs on each page. Best $5 spent on a toy! I honestly dont remember him paying much attention to other toys. At about 2 months or so, he would kind of like the little gym thing. We have the Fisher Price jungle one. Again - want to borrow?

(we're packing up to put our house on the market, so I'm totally cool with loaning all this stuff out for a while!)

I just asked Dave what we used all the time, and he said earplugs. He's right. [:)]

I got an upholstered chair and ottoman that rocked, rather than a glider with a wood frame. You will log more hours than you'll care to imagine in that chair, so get the most comfortable thing you can find. I got mine at Oh Baby which is closed now, but they have good ones at Smart Momma out on 70 - great store if you haven't been there yet.

Baby Product Advice #3 (Erin & friends)

For the lightweight stroller we went with a Maclauren. I read it's really nice. It's pricey for a lightweight stroller but I liked the storage space and it looks really sturdy like it'd last for another child. Monitor the Summer Touch monitor was rated really well. Plus you can add another camera so if you have #2 you can watch both kids at the same time. For the bouncer, pack n play, exersaucer, etc I did research and looked at other mommy blogs and chose what I chose because of what other people said. I decided not to go with a Diaper Genie because i'm not sure it's worth it. We'll just take the poopy diapers straight to the garage. I also didn't want a bumbo. I know some people swear by them but I'm also heard that some babies grow out of them really fast or I've heard of a lot of accidents with babies in them. For sleepers, I heard that the ones with zippers are great for the late night changing. Also, I did some research on laundry detergent. Dreft is what you hear the most but a lot of people/drs actually said it's not the best. You want a detergent that says free and clear or something. Anyway, here's what my friends said. Of course take what you want and discard other stuff. If you find out any other helpful information I'd love to hear it.

Friend 1: (She nursed but also pumped some. I'm hoping to nurse but I want to pump some as well which is why I registered for bottles.)
I would register for tons of bottles and nipples of all sizes (pick one brand, we used Dr. Brown's), a video baby monitor, nursing accessories (milk storage bags), something that plays music in the nursery and/or shines images on the ceiling, bumbo seat, swaddling blankets and the nap-sack type things that you wrap the baby in to swaddle them (they have velcro too, can't remember what they're called), thermometer (register for the kind you swipe across the forehead, the ear ones are terribly inaccurate), baby food maker (making your own food saves a ton of money)....that's all I can think of for now. I'll try to remember some other must-haves. Those are the basic things we couldn't live without. People might disagree with the video baby monitor but once you have one, you'll never go back. You can easily watch the baby's chest rise and fall, and you instantly feel better. I STILL roll over in bed, check the monitor and go back to sleep. Saves you from having to go into the bedroom several times a night to check on the baby. As far as the bumbo seat, that's what we've used up until now to feed London in. We didn't have to buy a high chair for a whole year. And yes, people will buy you clothes and toys anyway. Also, don't be bummed out when only a handful of items were bought on your registry and you get a whole bunch of crap you don't need LOL. I ended up returning about 5 blankets (I still have SEVERAL we don't use), several duplicate toys, etc. Where all are you registering?

Friend 2: She's pregnant with her 2nd child. She mainly nursed, not even sure if she pumped at all. For her first child she had a Chicco Key Fit Carseat and stroller. But for this 2nd she did more research and decided on the City Select Stroller. It's got lots of attachments so you can use whatever car seat and you can make it a double stroller. It is a REALLY nice stroller but it's way more money than we (or any of our family) has to spend. We decided to go for the Chicco and can always try to sell the stroller and go for the City stroller when/if we have #2.

Should I register for many toys/books/cds or do people usually get that stuff for you anyway? Same with clothes. How much should I actually register for?

I wouldn't overflow your registry with those items. However, I would register for some toys that attach to your car seat for them to stare at, as well as maybe the Sleep Sheep to go ($20) that can be attached to stroller/carseat that plays music/soothing noises. Also, you can register for some teether toys that they'll use in several months after birth just so you have them on hand since you never know when your kid will start teething. I know a lot of people love the Vulli Sofie Giraffe Teether and it's like $25 so it's a good item to have on the registry. People will buy you some clothes, but more than likely you are willing to spend your own money on clothes so I would keep clothes to a minimum. Maybe just do a couple sleeper packs (since they wear them all the time), onesie pack and do some bib/burp cloth packs since people might do a "feeding" gift and want to have those to go along with it. Also, I know some people really like the Sleep Sacks and they are costly so if you want to try some, then register for them so it's not out of your own pocket. You can have whomever is making the invites have a notation in their that a gift receipt is appreciated for easier returns if necessary. So if you get ugly clothes you didn't register for you have a way to return them!

Since I'm wanting to nurse, how many bottles should I register for? I'd like some because I'd like to pump some as well.

I didn't do the registering for bottles at all since I was planning on nursing and wanted people to buy other things that were more important to me on the registry. I ended up buying a triple pack of dr. brown's when he was 8-9 months and that was all I used. It was more than enough! Christy might be better at answering this question since she did more pumping and bottle feeding.

Are there specific medicines that you've found helpful that I should register for?

Children's Tylenol is always a good one, as well as Children's Ibuprofen. To me, the Mylicon didn't work as well as bicycling their legs or changing your diet (since breastfeeding you affect their gas levels). However, these meds generally aren't used for newborns, you find that you need them once they're 6 months plus.

Is a mobile necessary?

Absolutely not. I ended up registering for one, and received it. It was nice in that it gives them something to stare at while laying in the crib. Something to think about is, at what age are you putting them in their crib to sleep. Cause if it is when they're 2-3 months, mobile is handy. However, if it is not till they're 6-7 months (because they're sleeping in your room prior to then) then they can sit up in the crib on their own generally and that's when Wyatt broke his from pulling on it.

Finally, Diaper Genie or regular trash?

Diaper Genie is a total waste of money if you ask me. I know people that have them and they always complain about how it still smells and that more often they end up putting the stinky ones outside anyways. I am perfectly content having a bag in the garage to throw #2s in, especially since you'll be breastfeeding so the poops don't stink until they start solids. I would register for those 50 bag packs of powder scented bags (basically are small plastic bags that smell good) to have in your diaper bag. They come in handy for tying up soiled diapers when you're at someone's house to be polite. Also, it comes in handy for throwing in spit up on or wet clothes in when you're out so they don't stink up your diaper bag too.

My Advice

Energizer Rechargable Battery Station along with registering for AA, C, D rechargable battery packs. Check and see what kind of batteries the items you registered for require and then register for those size batteries. The rechargeable batteries are very expensive and it's nice to have them in order to avoid replacing them all the time on those favorite items (swings, bouncy seat) now and for future toys!

Register for any decor items that you absolutely want, any high end items, any items for future use that you want for future in order to use the completion discount on the remaining items on your registry! Babies R Us sends you a 20% off coupon after your due date in order to get any item left on your registry you want at a discount.

You already know my opinion on what I would have done with the stroller. I think that for most individuals a travel system by graco or chicco works for them. If you plan on just strolling the neighborhood versus running/rollerblading/hiking, you really don't need a jogging/all terrain stroller, but the travel system one works fine. If you plan on taking a lot of trips that require plane travel, or are planning on having kids father than 2-3 years apart, it might be a good thing to register for a lightweight stroller.

Nursing Cover. I never registered for one and I just used the flannel blankets to cover up. However, the nursing covers are nice in that you don't have to worry about it slipping off your shoulder since there's a strap on it. I'm sure your mom could make one easily too.

Digital Rectal Thermometer by Vick's. (it is designed to make sure that you don't insert more than appropriate into the rectum so don't worry that you'd shove it in too far) The only accurate way to take a child's temp till they're 18months + is rectal. When you call teh doctor's office cause your baby has a fever, the first thing they ask is if it was a rectal temp you took. If it isn't rectal, they assume it's not accurate till they test it rectal. I swear it isn't as bad as it sounds to do it. Wyatt doesn't even squirm to this day if I have to take his temp rectally, he just shifts when I first put it in, but it's done in 10 seconds (literally!).

Baby Product Advice #2 (CJ)

You could go either way with the stroller. I ended up NOT going with the travel system, only because a friend gave us some gear & we didn't need the whole system. Snap N Go is nice, but you're going to eventually need a regular stroller. Long story short, you should probably just go with the travel system. You'll use it while baby is in the infant carrier & then you'll use it when he's big enough to sit in the stroller like a big boy. And that day will come FAST! :)

If you plan on doing any outside walking on anything other than a sidewalk, I would strongly suggest a jogger as well. You could prob pick one up on craigslist, though. I recommend getting one with a front wheel that pivots.

Also, other than the jogger, I would probably stick with a brand new travel system. Strollers and car seats can get pretty funky & I think you would be happier with one that's nice & clean.

Pack N Plays are really all the same. You will only use the bells & whistles "infant" set up for a short time. They are all pretty much identical in how they're made, so just pick a style you like. I would suggest the nice fuzzy velour type sheet for it & also consider the extra mattress (about 2 inches thick) if you think he’ll be sleeping in it on a fairly regular basis as he gets older (like if he’ll be sleeping in it at the beach, etc). The mattress that comes with it is pretty hard.

We didn’t use our swing much at all with Riley, but we used it a ton with Mason...I think just because he was #2 and I couldn’t hold him all day. You might want to consider getting a swing from craigslist since you may not use it much. Plus, it takes up a lot of space for something that I think is used more for subsequent kids. However, you should definitely register for one of those vibrating bouncy seats. We used that thing like crazy for both kids. It’s nice even with kid #1 because you can put the baby in the bouncer and stare at him while you eat, etc.

MUST MUST MUST get a playmat with the toys & lights & sound. You will use that thing like crazy! Get one new…lots of kids spit up on them. I would also recommend a bumbo seat. I know they are getting a bad wrap right now, but only because some moms are dumb & leave their kid in a bumbo on the kitchen counter & walk away. It’s great on the floor & you can get a tray so they can snack. Very cute & you could get it on craigslist….they wipe clean.

We had a diaper champ only because the diaper genie requires you buy the diaper genie bags. Diaper champ you can use a regular plastic shopping bag. Either way, it’s kinda gross. Good luck with that.

Baby Product Advice #1 (Kelly & Friends)

Must haves:

• The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (do not need to own, but MUST watch, including the extra features!!!!!)
• Safe infant car seat with a base in each car (we have the Graco Snugride). Do not buy used--buy new to make sure it is safe.
• Bouncer with vibrations that is secure, light and easy to bounce & carry around the house (we have an older model of this Fisher Price Soothe & Play Bouncer)--only buy used if in very lightly used condition, otherwise buy new.
• Snap & Go stroller frame for your infant seat (I wish I'd had this with Kellyann--it will save your back/arms). We have the Maclaren Easy Traveller one, and I recommend it because it is light & folds up small & has a big basket--ignore the negative Target review b/c we have a Graco Snugride & it works great with it). Buy used if you can. Saw one on craigslist the other day: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bab/1423468902.html
• Open top swing with high speed that can recline (we have one similar to this one). Buy used because you can get for like $15-20.
• Maclaren brand umbrella stroller (No other brands compare--we have the Volo, but one that reclines like the Triumph or Quest would allow you to use it when the baby is younger--I have heard the Volo's seat is the most comfortable for older children though). Buy used if in good condition.
• Bumkin Super Bibs (You will never want to use any other bibs)
• Ultimate Crib Sheet (You don't need any other sheets or mattress pads--just get a 3-4 of these)
• Waterproof lap pads
• Baby carrier with good back support (I ended up really using two: the Baby Bjorn Carrier Active and the Ergo--I liked the Bjorn Active for early on because the baby is so close and can look up at you and then when they want to look out but can't walk yet, they can face out. The Ergo was better as the child got heavier and can be used for a long time and used on your hip, front & back). Baby Bjorn Synergy is a new product since I had one that is supposed to be a cooler (literally :)) version of the Active model, but I've never tried it. I've also heard good things about the Moby Wrap for young babies, but again, I've never tried one. Buy new or used.
• Boppy with several extra covers. Buy new because you don't know how clean a used pillow would be.
• Soft burp cloths (I liked the cheapest, plainest ones best of all the ones I got--Gerber Cloth Diapers (They were not the premium ones because the premium ones were too rough--I think the ones I liked were these))
• Head support(s)--we used one in the swing and one in the bouncer. My friend used one in her car seat too. My favorite is the Kiddopotamus Snuzzler. Buy used and wash them.
• Robeez brand or Target Ministar baby shoes for pre- and early-walking stages
• Hooter Hider, Udder Cover or other nursing shawl that has a peek-a-boo curve built into the top
• Good quality double electric breast pump--I highly recommend the Ameda Purely Yours Double Electric breast pump--I ordered mine through Nursing Mothers of Raleigh Buy new.
• Nursing pads--Disposable & not-disposable--my favorite disposables are Johnson & Johnson--these are the only ones that don't show under shirts for me
• Good quality nursing bras--I highly recommend going to the Lactation Station at Rex & getting fitted there. You need at least one or two really soft bras for when you are engorged and for sleeping and another one or two for everyday work, etc. My three bras I love are my Majamas Easy Bra, my Bravado Original Nursing Bra, and my Bravado Lifestyle Nursing Bra. There are probably other good ones, but I definitely recommend no underwires. Buy new.
• Soft onesies, snap-up diaper shirts & footed sleepers
• Infant bath tub (I recommend one with a hammock that comes off as they get bigger, kind of like this). Buy new or used.
• Contoured changing pad with multiple covers (we don't have a changing table--we just put ours on top of the dresser). Buy new or used.
• Exersaucer. Buy used because you can get them as cheap as $5 used.
• Pacifiers & pacifier ropes (we love MAM brand)
• Diapers & wipes (I recommend Pampers Swaddlers and Sensitive wipes for the early months)
• Diaper cream (I recommend Aquaphor Baby Ointment)
• Crib (I'd get a convertible one that goes to a bed if I had to buy one and one with as quiet & easy of a drop-side as possible). Buy new or used.
• Pack & Play (Get one that is easy to break down for travel--we also loved that ours had a tent that could attach to it for the beach and to hide us from view in hotel rooms as she got older). Buy used because you can get them really cheap.
• Hats (warm & sun hats)
• Booties with enough elastic to keep them on
• Swaddle blankets--We love our Kiddopotamus SwaddleMes and I've heard great things about the Miracle Blanket
• Soft blankets of all sizes
• Activity Gym mat (like this)
• High chair with sturdy chair & tray--Get one that is easy to wipe down the seat and the tray can fit in dishwasher! Some of my friends used travel high chairs on their chairs exclusively rather than getting a whole big high chair. We had both. Buy new or used.
• Travel booster (we used this when she was little and this as she got older). Buy new or used.
• Crib bumpers (we used the traditional ones when she was little and the mesh Crib Shield when she got older to prevent her climbing--just make sure they fit your crib style)
• Toys for baby (particularly recommend Sassy Me in the Mirror)
• Bottles (we used Browns)
• Bottle brush
• Bottle drying rack
• Bottle dishwasher basket
• Sippy cups (Nuby brand ones are a good first sippy cup)
• Comfortable nursing chair (I highly recommend a rocking recliner over a regular rocker or glider)
• Night light (we love this one)
• Dreft or other free & clear laundry detergent (I love the smell of Dreft though :))
• Baby clothes hangers
• Snack Traps
• Rubber tipped baby spoons
• Backpack or other diaper bag (remember the hospital and/or your doc will usually give you at least one free)
• Plastic links (lots of them!)
• Little Noses Saline Spray
• Baby body wash/shampoo (I LOVE this Method baby wash)
• Baby monitor with a battery option
• Back seat mirror
• Toy bar (we LOVED this one)
• Car seat protector (to go under the car seat to protect your car's seats)
• Digital thermometers (two--one for rectal only and one for underarm/mouth)
• Cool mist humidifier (we love the Crane brand ones)
• Stick-on car cling window sun shades like this (Much nicer/safer than the roll-up/down suction cup ones which we hated)
• Rear window sunshade (only if you have a sedan)
• Baby nail clippers (get ones with big grips for where you hold them because they are small! :))
• Diaper pail (I've heard good things about the Diaper Genie but you have to buy expensive refills--otherwise, just plan to empty any other one regularly--we have this one)
• Board books

Nice to have:

• Travel swing--nice to have in extra room
• Car seat strap covers (I recommend snaps over velcro)
• White noise machine (we love this Conair one)
• Jumper (door frame or other)
• Crib mobile (bold colors hold the baby's attention best)
• Graco Travel Lite crib (like a pack & play but smaller--we used this with the bassinet attachment exclusively by our bed for the first months)
• Microwave Steam Sterilizer (I have an older Avent one)
• Lovey (LOVE these baby cozies :))
• Babylegs (so cute!)
• Soft baby washcloths
• Soft hooded towels
• Jogging stroller
• Superyard XT (great versatile gate system)
• Kiddopottamus Tiny Diner Placemat
• Lullaby CD

Waste of money:

• Any other strollers than a snap & go infant seat frame and an umbrella stroller. We have barely used the stroller that matched our car seat--it's too big, bulky & just not as good as the other strollers. The only feature we preferred about it were the infant & parent trays. Consider trunk space when you purchase baby gear!!!

• Bumbo chair--total fad--baby hated it
• Shopping cart cover--too much trouble!
• Any rain or netting covers unless you'll be outside a ton
• Hooded bath robes

24 weeks = 6 months pregnant WHAT?!?!

Finally got brave enough to take a preggo pic so here it is!

Had an OB appointment this morning. I peed in a cup, they took my blood pressure...weighed and measured me. All is normal, though I have gained 13 lbs total, which is on the upper end of what I should have gained by now. I blame the holidays ;)

So from here on out I need to be just a little more conscious of the food choices I'm making. I can do that, right??

Bun-Bun's heart rate was a steady 145 bpm and is measuring on track. Sad I don't get any more ultrasounds *pouts*

Next appointment is Jan 30 for the glucose test. Will be almost 28 weeks at that appt. Time is FLYING!

Finally going with a friend to look at and start thinking about what I'll be needing to register for. Feeling VERY overwhelmed and clueless at the moment myself haha.

And FYI, heartburn is STILL a daily killer so I just take Zantac in the mornings. If I miss it, I'm miserable.