Every now and again I head on over to the Babies R Us website in an attempt to add things to our registry. And I'll go through the provided checklist, click on the links, and look at the pages and pages of items and just freeze a little. Too many choices! How's a first time mom supposed to pick out bottles or crib sheets or baby carriers or even pacifiers when there's so many options?
So if anyone has some words of wisdom regarding baby products, I'd love to hear it. What couldn't you live without? What was a waste of space or money?
I'm all ears.
Friday, December 27, 2013
How far along? 25 weeks.
Size of baby: The website I've been looking at finally gives a new range of length and weight: 13.6 to 14.8 inches and 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. It now says she's the size of a cauliflower. A cauliflower? Really? A different website says that at this point, baby girl is 13 inches long and about 1.5 pounds. Grow, baby, grow!
Sleep: This has been the week of waking up in the middle of the night. Well, if by "middle of the night" you mean "between 4 and 6 in the morning." I suppose it could be worse. I've woken up I think every single day this week due to one of the following: needing to use the bathroom; being too cold; being too hot; being thirsty; hearing unfamiliar noises. The day after Christmas I slept 12 hours (excluding waking early in the morning). The goal is to get back on track before I have to go back to school.
Total weight gain: No change from last week. Shocking, considering all of the delicious foods I've indulged in the last few days. I'm sure it'll catch up to me. Time to start exercising again!
Unglamorous body changes: Four of my fingernails broke this week. It was tragic.
Best moment this week: I don't think I can pick a single moment of the week as the best one. It's been so great! Jacob and I celebrated our anniversary by seeing The Piano Guys, and we were able to stay at my sister's house for a few days with my parents to celebrate Christmas. We completed two puzzles, saw the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, had our traditional holiday meals, played games with my aunt's family, made a candy train, and generally made merry. It was great. And over too soon.
Movement: She's getting stronger! Her kicks are definitely more noticeable. Last night I was wearing a sweatshirt and covered with a blanket, and when she was kicking I could see my stomach move even through all those layers. She's also gotten into a habit of moving to one side of my belly and pushing out with her whole body, which is a strange sensation. I don't know if this is even physically possible at this point, but every now and again it feels like she's wedged a foot behind my ribcage.
Maternity clothes: While visiting my sister, Heather let me wear a pair of her maternity pants and a top and it was glorious. Then my cousin Angel let me borrow a tub of her maternity clothes. I have yet to go through them all to see which ones fit, but can I just say: Maternity jeans, where have you been all my life? So comfy!
Food cravings/aversions: Again, I've not been afraid to overload on the chocolate and sweets. I do believe a detox is in order.
Symptoms: You may call me Sir Toots-a-Lot. TMI?
Currently looking forward to: Enjoying the rest of my winter break by reading and spending time with Jacob. Also, going on dates by using the vouchers we purchased for each other as Christmas gifts.
Realization of the week: We're bringing a little girl into this world -- a girl that we're responsible for taking care of and teaching! It's a huge responsibility! I want to raise her to be intelligent, and compassionate, and brave, and righteous -- but how on earth do you do that? It seems like a monumental task.
Other tidbits: We only have about 3 and a half months left to get ready for baby girl's arrival. Ack! So much to do, so little time!
Sleep: This has been the week of waking up in the middle of the night. Well, if by "middle of the night" you mean "between 4 and 6 in the morning." I suppose it could be worse. I've woken up I think every single day this week due to one of the following: needing to use the bathroom; being too cold; being too hot; being thirsty; hearing unfamiliar noises. The day after Christmas I slept 12 hours (excluding waking early in the morning). The goal is to get back on track before I have to go back to school.
Total weight gain: No change from last week. Shocking, considering all of the delicious foods I've indulged in the last few days. I'm sure it'll catch up to me. Time to start exercising again!
Unglamorous body changes: Four of my fingernails broke this week. It was tragic.
Best moment this week: I don't think I can pick a single moment of the week as the best one. It's been so great! Jacob and I celebrated our anniversary by seeing The Piano Guys, and we were able to stay at my sister's house for a few days with my parents to celebrate Christmas. We completed two puzzles, saw the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, had our traditional holiday meals, played games with my aunt's family, made a candy train, and generally made merry. It was great. And over too soon.
Movement: She's getting stronger! Her kicks are definitely more noticeable. Last night I was wearing a sweatshirt and covered with a blanket, and when she was kicking I could see my stomach move even through all those layers. She's also gotten into a habit of moving to one side of my belly and pushing out with her whole body, which is a strange sensation. I don't know if this is even physically possible at this point, but every now and again it feels like she's wedged a foot behind my ribcage.
Maternity clothes: While visiting my sister, Heather let me wear a pair of her maternity pants and a top and it was glorious. Then my cousin Angel let me borrow a tub of her maternity clothes. I have yet to go through them all to see which ones fit, but can I just say: Maternity jeans, where have you been all my life? So comfy!
Food cravings/aversions: Again, I've not been afraid to overload on the chocolate and sweets. I do believe a detox is in order.
Symptoms: You may call me Sir Toots-a-Lot. TMI?
Currently looking forward to: Enjoying the rest of my winter break by reading and spending time with Jacob. Also, going on dates by using the vouchers we purchased for each other as Christmas gifts.
Realization of the week: We're bringing a little girl into this world -- a girl that we're responsible for taking care of and teaching! It's a huge responsibility! I want to raise her to be intelligent, and compassionate, and brave, and righteous -- but how on earth do you do that? It seems like a monumental task.
Other tidbits: We only have about 3 and a half months left to get ready for baby girl's arrival. Ack! So much to do, so little time!
Friday, December 20, 2013
How far along? 24 weeks.
Size of baby: My website source still lists the same range for weight and length as the previous two weeks, but baby girl has been upgraded to the size of a cantaloupe, apparently.
Sleep: Oh, sleeping is just grand. I still get really weird dreams and have a hard time leaving the coziness of the bed, but I feel rested enough when I wake up. And I'll be even more rested these next two weeks of winter break! Hallelujah!
Total weight gain: +11 pounds. +15 according to my doctor, but we'll just pretend I'm only up 11.
Unglamorous body changes: Nothing new, to my knowledge.
Best moment this week: Finding out our good friends finally received a foster placement! I'm beyond thrilled for them. They're such good parents and so deserving of this opportunity!
Movement: A couple days ago I decided to watch my stomach while she was moving to see if I could see movement from the outside, and I think I was able to catch a couple kicks! Perhaps I was imagining it . . . but perhaps I wasn't.
Maternity clothes: I'm gong to need to get some maternity jeans soon. The ones I have are getting snuuug. It hurts to bend over at the waist or sit down sometimes because the waistband digs into my skin.
Food cravings/aversions: I want to eat all the chocolates! Maybe it's because it's close to Christmas, but I just want all the sweets. We still don't have much in the house, which is probably a good thing, or I'd eat us out of house and home.
Symptoms: I think my bladder has shrunk. I always need to use the loo these days!
Currently looking forward to: Celebrating our four year anniversary by going out to dinner and seeing The Piano Guys in concert tomorrow! Also, spending more time with my family with Christmas festivities. It should be grand. And finally having time to read my library books!
Realization of the week: Our little girl is going to have Jacob wrapped around her little finger. He's so good at interacting with our niece Kayla. I can't wait to see him be a dad! (Well, I can wait another 16 weeks or so . . . let's give this baby plenty of time to develop before making her grand entrance.)
Other tidbits: As part of our class Christmas party -- which was a Hawaiian luau theme -- the students had a hula hooping station to see who could hula the longest. I decided to give it a go and was able to keep the hula hoop around my waist for an impressive 1.2 seconds. I mentioned to a student, "I'm not very good at this," and she replied, "Yeah, well, you also have a baby!" I'm not quite sure that was the reason for my poor execution, but we'll roll with it. Also, one of my students gave me a baby outfit as a Christmas present! It was pretty adorable.
Sleep: Oh, sleeping is just grand. I still get really weird dreams and have a hard time leaving the coziness of the bed, but I feel rested enough when I wake up. And I'll be even more rested these next two weeks of winter break! Hallelujah!
Total weight gain: +11 pounds. +15 according to my doctor, but we'll just pretend I'm only up 11.
Unglamorous body changes: Nothing new, to my knowledge.
Best moment this week: Finding out our good friends finally received a foster placement! I'm beyond thrilled for them. They're such good parents and so deserving of this opportunity!
Movement: A couple days ago I decided to watch my stomach while she was moving to see if I could see movement from the outside, and I think I was able to catch a couple kicks! Perhaps I was imagining it . . . but perhaps I wasn't.
Maternity clothes: I'm gong to need to get some maternity jeans soon. The ones I have are getting snuuug. It hurts to bend over at the waist or sit down sometimes because the waistband digs into my skin.
Food cravings/aversions: I want to eat all the chocolates! Maybe it's because it's close to Christmas, but I just want all the sweets. We still don't have much in the house, which is probably a good thing, or I'd eat us out of house and home.
Symptoms: I think my bladder has shrunk. I always need to use the loo these days!
Currently looking forward to: Celebrating our four year anniversary by going out to dinner and seeing The Piano Guys in concert tomorrow! Also, spending more time with my family with Christmas festivities. It should be grand. And finally having time to read my library books!
Realization of the week: Our little girl is going to have Jacob wrapped around her little finger. He's so good at interacting with our niece Kayla. I can't wait to see him be a dad! (Well, I can wait another 16 weeks or so . . . let's give this baby plenty of time to develop before making her grand entrance.)
Other tidbits: As part of our class Christmas party -- which was a Hawaiian luau theme -- the students had a hula hooping station to see who could hula the longest. I decided to give it a go and was able to keep the hula hoop around my waist for an impressive 1.2 seconds. I mentioned to a student, "I'm not very good at this," and she replied, "Yeah, well, you also have a baby!" I'm not quite sure that was the reason for my poor execution, but we'll roll with it. Also, one of my students gave me a baby outfit as a Christmas present! It was pretty adorable.
Friday, December 13, 2013
How far along? 23 weeks. I think I can officially say I'm five months along!
Size of baby: Baby girl is now the size of a grapefruit! The average length and weight is the same as last week. Probably because it was such a large range last time.
Sleep: It's getting a little trickier to roll over in bed, but it's definitely still manageable. I wake up sometimes in order to change positions.
Total weight gain: Still haven't stepped on a scale since . . . I don't know when. Hopefully I'm not in for a nasty shock at my appointment this week!
Unglamorous body changes: My belly button is shallower! I just noticed this after I got out of the shower yesterday. I'm on my way to having an outie! (It's still quite a ways away, but I imagine it's bound to happen eventually.)
Best moment this week: I asked Jacob what I should say was my best moment this week. His response: "Just me, baby." Well, I did get to take today off to attend his commencement ceremony, so sure, we'll go with that.
Movement: Apparently baby girl is settling in to her sleep cycles, sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day. I feel her most in the evening still.
Maternity clothes: Nothing new. I still can squeeze into (and button) a couple pairs of my pre-pregnancy pants, and I haven't purchased any maternity tops. I'm sure I'll have to break down and buy some maternity clothes soon, though.
Food cravings/aversions: Not much. Maybe clementines. And chocolate. (Not like we have any chocolate in the house.)
Symptoms: I've been surprisingly emotionally stable throughout this pregnancy, but over the weekend that changed. First, it started with my sobbing during a Christmas Cheer story. The next day I had a breakdown over the state of our second bedroom, which will eventually become the baby's room. Since my mother-in-law and mom came to Utah for Jacob's graduation, they are (or will be) staying in that room, and I was stressed about cleaning it out since it was disastrous. I threatened to throw everything in the bedroom away and the THIRD time I started crying about it (in the space of about 20 minutes), Jacob asked why I was crying again. "I don't know!" I wailed. "I'm PREGNANT!" (For those of you wondering, we did get it cleaned up to a presentable state, largely thanks to Jacob.)
Currently looking forward to: Finishing our Christmas shopping. Which requires starting our Christmas shopping. Also! We're going to two concerts this upcoming weekend -- The Piano Guys and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And both my parents will be in Utah come Friday! (Remember that time my Mom is flying to California on Sunday only to drive back to Utah 4 days later?)
Realization of the week: Babies don't come with snooze buttons! It's definitely going to be a shock to our current sleeping schedules when we're waking up every couple of hours.
Other tidbits: I'm at the point where people either tell me things like "Where are you hiding that baby?" or "You're finally starting to look pregnant!" I think a lot of it depends on what clothes I'm wearing and how I'm standing or sitting.
Sleep: It's getting a little trickier to roll over in bed, but it's definitely still manageable. I wake up sometimes in order to change positions.
Total weight gain: Still haven't stepped on a scale since . . . I don't know when. Hopefully I'm not in for a nasty shock at my appointment this week!
Unglamorous body changes: My belly button is shallower! I just noticed this after I got out of the shower yesterday. I'm on my way to having an outie! (It's still quite a ways away, but I imagine it's bound to happen eventually.)
Best moment this week: I asked Jacob what I should say was my best moment this week. His response: "Just me, baby." Well, I did get to take today off to attend his commencement ceremony, so sure, we'll go with that.
Movement: Apparently baby girl is settling in to her sleep cycles, sleeping 12 to 14 hours a day. I feel her most in the evening still.
Maternity clothes: Nothing new. I still can squeeze into (and button) a couple pairs of my pre-pregnancy pants, and I haven't purchased any maternity tops. I'm sure I'll have to break down and buy some maternity clothes soon, though.
Food cravings/aversions: Not much. Maybe clementines. And chocolate. (Not like we have any chocolate in the house.)
Symptoms: I've been surprisingly emotionally stable throughout this pregnancy, but over the weekend that changed. First, it started with my sobbing during a Christmas Cheer story. The next day I had a breakdown over the state of our second bedroom, which will eventually become the baby's room. Since my mother-in-law and mom came to Utah for Jacob's graduation, they are (or will be) staying in that room, and I was stressed about cleaning it out since it was disastrous. I threatened to throw everything in the bedroom away and the THIRD time I started crying about it (in the space of about 20 minutes), Jacob asked why I was crying again. "I don't know!" I wailed. "I'm PREGNANT!" (For those of you wondering, we did get it cleaned up to a presentable state, largely thanks to Jacob.)
Currently looking forward to: Finishing our Christmas shopping. Which requires starting our Christmas shopping. Also! We're going to two concerts this upcoming weekend -- The Piano Guys and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. And both my parents will be in Utah come Friday! (Remember that time my Mom is flying to California on Sunday only to drive back to Utah 4 days later?)
Realization of the week: Babies don't come with snooze buttons! It's definitely going to be a shock to our current sleeping schedules when we're waking up every couple of hours.
Other tidbits: I'm at the point where people either tell me things like "Where are you hiding that baby?" or "You're finally starting to look pregnant!" I think a lot of it depends on what clothes I'm wearing and how I'm standing or sitting.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
 |
| Please note the Christmas decoration dangling from the ceiling. |
Size of baby: Milo can do it, yes he can! Two part papaya and one part man! (Please tell me someone knows that reference.) Baby is now the size of a papaya. At this stage, the average fetus is 10.5 to 11.8 inches and 12.7 to 20.8 ounces. Let's not get too specific here, Internets.
Sleep: Lately I've been waking up before my alarm goes off but I have a hard time getting out of bed because it's so cold! The last couple of nights I've woken up early because I can't breathe. I shake my fist at this cold I got from Jacob.
Total weight gain: Your guess is as good as mine. One day I'll go back to the gym and weigh myself, but today is not that day.
Unglamorous body changes: I haven't really noticed anything significant.
Best moment this week: On Monday, we discovered that somebody had purchased this onesie and sent it to us! We don't know who it's from, and I was beyond thrilled! I've wanted it even before I got pregnant when I saw my former roommate's IVF twins wearing them in blue, but I had a hard time justifying the cost. I had put it on my Christmas wish list, and it was a great surprise to get in the mail! (Jacob DID shave on Monday as well, making it an extra-great day.)
Movement: A couple nights ago she was kicking up a storm for about ten minutes. Of course, as soon as Jacob put his hand on my belly to try to feel, she stopped moving. Little stinker.
Maternity clothes: I tried wearing the DI maternity pants again in hopes that I'd fill them out better, and yet again, I was hitching them up every five minutes.
Food cravings/aversions: I have not been afraid to down a lot of hot chocolate this week.
Symptoms: I had heartburn one night. My abdomen has been feeling a little more stretched, and I do believe I'm finally starting to show a little! The skin on my torso has been feeling a little itchy, so I've been lotioning up after showers and that's helped.
Currently looking forward to: Jacob's commencement ceremony on Friday! Well, perhaps I'm looking more forward to both our mothers coming than the actual ceremony itself, but I'm so proud of Jacob for graduating! Our fourth grade is also performing The Grinch who Stole Christmas for the school on Tuesday, and that should be fun. (It'll also be nice when it's over, because then I probably won't be teaching recorders for much longer after that, haha.)
Realization of the week: According to the weekly updates I get, baby girl can now taste everything I taste. Not quite sure how that works, but whatevs. Perhaps I should start eating more vegetables so she develops a palate for them. I have fruits, grains, and dairy covered. Vegetables . . . not quite so much.
Other tidbits: We now own a Pack-n-Play and a second car seat base! We haven't opened the box yet. We just may stick a bow on it and wait until Christmas to open it -- especially if we don't get around to Christmas shopping for ourselves, ha. We have yet to get our car seat, but it's currently in transit, as well as our stroller.
Sleep: Lately I've been waking up before my alarm goes off but I have a hard time getting out of bed because it's so cold! The last couple of nights I've woken up early because I can't breathe. I shake my fist at this cold I got from Jacob.
Total weight gain: Your guess is as good as mine. One day I'll go back to the gym and weigh myself, but today is not that day.
Unglamorous body changes: I haven't really noticed anything significant.
Best moment this week: On Monday, we discovered that somebody had purchased this onesie and sent it to us! We don't know who it's from, and I was beyond thrilled! I've wanted it even before I got pregnant when I saw my former roommate's IVF twins wearing them in blue, but I had a hard time justifying the cost. I had put it on my Christmas wish list, and it was a great surprise to get in the mail! (Jacob DID shave on Monday as well, making it an extra-great day.)
Movement: A couple nights ago she was kicking up a storm for about ten minutes. Of course, as soon as Jacob put his hand on my belly to try to feel, she stopped moving. Little stinker.
Maternity clothes: I tried wearing the DI maternity pants again in hopes that I'd fill them out better, and yet again, I was hitching them up every five minutes.
Food cravings/aversions: I have not been afraid to down a lot of hot chocolate this week.
Symptoms: I had heartburn one night. My abdomen has been feeling a little more stretched, and I do believe I'm finally starting to show a little! The skin on my torso has been feeling a little itchy, so I've been lotioning up after showers and that's helped.
Currently looking forward to: Jacob's commencement ceremony on Friday! Well, perhaps I'm looking more forward to both our mothers coming than the actual ceremony itself, but I'm so proud of Jacob for graduating! Our fourth grade is also performing The Grinch who Stole Christmas for the school on Tuesday, and that should be fun. (It'll also be nice when it's over, because then I probably won't be teaching recorders for much longer after that, haha.)
Realization of the week: According to the weekly updates I get, baby girl can now taste everything I taste. Not quite sure how that works, but whatevs. Perhaps I should start eating more vegetables so she develops a palate for them. I have fruits, grains, and dairy covered. Vegetables . . . not quite so much.
Other tidbits: We now own a Pack-n-Play and a second car seat base! We haven't opened the box yet. We just may stick a bow on it and wait until Christmas to open it -- especially if we don't get around to Christmas shopping for ourselves, ha. We have yet to get our car seat, but it's currently in transit, as well as our stroller.
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