Meal Registry

I have quite a few friends who've had baby's recently and only a couple of them had meal registry's set up. I think it's something that new mom's to be don't necessarily think about but doesn't hurt to go ahead and do. And here's the deal: people WANT to bring you food. They WANT to help you right after your baby is born and this is a great way for them to do that. It is not overly selfish or weird to set one up and tell friends about it.

A meal registry is super easy to create and what I like about it is it informs people what you are allergic to or what you don't like/won't eat. Plus people can pick what days they want to bring something for you so you don't get 5 meals all on one night. People are going to bring you food and this is just a way for them to organize when and what they bring. The only challenging thing with setting up a registry is knowing when you need the meals as baby's due date is usually unknown. However, if you're really good, you can go back in and update the dates after baby's arrival.

The meal registry site I like the best is MealBaby (and no, this is not an endorsed post). It's free and simple to use (on both the giver and receiver ends) but there are other sites as well that do the same thing if you just do an internet search. On MealBaby, you can also select specific restaurant gift cards to give if someone doesn't want to actually cook anything.

Infant Stimulation Graphics

When my baby was just a week or two old, she was already starting to stay awake for longer periods of time during the day. As a new mom, I wasn't really sure what to do with her when she was awake! She was too little to enjoy her play mat toys, and I couldn't hold her constantly to keep her happy. So I asked my fellow birth month moms on TheBump what they were doing, and someone suggested showing her infant stimulation cards.

There are many web-sites where you can print infant stimulation graphics for free- I like this one at OhBaby. Most newborns apparently really enjoy looking at these because they can only focus on dark and light images when they are very small. These are also thought to stimulate brain growth in babies and help increase concentration skills.

I printed some out and hung them in different places where my baby would hang out (her bouncy chair, crib, etc.) and she would actually stare at them for ten or fifteen minutes at a time!

As she got older, she was able to focus more and more on her play mat toys and hanging mobile, but if you have a tiny one and aren't sure what to do with his or her awake time, I'd recommend trying infant stimulation graphics- your little one might really enjoy them!

Packing a Hospital or Birth Bag

For whatever reason, I got a strong urge the other day to start to put together our hospital bag. We are still roughly 10 weeks ago from our targeted due date but after reading a couple birth stories about baby coming in month 7 or 8, I am inclined to have it ready just in case. I put together a list based on ideas from other moms and from what I knew I personally wanted to each list might be a little different but feel free to use this as a starting point or template.

What to bring/pack:

Camera

Phone chargers

Insurance ID & any hospital paperwork

Reusable bag (for gifts, etc.)

Music & any other birthing materials/images

Birth plan copies

Baby's memory book

Books/magazines

Snacks

Gift(s) for the nurses - Not totally necessary but a nice gesture

Car seat & base installed

Receiving blankets

Flip flips (if not wearing them to)

Bathrobe - Most hospitals have these so you can likely avoid packing this one

Clothes for labor - Hospitals provide the gown but if you want to wear your own clothes

Bathing suit for tub labor (if planning)

Underwear - Go get some comfortable black briefs

Outfits for mom - Two outfits are probably sufficient and I will likely just pack yoga pants and tank tops

Outfits for dad

Outfits for baby - You might be surprised at how many you go through

Slippers

Baby nail clippers - Not all hospitals have them

Hat for baby - I am not a big fan of the hospital hats (purely based off looks) so I will bring some of our own

Toiletries for showering, etc.

Pillows - I will probably bring at least 3

Cot or sleeping pad & sleeping bag for dad - We have a cot and it's much more comfortable than a stiff hospital couch but this is totally personal preference

Breast pads

Nipple cream

Nursing tanks & bras

Gel pads

Nursing pillow

Breast pump

What not to bring/pack: 

Jewelry

Certain medications - check with your Dr. on these

Your own pads - Unless you're pads are way better than what they might provide at the hospital, you can leave these at home

Diapers and wipes - The hospital provides these

Even looking at my list, it seems like a lot! Try not to over pack and if there are items you think you can leave off your list, by all means, do. Remember that when you get home with that beautiful newborn baby, you are going to need to unpack and you will probably not be in the mood or have the stamina to put everything away if you packed like a hoarder. 

Feel free to add your own comments, thoughts or items below based on your experience or what you've heard from other parents!

90 Things to Do When You're Overdue

Last summer, I was pregnant with my first baby and due mid-August. I had everything ready to go by week 38, but when I found myself still pregnant after 40 weeks, I was practically pulling my hair out trying to find ways to keep myself busy so I didn't go crazy waiting for labor to start.

In Lieu of Lauren's previous post of "10 Ways to Treat Yourself When Pregnant," here is a list of ideas I compiled to keep yourself busy in those last miserable weeks of pregnancy when you may just punch the next person who tries to give you advice on how to induce!

90 Things to Do When You're Overdue

1. Read a Parenting Book or Two. "What to Expect: The First Year" or "Heading Home with Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality" may be viable options.

2. Take a bubble bath. Always a good idea even when not pregnant!

3. Get a manicure or pedicure. Some people have sworn they went into labor the next day. While it didn't work for me in that way, it worked wonders in many other ways!

4. Eat something spicy. Or not-so spicy.

5. Go over your list of baby names one more time.

6. Write a letter to your unborn baby.

7. Call up an old friend. Maybe to let them know you're pregnant.

8. Write in your baby book/pregnancy journal.

9. Learn how to time your contractions. Try THIS site.

10. Write a birth plan. In mine, I included such things as: I'd like my husband to cut the umbilical cord, I'd like to have skin-on-skin time with my baby the first hour after birth, and I'd like to try different birthing positions at the hospital.

11. Get your hair done. You deserve to have nice hair before it gets all messed up again in labor!

12. Get a pregnancy massage. Or have your husband do it!

13. Go for a bumpy ride. Literally, like in a car.

14. Go on a pregnancy forum and talk with other ladies in your shoes. TheBump.com or HelloBee.com are some great sites where you can ask a question and receive a response within minutes.

15. Watch some of your old DVD's. Or better yet, some of your old home videos!

16. Organize all your old photos. Hard copies or digitals, scrapbook them, or make online photo books and have them printed out.

17. Check out a matinee movie. It really is true that it will be a lot harder to find time to see a movie with the hubby once baby comes.

18. Wash all of your baby's clothes and other fabrics you have. Then you get to re-organize them in the dresser/closet all over again!

19. Try a new recipe for dinner. Maybe include #4.

20. Make a rice sock for labor. I didn't do this, but HERE is how you can.

21. Do some DIY arts and crafts. Check out our upcoming DIY posts, or visit this web-site HERE for more DIY ideas.

22. Pack, or double check, your bag for the hospital. Check out our list HERE.

23. Buy a new nightgown.

24. Go on a walk.

25. Go get some ice cream.

26. Start gathering ideas for your birth announcements.

27. Make a list of addresses for your birth announcements.

28. Clean out your car. Would you want your newborn breathing in the air in that thing with the current condition it's in?

29. Buy a nursing bra/tank. Or make your own HERE.

30. Shave your legs. If you can still manage it! I was glad I did this. Don't forget the upper part.

31. Visit someone else with a new baby and practice.

32. Start giving people who say, "you're still pregnant?" funny responses. Such as, "I'm trying to hold it in so I can finish my to-do list!" or "I had it yesterday but I'm trying to shoplift this basketball so could you scram?" (PregnantChicken.com has many more and is a hilarious pregnancy blog).

33. Try a new nail color. Maybe while doing #3. Paint your toes a crazy color to show off during labor! (I really did get compliments on mine!)

34. Call your mom just to chat. If you haven't heard it a million times already, ask her about her birthing experience.

35. Clean your baby's room (again). Go over a nursery check list, such as HERE.

36. Buy a cute baby item for yourself to celebrate reaching 40 weeks.

37. Finish any projects around the house/clean the house (again). Clean things you usually don't think about (dust the T.V., clean out the microwave and stove, etc.)

38. Look up celebrity baby bumps and newborns due around the same time as you. Make fun of how bad they look/ cry about how much better they look than you.

39. Exercise in some way. Even if you just jog up and down the stairs a few times, which some people swear will help induce.

40. Charge your camera batteries.

41. Make a playlist or pandora channel for labor.

42. Buy a pack of diapers. While some people advise not stocking up, I say the opposite. Just don't go overboard on a certain size since you really don't know how long your baby will be in them. A few packs of newborn and size 1 to get you through the first couple of weeks at least, and you'll thank yourself later for not having to run out to buy more diapers right away.

43. Make a cake.

44. Call your best friend.

45. Play with your pets.

46. Give your husband a massage. It's up to you what kind.

47. Floss.

48. Go to lunch with friends.

49. Buy any birthday cards or presents you'll need for the first 2 weeks after baby is born.

50. Make a smoothie.

51. Learn more about breastfeeding. Kellymom.com is a great web-site for this.

52. Go dancing. Good luck.

53. Make some meals that you can freeze for after baby is born so you don't have to cook.

54. Make a belly cast of your belly if you feel so adventurous. Read about how HERE.

55. Buy some nice underwear. After you've finally recovered from labor and have stopped having your postpartum period, you may actually want some underwear that aren't granny panties. It will be nice to have those handy when you finally want to feel sexy again.

56. If you have older kids, make "I'm a big sister/brother" shirts for them.

57. Discuss labor plans with your husband. Take an online labor class with him if you haven't already. Grill him until you think he's ready!

58. Schedule your newborn photo shoot.

59. Make a countdown chain to induction date.

60. Have sex! I know, I know, right now sex may be about as appealing as watching paint dry, and the sexiest item you might be sporting these days are those granny panties. But hey, if it helps induce...

61. Get a new scented lotion for labor day. You will always associate your baby's birth with that smell from now on.

62. Give your husband a list of reasons why you love and appreciate him. He may really need this reassurance about now!

63. Take a picture of your overdue baby belly and angry face!  

64. Pack your baby's diaper bag. HERE is a list of things you may want to include in it.

65. Make a list of last minute things to do/people to call when you go into labor, before you head to the hospital. Post the list next to the door!

66. Read about positive birth stories.

67. Start a blog. About whatever you like!

68. Videotape your baby making your belly move.

69. Make a list of everything you will miss about being pregnant.

70. Have someone inspect your car seat for safety. The local fire department can do this for you, or there may be times set aside at your local hospital where you can have it checked by specialists.

71. Rent a dorky 80's movie.

72. Listen to a book on tape.

73. Send out those "Thank You" cards you know you still need to do.

74. Think about your postpartum birth control options.

75. Make a list of everything you can't wait to do when you're not pregnant anymore.

76. Take a practice drive to the hospital.

77. Look through your old baby books and photos. Keep some on hand to compare your new baby with.

78. Get your friends and family to bet on newborn stats. Such as: baby's weight, height, birth time, birth date, etc.

79. Make sure you have some postpartum help lined up.

80. Buy stamps for birth announcements.

81. Go garage sailing.

82. Learn a new skill. Like, say, juggling.

83. Have a game night with friends.

84. Sew anything that needs fixing.

85. Start a baby web-site.

86. Practice your relaxation techniques. 

87. Buy things you will need in bulk. Such as toilet paper, paper towels, and most importantly, maxi pads!

88. Have a romantic dinner night with your honey.

89. Think about child care options. Plan who will watch baby if you go back to work and budget in the costs.

90. Give birth!

10 Ways to Treat Yourself When Pregnant

Let's be honest, being pregnant is not always fun. There are times when you truly feel like sh!t, there will be days when it takes you an hour to get dressed and then sometimes you will feel great. But it's important to do things for yourself and it certainly doesn't hurt to continue doing some of these things after you have kids. I know for me personally that if I don't take care of myself and do something for me every once in awhile, I will turn into a basket case b-i-t-c-h. :) So, here are 10 ways to treat yourself when you are pregnant:

1. Do something you enjoy that you don't get to do very often. This can mean different things for different people obviously but if there is an activity or outing that you usually don't take part in, maybe due to cost or location, just do it.

2. Get a prenatal massage. I get monthly massages and have for several years (it's really the only "me" money I use every month) and I wasn't going to stop just because I was pregnant. Find a masseuse you like or hear good things about, make sure they can do prenatal massage (that is key!) and get a massage or two.

 

3. Take a bath. Yup, that's right. Fill your tub with warm water (not too hot of course), light the candles, dim the lights, put some aromatherapy oils in your bath water and grab a book or magazine. I did this a lot during the first and second trimester. If you're nervous about using aromatherapy oils, just do a little research online to find out which ones are safe during pregnancy and which to stay away from. 

4. Block out a chunk of time on a day off and partake in one of your favorite hobbies. Many times in our busy lives we don't get to spend as much time on things that make us happy. Literally schedule a morning, half day or full day to do a hobby or work on a project that brings satisfaction.

5. Aside from the prenatal massage, spend some time at a spa. Get a facial, pedicure, wrap, whatever suits you. Just make sure they know you are pregnant ahead of time so they can prepare the right products for you. You will realize later how glad you are that you got that facial or pedicure. Or hit up your favorite little nail shop for a cheaper pedicure alternative. 

6. Treat yourself with a couple new pairs of cute underwear. Yes, they may be in a larger size than you normally wear but that doesn't mean you have to get something basic or ugly. Cute underwear can help you feel cute even on the worst of days.

7. Do things you don't normally do for your hygiene. This probably sounds like a weird one but let me give you some examples. You are going to pee a lot and you are going to have extra stuff going on "down there" (I hate the word discharge), so might as well up the ante and buy some of those flushable wipes (look for the non-scented ones) to help keep things so fresh and so clean, clean down there. Or consider getting the bikini line waxed or getting a Brazilian if you like to keep that tidy as well, especially when your size makes shaving a gymnastics act in the third trimester.  

8. Find some other pregnant girlfriends and hit up your favorite brunch spot or grab a happy hour snack somewhere (minus the alcohol). It feels great to chat with others who are experiencing similar things and/or vent about what set you off this time. 

9. Go for a walk in one of your favorite parks or neighborhoods. I always feel so refreshed when I am out and active. Take your pooch along if you have one or grab a girlfriend or just your iPod and cruise, soaking in the fresh air. If a walk isn't your thing, go for a drive somewhere with scenery you enjoy, with your favorite tunes jamming in the background.

10. Have fun with accessories! Paint your nails fun colors, buy some fun new earrings, get some sweet scarves or cute flats to wear; whatever your "thing" is with accessorizing, have fun with it and pamper yourself with the small and easy ways to look cute.

DIY: Snap-fitted Nursing Tanks and Bras

I found this idea on blog site Montana Solar Creations. I thought it looked like a great idea!

All you need in order to make your own snap-fitted nursing tank or bra is a snap press and snaps (that you can purchase on Amazon.com for $24.99) and the clothing item you want to adjust.

Just lay your tank top or bra out flat and cut the strap where you'd like the snap closure to be (in the front above the cup is the best place). Put a snap set on each side and it's done!

Making your own nursing tanks/bras is so much cheaper than buying them in the store! Let us know if you try this DIY project and how it works out for you!

Summer Pregnancy Options for Work & Play...and Savings!

To add on to Lauren's fabulous post about Pregnancy Style, I wanted to comment on some easy ways to save money as you prepare your pregnancy wardrobe and also some options for work and play this summer.

First off, on ways to save money:

1. This may sound weird to some of you, but shop your local Goodwill store. There are often many great maternity clothing items, some of which still have their original tags. Of course you'll want to wash them before wearing, but they come at a discount to their store-bought counterparts. Stores in nicer cities may also have better or more upscale selections.
2. Ask around. I'm sure many of your friends have been pregnant before and even if they plan on having children again, often they'll let you borrow what they have until they need it back. I was actually lucky enough to get two pairs of jeans from and a pair of really nice dress pants from a family member. That's $150 in savings right there! Just remember to repay the favor if you can, by sharing your new maternity clothes with them as well.
3. Check the web for local maternity re-sale stores that sell lightly used designer maternity clothing. If you can't find one dedicated entirely to pregnant women, children's re-sale stores sometimes also carry maternity clothes. These stores often work on consignment, so when you're done, save money by selling your clothes back.
4. Sign up at sites like www.zulily.com, www.gilt.com, www.totsy.com and more! Sites like these offer designer maternity clothes at a discount and you can often get great shipping deals too. The selection varies each day, so make sure to download their mobile app to ensure you don't miss a great deal!
5. Sign up for email notifications from brands like Old Navy, Gap, H&M, Destination Maternity and more. Most of them send out weekly, if not daily discount codes. This can save you 10-50% off the items you want to buy.
6. Try to make much of the wardrobe you already have. Sure your belly may outgrow your pants and some shirts may be too small by the third trimester, but many of those regular tanks or t-shirts you already own will stretch. Long, open sweaters are a great staple that still work no matter how pregnant you are.
7. Buy clothes in the women's section versus maternity. I find that maternity shops charge a lot of money for clothes just because they're labeled "maternity". There are plenty of dresses you can buy that will fit you before and while you're pregnant. For instance, I've gotten some great dresses from Target that are flowy for summer and a size Large tank top from Nordstrom is much cheaper than a maternity tank, even though they're pretty much the same thing.

Lauren had great ideas for winter, everyday outfits, but I'm going to be enduring much of my pregnancy in the hottest days of summer...and working where a business casual attire is required at all times. So I wanted to touch on some additional suggestions.

For work:

• I prefer long dress pants over skirts, but you can't go wrong with a pair of each in black. They will always look formal no matter what you're wearing. Personally, I bought a few pairs of work pants in black (2 pair in black, 1 black work capri, and 1 in a black/brown knit fabric) and then picked up a khaki dress pant and a khaki work capri so that I could feel a little more "summery" at the office. However, if you're open to doing laundry fairly often, you can get buy with less.
• If you have any silk dress shirts, these look fabulous when left out and tied with a belt right under your breasts. It accentuates the fact that you're pregnant, but completes that formal look you're still trying to go for. You can find mini belts in any shade almost anywhere right now. Try fun colored belts in neon or bright colors to add some seasonal flair.
• Find some summery dresses and pair them with a cute belt and one of those long sweaters you already have in your closet. This is my most comfortable work outfit and it can go very formal or very casual based upon the dress.
• Purchase a great pair of wedge heels (or two). They're fabulous for still giving you that heeled look you want, with a lot of extra stability for the balance you may be lacking. I recently picked up a pair of Jessica Simpson wedge heels on sale for $55 that are just amazing and still very professional-looking.
• I'm not a great scarf wearer, but a coworker of mine who is also pregnant, uses a scarf to dress up her work outfits. You just take a simple pair of pants and a solid top and add an elegant scarf to really take that outfit from bland to fabulous. At a cost of around $15, it's an easy way to dress up clothes you may already have, or that don't seem nice enough for work.

For Play/Summer:

• Maxi dresses are the answer to your prayers! Sure I wouldn't wear many of them to work, but for weekend wear they are fabulous! Extremely comfortable and luckily for us, very in style at the moment. I actually had some from my honeymoon that will easily stretch for pregnancy, which prevented me from spending a lot of money on extra dresses.
• I also picked up some dresses that were short (but regular women's size). The only necessity is that you pick out a dress which is tight around the boobs, but very loose/flowy from there. I found a great dress at the Gap Outlet and paired it with a skinny belt and it's now one of my favorite outfits.
• Jean capris are a great style for everyday casual wear, especially if you don't feel like showing off (or shaving) your legs. I bought two pair of cuffed, non-brand name jean capris on zulily for $13 each and they're fabulous! Very comfortable and no one can tell that I didn't spend $100 on them. I like to pair mine with Target t-shirts (in fun summer colors) and will move to some of Target's lace tank tops as I get into the hotter days. Both the t-shirts and tank tops cost me $8-$12 each and don't shrink.
• Since it will get really hot at some point, I did pick up two pair of shorts from Old Navy the other day. I grabbed one in denim and another in white, so that they could work with almost anything in my closet. They were on sale and are really comfortable with the under belly band. I don't love my legs, but I do love comfort! I wouldn't buy lots of pairs of shorts if you don't have to though. If you're working, you're probably only wearing about 2 pair a week.
• For shoes I recommend Old Navy's $3 flip flops - you probably have a million pair in your closet already - or a pair of ballet flats. I have giant feet, or at least the kind that never really look good in ballet flats, but I figured that I needed to find a pair of them for those days when I felt like flip flops would be a bit informal. I found a great pair at Target that somehow managed to look ok and I was in heaven. I actually like them so much I'm trying to find a pair in brown or navy.
• I've asked a lot of people about bathing suits. Sure, I'm hoping to avoid being seen pregnant in a bathing suit, but if there ever comes about a need for one (and I'm sure that day will come), the recommendations I've received from women differ. Half of women say to opt for a cheap maternity tankini. I actually saw a fabulous one at Goodwill but it was too large. You'll have to keep your eyes out online for one you like, as they're hard to find in stores. The other half of my friends just wore a regular bikini when they were pregnant. Maybe they're the type who magically skipped stretch marks or have a strong sense of confidence, but they said it was really comfortable. This option would be easier to find, as you could purchase regular sized bikinis, but just go up a size (or two or five) as necessary. I haven't decided which of these options I'm going with yet.

So what did you wear to work and out on those casual summer days? Do you have suggestions I haven't mentioned here? I'd love to hear from you!

Need or Not? The Nursery

Putting together the baby nursery is probably one of the most important parts of expecting a new baby. While some people may have the budget to go out and buy all new things, many people must decorate on a budget. Whatever is your situation, there are certain things every new mom needs in the nursery.

Changing Station

There are many amazing changing tables out there equipped with all the necessities, but if you can't afford to splurge on one, consider placing a changing pad on the top of a dresser (which you'll need for baby's clothes anyway). I found an old dresser no one was using and painted it to match my nursery colors. Each changing table should hold the wipes, diaper cream, and baby lotion. I also have some hand sanitizer close by for use after cleaning up an especially messy diaper.

I suggest using a diaper pail of some sort because they are designed to contain the smell. I have mine placed next to the dresser, and have a long-lasting air freshener on the inside of the pail as well, because some stink tends to leak out. The only draw back to using a diaper genie or similar product is that they run out of bags fairly often, and they aren't the cheapest thing to have to buy on a continual basis.

Because I used the dresser for my changing table, I have some fabric bins and a diaper storage station nearby. In the bins are: extra crib sheets, changing pad covers and blankets. In the storage station are: extra diapers, wipes, burp cloths, bibs, towels/washrags, and extra toiletries and miscellaneous items, such as: extra diaper bags, a thermometer, hair brush, nail clippers, nasal aspirator, cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, and baby medicine (including baby tylenol, gas X, and teething tablets).

Glider/Seating Station

I highly recommend putting some sort of rocking chair or glider in the nursery. I didn't have one of these in the very beginning and I wish I had. Now that my baby is sleeping in her own room (we had her in our room for the first four months) it's very nice to be able to sit with her in her room as we wind her down for bedtime. It's a great spot to nurse, especially in the middle of the night. Consider buying a bobby or other nursing pillow. I found mine was super helpful when I was still struggling with nursing in the beginning. They hold up newborn babies very well. Older babies can use the pillow when learning to sit on their own. I always keep a burp cloth and extra blanket on the chair as well. Having a lamp next to the chair is great for reading to your baby, too.

Crib/Sleeping Station

While we used a bassinet next to our bed for the first few months, eventually you will need a crib. Make sure you use fitted crib sheets. As recommended by everyone these days, there should be nothing in the crib with your new baby, not even a blanket. Instead, you can use "sleep sacks" to keep your baby warm. Crib bumpers are also not recommended. We use one because our baby likes to sleep with her head pushed all the way up against the bars, but we didn't install it until she was old enough to be able to move around well on her own.There are mesh breathable crib bumpers you can use if you want a safer bumper. We use a light up musical glow worm sleep toy to help her fall asleep which she seems to like. I highly recommend getting a video monitor if you can afford it. I love being able to actually see my baby while she's sleeping and not just hear her, so I can be double sure she is safe. We have a night light in her room, which is great to be able to feed her in the middle of the night while it's still dark so as to keep her sleepy. We also use an air filter, but not so much for the cleaner air, but more for the white noise, which is supposed to be helpful for babies when falling asleep. You could get a crib mobile too, but we actually ended up never using the one we had.

Clothing, Toys and Accessories

As before mentioned, of course you'll need a dresser of some sort for baby's clothes. You will also need hangers for baby jackets and dresses. Since I had a little girl, I painted an old wooden container and it holds her hair clips. I put some nails in the wall for a place to hang her headbands. I have a toy chest and a bookshelf for all her stuffed animals, books and random toys. As for the big toys (such as play mat, swing, vibrating chairs, jumpers etc.), these tend to move from room to room, so I haven't included them in the nursery check-list.

Nursery decor, of course, is not a necessity and therefore I haven't included it in this list. After all, your baby won't really care how his or her room looks as long as the basics are there. I will, however, talk about some nursery decorating ideas in a later post. 

You may find that this list isn't perfect for your unique situation. All I can give are recommendations based on my own experiences and wish you good luck in setting up your nursery!

Need or Not? The Diaper Bag

When purchasing a diaper bag, you should look for one that is large and has a lot of pockets and compartments. Since it will many times double up as a purse, you may also want something at least semi-stylish since you'll be toting it around for probably many years to come.

Before having my baby, I researched what things I'd need in my diaper bag. Here is what I ended up actually using. I have listed items at both the newborn stage and the 6+ months stage:

Newborn

-extra diapers, 10 or so
-pack of wipes
-a couple extra pairs of clothes for baby
-extra pair of socks
-extra warm hat
-jacket
-extra blanket
-extra burp cloth or two
-disposable changing pads or a waterproof travel pad
-changing head pillow
-baby health kit, including thermometer, nail clips, hair brush
-pacifier
-hand sanitizer
-foldable baby sling
-diaper cream
-extra shirt for you in case baby makes a mess of the one you're wearing
-camera
-bottle of water for yourself
-if breast feeding: nursing cover, lanolin (for sore nips), nipple leak bra pads
-if bottle feeding: extra bottle and formula
For the car:
-stroller
-nursing pillow

In the very beginning after giving birth, you may also want to pack extra maxi pads/panty liners and your painkillers/vitamins.
It's much easier to use the diaper bag as your purse, especially when you are still recovering and having to lug around the car seat too. So I made sure to also pack my wallet, cell phone, chap stick, lotion, and anything else I usually carry in my purse.

6 Months and Older

-extra diapers, 5 or so
-pack of wipes
-extra pair of clothes for baby
-extra socks
-extra hat, weather dependent
-jacket
-blanket
-burp cloth
-bib
-changing pad
-baby health kit, including hairbrush, thermometer, nail clips
-hand sanitizer
-sunscreen
-a few toys
-baby food, which may include oatmeal, rice, canned food, puffs and formula
-spoon and food container
-bottle
-if still nursing: nursing cover
-baby vitamin drops (we use a multi-vitamin with vitamin K)
-baby lotion and/or diaper cream
-camera
-hair accessories, if applicable
-bottle of water for yourself
For the car:
-stroller
-grocery cart cover
-pack n' play

You may or may not use the diaper bag as your purse at this point because it might be moved around more often as different people take care of the baby. You will probably also stop carrying around the car seat since baby is usually big enough to sit in a grocery cart or high chair and may not be spending as much time in the seat as before.

Through your own experience with your baby, you will find the things you may or may not need that best suit your situation. These are just the things I have found useful, and I hope they help you in preparing your own diaper bag.

Pregnancy Style

Being nearly 7 months pregnant with my first child, I've had an interesting time navigating through maternity clothes. Starting right off the bat at 9 weeks, I was so bloated and I figured why be miserable? I went and purchased some maternity work pants and jeans. That was a good decision, one I highly recommend! I've had trouble fitting into maternity tops as they are still all too big for me. I settled on buying regular clothes at my favorite clothing stores in a size or two larger than I'd normally wear and it seems regular stores still carry much cuter stuff than the maternity stores. I swapped my normal high heels for lower heels or flats and thankfully flats are fairly in right now. I figured I'd share some of my favorite outfits right now as I know it can be super hard to feel cute or stylish when pregnant.

I love this look with a colored or gray dress/tunic style top, dark leggings, dark boots and dark jacket. The nice thing about this outfit is you can wear it during any trimester and when you feel fat before your bump protrudes as it hides the fat feeling pretty well (I say fat feeling because I definitely felt like I looked fat from eating too many donuts not from a bun in the oven). The jacket could easily be swapped for a sweater and the boots for flats for warmer weather.

Okay, so I know this isn't a pregnant picture but what I love about this outfit is that the brightly colored skinny's allow for a more neutral top and I've been definitely taking advantage of that neutral top. From a basic black top with black boots, flats or heels or a white top and neutral or animal print flats. I find I wear a lot of dark colors on top to minimize the knockers that have grown tremendously during pregnancy and the color on the bottom adds a nice pop!

I love this look as well: skinny jeans, tank, flats and jacket. I'm big on using colors in accessories so I'd probably add some fun color or print with the flats, scarf or purse. Lastly, here is my list of what I think every pregnant woman should have in her closet:

- Basic black and white tank top (1 of each is probably sufficient and doesn't necessarily have to be maternity so long as they are stretchy and long enough)

- Maternity leggings (2-3 is probably enough and standard colors such as black, gray, etc. plus maybe some fun prints or colors)

- Comfortable pair of flats and get a size with room to grow

- Sweaters or jackets (light or thick depending on the season and you'll definitely want a good selection of these)

There are many ways to style the bump and I just listed a few suggestions of what I've found work for me. Have fun with colors and if you're shy with color, accessorize with it. With those basics, you can easily swap them out and trade outfits to keep it fresh without spending a lot of money on maternity clothes.

What Do Newborns Really Look Like?

Before having a child of my own, when picturing my future baby, I always imagined a rosy cheeked little cherub child. But anyone who has been around a newborn knows that most babies are not born that way. We all know they tend to look "scrunchy," swollen, and pink… but there are many other features that are common in new babies- some of which may be surprising to new parents!

Cone/Large Head: Newborn skull bones are soft and aren't fused together yet in order to accommodate birth and the growing brain. Cone heads are common and are usually caused when the baby is stuck in the birth canal for too long. Luckily, the head will usually round back out again after a few days. All babies' heads are large in comparison to their bodies because their brains are much further developed than their bodies at birth.

Body Hair: Some babies are born with fine hair all over their body called Lanugo. This hair forms in the womb to keep babies warm before they are fully developed and usually disappears before birth. For this reason, lanugo hair is usually found on premature babies. It will disappear within a few days or weeks.

Disfigured Body/Belly: The legs and arms of a newborn are not surprisingly, usually bent and bowed from spending all that time in the womb. They will stretch out soon enough. A baby belly will usually resemble a bloated frog, then will become more Buddha-shaped after a few months.

White Substance on Skin: Many babies will be born with Vernix Caseosa, a white, cheesy/waxy substance on their skin. This is perfectly healthy and can simply be wiped off or rubbed into the baby's skin as a moisturizer.

Soft Spots: All babies have two soft spots on their heads, called Fontanels, located on top of the head at the front, and one in the back under the crown. These are the places where the skull bones aren't yet fused together in order to allow for birth and for the brain to continue growing. They are okay to touch gently, and they will typically stay around for the first year or two of life.

Discolored/Splotchy Skin: Most babies are born a purplish/red color, then will turn pinker over a few hours. Some babies will develop jaundice and as a result will take on a yellow skin tone. Some may have red patches above the hairline at the back of the neck, on the eyelids or between the eyes. These may fade with time or become less noticeable. Dark-skinned babies are often born with a large gray mark on the bottom or lower back called Dermal Melanosis, which also goes away after a few weeks or months. Little white spots may be found on the face or other areas of the body called Milia. These, too, will usually fade with time.

Swollen Face/Genitalia: At birth, newborn bodies are full of hormones from their mothers and fluids from the womb. A result of this are swollen body parts, including the eyes, nose, nipples and genitalia.

Baby Girl "Period": Strange as it sounds, baby girls may have a mini "period" after birth or some vaginal discharge. This is the result of the baby flushing out mother's hormones and is nothing to be concerned about.

Smelly Umbilical Cord: The umbilical cord will usually fall off within the first two weeks, but before it does, it might start to take on a strange smell. Nothing needs to be done with it- it will fall off soon!

Eye Color: A baby's eye color is never certain right after birth. Many are born with blue or gray eyes that change after a few months; others acquire their true color right away. They could take years to reveal their true form (but as we all know, eyes can even change in adulthood!) But by 6-9 months of age, a baby's eyes will probably remain the way they are.

Baby Acne: These small red bumps appear after a couple of weeks after birth and will usually go away on their own after another few weeks. This, too, is caused by the flushing out of mom's hormones from the baby's body.

Hair Loss: If your baby is born with hair, he/she may keep it, or lose it over the next few months. A bald spot may form where the head rubs against surfaces (the back of the head is a common spot). The hair may not grow back in until 6 months of age or later.

If You're Worried, Buy a Doppler..

My path to conception wasn't the usual one. It wasn't an accidental "Ooops!"; it wasn't a planned pregnancy that happened right away. My pregnancy was one fraught with infertility and hormone tests and procedures aimed at making my baby for me. I'll do a whole post (or five hehe) on infertility later, but what those of you who didn't deal with infertility in getting pregnant may not realize is that we don't get to continue down the same path as you once we get pregnant.

We worry. We worry a lot! Because we weren't able to have babies easily or naturally like you were and because for months we saw a Big Fat Negative, we gained a sense of thought that the bottom would always fall out. So while others enjoy their ever growing belly and wait for their morning sickness to end, we "formerly-infertiles" worry that we have had a missed miscarriage, or the baby will have a disability, or that our decrease in symptoms means that something is wrong. It's stupid, honestly, but getting your brain to believe that is something I haven't quite mastered yet. And we envy those who don't live like this, with the constant sense of worry. I'd give anything to "enjoy this pregnancy" as my husband continues to beg me to do.

Due to infertility, we were lucky to get extra ultrasounds in the beginning - while done primarily for medical purposes, I think doctors know we're the kind of women who need extra reassurance that things are going ok. However, once you "graduate" from your fertility specialist, you're a pregnant woman at 11 weeks, just like everyone else. You only get that monthly visit, and you'll probably only get an ultrasound another 2-3 times in your entire pregnancy. For me, this increased the worry. Going 4 weeks without knowing everything is ok is HARD.

So I recently bought a fetal doppler. It was a "cheap" one at only $60 so we were certainly taking a risk when we bought it that it would actually work. It had great reviews though, so for me the risk was worth the payoff. It came in the mail yesterday and I was like a kid at Christmas. I couldn't open the box fast enough or get through the manual quick enough - despite a quick stop to make a cheese quesadilla because I was starving. My husband and I spent what had to be 15 minutes just picking up my own heartbeat. It was a bit frustrating, but we didn't give up. Finally, we tried in just a slightly different spot and there it was! 156 bpm and as strong as ever.

For a girl who worries, this doppler is my salvation. I can't convince myself to stop worrying, but hearing that heartbeat always calms my fears (for at least a week). Now I know that whenever I'm questioning the health of this baby, I can be reminded easily without waiting for my monthly appointment. I can't say how much this feels like a gift from God (or fetaldoppler.net).

If you were previously infertile, did you find yourself worrying more than your fellow pregnant friends? Were you a woman who worried constantly during your pregnancy, who did not deal with previous infertility or a history of miscarriages? If you had other methods for calming your worries, please share them below.

You'll Never Regret It

Apparently this post is going around on Facebook, although I haven't personally seen it. It was shared with me on a site I frequent, and because it's just such a beautiful and honest look at motherhood I had to share it with you. If you're currently emotional due to pregnancy, have a Kleenex handy.

(Author Unknown)

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.

"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.

I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her.

That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her
baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming
children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks.

I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.

I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.

I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.

I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Old Wives Tales - Gender/Sex Prediction

I am currently a little over three months pregnant. At this point the one thing that consumes my mind the most (other than the constant, "is he/she ok still?") is the gender of our baby. My husband and I struggled to get pregnant, so above all things we just want a healthy baby. But as some of you can probably relate to, I'm a planner. I want to know the gender ASAP so that I can buy gender-related clothes and baby items, pick out a scheme for our nursery, and finalize our baby's name. As a way to fill the time until our ultrasound (which should occur between 16 and 20 weeks) I recently googled Old Wives Tales to see what they might say.

The following are some old wives tales I've found (although be warned, variations of each certainly exist so if you've heard of one a bit different it's no surprise):

1. Baby Bump: If you carry high, it's a GIRL; if you carry low, it's a BOY.
2. Heart Rate: If your baby's heart rate is 140 BPM or higher, it's a GIRL; if it's lower than 140 BPM, it's a BOY.
3. Cravings: If you crave sweet foods like ice cream, it's a GIRL; if you crave salty or sour foods, it's a BOY.
4. Chinese Birth Chart: If you visit HERE you can find out what the Chinese would predict the gender of your baby is, based upon how old you are and the month you conceived.
5. Mayan Births: Look at your age and the year you conceived. If both are even number or both are odd numbers, it's a GIRL; if both vary, for instance if you're 29 but conceived in 2012, it's a BOY.
6. Zits: If your acne has increased since pregnancy, it's a GIRL; if your face looks awesome, it's a BOY.
7. Morning Sickness: If you've had bad morning sickness, it's a GIRL; if you haven't had morning sickness, it's a BOY.
8. Drano Test: Pee in a cup and then add a tablespoon of Drano; if it turns green, it's a GIRL; if it turns blue, it's a BOY. Warning: do NOT put the Drano in first or risk burning your girlie parts.
9. Ring on a String Test: If you tie your wedding ring to a string and hang it over your pregnant belly, if it goes back and forth, it's a GIRL; if it goes in a circle, it's a BOY.

I did many of these for myself and got a variety of BOY and GIRL answers, and it's likely you will too. If anything, it's just a fun way to waste time until an ultrasound tells you for sure.

Other gender predictions I've heard of are:

1. The only true way to tell the gender is if your breasts grow a lot, it's a GIRL; and if they don't, it's a BOY.
2. If your placenta/chorionic villis are placed on the left side of the uterus, it's a GIRL; if they are on the right side, it's a BOY.

What gender prediction methods have you heard of or tried? Were they true for you?

Welcome!

This blog is written by four mamas, for mamas - hence the name. As four friends, we found that the best source of education on pregnancy, infants, or kids was the kind you got from other moms who'd already gone through the same thing. Since our conversations continue to be so helpful to us as parents (or soon-to-be parents) we figured that we'd share our stories with you too and continue that helpful trend. Likewise, we hope that your comments or shared stories on our posts will be educational to us as well.

To let you know more about who we are as writers, here's a quick summary. We are all at different stages of motherhood. One of us has two kids, another has an infant girl, and two of us are pregnant. Two of us dealt with infertility or taking a long time to get pregnant and the other two got knocked up right away. We come from a variety of backgrounds and personal preferences - using midwives and hypnobirthing to OBGYN's and epidurals. Finally, we're all really invested in this blog and you!

We look forward to sharing our stories and advice with you on a regular basis. We'll tackle issues like potty training and infant feedings to fertility and trying to conceive. We hope you enjoy reading them just as much as we enjoy writing them!

~ Four Mamas