The Dream of Mommyhood

So Jeff and I are not quite ready to take the plunge and register just yet.  We are thinking sometime in February is safe, maybe even March.  I just need to see when save the dates go out for my shower.

Until then I have started doing A LOT of research online as far as the really important things like car seats, bottles, breast pumps, etc.  The little things are easy for me...because I know EXACTLY what I want.  That is the great part about having babies late in life I guess.  I have spent the past 12 years buying gifts for all of my friends that I know this market like the back of my hand, well at least the aesthetics.  I also have always wanted to open up a baby boutique so I learned while looking through websites when I did my business plan.  But when it comes to the "real" baby stuff, like bottles, pacis, car seats, I don't know what the fuck I'm doing.

The stores we are looking at registering in are:

• Babies R Us (Nationwide/Online) - For the important staples....Bottles, Pacis, Breast Pump, Co-sleeper, Car seats, diapers, toiletries, basics.

• Hazel Baby (Jersey City) - Baby Clothes, Accessories & Must-Haves

• Land of Nod (Online) - Baby Toys, Bedroom Accents & Swaddlers

• Restoration Hardware (Nationwide/Online) - Cute Stuff

• Serena & Lily (Online) - For Bedding & Bedroom Accents

The stores we are looking at for furniture are:

• Pottery Barn Kids - Crib & Dresser/Changer (& possibly a glider)

• Restoration Hardware - Glider

• Bellini Baby - Crib & Dresser/Changer

THE LISTS (so far...this is NOT my complete list, that would take up too much space):
Once I actually test drive all of these things I will actually be able to give my honest reviews to hopefully help other mommies weed through all of the crap that is out there, it's endless!



FEEDING
Bottles - Tommee Tippee, Closer to Nature (the real boob shaped nipples).  Switching from breast to bottle is really important to me since I want to breastfeed exclusively for as long as I can.   I chose Tommee Tippee over the Avent Natural ones because I have read about how Avent leaks and also if you forget to put on the gasket on Avent then milk will be all over baby.  I'm sorry but I don't need one more step....this all seems so overwhelming as it is.

Breast Pump - Medela Freestyle Handsfree Electric Breast Pump(With all the goods!  Since I have to go back to work I'll need all the travel stuff, can't skimp out.) 

Storage - Lansinoh Storage Bags, apparently they can stack best in the freezer.

Boobie Care - People may laugh and guys may think it's funny but sore and painful nips are NO JOKING MATTER!!  I would compare it to if a man took a tiny blow torch to his nipples & then squeeze lemon juice on them.  Here is my list that I'm registering for:

Medela Tender Care Hydrogel Pads: Gel pads that cool on contact for instant relief), 

Medela Contact Nipple shield: I may not use them.  If baby latches okay then there is no reason for it but I might as well have one just in case.

Medela SoftShells: To help treat and heal sore nips.

Bamboobies: Ultra thin organic cotton nursing pads. These are actually known among moms as the Maserati of nursing pads. 

Lansinoh Lanolin Breast Cream: Soothes, heals & protects sore/cracked nips. Since the cream is safe for baby you don't have to wipe it off.

Breast Milk Tests - Milk Screen Alcohol Test Strips...you bet your ass I need these.  After 10 months of not drinking, Mommy needs her special medicine!!  Bring it on!!

Feeding/ Nursing Pillows - Boppy &  JJ Cole Feeding & Nursing Pillow

Burp Cloths - Gerber Cloth Diapers  

Bibs - Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Milk Feeding Bibs beacuse they have a super absorbent collar....I can see that helping, we don't want baby getting an itchy or chapped neck. 





NURSERY STUFF
Baby Monitor - Motorola

Humidifier -  Crane

Fan - Hunter (vintage school look)

Room Thermometer - Gro-Egg, it lets you know by color if the room is too warm (red), too cool (blue) or just right (yellow).

Night Light - Cloud B Twilight Ladybug in Purple or Pink if they have it

Sound Machine - Cloud B Sleep Sheep Plush

Odor Free Diaper Pail - Diaper Genie by Platex

Warm and Cool Weather Blankies - Aden + Anais & Cuddle Me Softly
 



RANDOM ESSENTIALS:
Swaddlers/Blankets - Aden & Anais

Toys - WubbaNub Soothie (paci with an animal attached, great to place on baby so the paci doesn't pop out), Sophie The Giraffe, Chan Pie Gnons

Portable Sound Machine - "Sleep Sheep" Cloud B On-The-Go Travel size Plush Sound Machine

Pacis (Newborn) - Philips Avent Soothie (Non-angled nipple with no hole) & Gumdrops.  It has been proven that angled nipples encourage poor latching.  Poor latching can be very painful which is a main reason many women give up breastfeeding.  Also I want to make sure there is no hole in the nipple as it won't hold onto bacteria. Pacis with a hole/air pocket won't be sterile even if you sterilize it, the air pocket can hold onto contamination.

Diaper Caddy - JJ Cole, at your fingertips accessibility is going to be key.  Why fumble for what we need?  By keeping a caddy stocked up and ready you can grab it and go or keep it in the livingroom.

Bath Tub - Puj , we are VERY limited on space so decioded to go with a more sleek version that can easily be tucked away and used in almost any sink.

A Journal & Pen - I always love documenting and what better way then a journal to keep track of nursing/feeding, sleeping & whatever else you need to remember. Make memories!




GEAR
Car Seat (Infant) - Deciding between Graco SnugRide, Chicco KeyFit & Britax B-Safe

Convertible Car Seat (Non-infant) - Britax Marathon Convertible, not sure exactly which one yet.  I have been told by ALL my mommy friends to register for the next step up from the infant seat as well (this size).

Bassinet - Arm's Reach Mini Classic Co-Sleeper

Stroller - Baby Jogger City Mini or a BOB Revolution SE.  I really want to be able to run with the baby and the City Mini isn't made for that (even though it's called a "Jogger")....VERY MISLEADING.  We have limited space so we do not have the luxury of having 3 different strollers.  I'm leaning towards the BOB.

Swing -  Probably the Graco Sweet Peace Infant Soothing Swing or the Fisher-Price My Little Lamb Swing, I think getting a swing might be a better option to a bouncer. I hear swings cane be used longer then the bouncers and since we are in an apartment we can't get ALL the gear!  With the Graco you can actually click in a Graco carseat, which is nice if we end up getting that one.  Althought the Fisher_price is a best seller, the Graco got better reviews.

Baby Carrier - We'll probably get one of the more structured ones as well as a wrap.  Still deciding on the brands.  For the structured I'm leaning towards the Ergo or Infantino.

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Look at that PERFECT profile. She got so big!

So Monday, January 14th, we had our 20 week complete anatomy scan, similar to the one we had at 16 weeks.  She's still a she...we saw her little hamburger.  Heehee!  She seemed to be pretty calm that morning didn't really move around much during the sonogram, good for the tech but I was hoping to see her move.  So around now she should be around 10 or 11 oz.....well this little nugget is approximately 14 oz at 20 weeks.  Happy to hear she is growing and that explains why my belly is so big.  She also packs quite a punch for something so small.  

We finally got 3D pics of our little baby girl :)  They may seem scary to other people and you may think she looks like an alien but to me she is so beautiful and perfect.  I can't believe how much I can possibly love this little person and I haven't even met her yet.  

(She looks all lumpy and bumpy and like she has a mohawk in a couple pics but it's just all the "stuff" in the pic.)

Deep in thought...I think her eyes are open.

Is she sad?  Annoyed?  Or laughing?

So now that we are 20 weeks apparently the measurements at the doctors will go from head to butt (aka CRL = crown to rump length) to head to toe.  Princess should be around 10 inches long now.  No wonder I am starting to feel thumping going on in my belly.  Amazing something so itty bitty can be so strong at the same time!

THIS WEEK..... our little angel's taste buds are working, she's drinking lots of the amniotic fluid, several ounces a day. This will help her digestive track get ready.  She's also creating meconium, her first poop. :)  


  

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So I'm 19 weeks and 4 days today and feeling lots more going on inside my belly!  I also noticed my belly is getting BIGGER and moving up (the uterus is I guess).  According to what I have read the uterus has now moved up by my belly button.  That explains why it is flattening out.  Its like a shallow kiddie pool.

THIS WEEK..... princess is developing a white greasy and waxy layer over her skin, vernix caseosa, to protect her while she floats around in fluid for the next 5 months.  Otherwise she'd be coming out looking like a big raisin!!  I always wondered why babies came out smooth and not so wrinkly like they have been in a bath too long.  Also nerve cells are developing in her brain for her senses... taste, smell, hearing and sight.

Kisses from my FIRST baby!

The GROWING belly :)

Top: Red-Orange 3/4 sleeve top by H&M Maternity/ Bottoms: Black Super Skinny Jeans by J Brand Maternity

Miss Anything? Spicy Tuna Rolls

Movement: Yes.  More this week then last.  I have started writing down when I feel it to see if there is a pattern.  I think the baby is kicking around my cervix and butt...I have some pretty funny feeling going on down there!!

Food cravings: Waffles, juice, smoothies….nothing else really.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Labor Signs: No. God no!

Symptoms: A little heartburn, sore nips (as usual), gassy (sorry TMI).

Belly Button in or out? In but really flattening out.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Super happy!!

Looking forward to: A few things.  1) FRIDAY because I’ll be 20 weeks.  HALF WAY THERE! 2) MONDAY!!  We have our 20 week anatomy scan at the imaging center and get to see our little angel!  I can’t wait for new pics. 3) Then I have my 20 week check up on Wednesday…wonder how much weight I have gained!?

Other stuff: Kinda feel bloated this week but is it just being pregnant?  I can’t tell the difference because my belly is big! Also it’s really weird, when I’m sitting for long periods of time and get up my belly/uterus feels really sore/tender.  I have been reassured it only gets worse! Ha!!

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I am soooooo excited about planning and decorating the little princess's room.  It's a dream come true.  I had ideas for both a baby girl and baby boy but naturally you can go a little more nuts with a girls room.  Although the space is small we will make due!  You never know what the future brings and how soon we may move into a bigger place, so we will still order what we need just incase items get discontinued.  

So I have started thinking about other options to the light grey and pink and aqua that I love.  See original post.  Jeff didn't seem too keen on the grey and would rather have a really pale pink wall instead.  

I really REALLY LOVE the Serena & Lily bedding.  If we were going to have grey walls I was thinking of the "Colette" bedding but now I am leaning towards the "Lola" bedding.  I am drawn to the bright colors of Lola and all of the items that will go with it....not just grey, white & pink.

Serena & Lily "Colette" Bedding

Serena & Lily "Colette" Bedding (LOVE the crib)

Serena & Lily "Lola" Bedding

Serena & Lily "Lola" Bedding

So now that I'm really leaning towards the Lola bedding I'm thinking of doing what I call "Baby Boho Chic".  Mixing and matching pretty and girlie with vintagey and bohemian accents.  I can't decide between a simple white wood crib with clean lines or a vintage look of white spindles or a white iron crib.  I found these really pretty and colorful straw looking baskets, a morrocain looking leather pouf, antique doorknob hanging hooks and other fun stuff.



I'm thinking for the walls to either do a warm white with a pale pink accent wall or vice versa.  The pink I love is called "Elephant Pink" by Benjamin Moore.  The bedding will be pinks, yellow and green and the crib, changer and glider will be a simple white.  I will add vintagey and bohemian touches, whether is is frames, organization, pictures or other accents.  The color will come from the accents.  I always like a clean and fresh palette to start with, also because the furniture and glider will most likely be used again.

I keep getting drawn to a spindle, old school looking crib.  At the same time a simple wood crib is nice to, but I like the details of the carved spindles or iron frame.

Millbrook Iron Crib {Image: Restoration Hardware}

Wooden Spindle Crib {Image: Relics Furniture}

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