Dr. Sears has a line of supplements, healthy snacks, baby care, etc. I had no idea they offered so many things. I’ve utilized Dr. Sears website for baby information and I have a medical reference book that I look at too. I was interested in trying out some of their products so I could let you know about them. When I hear about natural and healthy… well, those are good things for our kids, right?!
We received a sampling of food and beverage items:
Rissa and I had a chance to review Butt Naked Baby products. She’s such a little helper already and she doesn’t even know it!
We received three products to try:
Here’s some information about Butt Naked Baby products:
For now, I am the center of your world
I provide you with food, comfort, security and warmth
You don’t quite understand why, but you know I’m important
You love to gaze at my face, listen to my voice, and will seek me out when I’m not around
It warms my heart to be the center of your world
Although I know this will not always hold true
But just know that now and forever, you will always be the center of mine.
Another reality check closer… we met with the pediatrician yesterday as a “get acquainted” appointment prior to the arrival of babygirl. I’ve never done anything quite like that before, but it certainly made her arrival even more real (is that possible?!) and imminent.
I didn’t have a list of questions or anything – just a couple general things to ask. I didn’t take one of the pre-made question lists from any of the baby books I’ve read since this doctor came well recommended. See, she’ll be seeing the same doctor as her two nephews on my husband’s side of the family. I trust my sister-in-law’s recommendation.
We did feel comfortable with the doctor and he clearly had a sense of humor – which is important, I think. Since we didn’t have a laundry list to go over, he gathered some information that will start her file and all that. I will be back there a couple days after leaving the hospital… which should be in about a month!
Saturday we had our final baby related class – Bring Baby Home. There was an overview of things to expect and watch for in the first few weeks as well as basic newborn care.
Believe me, practicing on a doll is not quite the same, but at least it gives you a chance to do things properly when you are calm and not scared of hurting the baby. We got to practice holding for feeding, burping positions, swaddling (burrito!), sponge bathing, and diapering. Brian has officially put a diaper on something that resembles a baby now! ;)
Then Sunday was my baby shower. It was simple and fun. Just the way I like such a gathering! It is a little strange seeing the nursery full of baby items. It’s lookin’ pretty full right now with gift bags all over the floor. I still have to finish taking pictures of the clothes and such that I bought…. now I also have to take pictures of the shower gifts! Next I need to start washing some blankets and clothes so they are ready for her and put things away in her room.
We do have some necessities that need to be purchased yet, such as:
We received a lot of wonderful gifts, and I appreciate everyone that came! We did get our carseat and stroller – yay! Now Brian gets to install the carseat in his car and go to the police department for a safety check. We’ll probably have that done in a couple weeks so it is all set in case babygirl decides to arrive early.
We attended our breastfeeding class on Saturday. We learned some basics about it such as, positioning, latching on, identifying early hunger cues, health benefits, financial benefits, etc. We also learned about nursing bras, breast/nipple care, pumps, and storage of breast milk.
There was a lot of information and right now that’s what I want. I’m trying to absorb it all like a sponge. Brian goes with to learn and help remind me when pregnancy brain hits. Plus, if I’m feeling overwhelmed after she gets here, he will probably be able to recall things easier than my stressed out, sleep deprived brain.
The idea of a breastfeeding class before having baby might seem odd at first because it’s not like you can really practice until the baby is born. But, knowledge is power. The more I know about options, resources, and what I might need help with …. the better prepared I am. It’s very important to me to breastfeed babygirl, so I don’t want to get frustrated and give up right away.
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Today marks the start of my 3rd trimester. It’s hard to believe it. On the one hand, it feels like time has flown by, but on the other hand… babygirl just isn’t arriving fast enough!! (But please stay in there, sweetie, until you are done cookin’.)
With 13 weeks left… let’s take a look at what I have left to do from the list I posted up when I hit the halfway point:
1 – Crochet a baby blanket (well, need to learn how to crochet well first… eeps)
Well, I still haven’t started this. I bought the yarn and asked my mom for a lesson to refresh my memory. Hopefully I’ll get it made before she turns one…
2 – Paint the nursery (more specifically, this is hubby’s job)
This was completed!!
3 – Train cats to stay out of the bassinet (although they haven’t climbed in… yet)
The cats are staying out of it with no problem… for now. I’ve been trying to keep them off my glider though. That hasn’t been as easy. For some reason, they really love just hanging out in the nursery.
4 – Make plastic canvas Nursery Rhyme pictures (I have the patterns, just need more yarn!)
Haven’t started this…
5 – Find and sign up for classes: birthing and breastfeeding
I got us signed up for a few classes: childbirth, breastfeeding, and bring home new baby. This weekend is the childbirth class. I have the BFing class in a couple weeks and the new baby class is mid-September.
6 – Find a daycare for when I return to work
I’m still working on finding word of mouth recommendations before I start checking places out.
7 – Find a pediatrician
I received several recommendations, which is awesome. One is nearby and is actually within the same clinic as mine and Brian’s primary care doctor. Now I just need to talk with him and see if he’s accepting new patients. I hope to have this and daycare sorted out by the end of September.
8 – Purchase whatever essentials we don’t get from dear sweet family and friends that are an absolute must for the first few weeks
Can’t do this part yet until after the babyshower! It’s scheduled for mid-September. I also have a work shower coming up as well.
Well, at least there really isn’t anything to add to this list!
It’s normal to have worries and fears throughout pregnancy. Especially as a first time mom, there’s a lot of unknowns out there. I do know that some of the things I’m fearful of or worry about are out of my control, some are in my control, and most things will work out just fine.
But… I can’t help but think about them here and there.
Especially when I’m having an emotional roller coaster of a day. Sometimes it comes out of seemingly no where!
I developed this list when responding to a thread in one of the birthclub groups I’m a part of on Babycenter. It felt kinda good to put the list “in writing” so these fears aren’t just aimlessly bouncing around in my head.
I’m afraid I’ll struggle with breastfeeding.
I’m afraid of any risks and complications associated with me having gestational diabetes and how it could negatively affect babygirl.
I’m afraid I’ll be laid off around the time I start my leave which will mean I can’t use sick time to pay for most of it and also means Aflac short term disability won’t kick in (contract is up at that time so depends on all that stuff).
I’m afraid we won’t be able to afford daycare and that I will have to settle for one that makes me nervous.
I’m afraid I won’t want to go back to work but won’t be able to afford being a SAHM.
I’m afraid of SIDS.
I’m afraid I’ll back off too much in an effort to not appear OVER protective and someone will do something stupid that will hurt her – like drop her on her head or something.
I’m afraid that I’ll pick and choose the least effective combination of advice and methods. There is SO much information out there on how to care for a baby; how to feed them; how to get them to sleep; how to respond to them…. and a lot of conflicting information. But even conflicting information doesn’t really sound like one way is harmful or better than another. It’s a lot to sort through.
I’m afraid… I am going to stop my list there.
