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@sweetiepie: Hey there, neighbor! I live just north of NYC in Westchester County. I live in Ossining and work in Yonkers. Also, hubby worked in a pharmacy for 13 years (including over 5 years in management). He says Airborne and Emergen-C are both fine to take in pregnancy. Hope you feel better soon, and enjoy your trip!
Baby shower at work this past Friday... originally wasn't sold on the idea, but ultimately glad I agreed to it. I have a lot of friends at work, and we got a LOT of great stuff. Lots of clothes (now I see why the advice is to not register for any clothes or blankets), lots of toys, diaper bag - actually two, but I'll give one to my brother's girlfriend who just found out she's pregnant, lullabelly which I'm so excited about, some bibs, burp cloths, and lots of other random stuff. I have about 25 thank you cards to write, and some of those were for multiple gifts.
My mom and sister are throwing my "real" baby shower. I hate that I call it that, but it fits. That's the one with family and friends, and a few work friends are also invited to that one (although as I told them, I'm not expecting or asking for extra presents). That one will be July 20th, which means I have little more than a month to make room for a lot more baby gifts in our apartment... a bit intimidating, but it's actually probably better that I'm being forced to do it now instead of later when I'm bigger and it's harder to get things done. Anyway, this shower will probably be around 30-40 people.
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@Boogs: @SweetiePie: @Mrs. Jump Rope: Yeah, I love my Coobie bras because my biggest problem right now is anything cutting into my ribcage and side. (I usually really love a super supportive bra, as my regular bras are full coverage, lined 38D's with massive cups, thick underwire, and wide bands). But in the last month or so, anything with an underwire or even a really firm underband (i.e. sports bras) was killing me by the end of the day. I was getting away with really soft and stretchy sports bras by Champion from Target, but you'd see the giant straps under my work clothes. I love the Coobie bras because they basically don't do anything but cover my nipples and keep me from looking completely indecent at work. And even the Coobies come off the minute I get home.
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I passed the 3-hour test! Yay!!
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I agree with what @gingerbebe said about the Coobies. They definitely aren't going to provide the support of an underwire, or even a more structured non-underwire. But they're a million times more comfortable and they're a lot better than the target sports bras I was pretty much falling out of. I might still use the underwire when I really need to look nicer, but that's it.
How much are ya'll putting on your registries? I have three, each with over 75 items, with a good price range from $3 to over $300, with most under $100, but my mom says there's not enough on them. Even with inviting so many people to my main shower, and DH adding a third shower because his coworkers want to throw one, surely that's enough? Most people don't stick 100% to the registries anyway, right? I genuinely don't know what else I could add. I've already put some super frivolous stuff on there that I just happen to like.
Found a really cute top and pants at Target that is now my backup for the showers if I can't find a dress. All the dresses make me look huge! My boobs and belly are so big that I need something that is tight and hugs my belly. If it hangs straight down I look like I'm gigantic all over, instead of just in my torso. But I really like the outfit, so if I wind up going with it I won't be sad. I just think it'd be more appropriate to have a dress, at least for the big shower.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Hooray! I haven't heard yet. Fingers crossed I'm with you on passing.
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@Torchwood: if you want to wall me your registry, I can help you think of more or different items to add!
We got a lot of themed gifts. Someone bought us our baby tub and all the wash cloths as towels.
My nana bought us a hamper for Chloe, and filled it with clothes and baby toys.
I didn't register for a hamper or any toys, and we got a ton of clothes (which we also didn't register for).
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Yay congrats~!
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Awesome news!
@Torchwood: I have two registries and both have around 75 items? I haven't heard any complaints yet!? I really don't know what else to add!
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@Torchwood: Holy crap, we only have 42 items on our registry, which includes 2 stuffed animals and a case of diapers and wipes! Am I totally missing something?
I didn't register for clothes because I figured people would do that anyway. I didn't register for a high chair or feeding related stuff because I figure we have Christmas to ask for that. I registered for a small gift set of baby bottles because I wanted to see if the baby takes to them first. I did not include a car seat, extra base, and stroller because my mom already called dibs on those.
Lease negotiations are ongoing with our landlord. Turns out both our bathrooms need to be completely gutted, per the contractor that came out and looked at them this morning. One bathroom we can't use the shower at all. The other bathroom, we can continue using the tub, but its rusting out and will need to be replaced within the next 3 years (but the bigger issue is water damage that will necessitate that all the tile, walls, etc. be replaced). We told the property manager that our offer was to keep the rent the same and just rewrite the lease as a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath instead of 2, without any renovations. We argued it would make most sense for the landlord to do both bathrooms at once after we move out (we told them we'd be leaving next year for sure). If she does the fixes now, she will have to put us up somewhere for the duration of the construction, which is a cost for her and a huge inconvenience for us. So fingers crossed she accepts. If not, we'll need to find a new place to live FAST.
Spent the weekend stocking more food in the freezer. I made meat sauce in the crockpot, a big meatloaf with mashed potatoes, and 3 strombolis. I also made a batch of breakfast sandwiches and breakfast burritos. I think I'll have DH eat some of the meals and tell me how they reheat before I do another round. At this point, we have enough food that if I had to be hospitalized, DH would have enough dinners for a month, which I was really my biggest concern.
Its so hot here today - 109! I'm dying. I hit 26 weeks on Saturday and I started getting the constant hot flashes and foot swelling. The AC is blaring at our house as it is, so this heat wave is making me extra annoyed. Work is going to be a hot mess this week too, so I'm doubly glad we have food stocked up!
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@gingerbebe: Chloe was born in October, so our registry also reflected a few winter items.. I'd want them for a September baby, too, though.
We also registered for the bumbo (didn't use it often), a high chair, a step n play piano (we used them from 3mos to 2 years!), a PnP, extra sheets & mattress protector, PNP sheets, etc. basically, we wanted enough of everything "extra" to be able to get through one or two being dirty and not having to rush to do laundry. I was surprised at how many times she spit up or had a blowout that early, and found myself changing sheets sometimes 3x a day!
- 12 bottles in 4oz and 8oz size: we FF, and having This many bottles meant I could prefill them and have a days worth at my finger tips. When she was tying or I was in a hurry, I didn't have to measure anything... Just add water and shake.
- 7 hooded towels: we didn't always get to laundry right away. Having enough towels and wash cloths on hand meant we were prepared even if laundry wasn't done.
- burp cloths: I swear we had like 25. They are awesome for spit up, and I went to 10+ a day. Again, wanted them on hand so I didn't have to wash right away.
- bibs: see above
- bottle drying rack, extra nipples (I wanted two for each bottle!), bottle cleaning supplies, dishwasher rack (though I accidentally washed bottles once with a pot of spaghetti sauce and turned everything red. We hand washed from that point forward!)
- blankets: there is no such thing as too many blankets. I kept one in the car in case we ever broke down, had a basket full of them in our home, and always used one over the car seat
- a winter car seat blanket... Ours is JJ cold and is perfect for winter, when baby needs to be warm. Snow suits and heavy coats are unsafe in car seats
- an extra car seat base, if you have two cars. We kept one base installed in each car.
- boogie wipes, diapers and wipes. I get mine on amazon, so much cheaper than anywhere else. -
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Easier to reply here than your wall. Some of those are good ones I hadn't thought of, like extra nipples! I do have most of those on the registries you couldn't see, but the ones I hadn't are really helpful. Thanks!
Any other non-first time moms want to chime in with some things we might not have thought of? Especially things that it's good to have multiples of.
@gingerbebe: I think if you want feeding things, it'd make more sense to go ahead and register now. That way for Christmas you can ask for things you realize you need that you hadn't thought of. I'm including things that we won't need for a good while (including a learning tower), just because why not? Also, we can keep/add to the registries (or at least the amazon one) and direct people to them again at Christmas. And I did register for some clothes and toys, partially to hopefully give people some ideas of what we want, i.e. wooden/natural toys, geeky clothes, etc. Someone already got the "R is for R2-D2" onesie, and I'm so excited! (I'm not registry stalking, but I happened to see that.) ETA- Also, I went a little nuts on the crochet pattern books on amazon. We're doing a woodland nursery and there are SO many cute animals I want to make for her, so I registered for a lot of pattern books.
If you wind up needing to add more, you might try thinking of things like that, that one doesn't normally associate with a baby registry, but that do make sense. I have some crocheters in my life that I know are excited to be able to get me something that they love themselves.Good luck with your landlord. Surely she'll agree that it doesn't make sense to take on the renos with ya'll there? And I'm still very impressed with your cooking! I told DH that we need to prioritize getting the deep freezer asap so I can get started! Our fridge is one of the fridge on top, freezer on bottom types, and the freezer doesn't hold squat.
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@gingerbebe: Also, all the baby-proofing gear like cabinet locks and plug covers account for 16 items on my registries. Those little things add up quick.
I'm afraid I'll come across as greedy with having SO many things we're registered for, but like I said, my mom's pressuring me to add more! And I always hate when someone doesn't register for enough so there's nothing really left in my budget range. And there's always registry completion coupons for us later. I'd rather have too much than too little, right?
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@Torchwood: good call on the baby proofing things. We needed those quicker than I realized we would have, and when we realized we needed them it was SO nice to have on hand.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Yeah, like I said, not just registering for things we need immediately. I'd rather have things on hand when the time comes than have to make unexpected shopping trips!
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Anyone else having trouble remembering that they take up more space than they're used to? I keep standing too close and opening the pantry door into my belly.
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Dear Left Nipple:
Please stop itching.
XOXO,
The owner of the boob. -
@Mrs. Jump Rope: Yay congrats!
@gingerbebe: Don't wait for Christmas, ask now! There's nothing like having the kid to make you realize what you really do and don't need, and honestly it's different for everyone. One thing I will say is that the gowns were priceless in the first few months for quick middle of the night diaper changes. Also, multiples crib sheets and multiple mattress protectors. When you make the bed, layer them. It not only solves a storage issue, but if there's a problem with something (poo, pee, barf, etc) in the middle of the night, it's sooo much easier to get things cleaned up quickly. Oh and one more thing, buy and put on the teething guards for your crib sooner than you think. Learn from my mistakes.
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@Boogs: Yes, multiple sheets and crib mattress pads are on the registry for both the crib and the pack n' play mattress after my coworker told me horror stories about her MOTN explosions. (We even registered for an extra waterproof mattress pad for OUR bed). The double-bagging thing is such a good idea. I do have teething guards for the rails on the registry too, after a friend's VERY expensive crib got destroyed by gnawing teeth. I forgot to add the gowns though!
We also registered for a rock n' play, a small gift set of bottles, bottle cleaning/drying/sterilizing supplies, a bottle warmer, a carrier, an activity gym, a pack n' play + mattress, a crib + mattress, a pack of cloth diapers to use as burp cloths, a changing pad + cover, 2 baby gates, and bath related supplies. I also have some accessories for my stroller (organizer, bumper bar, and snack tray), a first aid + grooming kit, a crib skirt, an extra cover for My Breast Friend, a diaper bag for DH, and the Wonder Weeks book. (We already have the Happiest Baby on the Block on DVD).
Part of the reason my list is so small is because I really don't want a lot of stuff cluttering up our house when I have no idea what the baby will like. I registered for a rock n' play because I figure I will need some place to put him while I shower or sit on the couch, but I'm holding off on a separate bouncer or swing until he gets here. I'd rather try a used one out than have someone buy a new one for me only to find that he hates it. Same goes for things like baby bottles. Since I hope to breastfeed, I have no idea how many bottles I will actually need or what kind of bottles will work for him. We registered for a gift set that was reviewed well and hopefully he takes to them, but if not, I don't want to be stuck with a million bottles we can't use.
The other reason I'm deferring a lot of stuff until Christmas is that my in-laws love to shop but HATE looking at repeated items on a list. We have to come up with a new Amazon wish list for every holiday and birthday or they complain. So we'll have to come up with a second list at Christmastime. I figure at 3-4 months old we'll have a better idea of what he'll need in the next stage of his life.
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@gingerbebe: It sounds like you have whatever you'll need. There's some stuff we didn't end up using, like our pack n play and got a baby bjorn travel crib instead, so you have a good strategy of waiting to see. Same happened with my crib, and it's a convertible one so extra bummer. I wish I just had a cheap crib and knew before that babies can be like beavers lol.
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Having a baby shower sounds like a great way to get kitted out for baby, how convenient to be able to do a registry and actually be gifted a lot of the things you need. We don't typically do baby showers over here in Europe, people tend to bring a gift the first time they come to see baby and it tends to be either clothes or a toy.
I had a hell of a morning, stepped on a piece of glass at home (no idea where it came from) so blood everywhere and then I had to wrestle DS into his buggy for the walk to day care. Hobbled along and when we got there I realised DS only had 1 shoe. Had to drop him off and then walk all the way back to look for the missing shoe, once I found it I then had to go back to day care and return the shoe. And then walk to the station and get on the train for the commute to work in really hot weather, trains are not air-conditioned here so it gets almost unbearable. Fingers crossed the day gets better from here!
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: thank you for listing that all out! I just went back and added a bunch more items that I hadn't thought of or gotten enough of!
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@London Mama: Gah, what a rough start...hope your day has gotten better!
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@Littlebit: I'll think of more this morning.. We haven't sorted trough everything or purchased much yet. I was hoping to find my registry, but it's expired.
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@London Mama: Showers any kind aren't common in my home culture either (Koreans just give money for special events, even funerals). But America its the "norm." When I got married, I had a super low-key bridal shower more for my MIL, but I gotta be honest it was really strange for me (I don't really like being the center of attention) and my family was totally bewildered by the experience, even with my strictly no-lingerie policy. (I overheard my mom described the event to another relative as "eating lunch and watching Gingerbebe open joke presents, spatulas and dishtowels while meeting all my son-in-laws strange relatives" LOL!). I'm not really sure if I want to have a baby shower either, but my in-laws really wanted a registry to shop from because we live across the country and they wouldn't be able to attend a baby shower anyway.
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Failed my stupid glucose screening. Rar. I'll go in next week to get the diet info, glucometer, etc.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: would you mind terribly taking a look at my registries also if you have a chance?
@Torchwood: Ah! I'm so sorry!!
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@Littlebit: sure! Wall me.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Thanks! Just walled you
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@Torchwood: Sorry about that! I have to take my 1-hour (for the second time) in 2 weeks. Really hope I pass.
Well, apparently I've finally popped because 2 people have mentioned to me in the last 24 hours that I "finally" look really pregnant (as opposed to....months of looking chunky?? I don't know). Its so funny, I don't really get that upset when people say things like that, but DH get's so fired up. He was huffing and puffing about how people needed to shut up and mind their business. Makes me laugh.
Cravings have been hitting hard and distinctly lately. I NEEDED a cinnamon roll on Sunday night, so I baked a pan. At like 10 pm. And then ate one and was basically done with it. DH has to eat the rest.
Then last night I NEEDED spaghetti and meat sauce, so I had that for dinner AND lunch today. On top of the ice cold orange I absolutely had to have on the way to work in the car. Weirdo.
I really could use a nap today with all that pasta, but work is so busy. Zzzzzz...
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Mom and I went shopping last night and bought a ton of baby basics. There were some things I really wanted new, like towels and bottles.
My husband is out of town, so I'm going to try to sort through everything today. He brought down Chloe's 0-3 and newborn clothes, so I need to sort and see what will work or what needs to be bought.
I can't believe it's so close.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: I had my husband bring down L's 0-3 month stuff a couple of weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised that most of it will work, even though she was a March baby and we lived in Texas. I have bought a few pieces of baby clothes on sale from babyGap, but that's about it. I also want to get new bottles and towels. I started a little registry, mostly just as a list for myself of things I'd like to pick up, especially if I see a deal. Now to convince DH to buy a new crib. I really don't want to look at L's chewed up crib for the next 2-3 years...
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@Pancakes: we did get a new crib. I'm glad we agreed on that so quickly and easily. The room is already set up, but I need to decorate.
Chloe was helping me sort clothes this morning. Oh my gosh, I forgot how tiny she was!
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: She is so stinkin' adorable! I can't believe its so close. My baby app says I have 13 weeks, 5 days to go, but if we do the early C-section, we're looking at like 9 weeks and change! GAH!
Our crib, crib mattress, and bedding arrived yesterday. We're not going to open it up until we settle our lease situation, but hopefully we can get started this weekend! I can't wait to see what it looks like!
Welp, the MOTN pee count has officially gone up. I was managing going once in the MOTN and then once as soon as I woke up, but the last week we're consistently at twice a night, plus first thing in the morning. And its really hard to roll out of that Snoogle every time! DH says my snoring has gotten out of control too. The 3rd trimester stuffy nose is insane! I have to neti pot every day, run the humidifier, and I still need to chug water all night long.
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@gingerbebe: the snoogle is like a snowsuit.... Once you're finally settled, you've got to pee!
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: That's a great description!
So Mr. Bee's post today about secret rituals with your kids really got to me (cue preggo hormones). Mostly because I started thinking about all the weird/insane ones that DH and I have, that my little brother and I have, that my mom and I have, etc. Its so funny and neat to think about having those little things with my kids. Here are some of our quirky things:
- Ever since we were kids my brother and I have meowed at each other. I have no idea when it started and why, especially because we are all dog lovers and do not care for cats at all. Even now, if my brother and I are beached on couches across from each other, we'll just sleepily meow at each other to acknowledge the other. Or loudly meow to express joy or irritation.
- This has carried over into my marriage with DH. He used to look at my brother and I like we were crazy whenever we meowed at each other, but over time he picked it up. And now DH and I meow at each other as way of "checking in" with each other. Sometimes he will text me "mrow" in the middle of the day to say hi. He's even created a variation where if I meow at him, he'll say "moo" to be funny. I mentioned to him the other day that our son will probably pick up on this tick if we don't change it now and DH was like "whatever, we mrow."
- Sometimes when DH or I don't want to get up, we'll pull the sheets to right below our eyes and look over at the other and with a frowny face say "I hide." OMG if my kid did that to me, I'd die.
- I like linking arms with DH when we're out, but because he was in the military, he doesn't keep his arm slack. Instead, he automatically cocks it up and offers it to me in that formal military style. And he keeps it cocked the entire time we're out! Its too cute.
- My mom always does this hug where she pats my butt or back in rapid succession while grinning in my face and laughing hysterically. Then she will say "I love you" a million times and scurry off.
What are some funny things your families do?
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@gingerbebe: OMG we meow too. It's usually to express dissatisfaction. My husband dropped a bowl the other day and it broke. Instead of sighing or swearing, he said "mrowwwww." Chloe totally does it too and it cracks me up.
Or we make faces at each other. DH photo bombed me the oter say. It's hysterical and one of my new favorite pictures.
Chloe has picked up a lot of our habits and it always surprises me when I see her use our mannerisms.
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@Mrs. Jump Rope: Hahaha that's too funny.
It seems like having this baby is finally starting to get real for DH too. He told me this SUPER cute story the other day:
He went to the bank to deposit a check and the bank is across the street from Joe's Crab Shack. He was leaving the bank at the same time as a family with a white dad, an Asian mom, and two kids. The dad was walking hand in hand with his chubby little toddler son who was happily still wearing his huge "I LOVE CRAB" bib from lunch. DH said the dad looked kind of like him and his son looked pretty much exactly how he imagined our son would look like and the cuteness of the little boy (who's bib was basically like a tarp on his little body) slayed him. DH loves wearing anything that restaurants give out (BBQ or seafood restaurant bibs, Burger King crowns, Krispy Kreme donut hats) and will often walk out of there wearing that crap (like all the way home) so this really resonated with him. He was like "you don't understand...the bib had a CRAB on it. It said I LOVE CRABS on it and that kid was basically skipping out of the restaurant. He was so pumped about that bib. Like me!"
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@pancakes sorry for the delay, I finally wrote you back about Boston!
@mrs. jump rope Chloe is so cute! It is amazing how small little babies are -- eek!
My baby bump app freaks me out when I look at it because its under 100 days to go! 93 until EDD... time is flying...
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@Pancakes: Someone just posted this on a different thread - can you make one to cover the gnawed rails? Its a no-sew DIY project.
http://www.theaccidentalwallflower.com/2012/09/diy-fleece-crib-rail-guard.html
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OMG seriously, this ONE itchy nipple is killing me. I'm sitting at work - I cannot paw myself all day! Nothing works - lotion, cream, nothing!
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