I started getting the pains in my abodmen a few days ago. It started right under my belly button (or the area where my belly button used to be) and felt like a sore bruise. Last night we went to a wedding and the pain had moved up the right side of my abdomen.
As a first time mom and not having any CLUE what pains are normal or not, of course I get a little freaked out. I am especially nervous about this contractions business... just ask my husband (or anyone who knows me) I have a VERY LOW level of tolorance for pain.
Thirty-One weeks down tomorrow. Nine weeks to go. It feels like I have been pregnant forever and that I still have forever to go. The closer we get however I do feel that slight anxiety feeling of: "holy crap we are bringing home a baby in two months". But when the pains start up, the nausea hits, the restless nights exahust me and for the first time last night SWOLLEN ANKLES kick in, two months does not seem soon enough.
On another note. Trying to finish getting the babies room together. Poor Kev's clothes got the boot from the extra closet back into our tiny closet in the bedroom with ALL of my clothes. I promised him I would sort through it and allow EQUAL space for both parties.
Also trying to figure out WHAT carseat to get? No clue where to start and this is probably the most IMPORTANT since they won't let us take him home without one. Some of the carseats we have seen at the store seem so cheap and the "soft" fabric feels like plastic. I want my baby to be comfortable and safe!
Any thoughts on carseats mom's have used and liked or didn't like?
Also trying to put together a list of things we will NEED right away when our little arrives. Going to the baby section at the store is not helpful and just overwhelming. Do I really need a highchair right now? He's gonna be on the boobs for a while anyways right?
What about a crib/basinett for next to our bed? Do I get one of those big play pin thingys or just a small rocker?
Seriously starting to feel like we have SO much we still need to do.. guess I will be taking advantage of the two months I still have.
Final question for mommy advice today I promise. What have you found to be NECESSARY to pack in your Hospital bag? I feel like I have asked this question before but I guess Im asking it again because I want to be sure I have what I need for that big day.
PS. Have you ladies seen these amazing hospital gowns? I kind of REALLY want one. Just a little something to make me feel pretty on that BIG day. Also so cool for friends or family having surgeries. Check out Annie&Isabel's web site and BLOG to read some awesome stories of their gown wearers!
Happy Friday Readers.
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| This is my 30 week photo.. 1 week late |
We picked out an inexpensive, simple car seat. Sometimes I wish I had gotten a heavier duty one, but at the same time...Daisy has been just fine, and we didn't have to spend as much money.
ReplyDeleteWe still don't have a high chair-we don't need one! We got a bumbo seat around 4 months, and a tray a little later than that. She loves it, and it is so easy for us-she can hang out in the kitchen with me, or sit at the table with us at dinner.
We got a bassinet, but I wish we had gotten a pack'n'play. The newer ones come with a bassinet attachment to put on top, so it seems like it is two for the price of one. It is really nice having baby right next to you, but still in their own space.
The necessities for my hospital bag were definitely my iPod and favorite slippers. I wish I would have splurged and got myself a super soft, comfy robe, but I'll just do that for next time :)
My opinion....check consumer reports for the car seat or ask your pediatrician....we didn't find out what we were having so all we had was onsies, diapers, blankets, jammies/nightgownd(the best things) for a boy you need Vaseline...other than that you can get buy....besides you have lots of clothes :). I way over packed when we went...i would bring clothes, huge granny underwear (i didn't want to ruin the gs) bathroom stuff...and take home outfit, blanket, hat, and binki. I say no to the high chair, yes to a cradel...if you won't use the playpen then I would get a bassinet. don't spend the money getting your pretty gown dirty....you are leaking everywhere....I did the same thing and then tossed it when e left the hospital. But overall, just be excited, there's nothing wrong with having to much (I always over do) everyone can tell you what's best for them but it might not work for you. :) good luck, you'll be amazing
ReplyDeleteWe always had a travel system, 1st the Graco-couldn't stand it & with our last the Chicco & I love it. I like the Pac-n-Play because most come with a bassinet and then you'll have it for when you travel, too. Never had a true highchair, we were given the booster that attaches to a chair (used for all my kids)because it has a tray or they can be pushed up to the table with us.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely bring soothing music,your fav pillow with a not so great pillowcase, just not white, hard sole slippers, female pads (just bigger than normally used), hated the hospital ones, baby mittens so he doesn't scratch his little face & lastly, stool softener. Also, to get an idea of what to possibly bring check the list in the book What to Expect... No worries, everything works out. You'll be fine and best of luck. Hope you get to feeling better soon.
Wow, reading this (plus having my ultra sound today with it showing the baby in perfect position and large enough) has made me realize I really need to get my butt in gear and get my bag packed! So to answer your questions with my feedback:
ReplyDelete1- I have found that I like to choose my car seats with one of the main focuses being the weight of it even without the baby. Because once you add the baby in it it can be pretty challenging to lug along.
2- No high chair is needed yet for sure. The baby wont even be able to sit up in one for a few months and you can decide then what you want to get.
3- Pack and play all the way. They have the bassinet setting and then you will have a porta crib to take for any travels.
4- For the hospital, I agree with everyone here. Some music, comfy slippers and robe. I actually don't like wearing my gown for more than a few hours after I have the baby so I bring a few pair of comfy clothes to put on. All toiletry stuff and essentials. Also remember the outfit you choose to go home in still needs to be pretty loose. As much as we wish it did, the belly doesn't just disappear in a day.
As far as your pains, there really are so many random pains you get in the last trimester. Braxton hicks really aren't anything to worry about, but they can be pretty annoying. As far as pain tolerance you talked about, hope you are planning to get an epidural lady! They are amazing:-) Overall, I know how frightening the unknown is of the first one, but you will do amazing, I know you will!
Oh and one more thing, look into a comfy carrier like a mobey wrap or a baby katan. They are so much more comfy then just the regular front carriers and the little ones just love being in them, plus it frees up your hands:-)
Hey! Don't worry I was just like you when it came to all these things! Who would have thought a baby needed so many things?! I just have a few things I loved! Instead of a bassinet right by the bed, we got her a rock and play sleeper:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.target.com/p/Fisher-Price-Newborn-Rock-N-Play-Playard-Sleeper/-/A-11699689
She LOVED it! And it would sleep her upright a little just like her carseat so she would sleep great in her carseat. And tessa hated sleeping flat, so this helped so much! And she couldn't really move in it, so blankets stayed on perfectly! And I would always cart it out to the kitchen slider for her jaundice (she had a tiny bit)and she was able to get some sun!
For our carseat, I got a graco and I have loved it! A lot of my friends got a carseat and stroller bundled, but sometimes I think those strollers are SO huge! We got a snap and go, where you just snap the car seat into the frame. It was SO easy to throw in my car. And we had a jogger for when she was 6 months. That jogger has saved my life. I think we use it everyday!
As for my hospital bag, I barely brought anything! I just hung out in the ugly gowns, but I didn't really care because they were so easy to nurse in! And I could trade them out whenever I wanted! And you want something loose so you still don't feel prego since you still have your stomach!I think I brought an extra shirt and pants to leave the hospital in and my nursing bras (don't forget that! they are a life saver! And pads! You don't want any leakage..it can get a little awkward..haha!)
I wouldn't stress about high chairs! I didn't get mine until Tess was 6 months. And I got one that attached to the chair so it didn't take up too much room!
Once again, I have written a novel! But seriously look into that rock n play! We LOVED it!!! it was amazing!
I din't read the above comments, so sorry if this is a repeat...
ReplyDeleteAs far as carseats go, you really can't go wrong with Graco! With William we got one that was up to 30 lbs, which was perfect because he was a big boy!
No need to worry about a high chair. Wait until he's 5-6 months old.
I'd say get a pack-n-play while he's so little and will sleep in your room. If you have a 1 bedroom, then I wouldn't even worry about a bassinet, pack-n-play or anything like that-he can just sleep in the crib. I've always kind of been against bassinets just because they seem useless because they grow out of them quickly-that's just my opinion though :)
When William was born I went overboard on my hospital bag and packed tons of stuff I didn't need. This time around I'm bringing:
For baby: Pacifier, burp cloth, 2 outfits for baby, diapers, wipes, receiving blanket
for me: sweats (big comfy ones), tshirt, nursing bra, pads (big ones for heavy flow), lotion (and other toiletries), lanolin (you will want this if you're nursing!), nursing pads, and that's pretty much it. I was in my hospital gown the whole time I was in the hospital. It's amazing how much you really don't care about what you look like-you're mostly focused on being comfy and taking care of your new baby.
Hope this helps :) And don't worry, it will all be ok.
Also, I learned with William that there were a lot of things that after he was born we decided we needed/wanted. Poor Kirk probably went to Walmart twice a day :) Since everyone is different, and every baby is different, things that you're not sure if you'll need or not, wait until you bring baby home and then decide if you really want them. I'd suggest setting aside some money just in case.
Hey Kyla,
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of thoughs for you. 1st, don't skimp on the car seat. You'll be so glad you bought a good quality safe carseat that will last for your future little ones too. 2nd, its nice to have baby close by at night but cradle, bassinet or pack n'play is totally up to you. (and don't get a high chair yet)
As for the hospital: You want to be comfortable and I agree it is nice to have something pretty for visitors and just to all around feel better (I did that with all of mine and was very glad) But, I like the night gowns that have openings in the front not the snaps at the shoulders. Only because if there are visitors and baby needs to eat, the snaps make you uncovered from the neck down.
As far as packing: Granny undies, nursing bra, nursing night gown, slippers, toiletries, going home outfit for baby and for you (something loose and comfy) and don't forget some snacks for Kevin (you never know how things will go and he may not want to leave you)and maybe some sweats and a fresh t shirt for him too if he will be staying the night with you. Otherwise the hospital should have everything you need. (diapers etc.)
So excited for your little family!