May 23, 2012 (29 weeks):
There are several baby items that have me thoroughly confused as to whether they’re the best thing ever or a total waste of money. These include, but are not limited to: diaper genies, wipe warmers, sheet savers, and newborn-sized clothing. Seeing that we basically know nothing about infant care, we’re going with the buy-everything-and-keep-the-receipts strategy.
Newborn clothing, in particular, remains a conundrum. Typical newborn clothing is designed for babies up to seven, sometimes eight, pounds. Still in utero, our baby is already controversial. “Newborn clothes are for small babies,” says one of my mom friends. “Your baby will be big.” The confidence she has in this makes me wonder about her emphasis on the word YOUR.
May 30, 2012 (30 weeks):
30 weeks. Only ten more to go. In theory.
Five years ago, ten weeks would have been a quarter of my senior year in college. Ten weeks would have meant floating around campus for eight weeks, and cramming for the last two in preparation for finals.
Except I never took a final this big.
June 13, 2012 (32 weeks):
Four years married today. Our last three anniversaries were spent, respectively, galavanting around Italy, Vegas, and Santa Barbara. This year, as Matthew puts it, our budget is otherwise engaged.
He is referring to the glider. The glider that has sucked us dry for all eternity, or so he would have you believe.
I don’t know what came over me, but after seeing this glider, no other one could compare. Suddenly the baby’s essential needs to survive became food, oxygen, and that glider.
So now our anniversary/babymoon getaway sits in the corner of our baby’s nursery, and I make no apologies. One day, around 3am, everyone will thank me.
June 16, 2012 (32 weeks, 3 days):
I am in California for my baby shower. “Lara is coming home!” is what my mom tells everyone. Home. As I pull my rental car in the driveway, I am reminded of a line from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button:
It’s a funny thing about comin’ home. Looks the same, smells the same, feels the same. You’ll realize what’s changed, is you.
June 27, 2012 (34 weeks):
Yesterday we met with our midwife for a checkup and, unbeknownst to her, to go over our birth plan. “Wow,” was all she said when she looked at it.
Yes, we have a birth plan. Yes, I am aware that the vast majority of people believe this is pointless. I don’t care. It brings me a huge sense of peace.
That night, I fell asleep to the beat of the baby’s hiccups.
Photo courtesy of Aspin Photography
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{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve only had a two instances when I cried this whole pregnancy due to hormones and this post makes three….. what the heck!
I love that Benjamin Button quote, it’s so true! I totally understand the anniversary money being engaged in baby items, our 1 year anniversary trip to Seattle is moved to year 2 so we can buy baby boy’s crib and dresser (which cost more than our own bed!). We bought 3 newborn outfits and I assume I’ll get a few at my shower, but other than that we don’t plan on buying too many additional nb things. I figure if we need more I can have my mom or someone visiting pick up a few for us.
Can’t believe you are so close, I’m so excited for you!!!!
Thanks Stacy! Maybe we can finally meet up on your 2 year trip to Seattle 😉 Wow, seems crazy to think that “our boys” could hang out!
LOL … the clothing conundrum — even at 18 months, we are still in that limbo. At birth, we got screwed because everyone got us 3 month clothing, assuming most babies are big … which meant we had *no* NB stuff except for one or two sleepers, both of which swam on her. (Maya didn’t even properly fit into NB clothing til she was 2 months old) 🙁 I wish we’d have had some NB stuff! We had to go out and get it afterwards. That said, you’re having a boy and boys “tend” to be on the bigger side than girls (of course, not always).
As for the Diaper Genie. YES. It’s a must–it takes away the smell and keeps little hands from poking around in disgustingness. Trust me.
I loved our sheet savers (I think I’d emailed you about them, singing their praises) but til Baby Boy is here, it’s hard to know if you’d find them valuable. I know for us they were awesome — mostly because Maya never moved in her crib … she literally woke in the same position for 6 months — then it was ALL OVER. 😉 But they were totally worth it for us for those initial 6 months. We never had to change her sheet because of an accident — just for regular laundry.
I would have croaked without my Boppy. And having had a winter baby I almost wish we’d had a wipes warmer but it would have been a rude awakening to her then every time we’d be out of the house!
I can’t believe she was even too tiny for the NB clothes! Wow! Yeah, I have a feeling he might fit into NB for a week or something, if at all, but I guess you really just never know!
Thanks for all the advice, Lissa. It’s so great to hear about your experiences.
Oh and I LOVE the pic — would love to see more!! Gorgeous!!!
Thanks! I want to see more, too…this is just the “preview” pic we got to see right after the shoot. I just want one good one for his baby book and I’ll be happy!
So excited for you Lara and can’t wait to see pics of the new arrival!
My baby ended up being 8 lbs 3oz at birth and 20.5 inches long. He actually wore Newborn onesies for bit, I’d say at least a month or month and a half, then graduated to 0-3. I’m sure you now have a ton of clothes from the shower though!
One thing I wish I’d had more of – nighties that zip up instead of button up. There’s nothing quite so awesome as trying to button those darn things at 3am with a wriggling, screaming infant 🙂
Thanks Sarah! Great tip on the zippered onsies…I don’t think I have any, or many. I’ll have to go check and then stock up 😉
Um, the wipes warmer is totally necessary. For realz 🙂
Also, that is the cutest photo of you and Matthew ever. Ever.
Thanks Innz 🙂 I like it alright, though I am holding out for a better one.
you are just glowing and precious lara!
You’re very kind…thank you!
Beautiful photo!
We spent a LOT of money on a glider, and it was the best money we spent! It actually now lives in our bedroom, and I still LOVE it. It’s so comfortable and awesome! And when I add up all the unnecessary baby “stuff” (too much clothes, a tiny robe, “travel bottle warmers,” a crib bumper that was never used….) I bought, it really wasn’t that expensive… 😉
It’s great to hear that you still use your glider! I’m hoping to get a lot of mileage out of ours 🙂
That picture is GORGEOUS!! I love it! The buying conundrums are there to keep you occupied. The internet has in some ways made it all so much worse, with all the reviews, baby sites, etc. Unless you’re spending $1000 on newborn clothing, you won’t even remember what you spent and whether you regret it or not. Stuff like baby carriers, extra sheets, clothes, towels etc. can all easily be purchased online when you know what you & your baby want or need.
Love that you have a birth plan! Being informed is the main goal of a birth plan, and that is a great thing to have delved into. Yay for the final weeks!
Haha…thanks Ruby 🙂
I can’t even express how excited I am for you! (And all moms-to-be!) Becoming a mom is like joining a secret society. Yeah the “initiation” is tough but you’ll have the most incredible respect for both yourself & every woman out there with kids.
Btw, wipe warmers are worthless. It’s not like you’ll be refrigerating the wipes!!
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with the wipe warmers are worthless assessment. Or, at least say it must vary baby to baby. The baby girl I nannied for never one cried or fussed when I changed her diaper except for the 2 times their wipe warmer was out of wipes and I had to use ones straight from the package- then she WAILED. And another friend told me the same thing with her baby- she said the wipe warmer was by far the best shower gift she got. You could always wait and see if baby boy minds hvaing his diaper changed without one, and then decide from there. But given that they’re like $20, it’s not the biggest investment…
LOL. Example 105476 of controversial baby products. I swear, people either love or hate wipe warmers!
My compromise to this was buying one used for $10 😉 I’ll let you know my final vote in the coming weeks and months, ladies!
Thanks Jessie! I’m excited to join the club 🙂
If you’re going to do cloth wipes, then a wipes warmer is the way to go. B doesn’t care either way. Of course, she’d also sit in her poop all day if we let her.
Anyways, on to lovelier things…what glider did you get?! I really, really wanted to spend some big bucks on either a recliner or designer glider and in the end couldn’t do it….there were MANY times at 3 am that I was wondering if I made the right choice.
For now we’re stuck with disposable wipes because I hastily went out and bought a jumbo box from Costco before I really considered cloth anything. We will definitely consider cloth wipes or a combination with disposable down the road!
We got the PB glider that I lusted after in this post: http://accordingtolara.com/2012/03/my-luxe-baby-wishlist/ (Fancy by our standards at least!)
Lara, you will spend so much time in that glider, and you will be glad you chose the one you really wanted. We never did a diaper genie, but some of my friends love theirs. So, I think you’re wise to just buy all the stuff and then keep the receipts as everyone has certain baby items that they like and will recommend them while other moms say they’re totally not necessary. I must say that one item that we’ve been using for the twins that I’d wish I had for Summer is the Miracle Blanket. Oh my gosh, it makes swaddling so easy, and baby cannot get his arms out. I LOVE these blankets. They’re kind of pricey but totally worth it, and I actually found one of ours on Babysteals.com. Hopefully you received one or two at your shower, and if not let me know. 🙂
Yay, we got one for a gift! I’ve spotted them on the twins in your photos and have been meaning to ask how you like it. I can’t wait to wrap him up in it!
I’ll have to check out Babysteals.com…never heard of it!
Lara, Oh good – such a great blanket. Summer always got her arms out when we swaddled her, and the twins tend to do the same unless they’re wrapped up in the Miracle Blankets. Babysteals.com sends out a daily email offering discounted baby items – we bought our Ergo carrier at 50% off from the site as well as the Miracle Blanket, Robeez socks, etc. Highly recommend signing up!
P.S. Love the maternity photo. So sweet. 🙂
Hi Lara, My 9 pound baby still fit into newborn clothes for a little while. My 2 cents on the rest:
Diaper genie-aweseome. Especially necessary after they start eating solids and the poop is super-stinky.
Wipe warmers-waste of money. I don’t think babies really notice-they usually don’t love being changed even if the wipes are warm!
Sheet saver-waste of money. You really just need a water proof mattress pad. Sheets wash.
But, whatever you decide is right. There is no right/wrong, just opinions!
Thanks Stacie! The newborn clothes input is especially helpful. I think you’re right–there’s no right answer, just whatever works for each person and their family/baby!
that photo of you and your husband is so adorable. congrats on the pregnancy 🙂
Thank you Caitlin!
I loveeeee that picture, and can’t wait to see more from the shoot!
You are going to be such a prepared, amazing mama…im so excited for you and MB!
Also, fact: I actually had to “image search” a bunch of the baby lingo in this post. (Diaper genie? Had no idea!)
Lara, I received your comment on my blog. Thanks. All I have to say is that I am sending a BIG HUG to you. I hope your worries and anxieties subside. Soon enough you will have your sweet baby in your arms and the last few weeks will be but a blip in your memory. Enjoy it.