Things I didn't use, even after i registered for them.

Morning!! And what a beautiful one it is in NY! Beautiful Sky's and the weather is JUST RIGHT!
I've been thinking of what i want to post for a while now, since i have SO MUCH built up inside my head...with Aj and all...and i know for one, i would like to post my birth story, but like i mentioned before, that is going to be a day I'm ready...to share the most wonderful experience of my life...and i need to really SIT and WRITE...and re-live it.  Bringing Aj into the world has been the best thing that has ever happened to me...and i wouldn't change a second of it. I still can't believe it sometimes, as I'm watching him grow---that he was just in my belly 4 months ago! And here he is, growing, laughing, smiling, coo-ing, kicking...and melting my heart!! I read this quote the other day (i put it on my facebook)

" I knew love before, but I wasn’t responsible for it, I wasn’t instrumental to its existence. Before I became a Mother, love happened to me, I happened to love – but now, I created love from love." ♥ and it's so perfect!!

 

OK, so i wanted to share with you girls THINGS that i didn't use, and think were kinda stupid---and this is all in MY OPINION! I did a lot of research before Aj was born, and lots of these things had 5 stars...but when Aj was born i found myself NOT using them...so here goes!

 

#1-Moby Wrap!

 

When i first got pregnant, i did so much research! I wanted this thing---and i wanted it, BAD. I was so excited to get it in the mail...and i couldn't wait to put Aj in it! WRONG. Aj was a great baby, for the first week...then after that, he would CRY...for no apparent reason. To put this wrap on, you need LOTS of patience...it takes a few minutes---and it's NOT that easy!  And i know I've done the YouTube videos and I've tried every possible way for this to work---but alas...it's a no go for Aj (and I).  It's this GINORMOUS piece of fabric---and I'm small, so it wraps around me a few times---and it's just annoying to put this on---while your baby is screaming on the top of his lungs! I did however get the Baby Bjorn Air---and let me tell you, as heavy as Aj is now (pushing 15 lbs) this thing is still comfortable and EASY to put on!! And not to mention, when he falls asleep in this thing---i can easily slip him out, and put him down in his pack and play, and he doesn't even realize it! SCORE!!!

#2- Pee-Pee TeePee

I don't per say have the same one in the picture above, but i do have one that has a baseball on it...and i received it as a gift at my shower. And although, it is a great idea (i thought so), i realized---it's a complete waste of money($10). First of all, ladies....we are changing a diaper! You are not eating at a fancy restaurant. You want to get IN and GET OUT as SOON AS POSSIBLE -STAT! Don't sit around with his winky all out for 10 minutes (unless of course, you are airing him out due to a rash--then by all means, yes---let him hang out with his wang out). I simply figured this out all by myself. When i remove the diaper, i open it up...see the situation, and make an assessment on how many wipes i will need...then i close him back up (just lay the diaper on top)...then i pull out as many wipes as i feel necessary for the job ahead. Remove the diaper, and wipe---quickly...but thoroughly...then replace with a new fresh diaper, and continue to wipe until you feel it is clean! Then lay the diaper back on. At this time you can squeeze your diaper creme on your finger or open the powder (he's already covered...so if he feels the urge...he will shoot straight into the diaper...and no one gets hurt. Then apply the cream, corn starch(which i think is WAY better than ANY DIAPER CREAM out there!!!), and close him back up! and you're done!  No one has ever died by a little newborn urine anyways! It's clear, and sterile...and please, i'm sure the vomit is WAY WORSE! Now if you insist on getting something...to cover his winky....try a breastpad....they are cheap, and disposable, and i'm sure you'll have plenty stashed away if you plan on bfing.

#3, LOTS OF BOTTLES!

I was determined to breast feed Aj from the second he was born---and i

didn't get my wish that second, but a few hours later...which is totally fine. Unfortunutely, I did have a bunch of bottles at home---and they didn't really work for us. I was pumping and feeding for the first few weeks until i healed (i was EXTREMELY SORE) and despite what all the lactation consultants said, Aj was fine switching between bottle and breast. Unfortunutely, he is having more of those issues NOW as he is getting older. He will ONLY take the Medela bottles (the ones you pump into)...and every once in a while i will try to feed him with the tommee tippee. I am one of those people who HATE having clutter near my kitchen sink, so i try to have as LITTLE as possible (it's not possible to NOT have a drying rack---trust me!).  I wasted plenty of money purchasing really "cool" bottles---aka Dr Browns, .....and i don't use them! The good thing...they actually latch on to the adapters of the medela breast pump, so i'm still able to re-use them when pumping! Make sure when you buy bottles, you buy only 1...and try it. Chances are, the kid will like only 1 brand...and the rest go unused.

#4 Lots of different baby bath/Shampoo/soaps

 

Yes, i know i registered for them...but if i would've known better, maybe i wouldn't have.  My nephew Kevin was born last year around the same time, so i would always smell and LOVE the Johnson and Johnson's baby bedtime bath! SOOOOO Yummy smelling...and i couldn't wait till Aj was born to lather him up! The first few weeks...i started to notice little dry patches and redness on his face and legs. When i took him to the ped they asked me what wash i was using...and i told him...and they told me to change to something a little more mild...such as Dove sensitive or Aveeno...so i did...and i haven't gone back (now i have a bunch of baby soap i'm not using!). There is nothing wrong with Johnson and Johnson, but it just wasn't good for Aj...so my point is...don't go over board with registering and buying lots of baby wash---until they are born---or else you might be left with LOTS of unused baby soap. I did purchase the Dove, but i still get scared to put this near his face and god forbid he got it in his eye....so i've been using the Aveeno Baby Lavender and vanilla and it's JUST as yummy!! Plus, the lotion is really nice and creamy, and i think it leaves him nice and smooth. Now, just because Aveeno worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you---so i would definitely try some other brands in the sample size first...before you go all out and buy COSTCO size baby soap! lol



and Last but NOT least, #5---NEWBORN DIAPERS.

Aj was born 8 lbs 9 oz. The kid literally wore size 1 diapers from the second we got home. I had about 120 diapers that went unused (thankfully, i have a cousin that had a baby in February, so i was able to re-gift them). I would even say, size 1 is a waste of money! Not to mention, pampers runs small. He is currently in a size 3, and i bet he would fit nice in a 4. So, if you plan on buying diapers, or registering for them---always go from size 2+....and purchase smaller boxes of size newborn and 1.  They grow WAY TOO FASST...and you'll have PLENTY of leftovers. The only good thing---you can save them for a diaper cake for your next baby shower!! ;)

Any of you have things that you felt were unnecessary? Or purchase anything that you THOUGHT would be amazing, and turn out to be kinda-blah!?

I'm a big review person-so i know i did my research-but when baby comes, you realize what you really NEED and what is not so great afterall.



Weekend Recap.

This weekend in photos:

Hope everyone is having a fantastic Monday!
I am finializing some finishing touches for Aj's Baptism on Sunday.......so i'm doing a bit of running around. Can't wait to show you all the finishing touches next week!! ;)

How did you spend YOUR weekend??

My top 5 things to get BEORE the baby arrives:

Wow, who knew i still had a few readers? The comments made me really happy (even though there were only two---i did feel REALLY special when i woke up this morning!).



I will definitely share my birth story---but that is going to be a little while, i will need to gather my thoughts and a box of tissues first. lol. i can't even believe it was 3 1/2 months ago....it feels like just yesterday:(



Anywhos (let me stop thinking about it, because i get really teary eyed)
I definitely want to share with all you new Momma's (or soon to be) out there all the things that i absolutely LOVED and MUST HAVE before baby arrives...and some---not so much.  I'm going to start slow, since we don't have much time together (aj is down for his first nap, so i must hurry)...



#1 on my list for babies born in the middle of the winter: Bundle me

Aj was born on December 15th (I live in NY so it gets pretty COLD out there, and even though this winter wasn't SO BAD, it was definitely on my TOP 5 list) I had registered for the "Bundle me" after reading great reviews online...and let me tell you---BEST INVENTION EVER. THIS HAS TO BE THE # 1 THING THAT I'VE USED EVERY SINGLE DAY...AND IT IS AWESOME! I really loved it!! And i would give it 6 stars if i could. I originally wanted the white one---but i guess they must've been out of stock when it was purchased, so my friend got me the black/grey urban one instead (the main difference between the Urban and the regular bundle me is the material/ the urban has a quilted outer nylon that protects against wind and rain ---which was better since it's technically *waterproof*---AKA---easy to wipe---after i realized how messy babies are (my baby vomits after EVERY FEEDING---and yes, i thought this was an issue, but he's gaining weight and my ped said that it is normal---).


#2 Medela Breast pump

I can't say i know much about other breast pumps, but i can say i used this one, and it's worked for me. I definitely think that if you plan on breast feeding and returning to work (i have so much to say on this topic, but i'll save it for another post) you should invest in a good pump BEFORE your baby arrives.  I say this because since the day he was born, i've been pumping and saving.  If you don't really have much money, i would definitely try to find a used one on craigslist.  Once you understand the concept of the pump, you wont think it's as gross as i originally thought.  The pump itself does not come in contact with any bodily fluids...and all the extra pieces can be purchased separately...and you can  get them on Amazon for a lot cheaper than BabiesRus. I have my original pump, and a good friend of mine gave me her pump she used when she was pumping so i can use it as backup.  I keep one at work, and one at home. Obviously, it would be too expensive if you purchase 2 pumps (they cost $250+), so that is why i say if you must use craigslist (or if someone you know has a used one) to purchase a pump---i highly recommend it.  I have the tote, and i have the backpack. I keep the backpack at work (it's smaller) and i keep the tote near my nightstand (for nightly pumping).  I was traveling back and forth with the backpack at first, but it was just too much---between carrying my lunch, my purse and my pump, i felt like i was going on vacation every single morning!  A pump is a MUST HAVE...and Medela has my vote for the best pump.  If i had to choose between the tote and the backpack, i'd say the tote. The backpack is great---compact and small...but you don't have much room for anything other than the pieces and the bottles...so if you want to consolidate to one bag---it's too small to hold anything else. The tote is nice and roomy-and you can keep a nursing cover, extra batteries, and your wallet...so you wont have to carry your own bag...and it's stylish enough to pass as a purse (it's NO Michael Korrs, but hey!).


#3, LOTS OF WIPES.

Before baby arrived I did a Costco run to get some things for the house. Not sure if all of you have costco's near by---but i signed up to receive coupons in the mail.  You get a coupon book once a month for a few dollars off a bunch of things-nothing serious. That week (week before Aj was born) I did realize that they had the box of HUGGIES wipes that has 1120 wipes for only $25....and on top that off---i had a $5.00 coupon valid for that week (it's still really cheap for $25....online it's $35). I decided to buy...and i'm NOT dissapointed. I just recently finished the last box, and Aj is already 3 1/2 months old. ANd let me tell you---bf babies POOP... A LOT....


As a newborn, he pooped after every feeding. Now, 2 times a day.  These wipes are awesome because they are thick enough for really messy diapers!


#4 Cloth Diapers.

I am not a cloth diaper mom, although sometimes i do wish i was.  I work full time and hubby watches the baby 2 days of the week---so cloth diapers and daddy were not going to work out. I know if i would've been a SAHM i might've gone cloth...but again, i'm not.
So, here is the thing, my baby vomits. He VOMITS a lot. My mother in law purchased 2 packs of these, and let me tell you---they are awesome!!!! I use them as burp clothes...and i pretty much use the ALL THE TIME...ALL DAY LONG. They wash up nice...and they are so cheap and awesome. Again, 6 stars....if your baby vomits like mine! :)


#5  Last (but by far, definitely NOT LEAST!)  *REST*

Ok, yea, i know you've heard this before..."get lots of sleep before the baby arrives! Once he is here, you'll never sleep again"...yea---well that my friends...IS A FACT.  The first few days he was home---i felt like we were playing house. We didn't mind getting up in the middle of the night. In fact, both of us would get up...and BOTH take care of him-which is awesome. After about 2 weeks...the fun was over! For some reason, it's not so cute anymore! LOL
I was put on bedrest my last week of pregnancy(more on that later), so i was home. I DID NOT WANT TO STAY HOME---EVERYTHING WAS DONE...IT WAS SO ANNOYING. However...that week was nice. I was able to sit in his room, look around---and dream of him. The excitement was just too much...i just wanted to hold him! If you are a working Mama, and you want to work until the last day (like i did), one thing i don't regret was having that last week to myself. It was nice, being alone...and relaxing...i would advise anyone who wants to wait till the last day---to take a few days before the due date...and just---chill out and rest and relax....because your life is about to get ROCKED! :) in a good way,of course.
Hope this list helps you girls! What are your TOP 5??? I'm curious.

It's been a while......5 months or so....and A lot has changed.
For ONE---i am now a Mother of a beautiful baby boy named Aj...and he's already 3 and a half months old! I can't even believe that!! Feels like just yesterday i found out i was pregnant...and now, here i am--a MOM.
SO, i guess this blog is going to do a major turn around---and be all about Aj...but i will try to still keep my theme---since i am STILL learning to be a wife...and juggle that!  I think it's much more challenging to be a newlywed---and a newly-'mom'....and still have a full time job---and all the fun stuff in between.

Any of you guys still read my blog? Any of you pregnant, or have babies since i've been gone??!! Please--leave a comment!

I'm hoping to be BACK at it soon---just give me some time.
I am definitely looking forward to posting about baby items that *I LOVE*...and some that i didn't love so much!

I am a big review person, so i can't wait to share with all of you the things that have carried me through the first 3 months of Aj's life!

so, bare with me.........
and please, leave me some comments!!! :)

explosion of emotions and thoughts, & a cool diaper cream recipe!

I am starting to get a little nervous. I babysat my cousin's newborn on Saturday, and kept thinking to myself..."HOLY CRAP" is this going to me in a few weeks.
It's scary. I always thought of having a baby...but i don't think it freaked me out...quite like this. I don't think you really know how to react...it's such a beautiful thing, to bring something into the world...but very scary, since it will be my first time. Caring for a demanding newborn/infant...is much different than anything I've ever had to do...so I'm asking...are my feelings normal? I am actually so scared of the new 'change' that is going to take place...in my home...with my family...and with my husband and I.
Mr. Cole and i have such a great relationship. AT least, I'd like to think we do. We talk...we laugh, and we hardly ever argue. I mean, we are normal...we do have disagreements, but the past 9 months have been amazing. This 'thing' (yes, i said it...i called my unborn a thing!) growing inside me has awoken a different kind of love. A love that i never knew i had for him....and a love, I've never knew he had for me. We've been really great...at making decisions and planning. I never knew i could love him...more than the day i married him-but now, i love him a million times as much, maybe even more. Watching him care for me...and watching him care for someone he doesn't even know yet...and planning...and being excited...it's so amazing to have someone so supportive and loving. I don't know how Single Mothers (my mom) do it. Without the love and support of a partner. I love him more than anything...and it scares me that soon...this little person...will be the center of my life...

Am i normal? I know I'm going to be a great mother...but I'm nervous about the changes it's going to create in my marriage, with my family (mother/brother/sister in law/mother in law-etc.)...obviously a positive one...but still just a little scary that something is going to change. It's been about ME this whole time (or US)...and now, it's going to shift...in a good way...but still-is a little scary.
As i drive to work everyday (the past week or so), i look in my rear-view mirror, and think-in only a few weeks...there will be something permanently occupying the back seat. Something crying, sleeping, singing...and I'm nervous all over again. I know i can do it...it's not that i can't...it just kinda gives my heart a flutter...

Oh another note, I've been reading lots of things regarding homemade remedies for children...and ran across this blog. I found this awesome post about homemade Natural diaper cream and lotion. I think I'm going to try it...i just have to track down some of the ingredients. Have any of you ladies ever actually made something similar? Are any of you curious to make homemade/natural lotions soaps for your children?

Craiglisting for babies.

Searching for the perfect bedding has been quite a challenge.  I knew i wanted something that was gender neutral...and at the same time...not too theme-y. I didn't want Winnie the pooh or a cartoon character. SO, i decided to go geometric!
I was really into the Dwell Studio line...but not so into their price. I literally DROOLED over all their stuff! Then, i started craigslist-ing. At first, i was a little hesitant to buying 'gently' used bedding. After all, it's a NEW baby...and you obviously want everything NEW...i was just really in love with all of the shapes and colors from Dwell...and i knew...i had to have it.
Target has had lots Dwell...but none that i could say 'i love'...and still...a little pricey...for just a fitted, bumper, and comforter. A 3 piece set was $79 and technically it was a 2 piece set after hearing all of the Safety Alerts about bumpers. Yea, they look super cute, but do i really want to risk putting my child in a crib that can possibly suffocate on one!? Um...No.
So i was back to craigslist-ing.
I finally found a woman that was selling a complete Dwell set (fitted, skirt, comforter, bumper, added pillows) for $50. I emailed to ask the condition. She told me that she actually had never used the crib set because she had gotten it as a gift for her daughter, and they didn't know the gender so they decided to stay on the safe side and get yellow. When she was born...they went PINK crazy, and the first few months she didn't sleep in her crib...so by the time she did they had already purchased another set. I decided to go take a look, since...it sounded like a bargain. I really wanted to see in what condition the house was-because HEY YOU NEVER KNOW-THIS IS CRAIGSLIST. I do know that she had gotten this as a gift, and that a 340$ gift is a nice one, so i mean-she had to have a decent home. When i got there (i took my cousin with me-i always go on craigslist runs with people) i was pleasantly surprised. The home was immaculate...and everything was in the original packaging. She even threw in a few extra throw pillows and 2 additional fitted sets. I was in heaven! The things were washed, but definitely in perfect condition. Not a tare or stain in sight. I even scored an awesome high chair for $15!! And a rocking/glider for $40! i spent $105 for a glider, a dwell studio crib set (with additional things), and a high chair.

Now, i want to know your input. What are your feelings about Craigslisting for a baby? Are you opposed to it? Is it OK, if the stuff is in great/excellent condition?!!

this is the bedding, still in original packaging!

extra throw pillows for the room!!

Making a difference, already.

Last night was a memorable night for My husband and I. My family threw me a baby shower dinner party (for just family and close knit friends). I can honestly say, the night went off pefectly. First...i'd like to say, My husband and I both come from broken homes. I wouldn't say 'broken'...i guess, it sounds worse than it really is. We were both products of divorce...so we've technically had really difficult time when it comes to rounding up the troops.  There is always so much tention when it comes to seating arrangements and making people happy...so the past year and a half has been kinda difficult. From Bridal shower, to wedding, and now, baby shower.  It's so weird to put all these people in a room...who love us...and want to share in our joy...and for us to feel comfortable enough for them to all want to be in the same room together.  However, last night...was different....it wasn't about them---it was about him.

My mother has always been a very strong person. She's always been very stern...and hard...and serious. Well, at least---to the outside world. I guess maybe she's had to be that way...since she raised my brother and I...and she had to be both "Mom & Dad".
I'm sure it's never been easy...since my father and mother broke up when i was only 10 months old. As hard as it was...i guess, it sort of made her a very 'hard'. She was stone!  It's just been her way...and i never thought of it...until last night.
Last night, my mother was glowing. She was happy. I wasn't the only one who noticed it.  My mom actually laughed, and smiled...and was HAPPY. I think this baby is bringing something out of her...and he's not even here yet.  I think-this is the begining of something good....a place she's never been...a place of letting go...a place of being happy. She was able to be civil, although, she always was kinda 'ok' with being in the same room with my father-just--a little less serious, and a little more-'happy'. It was nice seeing my two 'seperate' families interact...and seeing their faces. They were all happy because of *Him*. He's already added so much happiness to our lives...and we havent' even met him.

I have decided that this is a big step for me. A big step to move in the right direction. A better *me*...to not be so SERIOUS...and be less DEMANDING and more HAPPY. Afterall, life is too short. Everyone who was part of our night---was supposed to be there.