31 Weeks

Nursery Part 1

A couple of weeks ago my in laws painted the nursery and hubby and I finally finished putting together the crib and the dresser.  It's so wonderful to see everything starting to come together.

You can check out the furniture that we picked out here.  

How to Babysit Grandparents

If you're looking for a good gift for soon-to-be grandparents, my hubby and I bought these for our parents and they were a huge hit!

For each soon-to-be grandmother we got How to Babysit a Grandma and for each soon to be grandfather, How to Babysit a Grandpa.

30 Weeks - Only 10 to Go!!

29 Weeks

Registry: Extra Baby Gear

My final set of registry items are some baby gear extras.  While you don't need any of these items, they make make life with baby a little easier.  They are listed below in no particular order.

• Graco Pack 'n Play Sketch Safari:  In my opinion, this is a MUST!  Instead of buying a basinet which will only be used for a few months, we have opted to keep the pack n' play in our room for the baby to sleep in until we transition him to the crib.  After baby has moved to the crib, the pack 'n play will still have many uses:  it's great for traveling or for taking baby outside while doing some yard work.  There are so many models, that you'll want to check them all out and see which best fits your needs. 

• Fisher-Price Rock 'N Play Sleeper:  this has been the #1 recommended item by other moms.  Its a nice spot to put baby down while vacuuming or cleaning a few dishes.  It has also been used by many parents as their baby's primary sleeping spot when nothing else worked.  

•  Skip Hop Moonlight and Melodies Nightlight Soother:  a great addition to any nursery (especially for those late night feedings and changes).  It acts as a nightlight, it projects stars onto the ceiling to entertain your little one and plays relaxing sounds and lullabies to soothe baby to sleep.  A timer also allows you to set it to turn off after 15, 30, or 60 minutes.  

• Bumbo Floor Seat and Play Tray:  this popular seat allows babies to sit upright early on and, made of plastic, it is easily cleanable.  

• Graco DuetSoothe Infant Swing + Rocker:  this baby swing does it all!  It is a little expensive, but it's the only swing you'll need!  It can rock baby both back and forth and from side to side with 6 swing speeds.  Or if your baby prefers vibrations, it has 2 options for that as well.  For your baby's entertainment, there is a mobile and the swing plays various soothing sounds and songs.  The swing can be removed to function as a bouncer or to carry baby around the house with you.  

• Fisher-Price Rainforest Music and Lights Deluxe Gym Set:  this mat will encourage baby to love tummy-time.  It has everything you could want and more!  

• ExerSaucer Jump and Learn Jumper Jungle Quest Activity Center:  this activity center allows baby to rock, swing, and jump encouraging them to build and strengthen their gross motor skills.  

Registry: Safety

Baby Monitors

Though not everyone may agree, my husband and I agreed that a baby monitor is absolutely necessary.  The issue is that there are way to many options to pick from.  Some things to consider are:

• Do you want video and audio?  Or just audio?
• Do you want to be able to connect your phone to the system?
• Do you want one parent unit or two?
• How far of a range do you need?
• What is the battery life of the unit?
• Does the unit also have the option to be plugged in?
• Do you want the monitor to be sound activated?
• Are there reported issues of interference?

After doing our research, my husband and I settled on the Infant Optics DXR-8 Video Monitor.  The monitor has over 7,000 reviews on Amazon and still has a 4.3 out of 5 stars.  The only negative comment is that some people experience interference issues, but we wouldn't know until we tried it out.  I am hoping we don't have that issue because otherwise it seems perfect!

Movement Monitor

Not everyone is a fan of movement monitors.  As first time parents (and with the lurking fear of SIDS), my husband and I decided that we wanted one.  The two most popular units are the Owlet and the Snuza HERO - you can read about both options here.  Ultimately, the Snuza seemed more portable, was reliable and was a much more reasonable price, so that is what we've registered for.    

  

Registry: Bathing and Infant Care

Bathing

First, you will need a bathtub for baby.  If you haven't noticed yet, my husband and I are fans of gear that grows with baby.  That's why we opted for the First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Tub.

You'll also want some hooded towels and washcloths for baby.  A few different mothers recommended Carter's towels and washcloths.  Another brand that came highly recommended was JJ Cole's towels and washcloths.  In total, we've registered for 4 towels and 4 washcloth sets.

Finally, you'll need something to wash baby with - we've went the traditional route and registered for Johnson & Johnson Head-to-Toe Baby Wash.

Infant Care

In order to keep baby nice and healthy, you'll need a few things.  Below is what we've registered for so far:

• Safety 1st Sleepy Baby Nail Clippers (2 pairs - one for at home and one for the diaper bag)
• Exergen Original Temporal Thermometer 
• Little Martin's Nasal Aspirator
• Guard Master Infant Banana Training Toothbrush  
• Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier
• Little Remedies Gas Relief Drops 
• Little Fevers Infant Fever & Pain Relief

Daycare

Here is my advice regarding daycare - start looking as early as possible!  We started looking last week (at 26 weeks pregnant) and were lucky enough to get the last spot at the daycare we wanted.  Our little one will be starting at the end of next August, which means that we had to sign-up for a spot about 9 months in advance.

Some things to consider about the daycare:

• Who will be dropping off/picking up your baby and is it conveniently located for them?

• What are their hours?

• What are their rates and what do they cover?

• If you go away on a week long vacation do you still pay them?

• What is the security for the building?

• Are employees certified in pediatric first aid and CPR?

• What is their staff to children ratio?

• What is their policy regarding a sick child?

• Is there a system in place if your child will be fed breastmilk?

• What is their curriculum?

• What is their behavior policy/parenting style?

27 Weeks

Registry: Diapering

The Essentials

The obvious essential here are diapers.  Your two main options are cloth diapers or disposable diapers.  My husband and I plan to use disposables, so that is what I will talk more about.  Check out the best rated disposable diapers here.  Their top pick (and my top pick) is Pampers Swaddlers - they have a wetness indicator (a huge plus) and they also are reported to have the least blow-outs among popular brands and are good for sensitive skin.  If you want to know how many of each size diaper you may need, this is a great place to start.  If whatever brand you get doesn't work out, most stores are good about exchanging unopened boxes for different brands or will give you store credit, so stocking up isn't a bad idea.

The other obvious essential is baby wipes.  Most mothers that I've talked to recommend Huggies, so that is what we will be registering for.  And as for how many you need, you supposedly can never have enough.  So we've registered for 2 of these starter sets and 2 of these value packs.

Finally, you'll need diaper rash cream.  From what I've read, A+D Ointment is the best cream to be used on a daily basis to prevent a diaper rash.  And Summer Laboratories Triple Paste is the best for treating a diaper rash.  I've registered for some of each.  And for those of the faint of heart, you may want a BabyBum Brush for applying any cream (this is definitely an extra, but I registered for it anyway).


The Extras

A diaper pail is not a necessity, but definitely something I need.  I like the idea of having one specific place to put all of the smelly diapers and to contain the smell.  We have registered for the Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail.  It is highly reviewed and the best part about it is that it doesn't need any specific, expensive bags - any good ol' garbage bags will do the trick.

For on-the-go diapering, I registered for 2 of these Munchkin Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag Dispensers (one for each diaper bag) and some refills too.  Also, for each car, I've registered for a Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station.

Speaking of on-the-go, you'll probably also want a diaper bag.  Though very expensive, I have chosen the Ju-Ju-Be B.F.F. Diaper Bag.  The biggest pros of this bag were its organizational pockets on the inside, a section just for mom, insulated bottle pockets, and you can wear it as a tote bag or as a backpack.  My husband wanted his own, more manly diaper bag, and opted for this Bluekiwi diaper bag.  He liked that it looked like a computer bag that he would carry to work.

Registry: Feeding

The Basics:

The main thing you'll need is a high chair.  There are a lot of options out there and at a variety of prices.  My hubby and I wanted something that would grow with the baby and something that was easy to keep clean.  We opted for the Fisher-Price-4-in-1 Total Clean High Chair.  After you no longer need a high chair, it converts to a booster seat.  The plastic pieces of the high chair come apart and are dishwasher safe.  The high chair seat cover is removable and machine-washable.

You'll want some bibs to protect those adorable onsies.  If you want something basic, Green Sprouts bibs are rated very well and are reasonably priced.  They come come in various sizes, starting with infant  and then moving up to bibs for 3 to 12 month olds.  If you want something that's a step up, Bumkins SuperBibs are waterproof, wipeable, and machine washable. Additionally they have a crumb-catcher pocket.  These bibs fit babies 6 months old and up.

Bottles:

Of course you're going to need some bottles, which it seems babies can be pretty picky about.  I've registered for Philips Avent Natural bottles because a few breastfeeding moms that I know have recommended them and I have a few free samples.  Whatever you get, you'll want 6 to 9 in each size.

Also, don't forget a brush for cleaning your bottles and a set of dishwasher baskets if you plan on going that route.  Finally, you'll want a drying rack -  Boons drying racks come highly recommended. You can get the GRASS or the LAWN rack.  I opted for the lawn because its slightly larger and I want to be able to fit the parts from my breast pump.  And if you want some extra drying space you can get a few Boon TWIGs for drying small parts like bottle nipples.




Cups, Dishes, Etc.

As your little one grows, you're also going to need some more "grown-up" eating supplies.  Below is a list of what we've registered for:

• Munchkin 6-pack Soft-tip infant spoons (ages 3 months and up)
• Munchkin 3-pack Stay Put Bowls (ages 6 months and up)
• Nuby No Spill 2 Pack Click-It Trainer Cups (ages 6 months and up)
• Munchkin Click Lock Weighted Straw Flexi Cup (ages 1 year and up)

Happy Thanksgiving!! 26 Weeks

Just hopping on quick to post before the holiday craziness begins.  I'm exactly 26 weeks today!

Registry: Breastfeeding and Pumping

Obviously breastfeeding is not for everyone and is a personal choice.  As I plan to breastfeed, I've included what I've learned below.

Breast Pump

I will be home for the first 6 months of my pregnancy and plan to almost exclusively breastfeed during that time.  However, I will have to pump once I return to work, so for me a breast pump is considered an essential.

If you plan on getting a breast pump, my advice is to start by calling your insurance company.  There were 6 pumps that my insurance covered completely. After you have your list of covered pumps, then start your research.  Reviews of many common pumps can be found here.  I ended up getting the Spectra S1 because it had excellent reviews and was covered by my insurance.


Breast Pump Bag

This is definitely an extra and some pumps may come with their own bag.  I have heard amazing things about the Sarah Wells Lizzy bag, so I am registered for that.  However, I don't think I will buy it for myself if I don't receive it as a gift. Keep in mind that not all bags fit all pumps, so make sure you do your research.  Another extra that I've registered for is this matching wet pouch to  store your used parts in until you can clean them.


Breast Milk Storage

If you are pumping, then you need somewhere to store it all.  You can read reviews of the top storage bags here.  I picked Nuk Seal n' Go Milk Storage Bags because they has the least reported leaks, were self-standing, and a reasonable price.  Along with storage bags, you'll want something to keep them organized.  I plan on just using a soda can box as shown here, but if you want something else, the First Years Breastflow Freezer Milk Organizer comes highly rated.


Boppy Pillow

The is a must in my book.  You'll want something to provide support while you're feeding the baby.  I've registered for the Original Boppy Nursing Pillow, the water-proof protective slipcover and two two covers (one to have on and one as a spare).  Some moms like to have two pillows - one for each floor of their house, so that's something to consider.


Breast Care

• Lansinoh Lanolin Breast Cream:  use this to coat the flanges on your pump before pumping to provide some lubrication.  This protects your breasts and makes pumping more comfortable.
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Balm:  apply on a daily basis to your breasts to keep them hydrated and soothed.
• Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads:  help to soothe and heal sore nipples.  They are supposed to provide instant relief and are recommended especially for when you are first starting to breastfeed.  
• Philips Avent Thermal Gel Pads:  hot and cold packs for your boobs.  You can warm them to increase milk slow or cool them to provide relief from engorgement.  I registered for 2 sets, so that I can have one heating or cooling while I am using the other.  
• Bamboobies Disposable Nursing Pads:  place these in your nursing bra or tank to catch any leaks and to prevent whatever cream you're using from staining your tops.

First Kick!

My husband was finally able to feel our little one kick!  It was definitely the best moment of the pregnancy so far.  Suddenly things felt a lot more real and my hubby seemed so amazed.   I fell asleep with my husbands hand on my bump feeling our baby move.  <3

Registry: Car Seats, Strollers, and Baby Carriers

The Essentials

You definitely need a car seat and a stroller.  However, there are a lot of options.  I strongly recommend checking out this Baby Stroller Guide and determine which type of stroller is right for your family and your lifestyle.

Ultimately, my husband and I decided that a travel system was the best for us (and this is also what most moms that I talked to also settled on).  A travel system is the best bang for your buck!  It includes a carseat that snaps into the stroller for your newborn.  As your child grows, you can eventually stop using the carseat and just pop them right into the stroller.  After reading many carseat reviews, Chicco was at the top of our list.  If you're interested, we ended up registering for the Chicco Bravo LE Trio Travel System.



The Extras

A baby carrier is definitely an extra, but my hubby and I consider it a must!  It allows you to carry your baby with your, but still have both hands free.  We plan to use it when taking the dog for a walk or when going on a hike.  I also know a lot of moms wear them just around the house while doing chores.  Plus, carrying around some added weight isn't a bad way to sneak in some exercise and bond with your baby!

If you plan on purchasing one of these, do your research and go try some out.  I thought I knew what I wanted and hubby and I went to check it out in store - it literally took us 20 minutes to get it on.  Granted it was our first go-around, but it was still way to complicated.  After experimenting with the carriers in stores, the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One was BY FAR our favorite.  It was comfortable, provided lower back support (to better distribute baby's weight) and was extremely easy to use.

25 Weeks

If you're looking for a way to document your pregnancy, then I highly recommend the Baby Pics App.  It only costs a few bucks and offers lots of awesome artwork/stickers to add to your pictures.  I love the weekly pregnancy stickers and wish that I had found the app sooner.

Registry: Bedding, Linens, Sleepwear, Etc.

The Essentials

First, let's talk about what you need for the crib.  Our first line of defense will be these protective waterproof covers for the mattress (registered for 2).   Next we will have a fitted quilted pad (again, registered for 2) you will need fitted sheets for the crib.  Finally, there is just the regular fitted sheet.  We are registered for 4 of these - I don't want to have to do laundry just because baby had a blow-out in the middle of the night and we are out of sheets.

You do NOT need the whole cute bed set, no matter how tempted you are to buy it.  Everything else in the set is purely decorative.  The only other thing that you need for the crib is a bumper, but that adorable bumper that comes with your bedding set is considered to increase the risk of SIDS.  Instead, they now recommend a mesh bumper like this one.

Next, you will need a changing pad.  I prefer the contoured pad that helps to keep the baby in place.  And of course, you then need changing pad covers.  Most covers are soft and fluffy and decorated in all sorts of cute patterns.  However, I think that these wipeable covers are the way to go (we're registered for 2).  Most of the cover is a wipeable material, so depending on what accidents occur you don't necessary have to take the whole pad off and wash it.

The Extras

I didn't register for changing pad liners, but I picked up 2 packs of them because I found them for $2 a pack on clearance.   Their intended purpose is to place one on top of your changing pad cover to avoid having to wash the whole thing, but with the wipeable changing pad these won't really be necessary.  However, I like the idea of having these to throw down on the floor or the couch or on a diaper changing station for a quick diaper change.

We are not registering for burp clothes, I have heard from so many mothers that say these are a waste of money.  Instead, we are registered for these Gerber cloth diapers.  Many experienced mothers recommend at least two packages of these and say that they serve a variety of purposes:  burp clothes, cleaning up spills, cleaning babies face, etc.

Many moms also rave about the Aden and Anais swaddle blankets.  Again, they use them for a variety of purposes, but they are definitely a lot more expensive than the cloth diapers above.  I did register for one set just to try them out.

Finally, since blankets aren't allowed in cribs (because of the risk of SIDS) your little one will need something to keep them warm.  There are so many options here which I've researched thoroughly.  Unfortunately, it sounds like each baby has their own preference.  However, there were 2 top contenders:  the HALO SleepSack and the SwaddleMes.  Both options come in a variety of sizes and weights (for the various seasons).  I have registered for a small and medium in each and plan to go from there.

Registry: Furniture

Now that I've covered where we're registered, I'll move on to what we've registered for.  I will organize this by category and will try to include the essentials and the extras that we are planning on getting.  We'll start with the most expensive pieces - the nursery furniture.

The Essentials
In my opinion, the essentials are a crib, a dresser and a changing table.  However, I believe that stand-alone changing tables are a waste of money and space.  Instead, we are going to get a dresser that has a changing table attachment.  Then, when you no longer need to a changing table, you can take the attachment off and you're left with just the dresser.

On another note, I need everything to match, so we are opting to get all of our furniture from the same collection.  However, this is definitely not necessary.  The set we are getting is the Delta Bennington Collection from Babies 'R Us and includes a crib, a dresser, and a changing table topper.  

Something to keep in mind is that most every crib we looked at was convertible.  That meant that they can grow with your child.  However, you will need to buy the extra pieces in order to convert the crib.  If you plan to do this, you should buy them at the same time as the crib.  You never know when they will discontinue that particular model and then the additional pieces will become unavailable.  

The Extras

One extra, though I am considering it an essential for me, is a chair for the nursery.  I will be spending a lot of time in their breastfeeding and I want somewhere comfortable to sit.  There are a lot of options when it comes to these, but we finally settled on this glider/recliner from Buy Buy Baby.  This is an item that I strongly suggest that you go try out - don't just try to read reviews online.  Everyone has their own opinion on what is comfortable, etc.  I'd also suggest that you read this buying guide to get you started.  

The other extra that I want are these 8-Cube Organizer Shelves from Target.  I like them because they can be used for whatever you want.  You can use them just as shelves for books and/or decorations or you can buy the fabric bins that fit in them to use as storage.  

Registry Comparison

Now that we know that gender and only have 15 weeks until our little boy's arrival, I suppose it is time to start our registries.  There are so many options and each place has different perks.  Here's what I've learned and where we're registering.

Amazon

If you are a a prime member, you will get a 15% of completion discount that you can use anytime between 60 days prior to your baby's due date to 180 days after.  (If you're not a prime member, the discount is 10%.)  It is a one time coupon though, so make sure you don't forget anything.  Make sure to shop around, but for many things, their prices are lower than in stores and then you can get 15% off on top of that.  I should also mention that the 15% off discount only applies to items sold by Amazon.

The downside is their return policy.  You have 90 days from the purchase date to return it.  This alone could prove to be an issue depending on when someone bought the gift for you and when you actually received it (if they hold on to it until your shower).  Additionally you need to provide information about the order, which would mean telling the gift giver that you were returning the item.

With all of that being said, we registered here, but kept it set to private.  This allowed me to get my free goodie box for setting up a registry with them AND I will still be eligible for the 15% off discount off anything I wanted.


Babies R' Us

In my opinion, this is by far the best registry.  For signing up you get a goodie bag with some free samples and some coupons.  If you sign-up online, be sure to ask for the goodie bag when you visit the store.  Their prices aren't always the lowest, but they do match competitor prices, including Amazon's.  Also, they will let you return anything up to a year after your baby's due date.

About 6 to 8 weeks before your baby's due date, they will also send you a 10% completion discount coupon.  Again, this is a one time offer, so don't forget anything.  The best part of their registry is their Endless Earnings.  Around 12 weeks after your baby's due date, you will receive an electronic gift card base don how much was spent on your registry.  You earn 5% back for the first $300 and then 10% back on everything after that.  In our opinion, this was the best place to register and is where we are going to register for most of our baby wants/needs.


Buy, Buy, Baby

Their benefits are similar to Babies R' Us, but without the Endless Earnings.  You get a goodie bag for signing up (you can pick it up in store even if you sign up online).  They price match competitor prices and also let you return anything up to a year after your baby's due date.  Finally, about 6 to 8 weeks before your baby's due date, they send you a 10% completion discount.

One extra benefit is that they offer you free shipping for anything off of your registry after $200 worth of items have been purchased.  All in all, not a bad registry, but not as good as Babies R 'Us.  We registered here, but only added items that weren't available at Babies R' Us.


Target

Similar to the other registries, they give you a goodie bag for signing up (pick up in store if you register online).  About 8 weeks before your due date, they send you two 15% completion discount coupons - one to use in stores and one to use online.  This can be combined with your 5% discount if you have their credit card.  Like the other stores, they give you up to a year after your due date to make returns.

In my opinion, their registry isn't anything special, but they did have a few items that i wanted that weren't available anywhere else.  For this reason (and to get the goodie bag and 15% off coupons), we also registered here.


The Conclusion

So when all is said and done, we will have registries available at 3 stores for everyone to view (since Amazon will be kept private).  This can get a little overwhelming, so I recommend MyRegistry.com.  This allows you to have all of your registries in one spot.  And, if you want to add any fun extras (like that adorable wall print from etsy.com) you can add those too!

Gender Reveal

We traveled back to Maryland today to reveal the gender of the baby with our family and friends.  It was fun to see what everyone thought.

And of course, the highlight was cutting the cake:

It's a....BOY!!!!

First Movements

Just a few days ago I felt our little bean move for the first time.   What an amazing feeling!  Now I'm anxious for the movements to get bigger and stronger so that my husband can feel them too!

Going Public

Today is our anniversary and we decided to make it extra special by officially announcing our pregnancy.  I am so happy to finally share our wonderful news with all of our friends and our extended family.  We are exactly 18 weeks pregnant today!

Our gender scan at our doctors isn't for a few more weeks, but my husband took me for an early gender reveal ultrasound this Tuesday - now to keep it a secret for a few more weeks!

I can't believe we're already celebrating our 3rd anniversary.
We're excited to announce that this year will be the most exciting yet!

12 Weeks Exactly!

We just got back from our 12 week ultrasound.  Our little bean is still measuring right on track and looking healthy!

Announcement Pictures

I want to start by saying that we just received the results of our genetic screening earlier this week and everything looks great!

With that out of the way, I feel that I can go back to enjoying the pregnancy.  We are currently in the Poconos on a family vacation with my dad and his girlfriend, my grandmother and my siblings.  My dad is a photographer and was generous enough to take photos for our pregnancy announcement.  Here are some of my favorites!

First Official Ultrasound

We had our first official ultrasound this morning.  Everything looks good.  Our little bean is measuring 9 weeks and 5 days exactly, so due date is still March 2!    We got to hear the heart beat for the first time.  It was 171 bpm.

Not much to see, but here he/she is!  Already so much bigger than they were 3 weeks ago.  

Leachco Back 'N Belly Body Pillow

Aside from morning sickness, another side effect of pregnancy is difficulty sleeping.   Even this early on in the pregnancy, I've been finding it difficult to get comfortable at night.  Also, during pregnancy they recommend that you sleep on your side, preferably you're left side.  It seemed like the solution to this was simple - a body pillow.

However, after going onto amazon.com, I learned that they actually made body pillows specifically for pregnant women.  That's when I found it - the Leacho Back 'N Belly Contour Body Pillow.  I was hesitant at first and left it sitting in my cart for several days.  Was I really going to spend $80 on a body pillow?

Well I've had it now for about a month and it is definitely worth what I paid, and then some.  I was nervous when it first arrived because the neck part seemed stiff and uncomfortable.  I debated returning it immediately, but then I figured I would at least give it a try.  After just a few days, the pillow was "broken-in" and was amazing!  I was actually able to get comfortable and was sleeping well again.

If you are having trouble getting comfortable during pregnancy, I highly recommend this.  It was a completely worthwhile purchase.  And after pregnancy, you can also use it for breastfeeding - just an added bonus!

Genetic Screening

We had our first doctor's appointment yesterday.  They basically walked us through what to expect at upcoming visits, had us fill out some basic paperwork about our family health history and then told us about genetic screening.  Now I had read a little about genetic screening in my books, but I hadn't really processed any of the information.

All genetic testing is optional and a very personal decision to make.  The first round of any of the tests is a blood draw from the mother.  Then depending on the results of the blood work, an amniocentesis can be performed to achieve more accurate results, but also poses a small risk to the baby.  The way my doctor explained it to us, is that there are 3 groups of people:

Group 1:  People that don't care and don't want to know.  Results of the screens aren't 100% accurate and they don't want to be bothered by something that may or may not be true.

Group 2:  People that want to know, so that they can be as informed as possible on any genetic disorders that their children may be born with.

Group 3:  People that want to know and may decide to terminate the pregnancy based on the results.

My husband falls into Group 1 and I fall into Group 2, which made these decisions extremely difficult.  In the end, we did the testing because not knowing would have caused me a large amount of stress throughout the entire pregnancy.


There are 2 tests that you must decide on in the first trimester.  The first test is for cystic fibrosis.  In order for a child to have cystic fibrosis, both the mother and father must be carriers.     For this test, they first test the mother to determine if she is a carrier.  If she is not a carrier, then the child cannot have the disease.  If she is a carrier, they then test the father.  If they are both carriers, then there is a 25% chance that the child will have cystic fibrosis.  Something that I wish we had known prior to getting pregnant is that you can have this test done at any time, pregnant or not.  My advice now to others planning to conceive is to have this test done in advance and it will be one less thing to stress about during the pregnancy.

The second test is the First Trimester Screen and consists of an blood work and an ultrasound.  The goal of this test is to screen for genetic abnormalities such as Down Syndrome.

Sneak Peek

We arrived in California yesterday for one of our very best friend's weddings.  With another 3 weeks until our ultrasound, we are very anxious to see our little bean (especially me)!  So, I was actually able to find a place nearby that does early ultrasounds and I got the husband on board with it.  We went this morning and got to see our baby for the first time.  Since it's so early in the pregnancy, there isn't much to see, but there's definitely a baby in there and it's measuring right on track!

Morning Sickness

The term morning sickness is very misleading.  Yes, some people only experience nausea in the morning, but others may experience it in the middle of the day, at night while trying to sleep, or, if you're lucky, all day.  Well, I must be one of the lucky ones.  I am exactly 6 weeks pregnant today and have been nauseous all day and night from the moment I saw that little plus sign.  The only thing that I can even consider eating is fried eggs and toast.  I am hoping that it lets up soon because we have a lot of traveling this summer for friends' weddings.  We leave tomorrow morning for NYC for our second wedding of the summer.

If you're anything like me and searching for a cure for morning sickness, here are some suggestions.  While nothing has cured it completely, some have given me a little relief.

• Ginger (I don't like ginger alone, but have been drinking ginger-peach iced tea and ginger ale)

• Sour candies (I have several bags of Haribo Ginger-Lemon Gummies that I now keep in my purse, in my car, and in my husband's car.  I find that they help temporarily.)

• Exercise (I'm not sure if it actually helps or just distracts me from the nausea, but I've found that going for a walk is another temporary fix.)

• Toast/crackers/or other dry food (nothing that would fall in this category has been appealing to me, so I don't know if it works, but it comes highly recommended by others dealing with morning sickness)

Sharing the News

As soon as that little plus sign showed up, I started to think about all of these great ways we could tell our parents the exciting news.  However, since I'm way too impatient, we ended up calling everyone last night (parents, grandparents, and siblings) and sharing the news with them.  Everyone was overjoyed and overwhelmed.

Now, this was extremely early in the pregnancy to be sharing the news - we are only 5 weeks pregnant.  The general rule is that you shouldn't tell people the news until you've made it past the first 12 weeks.  The thought process behind this is that the rate of miscarriage decreases after 12 weeks  However, our personal opinion was that if something did go wrong, we'd want our families' support and so we were comfortable with telling them.

While we're on the topic though, the statistics on miscarriage appear to be very skewed.  After reading about it in my books, it turns out that miscarriage rates are the highest during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy (at which point you wouldn't even be able to test positive on a home pregnancy test).  By week 5 (when I found out I was pregnant) the chance of a miscarriage is only  about 15% and continues to drop rapidly.  By week 7 it is only 3% and by week 8 it is only 2%, which is what it will remain at through the rest of the pregnancy.

First Appointment

I called my doctor's office bright and early this morning to make my first appointment.  I was excited and couldn't wait for the first ultrasound.  Well, apparently none of that happens right away.  They wouldn't even make an appointment yet.  I just had to stop by the office and they did their own pregnancy test to confirm (you know, in case I was making it up I guess).

Once they verified I was pregnant, then they scheduled my first appointment and ultrasound.  They don't do the first ultrasound until you are around 8 to 10 weeks pregnant and they prefer doing it closer to 10 weeks because there is more to see.  So, our first ultrasound will be August 3rd, which feels like forever away.  Until then, I guess we wait some more.

Plus Sign

I can't believe I'm saying this, but we're pregnant!  Last night I started to feel nauseous, almost hungover, but without drinking.  I woke up around 4AM today and decided that I was going to take a pregnancy test (still no Aunt Flow and I hadn't tested yesterday).  I was fairly certain I saw a second line, it was faint, but I'm sure it was there.

My grand plan of how I'd tell my husband was thrown out the window.  Instead, I went back into bed with my pee strip in hand, staring at my husband, willing him to wake up.  Somehow, this worked and I shoved the stick in his face and asked is he saw the second line (romantic, I know).  He agreed that he did.  Neither of us went back to sleep.  A few hours later, we went out to the nearest drug store to buy another test to confirm that we were pregnant.  And there it was, that little pink plus sign in the window.  We were both ecstatic and in shock.  We couldn't believe this was actually happening and only on our first try.

Then reality set it.  We had a rehearsal dinner to go to tonight and the wedding is tomorrow. To make things worse, as one of the bridesmaids, I was taking part in a girls morning out, which included a trip to Glitter Nail Bar - a cocktail bar and nail salon in one.  I was panicked, but thankfully called the nail bar ahead and they secretly made my drinks without alcohol.  Now to make it through the rehearsal.  I tried my best to pass my drinks to my husband when no one was looking, but a few people noticed.  We let them think what they wanted to think, but didn't confirm anything.  To make things worse, I only tested positive this morning, and the nausea has already begun. We headed home early, but now I'm wide awake writing this and pondering how I will make it through the wedding tomorrow.

Negative

It's been exactly 2 weeks since ovulation, so I took a pregnancy test this morning (and maybe one yesterday and one the day before that) and no luck.  They were all negative, but Aunt Flow hasn't arrived yet, so there's still a chance.  I guess there's nothing more to do than wait.

To pass the time, I've thought about how I will tell my husband when I finally do see that little plus sign.  I bought the book "Pregnancy Day By Day" and an adorable onsie with our last name on it, which I plan to give him.

The Two Week Wait

On Day 7 of my cycle (CD7), I decided to start using my OPKs.  Now I know it was still very early, but I was anxious and didn't want to miss anything.  At this point we were also baby dancing 😉 every other day.  Finally, on CD15, my OPK was positive, which meant I'd be ovulating within the next 24 hours.  I also noticed slight cramping that day, followed by a spike in my temperature the next day, both signs of ovulation.

With that being said, it is time to commence the dreaded two week wait.  If you want to know more about the two week wait or want some support while you wait, check out twoweekwait.com.

Day 1

I started cramping yesterday, so I knew that my new cycle would be starting soon.  I woke up this morning and took my BBT (basal body temperature) and recorded in my app.  Less than an hour later, Aunt Flow arrived, which means time to chart!

A few tips that I've read about charting to share with you:

• The first day of your period is Day 1 of your  cycle.  This does not include spotting.  Start Day 1 on the first day that you need a pad or a tampon.  

• Be sure to take your BBT at the same time every day.  I plan to keep my thermometer under my pillow and take my temperature as soon as my alarm goes off every morning.  

• Drinking, a lack a sleep, and other variables, my give you an inaccurate BBT reading.  If you think that this is a possibility, you should mark you temperature for that day as "Questionable"

• You ovulate about 2 weeks before your period.  This won't be helpful until you've charted for a few months and have a general idea of how long your cycle is.  

• You can easily check your cervical mucus by taking a look at your toilet paper after you've wiped.  This is definitely one of those extras that you don't have to track, but the more information you track the better you can predict you're fertility.  If you're interested, read more about cervical mucus and fertility here.

• OPKs (ovulation prediction kits) are another extra.  They are little strips that you can test your urine with and they look for a hormone surge which occurs roughly 36 hours before you ovulate.  If you're interested, this is the set that I ordered.

• Timing is everything!  Sperm can live for three to five days, but your egg only hangs around for 12 to 24 hours.  This means that there are only 4 to 6 days every cycle that you can get pregnant.  To cover your bases, they recommend having sex every other day starting 5 days before you ovulate through 2 days after you ovulate.  

Charting

I officially stopped by birth control last week.  With an upcoming girls weekend and a bachelorette weekend, we do not plan on trying to get pregnant this cycle and will be using protection when necessary.  I had decided that I wanted to come off the pill a month before trying in order to let everything regulate, so that I would be able to chart my cycles.

If you're not familiar with the term charting (which I wasn't until only a few months ago), it is a method used by women to track when they are ovulating.  Some actually use this as a natural method of birth control and many use it to help them become pregnant.

After researching various apps, I decided to use Kindara.  This completely FREE app allows you to track you BBT (basal body temperature), your cervical fluid (because who doesn't check that on a daily basis?), your sexual intercourse, menstruation, and results of any OPKs (ovulation tests) and pregnancy tests.  I know that it seems extremely overwhelming, but you can opt to track as little or as much of this information as you'd like.  Obviously, the more information you include, the easier it is to track when you're ovulating. If you decide to use this app, I'd recommend checking out "How to Read a Kindara Chart" here.

Just another couple of weeks until I go off the pill, so I'm making sure I'm ready to chart.  If you plan to track your BBT (basal body temperature) you'll want a thermometer that is accurate to the nearest hundredth of a degree.  I've purchased the MABIS Basal Thermometer.  It was reasonably priced and had decent reviews.

When to Start?

Some things I've learned so far from "The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant":

• Start prenatal vitamins as soon are you are considering getting pregnant.   Now you can get prenatal vitamins with DHA included, but I found a few downsides to that.  They're WAY more expensive and they aren't as easy on your stomach.  After lots of research and input from  my pharmacist friend, I opted for Nature Made Prenatals.   I supplemented these with a Fish Oil/DHA and calcium.

• You may want to give up smoking, drugs, alcohol, and caffeine before attempting to get pregnant.  And that goes for your partner too.  These have been found to reduce fertility.  The extent of my drinking pre-pregnancy was a glass of wine here or there, so I wasn't overly concerned with this.  

• It will take your body some time to regulate after stopping birth control.  Now this doesn't mean that you can't get pregnant the first cycle off, it just means your cycle won't be consistent and that if you plan on charting, it may be difficult. 

• Stress does not reduce fertility!  Again, it may make your cycle irregular and make it difficult to chart/predict when you're ovulating, but it doesn't make you any less fertile. 

• It can take a while to get pregnant.  For an average, healthy woman, it takes 6 to 12 months to become pregnant.  

With this last piece of information, my husband and I decided that we wanted to get started sooner rather than later.  I will be going off my birth control at the end of my current pack, which is exactly one month from now.

The Right Time to Start

My husband and I finally decided that it was the right time to start our family.  And no it wasn't some magical moment where everything perfectly aligned and we both felt ready to be parents.  The conversation last week went something like this:

Me:  "Your birthday's in a few months.  You're going to be 29, we're getting so old."
Hubby:  "We are, we're almost 30."
Me:  "Wow.  Wasn't our plan to have our first kid before then? That's crazy."
Hubby:  "Yeah, we should probably get started on that."

And that was how it all began.  Like I said, no magical moment where we both felt ready because really I think if we waited for that to happen we'd never have kids.

So, ready to get started, I wanted to do my research and get the facts.  I purchased the following books to get me started:

The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant by Jean M. Twenge

Bumpology:  The Myth-Busting Pregnancy Book for Curious Parents-To-Be by Linda Geddes
A science journalist attempting to make sense of conflicting advice about pregnancy.

Expecting Better:  Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster
A professor of economics gathers and presents all of the data out there to give you everything you need to make informed decisions regarding your pregnancy.