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“Less is More” Baby Registry Checklist [FREE printable]

November 22, 2011 By 23 Comments

willow tree new parents Less is More Baby Registry Checklist [FREE printable]We live in a consumer culture. Every day, the media whispers in our ears: buy-buy-buy. This message is particularly loud when a woman becomes pregnant. Retailers would have us believe that we need to spend big in order to successfully care for our babies. In fact, the opposite is true.

I am pleased to offer you a free printable – the “Less is More” Baby Registry Checklist. Here are 4 things that set the checklist apart from conventional lists:

The checklist includes brand names. As a product reviewer, I’ve experienced hundreds of baby brands firsthand [baby carriers, strollers, sippy cups, etc.]. Not all products are alike. When there are stand-out products in a particular category, I list them for your convenience.

The checklist assumes that you will be breastfeeding. Most checklists from baby stores assume the opposite – with a whole line-up of bottles, bottle warmers, formula, etc. The subtle message is, “If breastfeeding doesn’t work out for you…” I’d prefer that the message to new moms be, “You can breastfeed. Your body and your baby were designed for it. It might be hard. It might take time and determination. But it will be worth it.”

The checklist errors on the side of simplicity. The BabiesRUs checklist has 169 products. The Target checklist has 91. The “Less Is More” checklist has 40.

The checklist is NOT a must-have list. What your baby “must-have” is you and your love.

It’s important to note that all babies are different, all moms are different, and all of our stories are unique. Use the baby registry as a guide, but let your heart and situation lead the way.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY NOW: “Less Is More” Baby Registry Checklist.

Feel free to pass on this free resource to pregnant women that you know!

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3′s a charm

November 14, 2011 By 50 Comments

19weeks pregnant.

19weeks pregnant 3s a charm

We’re having a third baby girl…

sonogram 19 weeks 3s a charm

and she will undoubtedly charm us all.

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Best Products for the 1st Trimester

November 7, 2011 By 11 Comments

As you know, my 1st trimester was…rough.

Needless to say, I didn’t use many products in the first trimester – but these four did help me make it through.

comforpedic harmony plush simmons Best Products for the 1st TrimesterComforPedic Harmony Plush mattress by Simmons. It’s a well-known fact that pregnant women often have trouble sleeping – even in the 1st trimester. I am no exception. The one thing that helped me in that department was my mattress. The memory foam technology in the ComforPedic line “displaces heat and responds to movement.” Unbelievably comfortable. Instead of buying a whole bunch of baby gear, invest in a new mattress. Your back, bottom, and entire body will thank you.

hartley sandals flojos Best Products for the 1st TrimesterHartley Sandals by Flojos. Never underestimate the power of a good pair of shoes during pregnancy. It’s especially awesome if your shoes are comfy AND don’t require bending over. All flip-flops are not alike…and these ones stand-out for their squishy and supportive base. I highly recommend this brand – whether you’re carrying a baby or not.

bband maternity target Best Products for the 1st TrimesterBellabands. These stretchy bands of fabric allow expecting women to wear their pre-pregnancy pants…without zipping them up! Brilliant. I’m still using these at 18weeks, but I’ve been searching eBay for a pair of Chip & Pepper maternity jeans in my size. I can’t stand most brands of maternity denim, but C&P gets it right. (Note: I have also used the more affordable BeBand brand by Target with success).

gymgirl skirtsports Best Products for the 1st TrimesterGymSkirt by SkirtSports. Something about the flexible, cool material of my favorite running skirt made it an ideal pick for the 1st trimester. It didn’t put pressure on my tummy and allowed for a great range of movement (not to mention it’s pretty cute). Not that I was thinking about that in my state of perpetual nausea.

I wish I could say that a particular morning sickness remedy worked magic for me, but – no dice.  

I am happy to report that I made it without meds or hospitilization (yay). It feels good to be in the second trimester and almost “human” again. Go ahead: cue the “Beauty & the Beast” soundtrack [track #8] and sing along with me…

What products did you use in your 1st trimester? What is your favorite brand of maternity jeans/clothing?

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16weeks pregnant (including birth plans + belly shots)

October 28, 2011 By 38 Comments
new haircut 16 weeks pregnant 16weeks pregnant (including birth plans + belly shots)

I just got a new haircut too!

4 months down. 5 months to go.

The 1st trimester was KILLER. To be completely honest, it kicked my $$$ (I would say that, but it’s not the kind of thing people said where I come from).

I was terribly nauseous for months on end, lying horizontal for most of the day. I could barely even take a shower (and you should have seen my hair!).

It’s getting better. I’m actually cooking again and staying up past 8:30pm…sometimes.

BUT I haven’t had that famous 2nd trimester burst of energy yet. Did you?

Still, I am exceedingly grateful for this new life who I feel moving inside of me. (I always feel my babies earlier than the books say I “should” be able to).

16 weeks pregnant with third baby 16weeks pregnant (including birth plans + belly shots)The plan is to have the baby at the local birth center w/ a midwife. I keep thinking about how lovely it would be to have a home birth, but the nearest hospital is 45min away and I have yet to receive a glowing midwife referral.

Regardless of where I end up delivering, I can’t wait to meet this little one in early April (third babies are somethin’ special so I hear…I was a third baby too). ;)

We’ll find out the gender in mid-November. Care to venture a guess?

 

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Our plan for April 2012

August 14, 2011 By 95 Comments

two big sisters Our plan for April 2012People often ask what our plan is for after this year of travel. I now have a definitive answer: We’ll be having a baby!

We also hope to be settled somewhere by then. A real-life home! With freezer space, a porch swing, a dinner table with room for friends, a library card, a craft closet, a schedule, a dishwasher, and fast internet.

All four of us are elated.

 

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She weaned last night.

July 8, 2011 By 33 Comments

pose by a tree She weaned last night.The last few weeks, she’s only been nursing right before bed.

“Nurse me, peas,” she’d say at bedtime in the sweetest of voices.

But last night, she fell asleep while I was reading “The Indian in the Cupboard” out loud (Amazing book, by the way…we’re all enchanted by it). Tonight was the exact same scenario.

I looked at her as I left the room – long lashes, rounded cheeks, pursed lips. Still my baby, yet growing up into herself too. Like bittersweet chocolate.

“Weaning has been pretty seamless this time,” I told Tim, wistfully, happily. “You said that last time too,” he said. “True,” I replied, “but this time was even more peaceful…because she’s a bit older.”

At what age did your baby wean? What was the process like for you?

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I bought prenatal vitamins (the chewable kind)

April 7, 2011 By 50 Comments

I bought a bottle of prenatal vitamins at Walmart today. (Just in case).

in front of habitat for humanity restore I bought prenatal vitamins (the chewable kind)

Now every single thing I do, Tim says, “You’re pregnant.”

He said it when I ate a spoonful of peanut butter last night (but seriously – peanut butter is an awesome snack, am I right?).

He said it when I told him I was tired this afternoon (but seriously –  I DID stay up until past 2am last night).

Even so, I’m taking the necessary precautions. No more wine or soft cheeses or deli meats.

“I’m not ready to be pregnant again,” I told Tim this afternoon, “but I AM ready for another baby.” Our always-listening-4-year-old spoke up, ”Yeah! The baby is the best part!” “True,” I looked down at her – wanting to be sure that she internalized the right message, “but there is something special and important about the waiting part too.”

A few nights ago, I was doing a little dance in the kitchen. (I break out into random dances quite frequently). Our 4-year-old suddenly said with a smile, “You won’t be able to dance like that when you’re pregnant!” “Oh, yes I will,” I grinned back, “just like this” (and then I put out my hands around my imaginative belly and waddle-danced).

I might be pregnant. (Or, just as likely, I might not).

Since we’re on the topic, what are your favorite products, books, or resources for pregnancy?

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