Some of the things I want to talk about today may not seem like the most important thing right when you are finding out about being pregnant, but trust me, they are. And I know that with all of the things that can happen, that preparing too early can be looked at as a bad thing. But, if you are looking to have a baby, you will need to do this anyway. Now, starting the day you have a positive test may be a bit much, but I would highly recommend doing some things during the first trimester, and I'll explain why.
First of all, buy Lubriderm. The big bottle. They have a two pack (that also comes with a third, smaller bottle perfect for travelling with or in your purse) at Costco that is excellent. Use it all over, every day. You WILL need something better for stretch marks later on, but keeping your skin well moisturized from the start with definitely help as you grow, and will help with the itching. OMG the itchy, growing skin. Lubriderm is unscented (good for that pregnancy nose), good for sensitive skin (which you now have if you didn't before) and dries fast (which is great when you are trying to get ready). I used it from day one on my stomach, boobs, arms, legs, butt...... everywhere, and by the start of the third trimester, I still had no stretch marks. Also, while on the topic of skin, and your new sensitive skin.... Make sure to wear sunscreen!!! I know we all know the importance of it, but especially if you are pregnant during the summer, get a higher SPF and make sure you put it on EVERY TIME you are planning on being outside. For a BBQ, beach day, pool day, or just hanging outside with your friends drinking mock-aritas, put it on! I am very pale, and have had AMAZING reslutls with Neutrogena 100+ SPF. It is thick, but gets absorbed well and quickly.
Start your registries and get FREE stuff!!!! Yes free!! When you register with Target, Walmart, Amazon, Buy Buy Baby and Babylist, you get a FREE box or bag of baby items, samples and coupons that you will need!! I would love to share all of the amazing things I got, but I have learned that they change every month or so, so what I got and what you will get may be slightly or completely different. I got onsies, bottles, hats, socks and more. Target is a cute bat you pick up in store, you just have to show them your registry on your phone and possibly an ID ( I didn't, but my friend did). Walmart has a Welcome Box under their registry page you have to fill out a form for and it can take months to come, if at all. You may have to call to check on it. I'm still waiting for mine. Buy Buy Baby has a bag you pick up in store after you complete a registry or during your appointment that they recommend you make when you sign up (but you don't have to). Amazon will send it after you complete your registry AND make a $10 purchase. I bought Belly Bands at $10 which was the best purchase ever. The item you buy HAS to be on your registry, but it does NOT need to be a "baby" item. I got a 3 pack with one in black, one white, and one gray. They came in so handy as I grew in the beginning and started to have trouble buttoning my pants. They go on your belly and down to your hips, so they cover your button and zipper. They also give your stomach support as it grows quickly. I went through bursts with mine. It grew quite a bit in the beginning, then leveled off until I "popped" towards the end of my second trimester. The last one is Babylist. It is an online only registry that you can upload ALL of your registries to and send all of your friends and family to one place. It will also show them everywhere that they can buy EACH item and what the prices are at each of them to compare. The MAIN reason I say to start early is to give yourself time to make them all and receive all of the free stuff. I can be time consuming. ALSO, you will slowly learn about and discover new items and products you love and remover items you decide you don't want or need. I changed my registries dozens of times before I was happy with them. Also, you may, like me, get an awesome assortment of different bottles. I have 6 different kinds that I can try and see which one that baby likes before i spend money on a lot of them )and yes, the BABY will decide which one they want to use!!!). This way, if you get a bunch at your shower, you don't have to open them until you KNOW it is the right one!!!
Finally, download these apps!!!! Enfamil, Huggies, Pampers, Similac, Verydice, Shopkick and Freecycle. Enfamil will send you free belly stickers when you sign up. Enfamil, Huggies, Similac and Papmers all have rewards programs you can start earning points on as you stock up, and they will send you free items as your due date is closer. Verydice is an awesome app that you can earn points on to redeem for free items (including baby items). It also has free shipping. I have yet to cash in, but I will be using my points for diapers and wipes!!! (My friend code is 2412425 if you want some free rolls to get you started. You also can earn them by taking surveys). Shopkick is an app that allows you to go to stores and scan items for kicks. You can do it on your own time. It's like a scavenger hunt for adults. I have the best luck at Best Buy because they have so many items. You can earn more by buying items you scan and submitting your receipt. You cash in your kicks for gift cards to a store of your choosing. I like target because they have the best prices on baby items and I can use it on things I need for my hospital stay and after as well. And finally, Freecycle. I am not sure if there is an app for this or not, but sign up!!! People are constantly posting things they are giving away for FREE!!! There will be a lot you don't want, but I did get a beautiful bassinet and car seat. You never know what will pop up!!
So, that is the sum of it for today. But I have plenty of more things to share to help you along the way. Stay tuned......
Monday, June 18, 2018
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Where to Start....
There are a few things I did the week I found out I was pregnant that have made all of this a lot easier. The first thing was that I joined all of the local Mom groups on Facebook in my area (I love on Long Island, so there are A LOT!!). While, there are a lot of excellent things you can learn from these moms, the most helpful group was one called 'First Time Moms of Merrick and Bellmore'. It was created by one of the Mom's To Be in a Mom Group that wanted a separate group for those of us who were expecting. Everyone in the group is expecting either in 2018 or early 2019. It is a great place to talk about things you are going through, and see who else is going through the same exact thing (like sharp pains around your belly button or swelling hands and feet on a hot day). It is a great place to ask advice about what other mom's to be are using for things like stretch marks, nausea, and pain relief (though keep in mind, every person is different and you should NEVER to anything without checking with your doctor FIRST!!!). It is also comforting to know you are not alone.
Don't forget about those other groups, though. I have learned that when you ask someone with a child a question about pregnancy, the most common thing you will hear is "I don't remember". And no wonder. There are a lot of things going on with my body right now that I can't wait to forget. And pregnancy brain really is a thing. It is easy to forget things like what were you doing? or did you eat? Most of the mom's in those groups will not be able to answer your questions, but they will be amazingly helpful in other ways. Not everyone is financially prepared when they are expecting, and even if you are, a baby is expensive. I was surprised at how many mom's were happy to give away things they no longer needed for free to new and expecting moms who need it. Without a back story, my situation is not ideal right now, but these moms have helped me to prepare and get ready more than I can ever thank them for. I have received free pregnancy books, a crib, a changing table, 2 car seats (an infant one and a child one), diapers, formula, clothing and more. None of this I would ever be able to afford on my own. They are my guardian angels.
Who would have thought that Facebook would be the place to connect with such great people. The First Time Mom group has regular meet-ups and I'm sure these will become play dates. Other moms are always talking about experiences they have at different places with open play and activities for kids of all ages. I am not even fully sure what a Sippy Cups is, but I know I will be checking it out! Building your support system should be your first priority. Sharing birth dates, gender info, gender reveals, shower info is something you need just as much and support from family and friends, believe me. There are somethings and some days they just won't understand.
Can't find groups like these in your area? Start one. Or a few. If you make it, they will come. Join what groups you can in the area and post about your group. Get the word out. Being an admin may not always be easy, but I'm sure if you ask, others in the group will offer to help. It will be worth it!! Trust me!!!
And, last but not least, get some books. Usually, there are mom's in the groups who are ready and willing to part with theirs (as they can take up room and are most helpful only during your first pregnancy), so it doesn't hurt to post and ask before buying new. The ones I recommend are 'What to Expect when You're Expecting', 'Eating Well when You're Expecting', Your Pregnancy Week by Week' and 'The Fourth Trimester'. They contain A LOT of really good and useful information. You may not need all of them, but try at least one. I got them for free early on and barely looked at them until halfway through my second trimester (and kind of regretted it). There was more answers to questions I had than I thought there would be.
Have a similar experience, question or something you would like to add? Please comment below!! I love to hear from other people and hear experiences!
Don't forget about those other groups, though. I have learned that when you ask someone with a child a question about pregnancy, the most common thing you will hear is "I don't remember". And no wonder. There are a lot of things going on with my body right now that I can't wait to forget. And pregnancy brain really is a thing. It is easy to forget things like what were you doing? or did you eat? Most of the mom's in those groups will not be able to answer your questions, but they will be amazingly helpful in other ways. Not everyone is financially prepared when they are expecting, and even if you are, a baby is expensive. I was surprised at how many mom's were happy to give away things they no longer needed for free to new and expecting moms who need it. Without a back story, my situation is not ideal right now, but these moms have helped me to prepare and get ready more than I can ever thank them for. I have received free pregnancy books, a crib, a changing table, 2 car seats (an infant one and a child one), diapers, formula, clothing and more. None of this I would ever be able to afford on my own. They are my guardian angels.
Who would have thought that Facebook would be the place to connect with such great people. The First Time Mom group has regular meet-ups and I'm sure these will become play dates. Other moms are always talking about experiences they have at different places with open play and activities for kids of all ages. I am not even fully sure what a Sippy Cups is, but I know I will be checking it out! Building your support system should be your first priority. Sharing birth dates, gender info, gender reveals, shower info is something you need just as much and support from family and friends, believe me. There are somethings and some days they just won't understand.
Can't find groups like these in your area? Start one. Or a few. If you make it, they will come. Join what groups you can in the area and post about your group. Get the word out. Being an admin may not always be easy, but I'm sure if you ask, others in the group will offer to help. It will be worth it!! Trust me!!!
And, last but not least, get some books. Usually, there are mom's in the groups who are ready and willing to part with theirs (as they can take up room and are most helpful only during your first pregnancy), so it doesn't hurt to post and ask before buying new. The ones I recommend are 'What to Expect when You're Expecting', 'Eating Well when You're Expecting', Your Pregnancy Week by Week' and 'The Fourth Trimester'. They contain A LOT of really good and useful information. You may not need all of them, but try at least one. I got them for free early on and barely looked at them until halfway through my second trimester (and kind of regretted it). There was more answers to questions I had than I thought there would be.
Have a similar experience, question or something you would like to add? Please comment below!! I love to hear from other people and hear experiences!
My Brat?
I'm not really a Blogger, or even yet a mom. But, as I enter into my third trimester of my first pregnancy, I am realizing that finding a blog that talks about everything we go through is hard to find. There are a lot of mommy blogs, help and tip blogs, birth info blogs, but not one that talks about all of the little things that go on. I am hoping that maybe I can help reach a few new Mom's to be that are searching the internet to find out if what they are going through is "normal".
First of all, the name. When I was growing up, I had my cat, Suzie. Our first pet is always one that lasts in our hearts in a special place. My Mom one day gave me a book called "All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat". It was a cute little book about cats behavior and how we can sometimes relate. I feel similar right now as I am going through pregnancy. I am learning about babies, pregnancy and fetuses, as well as health and nutrition, as I go. You can read every book, talk to every doctor, or ask all your friends who have already gone through this (and believe me, I have), but they will not be able to tell you everything you need to know. Some things you will just learn yourself along the way. Some things may be "normal", but every body and every pregnancy is different.
But why my "brat"? Well, why not?? She may not be born yet, but believe me, she already gets on my nerves sometimes. And what child isn't a brat at times? We will never love them any less. Even now at 6 months pregnant, I am already in love. But, when she stretches out and digs into me, it hurts. At about 24 weeks, she was against my bladder, which made it hard to empty properly and gave me a Urinary Tract Infection (which is very common, so warning number one!). The heartburn is insane. Even with Zantac (which is safe during pregnancy, but do not take without checking with your doctor first) and Tums (also safe, and high in calcium!!) I have heartburn throughout the day and sometimes at night. I have tried everything from changing my diet, to eating small meals, to Coca-Cola, but everything only helps temporarily. As she grows, I grow. And that is painful too. Almost constant pelvic pain (similar to mild/moderate period cramps) and sharp pains around my belly button. I have small bumps on my upper stomach and face, get itchy at times, am constantly hot, always tired......the list goes on. So, yes she is my little brat.....and I love it!
So, as the days go on, I hope to share as many things as I can along the way that may help you though your pregnancy questions as well. There is no right or wrong, only what you experience, and I am slowly learning to freak out and worry less, and get more excited about whats to come.... at least until the next big change......
Have a similar experience, question or something you would like to add? Please comment below!! I love to hear from other people and hear experiences!
First of all, the name. When I was growing up, I had my cat, Suzie. Our first pet is always one that lasts in our hearts in a special place. My Mom one day gave me a book called "All I Need to Know I Learned From My Cat". It was a cute little book about cats behavior and how we can sometimes relate. I feel similar right now as I am going through pregnancy. I am learning about babies, pregnancy and fetuses, as well as health and nutrition, as I go. You can read every book, talk to every doctor, or ask all your friends who have already gone through this (and believe me, I have), but they will not be able to tell you everything you need to know. Some things you will just learn yourself along the way. Some things may be "normal", but every body and every pregnancy is different.
But why my "brat"? Well, why not?? She may not be born yet, but believe me, she already gets on my nerves sometimes. And what child isn't a brat at times? We will never love them any less. Even now at 6 months pregnant, I am already in love. But, when she stretches out and digs into me, it hurts. At about 24 weeks, she was against my bladder, which made it hard to empty properly and gave me a Urinary Tract Infection (which is very common, so warning number one!). The heartburn is insane. Even with Zantac (which is safe during pregnancy, but do not take without checking with your doctor first) and Tums (also safe, and high in calcium!!) I have heartburn throughout the day and sometimes at night. I have tried everything from changing my diet, to eating small meals, to Coca-Cola, but everything only helps temporarily. As she grows, I grow. And that is painful too. Almost constant pelvic pain (similar to mild/moderate period cramps) and sharp pains around my belly button. I have small bumps on my upper stomach and face, get itchy at times, am constantly hot, always tired......the list goes on. So, yes she is my little brat.....and I love it!
So, as the days go on, I hope to share as many things as I can along the way that may help you though your pregnancy questions as well. There is no right or wrong, only what you experience, and I am slowly learning to freak out and worry less, and get more excited about whats to come.... at least until the next big change......
Have a similar experience, question or something you would like to add? Please comment below!! I love to hear from other people and hear experiences!
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