Baby and I are on Week 29 of pregnancy. What this means since we last talked about pregnancy changes:
-my neck started getting darker at the onset of my 7th month, I know ! =(
-my belly became undeniably rounder (Baby is about 3 1/2 lbs by now, but his weight will still double in 11 weeks time, so we still have a long way to go!)
-more pronounced kicks (baby kicks throughout the day, mostly after I eat and when I am getting ready for bed. Also when his Pappy, yes, that's how L wants to be called, talks to him. The baby is amazing, he recognizes L's voice and flutters around when L talks to him. It is LOVE.)
-I suddenly had swelling of my fingers, or edema, which is due to the volume of blood brought about by the pregnancy. ( No worries as I am still able to drive to and from work).
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I made us (L and I) busy by mounting the task of moving to another unit while our own unit is being redecorated. It took 3 months of planning but the big furniture and fixtures I bought four years ago are gone and will no longer see its place in our tiny place. Think minimal, think space savings. That's going to be the new mantra. (Wish us luck). They are going to be replaced by custom-made furniture to fit the space of the tiny home, designed to make use of the space. Thanks to an interior designer who fully understands our vision for the space (and a really kind contractor). We will post some pictures once the unit is done. We are excited! As L puts it, I find many ways to busy myself when I'm supposed to keep steady while on the last 2 months of my pregnancy. I told him I can't help it, and want the best for the three of us. Who would not want to settle in a place that is organized, more spacious, well-lighted, with everything in its place, and most especially, where one can cook with a decent kitchen?
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The other thing we love doing together on weekends after attending our birth class sessions is looking around Mothercare and other baby shops. At 7 months, we allowed ourselves to already shop for Little Buddy. The thing is, we still haven't figured out the essentials. There are so many cute things lying around it can get distracting.
Here is a rundown of what the experts are saying we will be needing.
Source: www.whattoexpect.com
Buy It Yourself
These are the bare essentials to have on hand even before your baby shower — since babies keep to their own schedules, and sometimes (surprise!) they come early. So at the very least you want to be sure you’ve got an infant car seat for your new baby to go home in and a place for her to sleep. Other buy-it-yourself gifts, like the breast pump, are usually considered too personal for others to purchase for you.
* Baby-furniture basics (crib, changing station, bassinet)
-Somebody promised Louie we will get a playpen. Is it the kind that's crib/playpen convertible? We don't know. My friend said not to buy, so we haven't. Will decide when we've reached that 8th month mark. We will buy a new mattress for the baby, that's for sure. Plus flat, fitted sheet. I already bought a blue blanket (my first baby purchase!).
* Undershirts (aka onesies, in newborn and three-month sizes)
-We were already gifted with 6 sets of onesies+6 pairs of cute little socks, 6 pcs tie-shirts, 3 receiving blankets, 6 pcs of mittens
-Will need to buy muslin squares (lampin), washable diapers, pins for the lampin
* Infant car seat
-Haven't decided to buy yet
* Medical supplies (thermometer, medicine dropper, suction bulb, baby meds)
- Great job from L. He won one during one of our birthing class sessions. The 2 sets was worth over P1500!!
* Breast pump and other nursing accessories (like pillows, nipple cream)
-Medela (P22000) or Pigeon manual (P4000)? Lanolin nipple cream a must I hear. I have to attend the breastfeeding 101 from Medela first. I am new at this and didn't anticipate there were so many options for baby care, baby needs, not to mention a nursing mother's needs, but the question is which are the ones necessary?
* Bottles and nipples (even if you plan on breastfeeding, you’ll want someone to give your baby the occasional bottle so you can take a break!)
- L didn't want me to buy Avent's starter kit yet because he said I will breastfeed. We will buy this once sister comes from KSA. We will shop together. Wink, wink. Of course we will need bottles! Sister promised to gift me with a sterilizer.
* Diaper-rash cream, baby lotion, shampoo
- None of this bought yet. Sister gave me a huge petroleum jelly to avoid diaper rash.
Ask Your Family For
These big-ticket items are a great way for new grandparents to start spoiling their new grandchild. (Note: Ahhh, our parents will find other ways of spoiling Little Buddy, they will help in the first few months of our baby's arrival, yey!)
* Stroller
-L's assignment. So far we are looking at Quinny from Mothercare. The whole stroller, pushcart, baby infant seat, traveller's set overwhelms me, I leave the choice up to the hubby.
* Play yard
- The good news is if the gift is not a crib, we'll have a playpen ready. (yey)
* High chair
-Really? Ok maybe not yet.
* Stationary entertainer/Exersaucer
-What is this??
* Swing
-Really??
What Your Close Friends Will Probably Love Buying
Count on your friends for things that are stylish, useful, and guaranteed to get a big Aww! or Ooh! when you open the gift at your shower; the cool gizmos you’d love to have but would never buy yourself (hello, wipes warmer); or certificates for babysitters and restaurant dinners to remind you that you’re more than a mom.
* Adorable outfits, bibs, and burp cloths (the cuter the saying, the better!)
* Receiving blankets (we have 3 already. I'd like to have a baby sack so I won't use blanket on Little Buddy at night. )
* Diaper pail
* Baby carrier or sling
-Yes, we want! Where to buy?
* Bouncy seat
- Ha? What is this??
* Bottle warmer/bottle rack/bottle brush/insulated bottle bag
* Bathtub, wash clothes, hooded towels
- Yup, next on our shopping list. EDIT: We bought the Mothercare FLEXIBATH last weekend. It folds neatly and won't take up a lot of space in the bathroom.
* A chic diaper bag (which — get ready — will also double as your purse at least for the first year)
-Done! Our first major purchase. Mothercare's Skip Hop set us at around P4500. L is crazy about utility bags and considers this a good buy. Ok with me :). EDIT: Sister gifted me with another one. So now I have 2 diaper bags.
* Mobiles
* DVDs to keep you entertained (and awake) during those nighttime feedings
* Babysitter/restaurant gift-certificates for a parents’ night out. (No need friends).
Crazy, right?
So on our shopping list:
-lampin, pins for the lampin. (Mothercare's muslin squareds cost P1500 for 12 sets. Will definitely go to SM)
-Washable diapers. This set will cost us P3K. Better compare with SM first or look at multiply sites.
-Avent starter set (bottles).
-lanolin cream
-bath set (DONE!)
-Breast pump (undecided on the brand)
-Milk container
-cotton, diapers, cotton buds
-stroller
-new mattress and bedsheets for the baby
For mommy
-maternity pads
-nursing bra
...and
a yaya!!
We are so excited to see the little one (who by the way has a name, but that is another post)!
