The Ten Things I Couldn't Live Without After Having a Baby....

I'm 31. That means babies are all around me. It's true. I can name three friends who had a baby last week, and one of my best friends is due today. (And yes, I consider the Duchess of Cambridge my friend.)
I've been meaning to write this post for around 8 months now, but since people around be keep having babies, I don't feel bad. I feel like I'm guaranteed to help out at least one new mum. So here it goes- these are the 10 things that helped me survive those first weeks of motherhood...and beyond.

A few disclaimers before I begin:
a. I am a first time mum. Mothers of 2 or more have permission to chuckle under their breath as they read. Yes, I know you are superwomen, but you, too, were helpless, weak, and ignorant during your first weeks of parenthood.
b. If you had children over 5 years ago, I realize you survived without some of the items I will mention, and I could have too, but I just chose not to.
c. Many of my items are breastfeeding related because that's all I did for the first few months.
d. Items such as my husband, my mom, boobs, and diapers aren't on this list...everyone knows those are helpful.
e. Every mum and child are different. What worked for me may not work for you, but I still want to share.

In no particular order.....my top ten....

1. Swaddle Wraps- There is no reason to feel like a failing swaddler when you can velcro up your babe in a swaddle straight jacket. (I believe there are zipper versions as well) Our Smith loved being swaddled! We did it for five months. Real swaddling is so last year.

2. Wubbanub- 1.Super cute. 2. Hard to lose 3. Easier for baby to handle. 4. Machine washable (in a garment bag)

3. Sleep Nursing Bras- One of my best friends gave me the heads up on these gems. I hate and I have always hated tanks with built-in bras. Nursing tanks were no exception. Love love love these. You can find them at Target. (I have a whole lot to say about nursing bras/clothes-if you are interested, ask me personally.)

4. iPhone- Can you believe the iPhone has only been around for 6 years? How did we ever survive without it? I actually got an iPhone a month after having a baby, but I used an iPod touch during the first month. I'm gonna cheat and give you 3 items that all fall under #4.
1.You will want a tracking app such as WebMD Baby or Similac Baby Journal. You can track sleeping, pooping, peeing, and most importantly in those first weeks: feeding. I had no idea what time it was or when Smith last ate. Maybe I thought I did, but I was probably wrong. Also, you would be surprised how 5 minutes of nursing in the middle of the night feels like 45 minutes. These apps usually have lots of helpful videos and articles to read in the middle of the night as well
2. White noise app- I have the basic version, but John has the paid version. which has more sounds and allows mixing of sounds.  He mixed heartbeat with washing machine, and I am pretty sure that is exactly what it sounded like in my belly. Super handy to have on the go!
3. Social Media Apps of your choice- What's there to do at 4 o'clock in the morning? Check Facebook. Or Twitter. Or Instagram. Don't judge me for having a baby in one hand and my iPhone in the other. (Another perk of breastfeeding: That other hand would have to hold a bottle instead of the iPhone!)

5. Motherlove Nipple Cream- The regular Lanolin cream is crap. It's oily, messy, gross and stains your clothes. Get some of this natural stuff and you will be happier. I promise. Yes, it's more expensive, but it's wortth it.
 

6. My Brest Friend- I am anti-Boppy. I tried it, and was not impressed. I preferred the more obnoxious "My Brest Friend" pillow. The name is obnoxious, and the pillow itself kind of is as well. You actually have to clip it around you. I like it because it was a bit more sturdy than the Boppy and provided me with some back support. Breastfeeding was HARD at first, and this baby made it easier.
*note: Do not take this contraption out in public. 

7. Library- PSA: Every child needs books in their home. I was blessed to have a stocked library for Smith before he was born, not just because I'm a teacher, but because some amazing friends threw me a shower where instead giving a card with a gift, each guest gave a book. How great is that? In addition to these books, I also signed Smith up to receive one free book a month until the age of 5. Many states have programs like this, such as Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program. In Georgia, it's The Ferst Foundation. Check to see if there is one near you!

8. MealTrain.com- People have been making a bringing meals to new moms for ages, but this website makes it so much easier! You or a friend can set up a "meal train" with dates, preferences, drop off times, etc... and email it out to a preferred list or even post it on Facebook. We had 3-4 meals a week for over a month after Smith was born. Hallelujah! It would have been really nice to have right after I started back to work, too. Just sayin.

9. Light dimmer- I admit, I thought John went a little overboard putting dimmers on the lights in nearly every room in our house after we moved in, but man, did it come in handy once Smith was born. Dimmers FTW.

10. Streaming Video Membership- I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but for a mother who is pretty against screen time for her own baby, I watched a lot of TV on maternity leave. Netflix and Hulu were my best friends. What else are you going to do when your baby is nursing for over an hour every 2-3 hours? Yes, you can check Facebook, but that's better for the middle of the night feedings. He didn't even know what was happening...until about 2 months in when he became transfixed by the screen. Enjoy it while you can, ladies.

11. Amazon Prime/Mom Membership- Did I say 10 things? Oops. I have to add this. I am seriously addicted to Amazon.com. Last year I signed up for an Amazon Mom membership when I decided to register with Amazon. Perks of a Prime membership: Instant Streaming (like Netflix or Hulu), Kindle Lending Library, discounts on subscribe and save products (I've never used this) and my personal favorite: FREE 2 day shipping. It is soooo much easier not only when you have a newborn, but just in normal life to order something online than to find the time to drive to a store and hope they have what you need. Plus, prices are typically cheaper on Amazon. It's a lifesaver, especially for this lazy, carseat hating mum.

Join Amazon Prime - Watch Over 40,000 Movies

There you have it! Let me know if any of my suggestions help or if you have any thing to add!

Daffodils and Dreams Fulfilled

Dear Smith,
So what began as a birthday month activity has now evolved into whenever I find the time to write to you. I have so much to tell you (and your future sibling(s?)) that I have decided to just keep writing.

After two and a half weeks of being back to work (and feeling like Superwoman, I might add), I experienced the joy of sleeping in on a Monday again. I fed you at 6 (which is awesome of you, since I usually wake up at 5 a.m.) and went back to bed until around 7. I decided to take advantage of my alone time by getting a little Jillian Michaels workout in. While in the midst of a military press or something of the like, I noticed my daffodils were blooming outside and I got a bit teary. Why, you ask?

You see, in October of 2011, I lost my third baby. It was heartbreaking of course, especially after hearing our little one's strong heartbeat just weeks earlier. I won't go into all the details of my miscarriages and whatnot, but do know that you have three amazing, loved, and adored siblings in heaven.
I felt the need to find a way to honor these three babies. With miscarriages, there are no funeral services, but there is still grief. There is still loss of life to deal with, the thoughts of what might have been. I needed to do something, but what?

I love daffodils. When I see them, I know spring just around the corner. I can remember driving across Lost Bridge Road in Decatur when I was growing up, and there would always be a patch of happy little daffodils that would spring up on the left just before reaching the Lake Shore Drive intersection. I would always get so excited when I saw them. (In Illinois, the arrival of spring is met with great joy. It's just not the same here in Georgia where the winters liken an Illinois spring). Nonetheless, I still love daffodils.
God gave me the idea to plant some daffodil bulbs that October. I felt like it would be a prophetic act. He told me that when they blossomed in the spring, it would represent the promise of new life happening in me. And this life would live to see the sunshine, the daffodils, and many, many springs to come.
So I did just that. I have to admit I was a little fearful. My luck with plants was nonexistent at that point. I can't say that I've had any plant under my care live- embarrassing, but true.
John and I had a beautiful little service after planting the bulbs. I watered them with my tears and remained hopeful I'd see fruit, er, flowers in the spring.
Well, God is good and love always wins.
Wouldn't you know that right after I found out I was pregnant, those daffodils sprouted and bloomed! In February!!!
My fears of losing another baby were pretty much nonexistent. Those flowers were a sign that His promise was true, and I was overjoyed.
Several months later, I welcomed you, Smith Errington Pitzer, into this world. A year after losing one life, we gained another. In fact, that nasty devil had been trying to ruin Birthday Month with miscarriages two years in a row, but God redeemed it. Now I have even more to celebrate.
And today I celebrate even more. The daffodils are blooming again. I can't wait to show you. It's your first spring, the first of many, many spring to come.
Love,
Mum

The Baby Registry: Part 3- Nursing/Feeding

Welcome back! This post is devoted to the topic of nursing and feeding your little one. I'm going to go ahead a share a few non-registry related tips on the topic while I'm at it, too.
It was my goal to exclusively breastfeed Smith while on maternity leave and continue to give him breast milk by pumping once I return to work. I am thrilled that I was able to complete the first part. We had a ROUGH patch early on around 2-3 weeks old, but everyone I talked to encouraged me to keep at it, and I am so glad that I did. Smith and I are old pros by this point, and I'm sad to think we won't get to spend as much time together in that way.
Here's what you will need if you are nursing and plan to ever give your little babe a bottle:
(It's up to you whether you want to register for breastfeeding items. Because they are a little more personal, people have mixed feelings about this.)

Breastpump
Every working mother I know uses the Medela Pump n' Style Advanced. You can choose from the shoulder bag, the on-the-go tote, or the backpack version. I got mine from a friend. "They" say to not get a used breastpump, but I'm not quite sure why. I wouldn't get one from a stranger. You can buy new tubing, but your milk only touches the bottles and horns that you place over your breasts. I suppose a fresh motor would be beneficial as well.

Check with your insurance plan, this year I am able to buy or rent one! I am going to buy another Pump n' Style and keep one at work and one at home. How awesome is that!! (Plus, I am pretty forgetful..so I think this will help the back and forthness of school to home, home to school .

Side note: I began pumping when Smith was only 2 weeks old because I had heard horror stories of people returning to work and "drying up." I was pretty paranoid about it and now I have a freezer FULL of milk. I would pump after the first few feedings of the day gathering an ounce or two at a time early on. I had the time and extra support to do this, and if you can swing it- I recommend it. My goal is to never have to buy formula. STOCKPILE.

Pumping Bra
This is a must if you have a double electric pump. Multi-tasking is key when you are a mom. I pump and eat breakfast, put on make up, play with a baby...and soon I will be pumping and grading papers and using the computer at work. If you don't want a boring white bra, you can get a polka dot one.

Storage Bags
I have been using Lansinoh storage bags to freeze my milk. I have had a few leaks which can be frustrating. I'm not sure if it's the way they freeze or what, but I keep using them because it's what I have. If I were you, I'd try a different brand. I have also used the Medela brand bags, but they are designed to pump directly into the bag. I am a little nervous about that so I don't do it.

Bottles/Nipples
This is an area that you will just need to wait and see what your baby prefers. If you are nursing, you don't need many. We began giving Smith a bottle at 7 weeks once we had breastfeeding down pat. John gives him a one bottle as a "dream feed" around 10:30-11:00. It gives me a break and allows me to get a bigger chunk of sleep. We started with the Medela bottles that came with the pump- no need to by extras. Smith sucked on that nipple hard and drank it fast! I remember John saying it only took him like 10-15 minutes the first time, and I was like, then why does it take an hour on me???? Smith seems to be a pretty easygoing baby so he'll take boob or bottle just fine. We started using a Similac bottle the hospital gave me on the tour of the maternity ward at the hospital. John liked it better than the Medela  and we haven't felt the need to buy anymore yet. In 2 weeks, Smith will be having 3-4 bottles a day...so we may need to invest in more.

Pacifier/Dummy
I registered for a couple packs of the Soothies because that's what my friends used. We actually got 2 from the hospital, so you really don't need to register for any except the Wubbanub. I'm also partial to giving Wubbanubs for gifts. So stinkin' cute.

Disclaimer: I was really freaked out about using the pacifier because I don't want Smith to be dependent on it. I also did not breastfeed on demand- I used the Baby Whisper's E.A.S.Y. method. She says that the pacifier is one of the only ways a newborn can self-soothe. Luckily, Smith never fell in love with his dummy and the plan is to stop using it in the coming months (per The Baby Whisperer)



 Nursing Pillows
I registered for both the Boppy and My Brest Friend. My Brest Friend beat out the Boppy by a long shot. It felt more sturdy and supportive for both me and Smith, and I actually like how it clipped around my entire body. I would just walk around wearing it. I used it every day for about 10 weeks. Now Smith is big enough and awesome enough that it is a hindrance to nursing.
Boppy? Who needs ya? Not me! (Although I hear I could use it to help Smith as he's learning to sit up. We will see. We will see.






Nursing Covers
Expectant mothers have you received an offer for a FREE nursing cover through an email, website or magazine? I did. Several times. And I paid the $12 shipping and handling fee to get it. I heard they weren't great, and they are not. Mine is a little on the small side and the peek-a-boo top isn't very sturdy. Once Smith gets a little more active, he will probably kick or punch his way out of it. My favorite is made by Bebe au Lait. (that means something about baby and milk in French, I think). It is cute and large enough to cover me well. I use the heck out of my nursing cover. Church, restaurants, wherever...I'm not packing a bottle when I have a boob. And I don't have to wash my boob. (Well, you know what I mean.)


Nursing Clothes/Bras
Folks, I haven't been impressed with the clothing options out there. That wrap look really screams nursing top if you ask me I've managed with button down blouses, henley style shirts (buttons half-way down, cardigans over regular shirts, and stretchy camis under shirts.
As far as nursing bras go, there are a couple of options out there: the nursing tank with a built in bra, sleep bras, and regular ol' nursing bras.
I hate the tanks. I tried them early on, but I should have known. I was never a girl who could wear anything with a built in bra in the first place, and now with my mom boobs? No thank you.
Target sells something they call a sleep bra, and I am so grateful to my friend Nancy for telling me about these. They look just like a sports bra use the wrap design so you don't have to mess with the awkward hooks. I have LIVED in these during my maternity leave, and I will continue to wear them at home and under bulky clothes.
I'm still searching for a favorite regular nursing bra. Oh, Victoria's Secret! Why isn't there are Very Sexy nursing bra??? Why???
I've read to avoid underwire bras because they can cause clogged milk ducts. Seriously??? I eventually caved and wore some of my regular bras when I was out and I knew I wouldn't be feeding Smith. I need something with support and a bit of thickness to it. I probably need look elsewhere and plan on spending some $$.

Other nursing stuff:
Nipple cream- The Lansinoh brand lanolin is super thick and sticky. Yuck! I was happy with a brand called Motherlove. It's not lanolin, but it's amazing. I hear you can use it for diaper rash and cradle cap, too. It comes in a tiny 1 ounce jar, but it's worth it. This stuff was my best friend during the first 6 weeks.
Nursing pads-I've only used these to protect my clothing from the icky sticky lanolin I used. No leaking problems yet. It's likely I may see more of that once I'm back at work. Lansinoh and Medela brand pads have adhesive on the back which is handy. I like the shape of the Ameda brand the best.
I also used some the the gel pads during my rough patch of breastfeeding. I admit that I reused them a handful of times and stored the pads in the fridge for that extra cooling factor. I think you can put cabbage leaves on your chest, too- but I didn't have any cabbage handy and the hospital LC gave me the gel pads, so there you go.

Bibs
No need to register for these. People love to buy baby clothes and bibs tend to fall into this category. I did spend the first 2 months wondering when I would ever use bibs, and now I have a drool machine on my hands. They also come in handy for saving outfits from spit ups.
I have no experience with the usefulness of bibs once food enters the picture, but I think it's pretty obvious they are necessary. I'm thinking the kind that you can rinse off after meals are the best choice at that point.

Burp Cloths
I received several really cute burp cloths from some crafty friends that added fabric to cloth diapers (the prefold kind). If you don't get/make any cute ones, just grab from prefold 3 or 4 ply cloth diapers and you are set.

Other Feeding Accessories:
Drying Rack- We use the Boon Grass daily. I am still choosing to hand wash pumping supplies and bottles at this point.
Bottle Brush- We registered for the Munchkin bottle and nipple brush at Target. While it's handy to have a bottle brush, I don't recommend the Munchkin brand. The nipple brush falls out of the handle consistently which is annoying. It would be great, too, if there was a little suction cup at the end of the handle so it stands up.
Bottle Warmer- Not necessary in my eyes. We stick the bottle in a cup of warm water.
Sanitizer- I'm not looking to add unnecessary "stuff" to my kitchen, and a sterilizer falls into this category for me. I recommend sanitizing with boiling water. I only did it before I used an item for the first time. Otherwise I wash with soap and hot water. I do have steam bags to keep with my pump in a pinch, but I haven't used one yet.

Highchair
No experience in this area yet. I registered for a Chicco one that we liked, and a few of my friends got it for me as a shower gift. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to fit it in my car for the trip home :( This led to having it returned in Illinois for a gift card (cheaper and easier to get to Georgia). My mom ended up bringing me my nephews' highchair so I could use the money towards diapers and whatnot at Babies R Us. I really liked the design of the chair we registered for, but you can't argue with free! 
When selecting a high chair consider: Do you want a full chair or a booster seat that you can strap onto a chair? Does it fold and store easily? Is it adjustable? Is it easy to clean? How big is it? (they can be HUGE!) You probably won't use one until the baby is around 6 months old, so this is not a necessity to have early on. One popular highchair is the Graco Blossom 4 in 1. It serves as a regular high chair, toddler booster, infant feeding booster, and youth chair. You can use the latter two simultaneously!!  There are 6 height positions and 3 recline levels. It seems like everything is covered!

WOW! Hope you caught all that....

Once Upon a Time....The Birth Story of Smith Errington Pitzer Part 2

That evening I had plans with my friend Kelly to watch What to Expect When You're Expecting. Kelly recently had a baby in May, so babies and pregnancy were fresh on both our minds. I began to notice some discomfort in my lower back while watching the movie. I was a little nervous because of the stories other women had told me about going into labor after visiting the doctor, but it sure didn't feel like labor.
Plus, I was absolutely determined to go to work the next day. My substitute was going to shadow me and I would feel so much more comfortable knowing I had showed her the ropes of the classroom and introduced her to the students. And yet another reason I was determined to make it through the week was the knowledge that I had to travel to Illinois for wedding in January. It would be so much easier if I could include that time in my maternity leave rather than have to take off more time from work. I know, I know, I am really picky aren't I? The last post I rambled on and on about wanting you to come naturally before I had to be induced and now I am telling you that I really wanted you to wait a few more days so my plans could work out nicely. That left a 2 day window of Oct. 16-17. (I won't even get into how I was hoping you would avoid dates that were prime numbers. I am so crazy.)

All that said, I watched the movie and headed to bed that evening in complete denial, hoping I would feel back to normal after a night of sleep.

I attempted to sleep that night. I was really tired because I had been up until midnight the night before because our friends Bert and Rachel stayed the night with us before their flight on Thursday. I kind of slept. I just remember I kept getting out of bed with the crampy feeling in my lower back and sitting on the toilet for a couple minutes. I don't even know if I went to the bathroom. I was half asleep so it wasn't really registering to me what was going on. Eventually, around 2 a.m. I woke up enough to decide that yes, I was indeed in labor. Rather than be excited, I was a tad disappointed because I knew I would not be going to work that day. I was also surprised that the onset of my labor was not obvious to me-I basically had been in the early stages for 7 or 8 hours without really knowing it. (My denial might have played a large part in that.)

I started timing my contractions shortly thereafter and they were around 5 minutes apart. Wow..this was really it!! I decided to wake up John around 3 a.m. to tell him the big news. He wasn't too surprise. He said that when we were leaving the midwife's office he thought he heard God say, "Tonight's the night." Well, he was right! John then told me he had difficulty going to sleep the night before- so he reviewed the things we had learned and went over the birth plan a couple of times. How cute!
Next, we opened up our Google doc packing list and proceded to finish packing. (Most of our stuff had been packed for a couple of weeks. We, of course, had a color coding system to tell which items still needed to be packed). In the meantime, John left messages alerting our parents and I called the midwife and she suggested eating breakfast and taking a shower, so I did just that. I took a long, hot, relaxing shower. It was just what I needed. Meanwhile, John fixed me an amazing breakfast consisting of an eggs, an English muffin, a chicken breast, and probably a few other things. I remember thinking how sweet it was that he not only made me breakfast, but was thoughtful enough to include a great deal of protein. Good thinkin! Unfortunately, the last thing I felt like doing was eating. I attempted a bite of the English muffin, and it didn't settle well. The next thing I knew I was throwing up my dinner from the night before. Lovely. I don't feel nauseous or puke throughout my entire pregnancy until now???

By around 6:15 we were off to the hospital.....11 hours of labor down, how many more to go???

The Baby Registry: Part 2 Playtime!

Part 2 of The Baby Registry... After Thoughts

Playtime

A lot of these items did not even exist when I was a baby, and if they did they were in a much more basic form. So do you need any of these items? Not really...for centuries, women have managed with out them, but people lived without iPhones 6 years ago and I wouldn't do that now. :)

Activity Gym/Playmat
Alright, so I was very close to not putting this on my registry...can't you just throw a blanket down on the ground?  In the end, I conceded because I thought it was something people would buy and it was that perfect present price. I was right! Due to a Babies R Us glitch, I received 2! I kept one, still skeptical. I  think we began using it pretty early on for tummy time/activity time. Around the 6-8 week mark, Smith became entranced with the dangling animals and the plastic mirror that makes you look completely distorted. At three months, he's actively swatting/kicking/cooing/smiling/rolling over daily. Everyone is happy about the activity gym. We have the Infantino Twist n/' Fold Activity Gym. It folds up nicely and isn't too atrocious looking, although my dad said he thought it was ugly. Whatever.

Swing
So..most moms may think I am cray-cray for saying this, but we honestly don't use the swing very much. Maybe once a week. Do I love it? Yes. We got a fantastic swing: My Little Snugabunny  It is huge, but at least it blends in with our decor (as much a large swing can). It swings forward/back and side to side. It plugs into the wall (not all do). Smith loves it. It can play music or make nature sounds. It can play music AND make nature sounds simultaneously. It has a mobile AND the distorted mirror feature. It is the Caddy of baby swings.
So why don't you use it much, Alyson?
Frankly, John and I have been very intentional about not using "crutches" to get Smith to sleep. At around 4 weeks old we started to use it, but while it was a quick fix for naptime, we wanted to be intentional about him being able to sleep in his non-swinging bed. I think it was a good decision.
So could we have done without it? Yes. Now ask me what I do with my second child in a few years...I have a feeling that swing may get more use!

Bouncer Seat
As much as I was looking forward to being a mum, I was not looking forward to flashy, primary colored gadgets and gear taking over my home. I figured it was somewhat inevitable, and I decided to make every effort to find the least offensive looking baby items that I could find (in my opinion). The Snugabunny swing was nice and neutral-colored. There's also a Snugabunny bouncer. A lot of the bouncy seats out there vibrate, play music,  have mobiles...it was a little too much for me. Did I really need the Snugabunny swing and the bouncer with all their fancy features? Eventually I found a bouncy seat I LOVED. The price? Not so much. The Bjorn Babysitter Balance. I cannot for the life of me figure out why it costs so much, but it is my favorite. And for another $40 you can get a wooden spin toy that attaches to it. It's simple, sleek, stores flat, requires zero batteries, has a machine washable cover, and the baby has to bounce themselves to be entertained (no "crutches", right??). Please don't judge my snobbery on this item. I know it's utterly ridiculous. (I did score a pretty killer deal on it though...just sayin')
My sister-in-law ended up giving me a vibrating chair, too. It doesn't bounce, but it does play music.
Whatever you decide, get some type of seat that you can move around the house easily. It's great to be able to set the baby down to get things done.

Exersaucer
This is probably my least favorite playtime toy because I find to be the most intrusive baby item due to its size, bright colors, and inability to pack up and hide away. Nothing screams "I have a child" quite like a gigantic exersaucer in the the middle of your living room. I'm sure it can give children hours of entertainment, but I wasn't looking forward to having one. I decided that I would find one to borrow. IT was the perfect solution! I could use it during those key months and then give it back without having to find a place to store it. I still may do that, but I think I found something that may let me avoid the exersaucer altogether: the GoPod (thanks to my sister-in-law). It doesn't bounce, twirl, flash, or play music, but I think it can work. You can attach toys to it to entertain your little one. Plus, it folds up like a camp chair so you can take it anywhere! Smith is still a little young for this one, but I am hoping it was a good choice!

Bumbo Chair
The Bumbo chair is my new best friend. Apparently there was a voluntary recall back in August, and they have now added a restraint belt to the chair. I inherited the chair my nephews used, so no restraint belt for me. I'm not too concerned because at this point Smith can't do much but sit up in the chair, and boy, does he love it! I sit him in front of me, a mirror, the dangle toys on his activity mat- all over! And he is a happy camper. The Bumbo chair is only useful for a few months, but well worth it! I'd borrow one.
*Correction* I noticed on Amazon it's called the Bumbo FLOOR seat-reminding us all that this wonderful device should only ever be placed on the floor.

Johnny Jump Up
This item wasn't on my registry, but I added a Johnny Jump Up to Smith's Christmas list this year. I think these are pretty hilarious, and we have the perfect spot for one in our home. I think he's just about ready for it...ask me in a month how I like it.

Books
I am that crazy aunt who always buys books for her nieces and nephews. I love books. I love reading. I love the library. Don't register for books, but do gladly welcome them! Instead of receiving cards with my gifts at one of my baby showers, all the guests gave Smith a book. It was the best idea! We've been reading EVERY night before he goes to bed, and I swear he loves it!
Another thing to look into is the Books from Birth program in Tennessee or the Ferst Foundation in Georgia. Children are sent one FREE book a month from age 0 to 5. There may be similar programs in other states. I am only familiar with these two.

Humans
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the best playtime accessory: a human being! (Not every human is appropriate for your little one, so use careful judgement when selecting playmates). Smith LOVES his mum and dad. We could smile back and forth at each other all day, and I would consider my life fulfilled. If you asked Smith, and he could talk, I am sure he would say the same. We smile, make faces, sing, copy each other's sounds and Smith thinks it's the greatest thing on earth. Scientists will even tell you that babies love faces. They say looking at faces helps a baby learn about social interaction and communication skills.
You are your baby's favorite toy! Plus you are free and don't require batteries.

That's as far as I got with toys/playtime on my baby registry. I'm figuring between grandparents, hand-me-downs, birthdays, and Christmases- Smith will eventually end up with more than enough toys.

Happy Playtime!!

The Baby Registry: Part 1

One of my friends wrote an excellent post going over registry items after she had her baby. It made quite an impression on me, so much so that I referred to it over a year later when I (finally) was able to create my own baby registry. Now that I'm a new mom, I’ve had several mums-to-be ask me various questions about baby gear, so I've decided to do the same thing. 
I want to also mention I used the book Baby Bargains as well to help guide my registry item selection. A new edition comes out every couple of years. I'd say it's worth getting the latest edition- as what is safe/good/recalled seems to change quite often.  Also, YouTube is your best friend. There is a plethora of video reviews on all kinds of baby gear out there. While getting your hands on things is the best option, seeing videos of the equipment in action is the next best thing!

Warnings: 

This post is LONG.
 Update:  I have since decided to break it up into smaller, more digestible posts. You're welcome.

These are my recommendations/thoughts/opinions. I've learned every mum/family/baby is different, but I love gathering information and advice and then making an informed decision- now you can do the same. 

Here we go:

Where To Register? 
I chose to register with 3 stores. I was a little nervous about that choice, but in the end, I am glad I did. Each store had its own benefits and drawbacks. Here's my logic behind my choices:
Target- I selected Target because I knew it would be easy for my gift givers. When I got married, I think I received everything on my Target registry. It's convenient, easy, and accessible. I was extremely disappointed at the selection offered in the store, but I registered for the basics there. There is a greater selection online and although most people won't purchase from the Target website, you can always use gift cards online.
Babies R Us-  Omigoodness. When we walked into a Babies R Us, I nearly freaked out. It was oh-so overwhelming.  It was really helpful to be in the store and see everything in person. It was key in helping me select my stroller. Great selection here, but not as many people have access to a BRU. Even if they do, they would probably rather go to Target.
Amazon.com- I have a problem. I am addicted to Amazon. I. love. it. I am an Amazon Prime/Amazon Mom member- and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. An Amazon mom has all the benefits of an Amazon Prime member (Free instant streaming (like Netflix), the Kindle lending library, and free 2 day shipping) plus 5% off diapers and wipes. My UPS man must think I am crazy because I use the heck out of that free 2 day shipping. It is usually quicker for me to buy something on Amazon than to find time to get to the store. A one year membership is $79. Consider it.
Anyway- I registered with Amazon because it has an incredible selection and offers free 5-7 day shipping to non-prime members on orders over $25. Not everyone is okay with buying online, but perhaps your younger gift givers may select this options. I know I would. 

On-The-Go Items

Carseat

We chose to go with the infant carrier rather than a convertible carseat. I liked this option for two main reasons:  1) no need to remove a sleeping baby from their carseat  2) the ability to snap it right into a stroller. Infant carriers seem to be the more popular choice these days. 

We went with the Britax B-Safe carseat because I wanted a travel system (carseat and stroller). This seat was not only good lookin' but had high safety ratings. It seemed to be on the lighter side as well (weight has become a key factor to me with baby gear now!) The Graco SnugFit and Chicco Key Fit are also highly rated, popular infant carriers, but I ultimately chose the Britax because it was my favorite travel system option.

I will say that I HATE carrying Smith in the carseat. It is so awkward and heavy, and I feel like I am trying so hard not to knock him against my legs as a carry him. (I'm not sure how much he really cares). I am getting better with the forearm hold. There is crazy zig zag handle design that seems like it might be easier to carry, but who knows? At 3 months, I am more than willing to whip out our stroller and snap the B-Safe in for a smooth and easy ride. 

Here's a glimpse of my travel system. And yes, there does to be a polka-dot-like pattern on the carseat. I just can't escape dots. 

Thoughts on carseat accessories:

Mirror- Not totally necessary, but Smith seems to enjoy looking at himself these days

Dangle Toys-I didn't register for these, but got the CUTEST Eric Carle dangles and I love them. Smith is just now at 3 months starting to notice/swat at them. 

Seat protector-Not necessary now, but I can see how it could be down the road with a toddler- especially if you allow food in the car

Cover- A teacher from my school made the cutest cover with loops that attach around the handle. Unfortunately, it's blue/green/brown and doesn't really "go" with my baby gear. (I know, I am terrible.) Most of the time I throw one of my Aden & Anias swaddle blankets over the seat when he is sleeping. I feel like they shut out the world, but are still breathable. 

Head/Neck Support- A lot of carseats come with this, but the B-Safe did not. I have one, but never used it in the carseat. It proved to be more useful for the stroller. 

Bundler- I live in Georgia. It was 75 degrees yesterday on January 13. Not necessary for us. 

Extra base- I recommend registering for one. Although the base not difficult to remove, it is nice to just be able to click the carseat in either car and GO! A nice bonus if you can swing it :)

Stroller (s)

There are oh-so-many stroller options ranging from super cheap to nearly $1K. How can this even be? I thought long and hard about our stroller choice...did lots of research...and here is what worked best for me:

I wanted a travel system that was lightweight, packed up nicely, and was cute (duh!!). I considered going for the stroller frame. I knew I could use that during the carseat phase and then transition to a lightweight umbrella stroller. I can't remember exactly why I didn't go that route except for the fact that I loved the look of the Britax B-Agile. It was extremely lightweight for a travel system stroller and it folded in half just like that! I also liked look and maneuverability of a 3 wheeled stroller. Another bonus was the super huge canopy. I wanted to protect my little guy from the sunlight, and when the carseat is clicked in- you can pull both canopies together and you can't see the baby at all! Perfect for hiding your precious newborn from gawkers/coughers/sneezers and helping block out the world for naps on the go! I debated on getting the City Mini stroller (it is basically the same thing as the B-Agile), but I would have had to add on a car seat adapter and I couldn't get a carseat that matched as perfectly and beautifully as the B-Safe. 

I also was blessed to get a BOB Revolution stroller!! This was a bonus for me and something I was super excited about. BOB strollers are some of the top of the line running strollers, and I hope to take  Smith out for runs with me in the future. (BOB recommends waiting until babies are 6-8 months old before jogging with them). Although they are pricey, I was sold on them after I compared my friend's double BOB with a single Jeep brand jogging stroller. It was actually easier for me to running with the double BOB with two kids in it than it was to run with the Jeep stroller. The BOB strollers are extremely well built. Lucky for me, that same friend knew how impressed I was and she pooled money together for a group gift and I got my very own BOB! YAYAY!

Baby Carriers
There are lots of baby carriers out there. I have 3. Let me explain.
1. Moby wrap-I like the idea of this one. It's simply a giant strip (and I mean GIANT) of fabric that you ninja wrap around you and tuck your little babe inside. There are all different kinds of ways you can carry the baby-I've only used one so far. The Moby can be used with newborns which is a bonus. 

2. Ergo- This carrier came highly recommended to me. I have a super cute organic one with a Petunia Picklebottom design. It is lightweight and comfortable. I've been told that it continues to be a comfortable way to carry your little one as they get bigger. 

3. Britax Baby Carrier- The only reason I have this is because of a promotion by Britax. See below.
I haven't used it yet. 

Honestly, I haven't used any of my carriers a great deal, but I hope to use them more in the future. I think they could be really handy for trips in the grocery store and getting things done around the house. 

Diaper Bag
I treated myself early on during my pregnancy to a Kate Spade Stevie diaper bag. I love Kate Spade and I got a killer deal. I got a little nervous because it is a huge bag- but I fill that thing up easily! And it matches my stroller and carseat. Because I am cute like that. For my birthday we went to the Kate Spade outlet and got a red wallet for a great deal, too. I say if you care, get something you LOVE. It's like your purse, you take it everywhere!
Another brand of diaper bags that I love are Timi & Leslie. They look like purses and you not only get the large bag, but a clutch, insulated bottle tote, stroller straps, zippered sac for soiled clothes/diapers and a changing pad. They thought of EVERYTHING! 

That should get you started! Other mums: feel free to add your thoughts and comments. Oh, and the info for the free carseat is below!

Happy Shopping!

Britax Promotion
If you send in the UPC of a stroller, carseat, carrier, large accessory and small accessory, you get a Britax Boulevard carseat for FREE! This is one of the highest rated, safest convertible carseat on the the market- regularly $320!!! I used a gift card to help pay for the Britax carrier and the rest of the items were already on my registry (BOB items and Britax items are eligible). 

Once Upon a Time....The Birth Story of Smith Errington Pitzer- Part 1

Dear Smith,
You may or may not be interested in the story of your birth someday. I'm not sure if guys care about that type of thing, but I'm guessing at least your wife will, so I will share it.

Once upon a time a beautiful pregnant woman (me!) and her handsome, intelligent and wise husband (your dad) had their 39 week appointment with the midwife.
Okay...I need to write in first person for this....shifting gears....
During my appointment the previous week (38 weeks) I saw Maria, one of the only midwives that I had not met by this point. It was during this appointment that she brought up induction of labor. You see, I was labeled a "high risk" pregnancy while you were growing in my belly. So in addition to visiting the midwife, I also saw a perinatalogist. Apparently, the doctor had recommended in her notes induction of labor during the 39th week. I was under the impression that I could at least wait until my due date, but even then I was going to give them a hard time about it. I wanted to avoid being induced at all costs because my goal was to have a natural birth experience. Although it is possible to not have an epidural when induced, the pitocin makes the contractions more intense thereby causing more discomfort. It often leads to women wanting an epidural. You and I had been perfectly healthy the entire pregnancy. I dismissed the "high risk" label in my mind, but now I had to come to terms with what this meant now that we were approaching D-Day.
I didn't schedule a date that day, but Maria asked me to come the next week prepared to set a date. Now I just think it is no fun to schedule a birth. I loved the element of surprise...I didn't know when you were going to come, when your birthday would be...it was exciting to me. So the next week came and my appointment was with Maria AGAIN! I was hoping it would be someone different and maybe I  could slide past them or at least set a date past my due date. I hate confrontation and when she asked about a date I just rambled and did not do a good job of speaking my heart. Luckily, John was there and he spoke clearly and with authority about our feelings. He may have come off a little strong, but I suppose it had to be done. Maria kind of shut down and said we would have to make another appointment to meet with the OB because she didn't feel comfortable making any decisions.
I felt bad because I didn't want to be difficult, but I felt really strongly about letting you come naturally.
Well, then I made a decision that possibly altered things a bit. She offered to "check" me. I had always refused during prior appointments because it wasn't necessary, but this time I decided to go for it. I needed some information! She said that you head was nice and low, my cervix was thin, and that I was dialated a little more than 2 cm. She said that was great and maybe I wouldn't make it to my due date and if I did have to be induced they could use some balloon thing rather than pitocin. I left feeling better...
Now I have heard plenty of stories of women who leave the doctor after getting checked out and their labor began....well perhaps that's what happened with you...we never will be able to say for sure, but things got interesting that evening :)

To be continued....