Real Tips for Registering for Baby - a Rookie's Perspective.

Disclaimer: I am a first time mom and I am not, in anyway, an expert on well, anything baby related. This is from my experience. 

When I was still suffering from Baby Fever I would go to baby showers and day dream about my own one day. It seemed to far away and something I wouldn't need to worry about for years. Then I blinked and it was time to think about my own. Christmas time was super busy here at our house, and I am sure everyone else's house, so I said that after Christmas we would register. Well before New Year's I couldn't contain my excitement anymore and Philip agreed to go a few weeks ago.

Since I am a rookie I reached out to all of my mommy friends on Facebook and get their tips and tricks for registering. 

Holy Overwhelming, Batman! 

I got all kinds of advice from "register for everything you think you might need!" to "Babies don't need that much so - just register for swaddles" and everything in between. A few people told me I will want to try different bottles, diapers, pacifiers, wipes so just get a few of everything. People told me to bring snacks, water, and a sleeping bag because I would be there for days! Slightly dramatic, but you get my point. 

When we went to Babies R Us  and started the adventure. Our strategy was:

•  pick the healthiest items whenever possible
•  get gender neutral items whenever possible 
• not to get overwhelmed

So- post registry - here are my tips, from a rookie.

1) Don't limit your choice to just one kind. 

I had heard that I should pick a few kinds of diapers, wipes, bottles, and pacifiers. Easy enough, options are good. Except there are 6,000,000 options. Glass, plastic, Avent, Dr. Brown's, 4oz, 8oz, inserts, no inserts, nipple sizes. It's enough to make your head spin - and that is just bottles!

We went a little crazy here because we didn't know what in the world we would need. I fully intend on breastfeeding but I also plan on having Philip feed her so I can, ya know, poop without her. I wanted glass because I know it's the healthiest option, I wanted Dr. Brown's because that was the overwhelming response from my momma friends. But I couldn't let that just be what I picked, what if she hates those bottles?! So I zapped a few more options on there.

2) Testing Things Out 

I know that I won't really know what we will prefer, or want, or need until she is actually here among us in the flesh, but I wanted to still play around with some things to see if I would like them. We picked up a few car seats, pushed a stroller or two, bounced some bouncer, used a few breast pumps (not really) and we picked the items we liked the best.

We picked the Graco FastAction Click Connect Jogger Stroller & Infant Car Seat - Tropical. The seat was the #1 pick of Americans - and I figured they had to know something - the car seat the light. And the color reminded me of my color inspiration for Hawaii not to mention it sorta goes with the nursery! 

3) Fun/ Girly Items

So I stated above that my strategy was to try and get gender neutral items. I was holding fast to that until Philip told me I should probably lighten that up a bit. "Sorry, daughter, everything you own is gray because we thought maybe one day you would have a brother" so then I went for it and indulged in some super cute and girly things! I mean loook at these bath toys! A floating tea set? I can't. even. deal. 

A lot of the items we got were the "boy" version because I didn't want everything she owned to be PINK or PURPLE! But there were a few items I let myself go for. I also decided to just go for it and pick a few ridiculously expensive items. Like the Mamaroo - a $269 swing. Over indulgent? Absolutely. Would it awesome if we got it? For sure. 

4) Going to another store

I was hopeful that I would get everything I wanted from Babies R Us but I wasn't relying on it. There were some things at Babies R Us that I just didn't like and I knew there would be cuter options at Target. Since I we found the bulk of the items we needed and wanted at Babies R Us I didn't even bother going to Target to set up a registry. I added cute crib sheets and a lot of Honest Company products! 

I also found this website My Baby List it has a bunch of pre picked items on it that you can quickly add OR, the part I love, you can add items from anywhere on the web. 

5) Don't over think it. Ask for advice, read blogs, do your research. But ultimately, have fun with it! You can always edit your registry online or go back to the store. You don't have to do it all in one day - and even after your showers you can go back and return/exchange items! 

What are the top tops you have for registering for a baby??

Baby Girl P - 26 weeks

Week: T W E N T Y - S I X 

Baby is as big as an: Bowling Pin 

How is Mom? I am doing quite well, actually!! Everything is starting to be a little more real these days. She moves ALL the time, which, I love, however, it makes me realize there's a little person in there. Got my invite for the shower my mom and sisters are putting on for me, seeing my name and Baby Shower on the same invite blew my mind!! 

Fitness: I have been on a roll the last 2 weeks! Well, for me anyway. Working out 3x/week like a champ.

Philip: Getting more and more excited everyday! Now that it's officially 2016 everything is getting more real! 

Total Weight Gain: I am up 20 pounds from my pre baby weight. I think most of it is belly. However, my hands aren't as bony and my thumb ring is now my wedding and for the time being. 

Sleep: sleep is my favorite activity ever. It hasn't been that bad since my midwife told me I can sleep in my back still

Belly Button In or Out? Out! I won't lie, it's gross. 

Movement: Seriously, from the moment she turned 26 weeks since been kicking me all day everyday. I read if I poke her she will poke me back, and it is so true! It's so fun! 

Best Moment of the Week: Seeing our friend Ada - a sweet 2.5 week old baby and getting her to fall asleep at church. I might actually be able to do this whole mom thing after all! 

Worst Moment of the Week: Every time my alarm goes off at 6:00 AM

Kona - the Under Appreciated Guard Dog.

Do you like the title of this post? Mom doesn't. She said no one made the guard dog. Typical. I am not appreciated here at all.

If I weren't here, well I'm pretty sure they'd be dead by now. 

The Dangers they face on a daily basis without so much as a glance - well it baffles me. 

In my 15 months of life I've never met such stupid people. Stupid by way of unpreparedness and safety. 

Do you know what I've protected them from today alone? 

2 cats. 

3 squirrels. 

1 stray dog. 

The vacuum beast. 

The blender. 

And it's not even 2:30!!! 

All my efforts are met with opposition. "Uh uh leave it!" "Calm down" " stop barking!" Idiots! Do they know what would happen if I let these things go free?? No. And I've tried telling them but they look at me like they don't understand. Ignorance is bliss I gues. Go on- keep putting your heads in the sand. You can't handle the truth!!!

The truth is - and don't tell them I said this - I'm not really sure what would happen if these things went unwarned. But I know enough about disease, territory takeovers, electric fires, blender accidents, and squirrels to know that it wouldn't be good. It would be bad and it has the potential to get ugly right quick. 

They can try and tame me, domestic me, and otherwise strip me of my God-given duty of protecting this fortress. But I'll tell you what - when that spawn gets here - they won't be able to thank me enough!!!

Baby Girl P - 25 weeks

Week: T W E N T Y - F I V E 

Baby is as big as an: Califlour  

What is going on in the womb: Baby Girl P is further developing her hearing and her little lunge. 

How is Mom? I am tired! I'm not compleltlty exhausted like I was in the first trimester but I'm tired. I still enjoy going to bed early and wish I could nap every day. I get occasional heartburn but if I'm consistently taking my Ninxiga Red drink from Young Living it's really not an issue at all. 

Cravings or food aversions? All I can think about is Taco Bell. Morning, noon, and night. Baby Girl wants it, but I think it's disgusting. I crave coffee a lot but since I'm only drinking decaf every other day or so, I might just be tired. 

Philip: He is amazing. I'm really quite in love with him. He's been working so hard at finishing the basement and clearing out the nursery. He loves to feel Baby Girl P kick and he diligently lays hands on her every night and prays for her. And he prays that the labor will be fast and safe. Whatta guy. 

Total Weight Gain: I am up 20 pounds from my pre baby weight. I think most of it is belly. However, my hands aren't as bony and my thumb ring is now my wedding and for the time being. 

Sleep: sleep is my favorite activity ever. It hasn't been that bad since my midwife told me I can sleep in my back still. 

Best Moment of the Week: getting a clean bill of health from the mid wife. She said everything looks great so far!! The report from the doctor was all clear and she's healthy! Also Kona is starting to get kicks in the head by her little sister. It's hilarious to see my belly jump and the. Kona look around super confused. It's hilarious.