August 19 -25
This week has been marked with the craziest movements.
Seriously, I have never seen my stomach move like this. It is like a wave in my belly. She moves CONSTANTLY. I am always aware of her presence. I can't get through a staff meeting without staring at my belly and watching her jump and turn and stretch. Soon I will be able to tell where her arms, legs and head are located. Right now I just feel a hard mass from where she is curled up.
Every day I am one moment closer to grasping the magnitude of what is about to happen and I fall more in love. Only 10 more weeks until I am full term!
How our evenings are spent |
So this week I have put all my energy on the baby registry. Especially now that our baby shower invites are out! Thanks to incredible friends and new mommas, I have been given so much advice on what to register for. It can be a little daunting! Michael and I also attended a babywearing and cloth diaper workshop to help educate us on our options. I am all about being informed so I did lots of research when putting the registry together.
This is a lot of information but I hope it will be helpful for anyone wondering what to register for!
Here are my registries:
Top Registry Items:
1. I love wooden toys. I like the simplicity of it. I also love toys that encourage imagination. I want to avoid electronic, plastic toys as long as possible. I found this company (Plan Toys) and really loved reading about their principles. They are based in Thailand and make all their products from preservative-free rubberwood. It is one of the leading companies committed to keeping the environmental sustainability, no waste concept.
It is safe, sustainable, and smart.
I like it.
Buy it here (Amazon).
2. Sakura Bloom Sling - Having been to a workshop on baby-wearing, I knew exactly what type of carrier I wanted. And actually this is my husband's favorite too. I like ring slings because they are adjustable for different body sizes. Our family will be a dual baby-wearing family so we needed this option. Baby Genevieve will probably live in this sling for the first 3-4 months of her life. I also adore the driftwood color, perfect for both my husband and me to wear.
Buy it here (Amazon).
3. Ergo Baby Carrier - This continues the theme of baby-wearing. Which, by the way, has so many benefits for both you and baby!
1. Convenience - you can multi-task!
2. Happy Baby - babies, especially 0-3 months old, are still in the gestational period. They need to be close to mom. Feeling safe against mom and hearing her heartbeat makes a happy baby.
3. Muscle growth - once babies are sitting up, being in a carrier helps with their spinal and muscular development.
4. Oxytocin - skin to skin contact with baby and mommy (or daddy) releases oxytocin which helps regulate baby's body temperature.
5. Smarter baby - their heads are right up near their mom's face so moms tend to talk a lot more to their babies, pointing out the world around them.
6. Keep strangers away - especially in the cold months after Genevieve is born. No one will be poking at her like they would if she was in a stroller or carseat.
7. Breast feed discreetly - to name a few...
Buy it here (Target)
4. Baby Swaddle - these swaddles are made by Summer Infant. I know that you can swaddle with a receiving blanket or just any small blanket, but I have heard that some babies love these little swaddle sacks. It has been the lifesaver for many moms I talked too. We will see what little lady thinks about them!
Buy it here (Target)
5. Fuzzibunz Pocket Diapers- Ok, Michael and I went to a 3 hour cloth diaper workshop. I learned A LOT. I learned the pros and cons to all types and got to test out many different brands. All the moms I talked to raved about Fuzzibunz. I can see why. They are super easy and convenient. They are called pocket diapers because they have inserts that go inside the diaper making it one piece. I also registered for GroVia All-in-One diapers (AIO). The difference is that the inserts are attached to cover so you wash it all together. Diapers have come a long way. I am super excited to give these diapers a try.
Buy it here (Amazon)
6. Thirstie Diaper Covers - Part 2 of cloth diapers. I actually loved pre-folds and covers more than pocket diapers. It made more sense to me and it is so much more versatile. But with pre-fold diapers you need the fastener (I registered for Snappis) and you need a cover on top. I really liked the Thirstie brand and I can't wait to try them out. I also registered for Diaper Safari covers.
Buy it here (Amazon)
*Another thing to think about is getting a wet bag for the dirty diapers and a diaper bag size bag for on the go diaper changes.
*I also registered for an attachable hose on the back of the toilet for easy rinsing once baby is eating solid food.
*And you will need some laundry detergent to wash the diapers. Everyone I talked to recommended Charlie's Soap. It is biodegradable, safe for the environment and does not irritate the skin.
I feel like there is a science behind reusable diapers but I am excited to learn the system that works for my family.
7. Sophie the Giraffe - We had to register for the iconic Sophie. This teether is found in everyone's nurseries these days and I love it. It's been around for over 50 years, originating in France, and babies love it! It is known for stimulating all 5 of a baby's senses:
-Sight - the spots attract babies because of the high contrast.
-Hearing - it makes little squeak noises that help baby link cause and effect.
-Taste - it is made out of 100% natural rubber and food paint making it safe to chew.
-Smell - the scent is the natural rubber of the Hevea tree which makes it easy for babies to identify.
-Touch- it is super soft emulating the mother's skin and is comforting to the baby.
Ok, it's a glorified chew toy but I still love it ;)
Buy it here (Amazon)
8. Cloud b Sound Machine - And keeping with the giraffe theme (my favorite animal), we added another giraffe item. Michael and I sleep with a fan every night. I love white noise. Genevieve is currently sleeping with the sound of my heartbeat, amniotic fluid swooshing, blood pumping and the noise of the outside world. Having white noise to sleep makes sense to me. But here is another item that our baby may love or hate. Either way, it's cute :)
Buy it here (Amazon)
9. Hand Teether - by Green Sprouts. This teether is made out of a cornstarch based eco-friendly plastic. It contains no synthetic or toxic substances. It is even biodegradable and compostable. Another earth-friendly option in case Sophie goes missing!
Buy it here (Amazon)
10. Itzbeen - I am not sure how much I will use this handy device. Some swear by it, others don't use it at all. I think I'll like it. It helps foggy brained new moms keep track of the last feeding, how long it lasted, which side was the last nursed on, etc. It can schedule diaper changes, tracks sleeping and timing medicine if needed. I have no intention of being a rigid scheduler for all of those things. My hope is to use some common sense, some routine, and being in tune to Genevieve's natural schedule and needs. But a little helpful reminder may be very useful. I will update post baby!
Buy it here (Target) |
Buy it here (Target)
12. Boppy - Just like the Bumbo, a Boppy is on everyone's registry. There is also "my breast friend" brand but this one is more readily available. This will greatly assist me when I breastfeed and need extra support under my arms and baby. I think I am really going to love it. Plus all the cute covers. We registered for a few different types.
Buy it here (Target)
13. Baby night gowns - All the moms I talked to said I must have these on the registry, especially for the earlier months. The gown makes it super easy to change diapers in the middle of the night. And there are so many cute options! I registered for night gowns from Baby Soy and Tadpoles Organic. Oh I just love it all. Of course I love the idea of using natural fibers on my baby and I love all the neutral colors and simple designs too. However, Michael and I gladly take second-hand, gently used items. We already have a decent collection of little girl clothes that people have given us. That is the ultimate green - reusing clothes. But a few cute, organic pieces are fun too!
Buy it here and here (Amazon)
14. Muslin Swaddles by Anden + Anasis, ok really anything from this company. I absolutely love the muslin swaddles because they are so soft and really big. I also registered for crib sheets, diaper pad cover, burp clothes, and bibs from this company. The simple colors and designs are right up my alley, too. And like the night gowns, we love anything organic on baby.
Buy it here (Amazon)
There are so many other items we need before our little one arrives and I put an equal amount of work into researching which type to get.
-Stroller - we just wanted an umbrella stroller because we intend on using the ring sling and ergo carrier for a majority of the first months of Genenvieve's life.
-Car seat
-Bottles - I was recommended Dr. Brown's bottles because it has the most natural flow
-Pacifiers - still try to decide how we want to use them
-Breast pump - Medela is the king of breast pumps. Super expensive but necessary!
-Diaper changing pad - no need for a changing table. We will just put one of these on top of a dresser.
-And the not so glamorous but useful items: nipple brush, bottle warmer, newborn disposable diapers, first-aid kit, nasal aspirator, to name a few.
Little Genevive,
Everyday I spend time connecting with you, talking to you and rubbing your current home.
I've been processing your arrival and getting so excited to meet you. It is now time for your daddy and me to prepare your physical home. I am so excited to watch you in your new room, to put all these little outfits on you and to see you use all these things we are getting specially for you. But more than that, we smile thinking of the day your presence fills our home and brings fullness to our family.