Everything you need to raise a baby.

We planned. We read and researched. We really thought we were prepared. But NOTHING can prepare you for what’s coming. No, I’m not talking about having a baby. I’m talking about REGISTERING for a baby. First of all, let me say that Chris and I really did take a lot of time to look at what was needed, what was not and what ranked highest in safety and customer satisfaction. Baby registries are a bit different than wedding registries. When you are getting married, you know if you need cookware or silverware or towels. When you are having a baby, especially being first-time parents, you think you need everything because you don’t really know what you need! All it takes is one person to say they couldn’t live without their wipe warmer to decide your child not make it through infancy if you don’t have one, but Chris and I tried to be practical. (Okay, let's be honest - Chris was practical and he calmed me down.) Jackson could live without a wipe warmer or a diaper stacker or hundreds of other “must haves” and he’ll probably turn out okay.

So, we made our list. We checked it more times than Santa does and off we went to Babies R Us. I knew we were in trouble when our consultant handed us Babies R Us list of registry “must haves”. The list Chris and I made was about 35-40 items long and fit neatly in a normal font in one line. This list was a full page, bulleted, in small font. Oh yes, we were screwed. Surely, you can’t raise a baby on the small little list we made. What are we going to do?

But then, I started to look over the list and a lot of it was actually filler. We had decided not to put any clothes on registry (which the exception of a few basics), but like 20 items were clothing. Then, the stroller section listed every type of stroller imaginable (oh yes, there are multiple types of strollers). The whole section on breastfeeding just freaked me out because I seriously do not want anyone buying my breast pump for me. I have the tendency to think of a who gave me something when I use it and honestly, I don’t want to think of my Aunt Susie’s face every time I pump (and I don’t have an Aunt Susie, but you get the idea). Okay, there’s another section down. The nursery furniture section was another to cross off. We aren’t registering for a crib or anything like that, since we’ve already ordered it. We marked off the bedding and room décor sections, too. A lot of people do register for that, but we went ahead and bought ours since it’s not sold in stores. This list was getting a lot shorter! There was a whole section of “Earth friendly” items, but really they are just repeats of other things, so that section got a big red X, too. We had also decided that we weren’t going to register for parenting books or keepsakes, since those are things we can get ourselves. BAM – another one bites the dust!

When it all came down to it, there really wasn’t a lot we had to add to the list. Actually, I’m thankful they gave us their “must have” list because it did remind me of a couple things I didn’t have on there (like a changing mat for the diaper bag for public diaper changes and feeding sets for when the baby starts solid foods), but overall, I’m pretty impressed in the list Chris and I put together (with a little help from our friends!). Maybe we’ll get the hang of this parenting thing after all!

A Perfect Day!

Yesterday was one of those "big" days in the 9 or so months that you are pregnant. First, we had a 23 week check up with our perinatal doctor, Dr. Korotkin. The ultrasound lasted about an hour, because Jackson was moving around so much. They had to get some clear pictures of his heart, since they didn't get them the last time, so they had to wait for the wiggle worm to stop wiggling so much! Hey, long appointments don't bother me at all - That's more time I get to see him! This time it was really cool because some of the movement that we saw on the screen, I could actually feel! Dr. Korotkin's exact words to us were that Jack is perfect! He weighs 1lb 10 oz right now, which is wonderful news (that's almost a 1lb up from last month)! Honestly, I really didn't think yesterday could get any better.

Until, that is, we were lying in bed last night and Jackson was kicking up a storm, so I had Chris place his hand on my belly to see if he could feel it. I was incredibly still and it took a minute or two for him to kick again, but then he did and Chris said, "Oh! I felt that!" I was so happy! That moment is one that I'll always have etched in my head. The look on Chris's face was so fantastic - it was the first time he felt his son. :)

I go to this site called BabyCenter a lot. It's basically a baby book on the web, but there is also a message board where moms-to-be post their thoughts and questions. Believe me, a lot of them are really stupid, but every now and then, someone posts something interesting. The other day this girl posted something about how her pregnancies determined the attitudes of her children. She said with her first, she cried all the time and her son is now an emotional kid. He's five and she said he cries at the drop of a hat. Her second pregnancy, she was fussy and tired. Her three year old daughter is, in her words, a brat. This is her third pregnancy and she said she is very calm and this pregnancy is very easy, so she's hoping that this son will be more easygoing.

Well, that got me thinking - based on my pregnancy, what will Jackson be like? I do have my moments of crying, but they are few and far between. In fact, I find myself laughing a lot at things that are supposed to make me cry (like that ASPCA commercial with all the homeless dogs - yes, I know, since I laugh at that, I'm evil) and crying at things that are supposed to make me laugh (like the movie Fred Claus that I watched over Christmas. I cried like a baby). But mostly laughing. So I hope that means Jack will be a happy baby. I think he will be, because he has us for parents. You have to laugh at that! :)

The Halfway Point

Here we are - 20 weeks! The halfway point! OMG there are just a few short months left before Jackson is here!!! I am so excited and scared and thrilled and just about every other emotion you can imagine. I am really looking forward to and valuing these last few months of "just" me and Chris, but I can't wait to have Jackson here!

My 20 week check up went great and Dr. Nix said that I might even be able to deliver in Forsyth rather than Atlanta! I'm very happy about this since it's so close to home, but even if I end up having to deliver in Atlanta, that's okay. My glucose test came back normal, which is more than great news! I just feel very very blessed right now. :)

We have started looked at nursery furniture and nursery themes. We had one picked out that we liked, but since we've started looking we've found a couple more that we like. We are pretty sure the nursery will be brown and blue with some type of animal(s). We hope to have the nursery done by the end of February. Pictures will come as we start to decorate! :)

Merry Christmas!

So it's a few days after Christmas and I am just starting to feel back to normal. I had a very bad cold for the days leading up to Christmas. In fact, it wasn't until Christmas day that I felt better. But it was a wonderful Christmas, even if we had no power! We think a transformer blew out because the sky turned pink, purple, blue and green. We had everyone over here - my mom and brother, Chris's parents and his brother's family (including my adorable niece and nephew!). The power went out completely right after we ate (it had flickered all night) and we had a 6 year old who NEEDED to open presents, so we built a fire in the fireplace, broke out the flashlight and that was that! :)

I'm very much looking forward to next Christmas and have already started thinking about the things we will have and do for Baby Jackson. When Stephen and I were little, mom had these wonderful stocking made for us, so of course, I want one made for Jackson. I keep seeing all these adorable outfits for Baby's First Christmas, but just in case he's not true to size, I refrain...that doesn't necessarily mean I refrain from buying other things. ;)

It's a BOY!

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew it was a boy. I just knew. And I was right! :) Baby Neighbours is now Baby Jackson! Yesterday, we went for our big ultrasound and, after a little poking, he showed us the "goods"! There was no mistaken it! Chris should be proud! :)

Last night, I had dinner with some of my closest friends at Buca di Beppo and (stealing Lisa's sister's idea), I asked them all to wear a pink shirt if they thought it was a girl and a blue shirt if they thought it was a boy. Turns out Heather, Lori, Anne Marie and April were right and Lisa was half right since she wore a pink sweater with a blue jacket! :)

So, now the fun begins - the shopping, decorating the nursery, a baby shower, and then of course, the main event - little Jackson's arrival! :) I can't wait!!!

I pretty much think 2010 is going to rock!

Honestly, I don't normally care much about the new year. I do love Christmas and the holidays in general, but the fact that another year is approaching doesn't really do much for me. People look at the new year as a fresh start, but I've always thought if you really need a fresh start, you don't need a year to pass to get it. A year passing is just another year; however, my opinion has definitely changed because I am really looking forward to 2010...for much more than the obvious reason! :)

There are so many things going on for myself, my family and my friends that makes me so excited! First of all - I turn 30. And for the first time, I'm not really scared of it. I'm really happy where my life is - a great husband, a beautiful home, a wonderful group of family and friends and an awesome job! PLUS A BABY! That rocks! My BFF's Jessica and Lori also turn 30! So you know what that means - TONS of AWESOME birthday parties! My BFF Anne Marie is getting MARRIED! I am so very happy for her and cannot wait to see her walk down the aisle! I know she is going to be beautiful bride! That means there's also bridal showers and a bachelorette party coming up! WOO HOO! I also know that there will be many other celebrations, as friends find new jobs, graduate school, buy homes and start their families. And that's just what I know about - think of the great surprises to come!

The main event (at least in my life) will be the birth of our baby. But there are also so many family and friends that are also expecting right now - including my cousin, a couple of my sorority sisters, and several of my friends - that 2010 will be the year of the babies!

I feel we have all been so blessed in our lives, even though there have been hardships and trying times. When I think about all the good going on right, I just feel so much happiness and joy. I cannot wait for Baby Neighbours' arrival and I know, for me and Chris, that is the biggest blessing of all.