Baby Belly: 19 wks, 6 days

I took this yesterday. That means that we’re 20 wks today! Halfway there. Yay!

19 wks, 6 days

Baby Stuff Research

I think that master’s degree is starting to pay off. Why? Because I’m putting my research skills to the test in a serious way. What for? Baby stuff.

Yup. I’m becoming an obsessive mother. And she’s not even here yet!

OK, that’s not fair. I’m really trying to be an informed consumer. There’s so much crap out there for babies, and I’m trying to find the best stuff without breaking the bank.

We picked out the crib we want to purchase–after it was one of the top-ranked (and one of their Best Buys) cribs on ConsumerReports.com. I really do trust CR. They do a great job testing, and they’ve been around for a million years. Our crib will be IKEA’s Leksvik. Seriously great price and a quality piece of furniture. We’ll be making the trek to Canton’s IKEA in the upcoming weeks to pick one up. I’m hoping to find some toy containers at that point, too.

We decided a while back that we were going to use cloth diapers. For some people, the “ew” factor gets them with cloth, and I appreciate that. I really do. The hubby is right with you. As a result, we’ve decided to use a local diaper service. The cost is a little more than we wanted to pay, but the fact that we won’t be washing (and probably re-washing) poopie diapers in our not-very-big washing machine outweighs any dollar amount. Plus, they’re professionals, and we so are not. And, if I was going to be home more often, washing diapers two or three times each week wouldn’t be a problem, but that’s not going to be the case after my maternity leave is up. And the hubby works full time. See the dilemma? Anyway, after much research, I have picked out the diaper covers we’re going to use: Thirsties Diaper Covers. Way cute, no? I think she’ll be sporting the Melon, Ocean, Red, and Butter ones. Actually, we may take one of each. Yeah, she’s going to be spoiled.

We’re going with glass bottles, too. I was worried about slippage (I am the world’s biggest klutz), so we’re going with Evenflo’s Classic Glass Bottle with Cozy Insulator. Granted, the hubby will be the one using these the most and he rarely drops anything, but I think it’s a good idea with slippery glass to have a little extra help. Plus, they’re pretty darn cute, too.

Anyway, to keep from boring you completely with baby banter, I’ll sign off now. I’m just kinda proud that we were able to make these sorts of decisions with a little help from CR and the Internet. We’re going to be registering for the baby this weekend in anticipation of a Minnesota baby shower mid-July, so the pressure was on to get our act together. I’m going to be buckling down and getting some sewing projects done–for baby and for around the house–in the next couple of months, and I’ll try to post photos of those. It’s great that I might actually have the time to sew again. Whodathunkit?!

White Hyacinth

For those of you who have been to my house, you know it’s a big deal for me to have anything flowering growing in my yard. Our landlord had very simple landscaping put in (or he did it himself–or his mom did it, I’m not sure); it’s mostly hostas and ferns and ivy and other “green stuff.” Not exciting in the least.

So, when I wandered into my backyard earlier this spring and found this interloper growing there, I was overjoyed. It was the only one of its kind growing back there, but it was enough to give me hope that something more will grow in. It smelled amazing, it was beautiful, and I couldn’t help but take a few pictures.