Category Archives: child

10 Must-Do’s Before Having Kids

I love my kids. I really do, and would not trade them in for anything in the world. However, there are several things I am grateful for having done prior to having children, as well as some things I wish I had done, and still hope to do one day.
1. I am glad I got to have my “party phase.” Now I have no regrets about how limited my husband and I are in going out, or how scarcely we get to see our friends.
2. I went to school. I am still working on my Masters, and I realize how hard it is with small children. I cannot imagine what having to get a Bachelor’s would have been like under these circumstances. Kudos to all those women who do it.
3. Getting a nice car. I got to appreciate my nice car prior to kids, as now it is full of baby gear, spilled apple juice (the sticky never gets out, even with a leather interior), and baby snacks. With my brood ever growing, I no longer want the nice car, but am longing for something more family oriented.
4. Working out. Being in pretty good shape prior to getting pregnant helped me keep my figure through the first and second kid.
5. I wish I would have travelled abroad more. I travelled a lot with my parents when I was younger, but haven’t been since finishing high school. I think I would appreciate it more now, but I will just have to wait until the kids are a bit older.
6. I wish I had taken some dance classes. I would love to show my daughter how to dance. Perhaps this is for the best. Maybe we can take classes together one day.
7. I bought all the purses and shoes I will ever need! (At least that is what I tell myself). Now all my extra money goes towards my children, and I can no longer justify frivolous shopping sprees.
8. I wish I had taken a cruise. I have never been on a cruise, but have always wanted to experience it, regardless of where the cruise would be taking me.
9. I had an all girls’ trip. For my best friend’s wedding, the other bridesmaids and I had a mini road trip. We spent a week with the bride before the big day. It was excruciatingly tiring, but an absolute blast!
10. I wish I had slept more. I think this is pretty self explanatory.

Should I Have A Baby Shower For My Second Child?

Baby showers are a lot of fun! For your first baby. When you are having a baby shower for your second baby, regardless of having a different gender, things begin to get dicey. Who do you invite? Do you still have a registry? At first I was hesitant to even have a shower, but several family members coaxed me into the idea, assuring me it is perfectly fine. In planning my second baby shower I have been struggling with some of these hurdles and found ways to manage negative connotations that may be associated with the event.

Should I Register?

I want to celebrate the birth of our son, but I do not want anyone to feel that I am gift grabbing. I am not looking to have a baby shower just to receive clothes and toys for the baby. I genuinely want an excuse to celebrate with all our friends and relatives since I am just as excited about this baby as I was about our first. But I know a lot of people who really do want to get us stuff, so I feel as if I should have a registry more as a guide. I did not put down where we are registered on the invitation, and only mention we have a registry when asked. This way, if someone is not looking to get us anything, they should not feel obliged to do so.

What should I register for?

Again, stressing I am not trying to have a shower just to get gifts, I thought it would be best to register for small items that would not set anyone back, but would make everyone feel comfortable giving. This way, those who feel they cannot show up without a gift have something, and the rest of our guest list doesn’t have to worry about it. I comprised my entire registry of onesies, pacifiers, and booties. Nothing is over the $5-$10 range.

Who Should I Invite?

This too becomes a concern. We were so excited when I was pregnant with my daughter we invited everyone we knew to our baby shower. It was a massive event which took almost as long as a wedding to plan and coordinate. Even though my excitement has not weaned, others’ has. This time around, we limited the invite list considerably. We kept it to family, and a few close friends. Now I am beginning to wonder if we limited it too much. I fear some of our friends may feel slighted that they were not also invited. What if they hear about the baby shower from mutual friends and feel as though we do not perceive them as important? Will they wonder why we didn’t want them there celebrating with us? Hopefully not.

What do you think about second baby showers?

25 Things I Love About Being Pregnant

1. Super comfortable maternity clothes.
2. Having seconds or thirds for dinner, without getting any strange looks.
3. My luscious hair.
4. Nails that grow on their own and don’t break every few days.
5. A reason to nap throughout the day.
6. The way my face glows even without make up.
7. Feeling my baby move inside of me.
8. Looking cute while waddling around.
9. Shopping for tiny clothes and shoes.
10. All the other cute baby things.
11. Decorating the nursery.
12. Stork parking.
13. Soft Skin.
14. The ridiculous amount of energy I get during the third trimester.
15. Complete strangers being super nice to you.
16. Sex with my husband is even better.
17. Food rubs.
18. Poking my stomach so the baby can reply.
19. My cup size increases.
20. Clothes shopping is so much easier.
21. I get to focus on all the accessories.
22. Baby showers.
23. Reading baby books.
24. Ultrasounds.
25. Knitting baby blankets.