Life as a mother is (obviously) keeping me extremely busy. I wouldn't have it any other way! I am by no means an expert, but I learn more and more each day. Violet is 18 months tomorrow! Yes, one and a half! And right before her second birthday, she will become a big sister. Overwhelming? Yes. Exciting. Heck yes!
Looking back at the things I have bought, used, did - whatever, I wish I knew what I would and would not really need. Some things I did, said or had with Violet as a newborn, an infant, a baby, I could have done with/without. But you live and you learn. No harm done, thankfully. Most of this is stuff that I would never know or realize before becoming a mother, no matter what anyone told me. (We all know about the whole JUST YOU WAIT advice and unsolicited comments. Exhausting!) Going through all of Violet's baby items is getting me misty-eyed,but I cannot help but look back and think to myself what I could and could not have gone with or without.
Believe it or not, I could have done without the full sized Pack N Play, the Fisher Price newborn rocker AND the swing. These things set us up for disaster when it came to sleeping in her crib. She was used to being hugged and cradled by these awesome baby inventions. (The newborn napper atop the PnP was where she slept for her first 4-5 months.) Therefore, she detested sleeping on her flat crib mattress.
Sleep sacks - not for us. Babywearing - definitely beneficial when trying to do ANY and EVERYthing! I highly recommend it. Travel system stroller - wish I didn't blow my money on that clunker/waste of space. For us, the lightweight jogging stroller has been the easiest and most convenient thing for when she IS in a stroller. It's awesome! This time around, I will be wearing the baby, while Violet walks with us OR she rides in the stroller. The baby will have a car seat compatible with said stroller with an adaptor for it and the car. We will get the double if and when we think we need it. I am done with baby impulse buying.
I will be breastfeeding again, as long as it goes as well as it did with Violet. The money we saved on NOT buying formula was awesome. Not to mention the wonderful health benefits for the baby, the bonding - just everything. I loved it while it lasted and was glad when she self weaned. I will be making my own baby food this time around again. I think it saved a lot of time and money for us. We both enjoyed being responsible for making her food. Yes, it was actually fun for us!
We are still cloth diapering Violet and will continue to do so until she is potty trained. We will be cloth diapering baby girl #2 as well. Again, a huge money (and Earth!) saver! Plus, they are terribly adorable. Right now we have way too many diapers and are looking to destash, but we will still have more than enough to put on both bum-bums, if you will. We use disposable while out most times bc it is just more convenient, but at home (and for some outings) cloth it is!
So glad we never went with: a bottle warmer (barely used bottles and I think it's just a waste when we would just put warm water in a huge Pyrex measuring cup and set the bottle in there to warm it anyway) a wipes warmer, a Diaper Genie (blech) and I am sure I am missing countless other items. Obviously I am not *really* 'missing' them! ;) These things, for me, are just space wasters and unnecessary.
I am glad that we keep UTD on recalls, buy organic, and keep ourselves informed. I feel better and safer knowing the things I know, even if a lot of it is (or seems) scary. I am glad that we did not go into this blindly and were as prepared as we could be. (Let's face it, no one is ever 100% prepared for parenthood!)
DISCLAIMER: I am not saying any of this to be negative toward any moms who do not use these things or do these things. Everyone does what works for them. I am simply reflecting and future planning. :)I am just so happy to have a sweet, happy, playful, healthy girl and another girl on the way. I can't wait to do it all over again and watch Violet and ?? become close friends.
And now what you've really been waiting for, right?
... Violet pics!
After her 18 month appt. (26 lbs and 35' tall!) She got a sunshine balloon!
They see me rollin'...
My beautiful, smart girl!
Junior Trader Joe's shopper!
Snuggling!
Playing with her BFF, Isla
Happy little lady!
