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Ok, so I am the first person to admit that I have never been a great decision maker. Not in the sense that I don't have the ability to make good decisions. More in the sense that I over analyze every little detail of every decision until it becomes much more complicated than it ever needed to be, then becoming a ridiculous and completely unnecessary source of stress in my life. Why do I do this to myself? No one really knows. The sad thing is that I think it has gotten worse since I have been pregnant. I keep stressing myself out about these stupid little details that don't matter at all. I'm pretty sure poor Preston thinks I have gone off the deep end. I watch him try really hard not to smile too big or break out in laughter when I relate these "issues" to him. I'm lucky to be with such a nice boy who will not only put up with my quirks, but makes the effort to not make me feel bad about them. :) I'll be honest though, sometimes my worries are so ridiculous he can't help but look at me with the "ok, you've officially lost it" look on his face. Can you blame him?

So I'm slowly becoming more aware of the fact that I am having this baby in like 10 weeks and I have done nothing to prepare. Well, that's not entirely true. I finally ordered a crib and Preston bought me this cute bedding I really wanted for our Anniversary last weekend. But that's it. No shopping done. No names picked out. Finally decided on a date for the baby shower but haven't registered yet, nor decided where I even want to register. Babies R Us is so expensive and overpriced but it has such a better selection. Decisions, decisions. It's a miracle that I'm even letting someone throw me a baby shower. If you know me at all you know that bridal and baby showers are the bane of my existence. If I have shown up to a shower for you (or missed it with a legitimate excuse), know that you are very loved and should feel incredibly special.

Anyways...one of the reasons that I have put off shopping is that, well, I'm a tightwad. Losing my job has made it even worse. The thought of spending money, especially as much money as baby stuff costs, makes me cringe. I do need to suck it up and start getting ready though, so I thought I would ask for some help from all you experienced mothers out there.

First thing I want to know is...what things do you really actually use and love and are glad you have vs. things that just end up sitting in a closet somewhere? I don't want to buy more stuff than is necessary. For example, a lot of people say don't bother with a changing table because you end up just changing them on the floor or bed or wherever you are anyway. Makes sense. Some people say don't bother with a little bathtub thing. I want to hear what you all have to say about what you can't live without, and what has been a waste for you.

Second, as I begin my shopping/registering, I want to get some advice on which products you like best. Obviously we want to keep things inexpensive but we are also not willing to sacrifice on safety, durability or sturdiness. If there are certain brands that are cheap and flimsy that we should avoid, feel free to tell me!

I want to start stocking up on diapers. Most women I talk to prefer Huggies hands down, a couple have said Pampers, and one or two have said the Target brand. Which have worked best for you?

Strollers. I think I am leaning towards a jogging stroller. Any thoughts on regular vs jogging or which brand seems to be the best value? Is it worth it to get a whole travel system, or just get a stroller that is compatible with a carseat if you want to use it like that?

Carseats. Safety is obviously my first priority and I've researched this one a lot. Other than safety I've wondered which handle type is most convenient. The regular bowed handle, the bowed handle with a vertical bar down the middle, or the new triangle shaped handle?

Rocking Chair/Glider. How much does it really get used?

Pack N' Play/Playard things-Worth it to have around? We travel a lot because all of our family live out of state. Seems like it would be nice but....just one more thing to buy. Is it gross to buy one of these used?

Breast pump. I've heard the dual electronic ones are best. There are just so many options out there and some are so expensive! Any recommendations on ones you've loved/hated?

Bottles. Does it really make a difference what kind you get? Do the curved neck ones really reduce gas and stuff like they claim? I've heard people talk about the different nipples being better on some than others. Any preferences?

Diaper Genie/Diaper Champ type things. Yes, no? I hate walking into a house that perpetually smells like diapers. I know myself well enough to know that I'm not going to take each dirty diaper out to the outside trash all the time. Do these really hide the smell? What other solutions do people use?

We have been given a swing but I've also heard that some babies love those little vibrating chair things. (I have no idea what they are called). Is one of those worth getting?

On-Body Carrier things. Baby Bjorns, backpack thingies, Moby Wraps...what do you find works best or is safest for the baby?

P.S. after years of hearing the word "bumbo chair" I finally got up the guts to tell my friends I had no idea what they were talking about and asked what it was. Hahaha, I feel so much better not having to pretend anymore!

I have also suddenly spawned a million questions like, "how the heck do you get poo stains out of clothes and sheets?" I can barely get food stains out of my own clothes (which happens at pretty much every meal now, by the way). Also, I am currently reading Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child because it has been highly recommended by a lot of people. Any other book suggestions that have been helpful to you?

I can't think of any other specific questions right now but feel free to offer any advice you have! As you can see, I know nothing. Now, logically I realize that all kids are different and what works for one may not work for another. I also realize that all the things I don't know now are things that I will learn as I go, and that if I'm lucky, might even kick in instinctively when I become a mother. However, all logic aside, I am a semi-panicked pregnant woman so please humor me. :)

Thanks all! If you don't want to post your comments on here you can email me your thoughts at crowley.amber@gmail.com.

Ah, to be domestic....

I wonder what that would be like. I have to confess, there is a small, secret part of me that wishes I could be one of those amazing women who knows how to do all things crafty and then accomplish it like it required no effort whatsoever. Don't act modest, you all know who you are. I guess the good news is that even though it may be small, at least I'm starting to have a desire right? I mean, if you've known me at all throughout my life, you know that's progress. I guess it also helps that I have nothing to do all day, not to mention the fact that I'm finally starting to get the nesting bug. Preston suggested I make a quilt for our baby. Ha. Cute boy. Does he not know me at all? So precious. :) The last time I made a quilt was my senior year of high school and they had to tear it apart and start over because I messed it up so bad.

Anyways, the point of this rambling is that in my last post I proclaimed that I was going to use this time off work, pre-baby, to at least attempt learning to like things like baking and being crafty. I am pleased to report that while I didn't do much, I did make the effort.

Yep, living proof that I actually baked something. It is such a rare occasion around here, Preston felt he had to document it. :)
The finished product. Sadly, this is probably the easiest cake in the world to make but hey, I made it right!? And Preston loved it so that's all that matters!

Next was a project I've been wanting to do almost since we got married. When we went to Europe last year we specifically took pictures of all the letters found in HENNRICH from hotels, street signs, etc. I found an old shelf in the garage, cut it down, sanded and painted it, drilled holes and added knobs. (Let's face it, if you want to motivate me to do a "craft" include things like drills and saws). Too bad it took me a year to get around to finally putting it all together but here is the finished product!

P.S. It's about time I put some wedding pictures up too. Sheesh, I suck. And the middle picture is an oil painting of the Prague skyline that we bought there and I love it! I am so happy to finally have it up.

This is a random side note and totally unrelated to anything but we have been taking Tank to obedience classes and last week we had him weighed. 108 lbs. Yep, that's right...we have a dog that weighs 108 lbs! We knew he was a big dog but my goodness! He is such a gentle giant though. He seriously is the sweetest, friendliest, people loving dog (almost too much sometimes) and he loves to cuddle. I joke not when I say he still tries to sit on my lap. He is so pretty and we always get so many compliments on him.
In other recent news, Aspen, Preston's sister who has been living with us, just graduated from college. The whole family came into town and we threw her a graduation party. Here are some family pictures from the weekend.

Here are most of the siblings with the graduate.

Us with all of Preston's siblings, our brother-in-law Eddie and our nephew Aceson.

All of Preston's family, well, mostly his mom's side, at the graduation party.

Well, that's the extent of the excitement around here these days. My pregnancy is going well so far. I have actually been fairly comfortable and feeling really well the last little while. Preston still has to help me tie my shoes sometimes and I feel like a beached whale when I try to roll over in bed at night but other than that I'm good! My first glucose test came back borderline so they made me come back in for a 3 hour test to see if I had gestational diabetes. I am pleased to report that the test came back negative, thank goodness. One less thing to worry about. I did however have a panic attack the other day when I realized that I'm having a baby. I mean, I've known all along that I'm having one, obviously, but the reality of it suddenly hit me. Not to mention I'm in my third trimester now and time is flying by. I have less than three months to prepare myself to be a parent and to have my life change FOREVER. Yeah, panic. I am so incredibly excited and yet so incredibly nervous at the same time! Anyways, here are a couple of recent belly pics. Actually they were from almost a month ago so I'm quite a big bigger now but we don't have any updated pics. Sorry!