Preparation for the baby: Shopping time!

Shopping is one of my favorite things to do! That's why I was really excited when my hubby and I took our first baby shopping together when I was 7 months pregnant at SM Lipa, Batangas.  It felt like buying Christmas presents for someone very special.  Before that shopping day, I already made a list of what to buy.  I got ideas from magazines (Smart Parenting) and internet sites and forums.  I'll be running thru that list and share it on this blog entry so that you may also have an idea on what to buy when expecting.  I'll include the brand and price (Can you believe I kept the receipt!), as well as pictures.

Baby clothes.  The infant's wear section of the department store was our first stop.  My husband and I didn't have the idea whether to buy the smallest size for our future newborn or just the small size (or the medium size, so that she could still use it after a few months).  We asked the sales lady for suggestions and she said that the safe bet would be the medium sized clothes because babies grow fast.   So we ended up picking medium sized 2 3-pc white tie sides with sleeves, 1 3-pc white shorts, and 1 3-pc white pants.  We didn't purchase much clothes because relatives already pledged to buy some for our baby too (they bought half dozen sleeveless white tie sides which they sewed colorful patches infront).  And we didn't buy overalls/onesies because the weather in our town was too hot, the baby might get annoyed if she would wear it (and I might get annoyed too in changing her clothes and diaper).  We also purchased plain white mittens, booties, and bonnets to keep the baby's hands, feet and head warm.  We also included bibs in our list (and we chose colorful ones!)

Cloth Diapers and Disposable Diapers.  My hubby and I preferred using disposable diapers for our baby so that we wouldn't have to wash every now and then.  We didn't have to buy disposable diapers because one of our relatives already gave packages of them as a gift (the diapers were for new born and they were cotton made).  The brand wasn't written on the pack but it's imported.  After 2 months, we switched to medium sized Huggies Diaper, and after a month, we switched to large size EQ Dry Diaper (it is what my baby use up to now).  However, we still bought a dozen of cloth diapers for emergency use (and it can be also used as bibs and bimpo).  We aslo threw 2 pairs of diaper clamps in our shopping basket.  But we never had the chance to use them.

Receiving Blanket.  This is an essential thing to buy for baby because the nurse would ask for it after the baby's delivery, along with the baby's clothes and diapers.  We bought 2 receving blankets--- 1 white and 1 pink (because we already know that time that the baby is a girl).  We also received other blankets from relatives. 

Feeding bootles.  We already have a set of feeding bottles given by a relative (Thanks, Tito Ed!-- the imported diapers also came from him).  The brand was NUK by Gerber.  But we also bought another set of feeding bottles which includes a cleaning brush.  The brand was Breastflow First Years (worth 999.75 Php).  I suggest you shouldn't buy too many bottles yet especially if you're breastfeeding.  Since I breastfed my baby, we didn't use the bottles much.  But when we started to formula fed my baby, we realized that she dind't like the nipples of the bottles.  So we bought a different kind of bottle nipples she might prefer, and thank goodness, she liked waht we bought for her--- Peristaltic Nipple by Pigeon.  Make sure also that when you buy a nipple, it should b the same size of the bottle neck (there's wide neck and normal, which has narrower neck).  As for me, since the bottle gifts were wide neck, we purchased nipples for wide neck bottles.

Breast Pump.  It's a must, especially if your breast becomes too heavy because of milk, and you're on-the-go mom.  However, I didn't get to use it very often, since I was just home with the baby.  Sometimes I just manually pump with my hands.  I bought Breastflow First Years Manual Breast Pump which costs 1199.75 Php.

Bottle Sanitizer.  We could just boil the bottles, but having an electric bottle sanitizer could be useful especially if we're going to different places.  All we have to do is to put small amount of water inside it, plug it and push the power button.  After a few minutes, sanitizing is done.  The machine would turn off automatically.  My hubby and I chose Precious Moments Sanitizer which costs 1999.75 Php.

Bath items.  For baby's bath, a relative already pledged a second-hand bath tub (which my hubby used when he was a baby!), as well as new baby towels.  We also received a bath net for baby's support while bathing. We also didn't have to buy bath soap and lotion because a relative already gave us some of them (along with the diapers, etc).  My hubby and I bought a pink baby towel with a free pink rubber elephant bath toy (we can't find a free rubber duckie!).  And, oh, we also bought a rubber mat which could be used both in bath and changing diapers.

Baby Crib.  We bought this one last.  We had to withdraw money from ATM because our cash on hand cannot afford it at all.  Then we came back to the department store to find the perfect crib for our baby.  We bought something wooden, varnished, and dark brown colored.  Its bed was made in rattan and its height could be adjusted, so that when the baby would get older, we would just lower the bed (and she wouldn't jump over the railings), with a dropside side could be lowered and raised to ease the process of putting the infant into the bed, and secure her inside the crib, and small wheels for mobility.  I hadn't found the receipt for this furniture, but I believe it's worth around 5,000-6,000 Php.

Crib accessories.  Crib accessories that we bought were a Mickey Mouse cribset (includes 1 comforter, 1 bedsheet, 1 small pillow, and 2 small long hugging pillows) (999.75 Php), pink umbrella-type mosquito net (199.75 Php), and a changing table organizer (which we hung at the end of the crib) (499.75 Php).  Later on, after a month, my hubby bought a mobile toy which he placed on the crib.  It was one of our baby's first toys.

Baby bag.  We didn't forget to buy a baby bag.  A big pink Precious Moments baby bag.  We could have just used any other bag at home to turn into a baby bag, but having a different new bag to be used only for baby's things makes me feel more mommy-ish and more excited to take care of my precious one.

Other items we bought: Rubbing alcohol. Detergent specifically for baby's clothes (Cycles, 398.00 Php). Johnson's Baby Power Skin protectant. Johnson's baby oil lite (which we later switched to Johnson's baby oil lavander to help ease baby at sleep).  A relative already provided us again with imported baby wipes so we didn't buy that during the shopping time.  But later on, we bought baby wipes at Divisoria.


Our shopping spree cost us around 16,000 Php to 17,000 Php.  We still hadn't bought rocker, stroller, and milk....and the baby hadn't come yet!  Yup, it's expensive to have a baby (wait till you see the hospital bills!).  But it's all worth to spend a penny for the baby.  Our love for our babies is priceless.  And someday when she would smile, hug, and kiss back at you, you might be so touched by her affection and all your worries and exhaustion would melt away...and you might be inspired to shop more for your baby! Haha!  Happy shopping!

The Baby Inside Me

Hi Baby! This blog entry is made for you by us, your mommy and daddy. It is a blog diary of you, which was made while you’re still in mommy’s womb, preparing for the life outside, and milestones when you're already in this world. We hope that when you grow older (and already knows how to read), you would be able to browse this blog of your baby moments, and be able to appreaciate and inspire your life more as you face the beauty and challenges of life on this world we live in.

We, your mommy and daddy, loves you so much, baby! You are our most precious milestone. We promise to take care of you! Mwaaah!

THE FIRST TRIMESTER

The first 2 months of my pregnancy had been somehow critical because of slight bleeding / spotting and UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). The doctor advised me to take weeks of bed rest, and take medicines until the spotting and infection is gone. This is to ensure your safety and health while you’re still in my womb.

I had several nausea and vomiting but not terrible like other moms-to-be. Foods I crave during those times were fruits.

During the third month, during the check up, Doc Grace (our OB-Gyne doc) let us hear your heartbeat by using a device that is placed on my tummy. It was the first time your father and I heard your heartbeat...and it was magical!

Your father and I got married on January 31, 2009. Just before the wedding, I told you to behave well at the ceremony so that I would not feel bad or faint. You were a very obedient baby!

Here you are, baby, inside your mother's womb! This was taken during your first ultrasound (you were 8 weeks and 4 days that time). Remarks of the doctor said that "within the gestationl sac is a yolk sac and an embryo with good cardiac activity" and that you are "live and singleton". Your fatal heart rate was 162 beats per minute (Wow! You already have a heart!). Your expected date of delivery would be on July 19, 2009. Ultrasound was taken on December 11, 2009 at OB-GYN Ultrasound Center at Festival Mall, Alabang.

THE SECOND TRIMESTER

During the second semester, I became to know you better as a baby inside my womb. I wonder if you would also be like those when you grow up. Hmmm…..

You were a very active baby inside my womb! During the second trimester, you began to let yourself felt by your energetic kicks. Most of the times, whenever you kick, I felt ticklish inside me. It’s like there was a fish swimming inside my tummy. I could also feel your heartbeat—- its beating coincided with mine. During the next check up, aside from your heartbeat, we also heard your kicks. Ang likot mo daw sabi ni doc. Hehe.

You were also a people-person. Why do I say so? My tummy became extra big and my navel pops out whenever I talk to someone or mingle with other people. Seemed like you also wanted to interact with them. You also wanted attention. When I was doing something else and I was not talking to you for a long time, you suddenly would give forceful punches and kicks. It was like you’re saying, “mommy, pansinin mo ako!!!! “ Haha! But then, you were also behaved and obedient. Whenever your daddy touched my tummy to feel you, your kicks fades away.

You were also a baby who speaks your mind. Whenever you feel hunger, you would become restless. And once we had eaten, your restlessness fades away. You were also a night person because you were more alive at night than at daytime.

You were also a playful baby. Our favorite game is mataya-taya. When my palm of my hand feels your kicks, I’m the “it”. Then I would find you then you would be the “it”. It was a fun game!

I had the second ultrasound around your 6th month to determine your sex. And it turned out that you’re female. A baby girl!!! Your sex was easily known because of your position inside my womb. But we couldn’t see your face because it was covered by your hands an feet (nahiya ba baby ko? Hihi!) . We even saw you yawn inside! What a cutie! But the doctor said your position is just normal. The overall evaluation of the doctor according to the ultrasound was normal, except your abdominal circumference...it was smaller than expected of your age (sexy ang baby ko!). Because of it, Doc Grace prescribed me iron supplement (I was also anemic). So, I hope, by your next ultrasound, your measurements would be okay.

In the middle of your 6th to 7th month inside my womb (and after taking the vitamins prescribed to me), you became extra healthy. You had more forceful kicks, especially at night. There was a time that I actually cried because you were so malikot, my tummy ached. I was worried about you because I didn’t know if you might be playing around the umbilical cord!

Your daddy enjoyed observing my tummy because he could feel and see you as you swim around in my tummy.

I continued to read you Bible Stories and listen to classical and other music. You took pleasure in those things.

I always wondered how you'd look like when you come out of that shell. Would you look more like me or your daddy? Hmm...whoever. We love you whoever you look like. We would love you more each day for who you are.

THE FINAL TRIMESTER

And the final 3 months came. I was so excited for your birth day, but nervous at the same time because it would be the first time to give birth. My brother Adrian (your uncle) stayed with us in the house for the final month to accompany me to the hospital in case of emergency (well, in case you planned to get out of there in no time at all!).

During that time, we changed doctor because the new doctor is at the hospital which is near our home (we already live here at Batangas that time, We wouldn't have to travel from here to Alabang frequently).

We took another ultrasound (the final one), just to make sure you were okay there. I told the doctor who took the ultrasound that I was worried that you might entangle yourself with the cord because you're so playful inside. But he told me that the symptom the baby might be in danger if I wold feel much sudden pain in my tummy. I was glad I didn't experience that pain in my pregnancy.

Guess what...I brought Smart Parenting magazines and baby books just to have a background on baby rearing (and to make myself entertained. Gosh, I was so bored stuck in our house!)

During this time that your daddy and I started to buy baby things for you--- wooden classy crib, receiving blankets, tie-side shirts, shorts, pants, mittens, booties, bibs, cloth diapers, disposable diapers, rubber mat, etc...etc... (hmmm...i'll make a separate article for the complete list). Some good persons also gave us baby gifts and we were so thankful. Aside from the things, we also thought of a perfect name for you. Your daddy would like to name you Arianna because it was a simple and beautiful name. He didn't want complicated and cheesy names. Your second name was up to me...and I chose Danielle. Danielle was Drew Barrymore's character in the movie, Ever After, A Cinderella Story. She was a strong and smart woman, unlike the typical Cinderella kind we all know. So your name was decided--- you would be Arianna Danielle (Rian, for short).

The weather's too hot in my whole pregnancy period (or was it just because having you in me made my body temperature hotter). So I always made your daddy buy me something cold...like ice drop! Ice drops were my happiness during the second and third trimester...I craved for it! (Siguro sa ice drop kita pinaglihi, baby! ).

JULY 19, 2009

1st week of July-- all baby things were checked & the baby bag was also ready in case I was suddenly brought to the hospital.

July 18, nightime-- it was actually our sleeping time when suddenly I felt fluid flowed out from me like a faucet. I calmly told your daddy to take me to the hospital. So he drove me to St. Frances Cabrini hospital (which was just a minute away from the house) while my brother was left in the house.

July 19, 10:00am-- after hours of labor, I ended up giving birth thru CS. And when I finally saw you (when the nurse presented you to me when I became conscious from the surgery), the first thing that I thought was: you looked like your daddy. The second thing was: you already have hair!. The thrid thing was: Wow, God was so great, he gave me a cute and healthy baby--- you!

Welcome to the world, Baby Arianna Danielle!!!! We wish you overflowing happiness, blessings, and love!