Cutest Sister Ever

So it is getting closer to my due date.  I still have awhile but the third trimester is here and with school and work I haven't had much time to prepare for my little man.  I had a small panic moment when walking through Babies R Us with all the stuff in there to get.  What do I need?  What is a necessity? What is a want?  Since my mom is not around my sister has stepped in and filled that roll along with being my sister and friend.  I told her I was worried about what to get so she sent me this "little' email to help me.

So here is a list of things that you might want to consider for your baby.  I will be bias to my list and like any other occupation I have the tools that I like to use to get the job done.  But on this list are things that I have used and think they are a great thing to have.  You can wait on a few items that and/or register for them and see what you get.  You never know so put big ticket items are there and see what happens.

Car Seats
*care seat class through Utah County Health Department in downtown Provo. 
*I like Graco.  It's affordable and they are great, but do your research and see what you like
*Love, love, love the car seat canopy!!!

Breast Feeding/Feeding
*love the breast pump
* I love the Born Free bottles, but Advent is good too and less expensive, I recommend at least 3 bottles
*I love the Gerber baby spoons, bowels and sippies
* I love the Soothe pacifiers and they are used in most hospitals.  You will get a couple of passies at the hospital and I have some if you want to borrow them
*Nursing covers are awesome

Traveling
*A good stroller is a must and try to get one that will just lock with the baby carrier
*I love the baby Bjorn to tote the baby around it for walks or just doing stuff around the house
*Slings are good too and you can ust it as a nursing cover too

Diaper Bag
I love the bag I got from Tai Pan Trading around $50
*Hard Plastic travel wipes case -travel section at Target;)
*I love A&D diaper rash cream
*baby powder
*I really like my little diaper clutch I got from Etsy.  The link is an example of one and there are different prices for them, but I still use mine;)

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/92576008/blue-and-tan-diaper-clutch-and-changing?ref=sr_gallery_16&sref=&ga_search_query=diaper+clutch+changing+pad&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

*I also really like the burp clothes made from cloth diapers also from Etsy.  I bet Grandma Cari could make some too.  I would recommend 6-9 burbs

http://www.etsy.com/listing/92500956/new-3-pack-burp-clothes-for-baby-girlor?ref=sr_gallery_18&sref=&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=burp+clothes&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade

*I really Pampers for Newborn size and then you can try some others.  The Target brand is good to for the larger size diapers
*I really like the big box of wipes from Costco.  It is about $20 the box but it will last a couple of months at a time.
*Other things to consider putting in a dipaer bag: small first aid kit, kleenex, nursing pads, maxi/tampons, baby lotion, diaper rash cream, baby powder, gas relief drops (look below), baby blanket for the car seat, baby hats, and extra set of clothes, also large gallon Ziploc bags for accidents!!!

Medical/ Hygiene
*Buy 2 baby Tylenol one for home and one for the diaper bag
*Buy 2 Gas Relief drops for infants the brand name is Mylicon

*Buy a good infant grooming kit at either Babies R Us or Target, one with nail clippers and a hair brush
*A bath tub that can fit in the kitchen sink.  Most do and have a hole stopper which is great to let the bath water out.  Babies poop and pee in the bath tub even newborns and it's nice to let the bad water drain out in a hurry
*Since you have sensitive skin I would go with more of an Avveno product instead of Johnson and Johnson products since they then to have alcohol in them and can dry baby's skin.
*I would recommend a hooded bath towel.  I really like the ones from Pottery Barn Kids about $20
*I would recommend a package of baby wash clothes
*Avveno baby lotion
*I would also recommend washable changing pads for the changing table portion of the pack and play.  Hand towels also work but he will probably stain them, so don't use your best ones for the bathroom.
I would also recommend Dreft baby laundry detergent.  It is great to wash his first clothes in before he wears them.  This detergent is gentle for newborn skin.  Register for it because it is expensive

Clothes
Clothes are tricky because the sizing depends on the Brand and also the size of your baby.  Your baby will not always fit the size that is shown.  Look more at the weight/height for each item.  Boys tend to grow faster then girls and so your little 2 month old might fit a 3-6 month size.  Do the best you can there might be one to two outfits he might not ever wear because he grew too fast and the season changed. 

*I love onsies!  I like the child of mine brand from Walmart.  Gerber is also a good brand  Find a brand you  like and stick with it.  I would recommend 12 onsies in the newborn size I know it sounds like a lot but they will go through them faster then you think because babies have blow outs or they throw up all over themselves.  You will be doing a lot of laundry

*I love footie jammies.  Costco has great ones for about $7 a piece.  Target has great ones and even Walmart.
*Newborn socks to use for feet and hands
*Get some shirts that can go around his little hands in the newborn or 3 month sizes so he doesn't scrach himself (wait until after the shower and see if you want to get anymore)
*Soft pants to wear with onsies
*look around now for 12/18 month clothes.  He will grow fast and shopping the sales now for next year you will really appreciate like a good coat for winter, jeans, even snow shoes.  Seasonal items are expensive
*Baby sales come around every September and all the stores that carry a children's line will have them.   They usually also have baby sales in March too.
*I love love love Kid to Kid especially the one here in AF.
*Shoes for infants are mainly for cuteness.  He won't be walking, but he will look stylin'

Toys/Books
* I love love love books!!!  Babies love books!  Expects say to read to your baby in womb and it will help them develop their cognitive skills.
*Buy just a few baby toys.  He won't be able to hold a toy and look at it until he is about 4 months old.  I bet you will get some at the shower and also from Grandpa and Grandma, aunts and uncles, etc so I won't worry about it until later, but if there is a toy that you really like get it.
Register for a bouncy seat, they are awesome.  You can still borrow mine if you want.
*Soft music for baby to sleep by

Just for Mom
*buy new pajamas
*buy a robe for visitors after the baby
*nice comfy shoes
*bath soap to soak in the tub after baby's born
*Ibuprofen and Tylenol for recovery ( you will be given a strong Ibuprofen when you are discharged)
*stool softener for after baby
*extra money to order pizza/ take out for those hard days

***I really love the Baby Whisperer Book.  I have a copy if you would like to borrow it.  That is where I got all my routine ideas from and it is a really good parenting book****

I hope that helps.  I am sure I might have forgotten somethings, but I think that gives you a good start.  Let me know if you have any other questions and yes babies add up, but they are worth it;)

Love,

Mer

I have HANDS DOWN the most wonderful sister in the world!  If you mommies out there have more to add please let me know!

Tim Tebow

My Husband looks like a skinnier less buff version of Tim Tebow..... Just thought I would share that with you

Tradition

Growing up we never went on vacation.  Or at least a traditional vacation.  We never went to Disneyland or to the beach or on a cruise.  What we did was camping.  My parents were both outdoor lovers and lived for fishing and lighting fires.  My mom was never more excited the when  my brothers and I were old enough to go through our "piro" stage.  To say my dad loved to fish would be an understatement.  There was no place more fun and calming to him then on a boat in the middle of a lake.  This is a love he has passed down to my brothers and me.  So of the best memories I have growing up involve a tent and a boat.  I remember putting on a swim suite at the begging of summer and not taking it off until I had to go back to school.  There is nothing in the world that can match sitting on a boat in the middle of a lake eating watermelon and trying to be quiet so you don't scare the fish. 
     I have the fondest memories of my dad in his Levi jeans, he never got in the water he wanted to be able to watch us kids from the boat just in case something happened, button up shirt and American flag suspenders with a big insulated mug full to the brim with ice and a diet Pepsi and his Vietnam hat.  He honestly was the kindest man, and I am not just saying that because he was my father.  He was humble and giving and always ALWAYS put others before himself.  He never understood the concept of putting the oxygen mask on yourself and then assisting the person next to you.  I have never met one person who disliked my dad.  How could you dislike a man you always answered with Yes Mama and Yes Sir no matter who he was talking to?
     Yesterday was my dads birthday and I got this email from my little brother on his mission, "Hey Sarah, do me a favor, if you can wet a hook and drink a diet Pepsi for me for dad. And if you can say hi to him for me. I love you and try to have a good day tomorrow. I miss him."  I miss him too Quincy and consider your request done.  It may take me a bit to get out fishing but I promise to make it happen.

 A Special Happy Birthday to my Dad, John W. Adams Jr.

Workin Hard for the Money

I love my job.  I have been working a ton lately which is good for me but bad for my school work.  My boss just sent me to San Francisco for three days for a training.  I will now be team teaching Dollar Camp to all of the new students at Paul Mitchell the School Provo.  It is a three day financial course that will help students be better with money and to understand personal finance concepts that they may not have learned at home.  I am super excited to be able to teach it!  San Francisco was AMAZING!  I forget how much I miss California sometimes and it is crazy to me that I moved away almost seven years ago.  The company that was training put me and a co-worker up in a hotel in Union Square for two nights and took us out to dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant for dinner.  I got home late Saturday did homework and laundry all day today and am off to Vegas for three days for work tomorrow. 

On a side note... I made the mistake of not going grocery shopping before I left leaving me with NO food in my entire house today!  On Sundays I try not to go shopping our out to eat so I just pulled out a chicken we had frozen and tried my luck with an experiment that turned out really well!  I think it is an experiment I will try again.

Mama Said There Will Be Days Like This

   It has been too long and too much has happened to play catch up in detail.  So here is the super short version.  I moved while Ethan was gone.  He came home from his internship and we both went back to school full time in the fall.  I had 17 credits and full time work and Ethan had 16 and worked whatever hours he could get.  After almost 3 years of heartache and fertility problems WE ARE GOING TO BE PARENTS!  I found out we were expecting in September and could not be more happy.  My mama warned me there would be bad days but she promised there would be one day that more then made up for any number of bad days.  Seeing those two lines was that day!
     In October we sent my little brother Quincy off on an LDS mission (something that was another three years in the making!).  In December we told our family about our bundle of joy and found out January 7th that he was a BOY.  It was hard working full time going to school full time and taking calculus and statistics at the same time as morning sickness and being tired but I loved every minute of it.  I decided a long time ago that the last thing I was gonna do it want and pray for something for so long and then turn around and complain about it. In January I accidentally totaled our Nissa on the freeway and we laid her to rest a week later.  It was sad but no one got hurt so no real complaints.
     On January 29th I turned 25! Which still weirds me out.  I woke up to breakfast in bed, a clean kitchen, and a counter of flowers balloons and presents. (notice the hostess cupcakes?  I am obsessed with them.  Ethan loves me enough to buy them for me and then hide and ration them out so I do not eat my body weight in them.  He stays strong despite my temper tantrums)

      Ethan and I are now in our last full semester of school and will walk April 27th.  I has been a long road to get our degrees but worth it, or at least everyone keeps telling me it will be.  Our little boy is due June 5th and time seems to be flying by.  I was sad that my parents will not be here to be grand parents to my son but was overwhelmed about the love and excitement that everyone has shown me about this baby.  I feel like there are people who are more excited then we are!  For now it is just school and work and school and work but we are happy and content. 

 17 weeks Christmas day

 We had the ultra sound tech put the result in an envelope and took it to a cup cake shop.  If it was a girl the attendant had to put pink cupcakes in the box and blue for a boy.

We waited until we got home and called Ethan's parents on Facetime so they could be apart of it.  Ethan was ecstatic that it was a boy... he walked around the house singing "Oh Boy Oh Boy its a Boy its a Boy"  and has made plans for him and the little man for the next 7 years.

Trying Hard

So since I was told I was insulin resistant I have to report I have been doing really well. I have given up all sugar, except natural sugars in fruit, I never eat carbs and I work out regularly. I miss soda and caffeine but I guess in the end it is a small price to pay. Since I started this routine in the middle of January I have lost 14lbs. Lets hope I can stay strong.

Stand By Me

Ethan and my song is Stand by me. Through everything Ethan has always been there and if the sky really does start to fall I know he will be there holding my hand.
He recently went to London with his Dad for vacation and loved it! While he was out in VA he had an interview with an Advertising Firm in Washington DC for an internship..... and..... HE GOT IT! and it is paid SURPRISE! I am so proud of him. It will be hard to spend the summer apart but it will open doors for him and us. I have to go to summer school and work but you know what they say absent makes the heart grow fonder :). I just remind myself that he is not in the military and is not going any where dangerous and I am grateful. And because of that fact I promise not to complain once while he is gone. 3 months in an office is nothing compared to what women like my sister go through with their military husbands. YEAH for good fortune and the Lord smiling on us!

Things I am grateful for:
Pandora oldies radio
Internships
Time off of work
Rain
Clean laundry