Week 32 – The baby weighs nearly 4lbs and is about 16.7 inches long. It’s getting harder to find a single fruit to match the baby’s size, so I pose with a 4lbs carton of strawberries. The baby currently measures about a week bigger than his expected size. As the doctor put it “Jane, there is nothing little about this baby!” Not sure how I feel about that. My calves are beefing up while carrying the extra weight around. Even when running marathons, my calves weren’t nearly as sore as they get nowadays. Having muscular legs to begin with, the last thing I want is for my legs to get bigger. On the other hand, I am hoping the extra muscle will help with getting my running regime back on track post-baby.

This week I say goodbye to my favorite shirt, now too tight to wear. When I purchased it at the beginning of the second trimester, it was so loose around my belly I was certain I’d be wearing it to the end of my pregnancy. Ha!

So I replaced it with a stretchy red tank. I have a very limited wardrobe these days. Maternity clothes shopping is depressing. It’s way more fun to buy baby outfits. In case you are wondering, most of my maternity clothing is from the Gap and Old Navy, with a few items from Motherhood and Pea in the Pod.

I made another change  to my appearance by coloring my hair chestnut brown (closer to my natural color).

According to Mayo Clinic’s Pregnancy Guide, coloring your hair during pregnancy is completely safe. There has been no evidence that it is harmful to the fetus despite many old-wives tales. However, if you are paranoid extra cautious then it’s recommended to wait until the second trimester after baby’s major organ development is complete. I am extra paranoid, so I waited until the third trimester and I chose a naturally formulated hair color, NaturTint with no ammonia and no parabens. Having never used natural coloring before (besides the henna that I begged for my grandma to use on me when I was 7 after watching the Little Mermaid), I was pleasantly surprised about how well it worked. The real test is how it lasts.

My inspiration for the color choice – our new front door that we replaced this week. The original light brown door was crooked, requiring the enterer to lift it every time by the door handle before pushing open. The lock was rusted and sometimes wouldn’t unlock. Not to mention, all the ugly mismatched hardware and fully-transparent glass panels. Our new door is a beauty, made of frosted glass and wood composite which makes it stronger, better insulated and Domino approved.

[Jane Asks]: Do you dye your hair? Why or why not?

Week 31 – The baby measures over 16 inches long, supposedly weighing around 3.3lbs, (about the weight of 6 medium-size apples.) My gut suggests that our baby is probably already 4lbs… no, literally, my guts are saying “this kid’s big!” )

With my ball of a belly in the way, the seatbelt in my car keeps choking me. I have to constantly adjust it to avoid strangulation marks on my neck.

My feet swell up for the first time this week, mostly because of the heat and humidity. If you’ve never had swollen feet, it’s not painful– it just feels weird. They got tingly and rubbery, spilling over the sides of my flip flops. My toes began to resemble a package of hotdogs as the spaces between them vanished. The best remedy is to lift your legs against the wall for a few minutes to let the blood re-circulate. Hydration and exercise also help.

I’ve been taking more photos to capture the ridiculousness growth of my belly. Dark colored tops are my friends these days to help the bump look good…

along with maxi dresses.

Eric, feeling left out of the belly photo-shoot, poses with his sympathy bump in his pre-pregnancy clothing.

As many little girls do, I enjoyed my fair share of doll playing, mostly with a baby doll that I’d swaddle, wheel around in a toy stroller, dress up in pretty outfits and feed whatever I did not like from my plate. Naturally, the motherly instincts I had back at 5 are now returning to me as I prepare for my little one. First time mom experience thus far – baby clothing is just way too cute not to overbuy and it’s ridiculously expensive if purchased at regular price. I don’t believe in paying more than $10 for a tiny piece of fabric that will be used for 3 months at the most. So I stock up on clearance merchandise from Baby Gap and Old Navy.  After seeing my purchases, my so-funny husband remarks that, at this rate, the kid will have his graduation suit hanging in the closet before he comes home from the hospital.

I am glad to see the color scheme for boy clothes expanding beyond blue. For 0-3 months, it’ll be really hot, so short-sleeve onesies, hats and socks are all we need.

3-6 months will be fall and the mornings get chilly starting in October. Layers are key to keeping comfortable. We’ve got long-sleeve onesies, pants and sweaters for going out, and for lounging at home, sleep- and play- one pieces.

6-12 months will be winter-spring, so more of the same – tops, pants and sweaters, but taking it up a notch with a corduroy jacket and suede booties.

The little man should be all set for his first year. In the meantime, mama will keep browsing those clearance racks to keep her boy well-dressed and her wallet happy.

[Jane asks]: What was your favorite outfit as a kid?

Week 30 – 10 weeks to go. Let the countdown begin! The baby is about 15.7 inches long, weighing almost 3 lbs, my cabbage patch kid.

This week  I took my last pre-delivery cycling class. I was never big into spinning.  I find it to be a great cardio workout but a very leg-targeted exercise, which makes my quads big. I am yet to experience a cyclist’s high (if such a thing even exists) and lately it’s been getting harder to sit comfortably on the bike. I either have to scoot really close to the handlebars which bothers my knees, or sit normally and strain my back and hips.

I am sticking to zumba for cardio hoping that it will help turn my son into a great dancer (since he can hear the music and feel the movement). At 30 weeks, Yoga is my bliss. I can still rock some poses like the standing bow. (The baby actually helps with the balance )

When you carry a 25-pound ball for your belly, people are bound to notice. In some instances you can expect a royal treatment. Waiters in restaurants are more accommodating with ingredient substitutions. Grocery clerks are more patient while you check out, and pretty much everyone will smile and hold doors for you (but this is mostly a Texas manners thing). Expect a lot of small talk about your due date, baby’s gender, name choice, etc., but be prepared for other responses that you were not expecting.

Based on my experience, the reactions fall into the following groups:

Odd Glancers

These are mostly men and women who have not had much exposure to child bearing. They are a harmless group and tend to look away as soon as you make eye contact. Once in awhile you’ll come across someone who will stare like you are an alien creature. Feel free to stare back and make funny faces, which totally freaks them out even more.

Parent Supporters

These are recent moms and dads who love parenting and are full of excitement and advice for your new bundle of joy. Even if you don’t agree with everything they say, this group is genuinely helpful and supportive. They will open doors for you and start up a conversation as soon as you are near. They will let you ahead in the bathroom line and openly tell you their most embarrassing moments so you instantly feel better about your condition. Don’t ignore these parent supporters, make friends instead. They are full of valuable and relevant information (unlike the old timers which I cover later in the list) and you can pick up great tips from them.

Been-there-done-that Nodders

These are a subgroup of parent supporters who are a bit shyer or busy with their own child so the best they can do at the moment is nod and smile at you as a welcome to the club.

Weight Challengers

These are overweight folks that are used to having the right of way so they walk in the middle and expect everyone to duck away. Now, when most people see a pregnant woman approaching, they tend to be considerate and careful by giving her more room, but not this crowd. They will size you up and down (like in a bad Western flick) and charge straight down with a crazy look in their eyes – Now you know how I feel everyday. It’s almost a game for them to see who is bigger and who will give in first. I sometimes have to detour through the store aisles just to avoid them. If, by some unfortunate circumstance, you find yourself in a stand off with this type of creature, your best approach is to use your arms to appear bigger and barricade the aisle with the shopping cart to protect your belly.

Old Timers

These are senior citizens who have forgotten all about what it’s like to be pregnant and have also lost their common sense  communication filter skills so they will blurt out whatever jumps into their head, mostly about your size. Be prepared for the remarks like “You are really big for 7 months. How much weight have you gained?” “You are about to pop any day now, huh?” “You look like you are carrying twins?!” Don’t let these comments bother you. (These old farts birds don’t know what they are saying. Half the time they don’t know today’s date.) Stick to medical responses such as “My weight gain is at par for a healthy pregnancy.” “My doctor is happy with my baby’s growth”. “My uterus is measuring just as it’s supposed to.” (Bonus: the word uterus is like kryptonite for the old timers as they are not comfortable with women’s anatomical terminology… unless you run into a retired nurse or a midwife).

Discriminators

On a rare occasion, you might come across someone who will use your current condition to disregard your point of view. This does not happen often as our society have become much better educated and more considerate about pregnancy, but it did happen to me once. I was at the gym in the exercise studio taking one of the dance classes. The room that day was incredibly hot (the air conditioner must have been off or broken), so I approached one of the staff members to complain about the temperature. His answer was that the air conditioner was on and that he knows all about pregnancy as his wife is pregnant with twins, so maybe I should just take a break. It was not until a few more non-pregnant people complained that he finally brought in an extra fan. He did not say anything overly-insulting per se, but the mere fact that he dismissed my complaint just because I am pregnant is annoying.

[Jane Asks]: Have you ever been treated differently based on your physical condition?

Week 29 – The baby is just over 15 inches, weighing 2 1/2 pounds like a butternut squash. There is less room for him to swing his legs and arms so the kicks and punches are replaced with full body movements. I can get him to move on demand by putting my hand on my belly and squeezing it a bit.

On Thursday, a Canadian cold front comes through and the temperature drops to the 60s. To meet a friend for lunch, I wear a long-sleeved T and jeans, a totally reasonable outfit considering the weather… I almost start stripping in the car on the way home. The pregnancy heat waves are in full swing this week. I sleep under only a sheet, and even then I wake up sweaty every morning. It makes sense that I am hot as an oven these days since I am baking a human.

For Chrismukkah, our friends got us an Austin Eats Downtown Food Tour from cloud9living. Since sampling various foods was the last thing on my mind during the first trimester, we postponed redeeming the tickets until this weekend. First stop was Taco Deli (or Crack Deli as Eric calls it) at the Farmer’s Market.  It was a beautiful low-80s day with many locals and tourists enjoying the market scene while I was scavenging for shady spots, panting beside my new canine friends. Tacos are super popular in Austin and there are a few local chains, Taco Deli being the most popular.  $4 per taco seems totally reasonable at a first glance, but those little tacos can add up, plus some guac and chips and Eric and I easily spent $30 on a Taco Deli run. Our new favorite taco spot is Torchy’s. It’s closer to our house and their tacos are bigger. We’ll try Taco Shack soon.

Next we sampled golden eggs from Walton’s (a restaurant owned by Sandra Bullock). The golden egg only uses 4 ingredients – flour, butter, egg and cinnamon sugar. Those four ingredients make for a tasty combination. Think of it as if a pound cake and snickerdoodle cookie laid an egg together.

At 11am, it was time for serious meat tasting. It’s never too early or too late for BBQ in Texas. Each couple got to share a beef rib from la Barbecue.

Ever since getting pregnant I’ve been craving red meat, so this hit the spot dead on. It’s all that iron and protein my son is sucking out of me.

Eric did his part by finishing off every little last bit on the bone.

On to our next stop – Hut’s Hamburgers. Eric and I came here on our first visit to Texas. It’s the oldest burger joint in Austin, originating in 1939. It was one of the few places that survived the great flood in 1981 and since then the restaurant’s slogan has been “God Bless Hut’s.”

Their burgers are simple, perfectly cooked and not greasy or soggy. This was the first time I ordered a chocolate milkshake since my sweet-16 (and I could only stand two sips). Eric tried a root beer float made with local Barton Springs root beer.

After Hut’s we got to walk a few blocks to make room for Mac and Cheese from Hickory Street. I had mine without shredded pork on top, and it was pretty bland but it went great with the signature cocktail that used jalapeno peppers and mint (mine sans vodka).

We concluded the tour with a visit to Delish Bakery, where we all got a cupcake to go – red velvet for Eric and tiramisu for me. We were so full from the tour that we did not try the cupcakes until the following day. The red velvet was fantastic.

This was the first time we ventured on a food tour. What a great gift and a great way to experience the local cuisine while doing some sightseeing along the way.

[Jane Asks]: Which city would you like to food tour in?

To help with the soreness, I get my first prenatal massage with special bolsters to keep my belly lifted off the table. I used every bit of my grace and balance to climb onto the bolstered table. Once in position, there was no way for me to fully cover myself, so there I was, inadvertently mooning the masseuse as she entered back into the room. “Sorry, I could not reach the covers. I am a bit handicapped these days.” She laughed.

While at the gym, I have not been seeing many pregnant ladies (just my friend Nancy). This is bizarre to me since you can find them in flocks a mile down the street at Costco and Target. I realize I am not a typical case– clocking 9 hours of exercise a week at the start of my 3rd trimester – 3 hours resistance training (Body Pump), 4 hours of cardio (zumba and cycling) and 2 hours of yoga. For me, exercise is a must, like taking a prenatal vitamin or having 4 calcium servings per day. Here are the top ten reasons why exercise is extremely beneficial during pregnancy.

	1. Strengthen your and baby’s cardiovascular system. While you exercise, your body pumps more blood and oxygen, which in turn benefits the baby’s development. Studies show that babies from exercising mothers tolerate labor better and get higher APGAR Scores (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration) right after birth. 2. Reduce risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs in roughly 4% of all pregnancies. Because of hormonal changes, all women develop some level of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Like with regular diabetes, exercise improves the body’s use of insulin which helps stabilize glucose levels. 3. Reduce risk of miscarriage. Studies have shown a 40% decrease in miscarriages in women that exercise during pregnancy.
	4. Reduce fatigue and increase energy. As little as half an hour of brisk walking will get your heart pumping, increasing the circulation of oxygen in your system which leads to a burst of energy. On the days I don’t exercise, I feel drained and more tired than after spending two hours at the gym. 5. Keep weight gain under control. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can worsen pregnancy side-effects and lead to complications during delivery. Take Jessica Simpson, for example, who gained 80lbs and her baby was over 11lbs. Big babies are slower and harder to deliver. In some cases, natural delivery is not even an option. And of course, there are superficial reasons, like less stretch marks and getting back into your pre-pregnancy wardrobe sooner.
	6. Buff up your upper body for baby caring. Weight training is a great choice during pregnancy as long as you go easy on the weight but increase repetitions instead. You still want to challenge yourself, especially the arms, so you feel a good burn. After all you’ll be carrying that perfect 8-20lbs bundle of joy for months to come. Add the car seat, diaper bag, stroller, etc. and you’ll be sporting Michelle Obama arms in no time.
	7. Prevent constipation. Whether it’s all the body movement or water consumption, after an hour of aerobic activity such as walking, cycling or weight lifting, things will start moving, which is highly desired when you are pregnant. Beats drinking prune juice. 8. Ease pregnancy aches and pains. I became a fan of yoga back when I was logging two digit weekly running mileage. My yoga appreciation has only intensified since getting pregnant. It’s the best way to stretch your back, hips, gluteus, hamstrings, and all those sore muscles.
	9. Prepare your body and mind for labor. There is no doubt that labor and delivery are physically straining. They say “it’s a marathon” (I’ll let you know afterwards how it compares to an actual marathon). So I am treating it like an ultra-marathon by training for months beforehand to ensure my body is in the best shape and my mind can push beyond its limits even when I am exhausted. 10. Speed up postpartum recovery.  The more you work out, the better your body gets at recovering after exercise. The faster your muscles heal, the less sore you’ll be. The better your body gets at recovering, the faster it’ll bounce back after labor and the sooner you can get back to your pre-pregnancy shape.

[Jane Asks]: Did you exercise while pregnant? Would you?

I’ve been waking up with leg cramps, which are apparently common, due to my large uterus restricting blood flow to my lower legs. Luckily, my hubby is quick to massage my legs while I squirm under the covers.

My skin is getting oiler due to the hormones, which is contributing to the glowing effect– but it’s also triggering breakouts and causing my makeup to slide all over my face.

Last year, while biking through the French countryside, I was certain there was no way we could top my birthday celebration, but I was wrong. My birthday weekend started off with a beautiful bouquet of pink roses.

On Sunday morning, Eric insisted on making me breakfast. This was a big deal in our household, since Eric has cooked only a handful of meals in our years together. He was confident that he has seen me prepare breakfast enough times that he could replicate it (without setting the house on fire). He also pointed out that he needs to practice now before the baby so they can do this together for future birthdays and Mother Day’s.

It was a perfect April day in Texas – sunny and in the 80’s. We decided to check out a park whose entrance was only 2 miles from our house. Little did we know, this park is a natural wildlife reserve park with trails and camp grounds. Seven miles into our drive on City Park Road, we finally arrived at a parking lot by Lake Austin.

After strolling for an hour on the bank of Lake Austin, we grabbed some lunch and frozen yogurt.

Later in the afternoon we headed to claim my special gift – a 3D sonogram at Clearview Ultrasound. Seeing my baby’s face for the first time was definitely the gift of a lifetime. He was sleeping peacefully with a hand tucked under his ear on a placenta pillow (his papa’s sleeping position as well). He did smile/smirk at us through the appointment as he heard our voices and laughs. He also opened his right eye, which I have to admit was a bit freaky. Here are some photos of my little Eric-lookalike.

If you are baby-crazy and can’t get enough of ultrasound photos, here is the full 15-minute sonogram video.

Of course, no birthday is complete without my favorite dessert from Mandola’s Italian Market.

[Jane Asks]: What is the most memorable birthday gift you’ve ever gotten?

After six months in our new home state, it was time to embrace our new identity as Texans.

Getting a Texas driver’s license was so ridiculous that it quickly turned comical. It entailed drinking snake venom, swearing with blood and pulling three hairs from a werewolf. Well, almost… It took four visits to the DMV, three hair styling and makeup applications, two major highways, one car inspection, a pile of money, and half a tank of gas.

I recall my Washington experience and even though I then had to retake all the tests (written and road) it seemed a walk in the park compared to Texas. Texans obviously take their licensing incredibly seriously, or they purposely set a sky high bar for out-of-state transfers to keep those darn Yankees and West Coasters out. Little did they know that I roll with an iron fist, so sit up close and listen to the tale of a fair maiden who conquered the DMV.

The first time I drove to the DMV, a friendly lady at the information desk asked if I had two pieces of id on me.

Me: Well, yes I do – my WA drivers license and green card.

Her: Ok, how about two documents with your new address listed, like bills, bank statements, an insurance card?

Me: Oh, not yet. We just moved here so we have not received any bills at the new address.

I was turned away with the application form that I could fill it out ahead of time before my next visit. (That was mostly my fault as I should have remembered that you need proof of address). A week later, with my hair styled and face dolled up, I showed up at the information desk again with the form carefully filled out.

Me: Hi, I am here to get a Texas license.

Her: Do you have two pieces of id?

Me: Of course. (Been down that road already).

Her: How about your social security card?

Me: You mean the number?

Her: No, the actual card is required.

Me: But I was here a week ago and I was told to bring address proof which I have right here.

Her: You need those as well, but you must present your social security card.

Me: Sigh. I’ll be back.

Two hours later (remember, everything is big and spaced out in TX) I was back with my social security card, confident I had all my papers this time. I even rechecked the instructions list before leaving the house.

Me: Hi, I am back. I’ve got all the docs you asked. I would also need to register my vehicle.

Her: I am sorry, but I will have to send you away again.

Me: Why?

Her: We don’t register vehicles at this location. You will need to go to the Airport Blvd (the opposite part of town).

Me: Ok. I’ll do that after I get my license.

Her: You can’t get your license until you have your vehicles registered first.

Her <upon seeing my expression>: State law. I can get the trooper to talk to you.

Me: Listen lady, this is my third time here, and I was just talking to you and you told me I just need Social Security card, which I got now. I would have loved to get the full story right from the start.

Her: Ma’am there is no reason to raise your voice. I can get the state trooper to explain the process for you.

At this point the trooper came over. I am sure he really just wanted to say that he was taking a lunch break to the information lady I was conversing with. The lady quickly explained to him that I was upset because I’d been here a few times and was not properly informed about the process. Like a magician at a cheap Las Vegas casino, he pulled a little card out of his pocket with step-by-instructions for an out-of-state license transfer. I took the card and this is when my form was stamped with “special ticket”– supposedly as a favor to skip the line on my fourth trip (more likely as a warning to other staff: handle with care).

The car registration, on the other side of town, was otherwise quick and comparatively painless. I did, however, had to get my car inspected prior to getting the new license plates approved. Because it was an out-of-state transfer, in addition to the regular annual registration fee they charged me a transfer fee of $100.

The next day, I was back at DMV information desk.

Me: Hi, I am here to get my Texas license and here is my form and all the supporting documents.

Her: Ok, you don’t need all these papers, your vehicle registration and proof of insurance are sufficient.

Me: <sigh, eye roll> I was told I can skip the line because I have “SPECIAL” stamp on my application form.

Her: Yes, you will be next. Please take a seat.

5 minutes later, I surrendered my WA License. (WA DMV let me keep my Ontario license. They simply punched a hole through it.)

A black and white temporary license printout was handed over. Two weeks later I received my new license in the mail. After all the leg work, Eric was well prepared for his trip and the process took him less than an hour.

[Jane Asks]: What is your most ridiculous experience with a government organization?

I have another doctor’s appointment. During the visit I mention that I am feeling pressure around my belly button and I’m assuming it’s due to my skin and belly stretching to accommodate the growing fetus.

The doctor smiles and says “Jane, your baby is going to be 5 times the size it is now by the delivery date. You have only just begun to stretch.”

“But it will shrink right? Go back to the way it used to be afterwards?”

He smirked. “You just worry about having kids. You can take care of things afterwards.” Eric had a kick out of his response, mostly because he was watching my face. It’s unclear whether he meant plastic surgery or a rigorous diet and exercise regimen. This conversation prompted me to inquire of my mommy friends at the gym to see how quickly and easily their bodies bounced back post-pregnancy. Most did not go into details, but politely replied that it depended on the body type. They also reassured me that I looked great and I should keep up with workouts and get back into exercise as soon as I can after delivery. I appreciated their kind words, even though I look more like I belong in a teen vampire flick– with my transparent pale skin, bulging blue veins and bleeding gums.

I am not aiming to walk Victoria Secret runway three months post-pregnancy like Heidi Klum or pose for a bathing suit photo-shoot like Gisele Bundchen (those are super humans with millions of dollars resting upon their looks).

I would, however, like to get back to wearing my regular clothes. After all, I have a closet full of cute outfits that I have carefully gathered over the years. (it’s either that or my maternity wear).

As a motivation, I’ve picked my next race – the 3M Half Marathon on January 19, 2014. Registration opens in June, and I can’t wait to sign up and get back into running shape. With this gorgeous March weather, I am craving running more than wine.

Thanks to Groupon we tried out a new restaurant – Soleil. The restaurant is located at the Oasis, a beautiful viewpoint of Lake Travis.

The weather was perfect for patio dining and the view was breathtaking. The atmosphere reminded us of our last trip to Hawaii.

The service was friendly and the food was delicious. I ordered the duck with sweet potato and blueberry mash while Eric indulged in scallops with creamy corn risotto.

With a second deal already queued up in my account, we’ll be back to Soleil very soon.

[Jane Asks]: What’s your take on how hard it is to get into pre-pregnancy shape post baby?

Week 24:

To compensate for the extra weight at the front, my lower spine curves more, forcing my behind to stick out for balance. As a result, my regular walk is starting to resemble a duck waddle. Unused to the big belly in front of me, I tend to bump often against doors, drawers and cabinets. Over the years I have learned to avoid food spills on my chest, but my tactic no longer applies, as now all the stains end up on my belly. Some routine tasks are becoming more challenging. The kitchen sink hits me right below the navel, so I have to stand on my tippy toes or bend forward to reach the dishes which stresses my lower back. Luckily my husband remains eager to step in for dish-washing duties. Getting up from lying requires either a side roll and push up, an elbow scoot to sitting position, or an assisted lift. I am still able to tie/buckle my own shoes, but I don’t see that lasting for much longer considering how out of breath and pink-faced I end up.

We tour and waitlist at a nearby daycare facility. The stories you hear about how hard it is to get into good daycare are totally true. There is already a baby on the waiting list for August 2015. Some parents even waitlist before the baby is conceived. Since you have to pay to be on the waitlist, the facility generally does not mind those type of optimists.

We had a small Seder to celebrate Passover.

Over the years I have perfected my slow-cooked brisket, but this year I used Baked Bree’s recipe with slight ingredient modifications.

I start off by seasoning and searing the meat, so it’s lightly browned on both sides.

After placing it in a roasting dish, I pour the sauce– made with ketchup, grape juice (no wine in the house), chili powder, garlic, salt, pepper. The dish is topped off with sliced onions and a bit of oregano.

After 4 hours of baking at 300, the entire house smells divine.

The brisket is juicy, tender and a bit sweet which goes great with dairy kugel (who said that Passover dishes need to be kosher )

[Jane Asks]: What spring holiday do you celebrate?

My congestion is worse than usual. Partly due to allergies and increased pollen in the air, and partly due to pregnancy hormones and higher mucus production. My breathing is loud and wheezy. The other day during dinner, Eric’s ears perked up.

Me “Honey, what are you listening to?”

Eric “Shh… Do you hear it? There is a strange sound.”

I stop chewing and listen attentively. “ I don’t hear anything” I say.

“Oh, that’s your breathing.” He sighs with relief. “Just wanted to make sure there is no big fat guy stuck in the hallway closet.” A week later and he is still in the dog house for that one!

For first-time parents, getting a baby registry ready can be a tricky and an overwhelming task, especially considering how oversaturated the baby market is these days. The first time I went into the Babies’R’Us or Buy Buy Baby, a two story gigantic building filled with items you have absolutely no clue about, I almost had a panic attack unsure where to start. To this day I’ve been avoiding these stores as I am afraid to fall victim to genius marketing and buy yet another cute toy or outfit that the baby doesn’t really need. The baby does not care about the theme of his/her bedding (although I did get adorable circus themed bedding, on sale from Pottery Barn), or what’s written/displayed on its onesie. All those cute baby items are targeting parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends thrilled about the new addition and easily captivated by the excitement of the moment. Luckily for us, for every baby product out there, there is also a book, a website, an experienced friend who can help guide your item selection. I turned to most “trusted” resource – the Internet. In matter of seconds I was able to find a well organized Baby Checklist containing the quantities and names of all the necessary items. Next stop, Amazon.com. With hundreds of reviews available for each item, it makes brand selection much easier. A few days of vigorous research, and our baby registry is complete.

I am sure there will be more items we’ll need once the  baby arrives, but I feel this list of essentials is a good starting point to hopefully avoid a late night trip to the store. At the same time, it’s small enough to keep our home clear of unnecessary items that might have looked cute at the time but remain unused in the years to come.

[Jane Asks]: What are the most valuable/useful baby items that you came across as a parent?