The MommyRoo Blog

Before I became pregnant, I didn’t realize the copious amount of decisions one must make during and for after their pregnancy.  Now that I am nearly finished being pregnant, I’m astounded at all of the decisions I (Jason and I) have made…or am still making.   Here is a list of 19 (I seriously couldn’t think of 20) - in no random order.

1.  What’s in a name?  I still have yet to completely decide on a name for baby girl Tiemann.  I think we have settled on one, but I just refuse to make the decision until I see her tiny little face! 

2.  The car seat.  I found a car seat that I loved…minus the fact that I couldn’t get the handle on it to move without the strength of Goliath.  Stupid Baby Trend!  We settled for an Evenflo, since it has the Z handle and my arms are shaped funny so I can’t use the typical straight handle comfortably.  It better keep our munchkin safe is all I have to say!

3. Bedding.  This is an important decision to me.  Not that she’ll even use it, but it gives her room a theme.  We went with antique roses.  She better love it!

4. Bedroom Color.  To go along with the bedding, you have to pick which color to paint the room.  We went with a nice shade of green.  Hopefully, she finds it calming. 

5. Feeding.  To breastfeed or not to breastfeed?  I wasn’t going to breastfeed for several reasons.  1) I’m on anti-depressants. 2) It’s always kind of grossed me out.  3) The last 2 generations of women on my side of the family have not breastfed. 4) I didn’t know anything about it really.  Despite all of this, I’ve decided to give it a go.  1) I’ve talked to a few Dr.’s who don’t seem to think the medication I’m on is going to be bad for the baby while breastfeeding.  2) It finally doesn’t really gross me out. 3) I’m changing my family’s trends.  4) I’ve done some more research on it and feel like I’d like to see what all the hype is about…besides the factual benefits of it, of course.

6. Bottles.  If/when I end up using bottles, I don’t want my baby to get all gassy and crabby.  So I did some reviews.  We ended up getting the Playtex Drop-In system.  I’d also like to try MAM, but haven’t found any in stores, yet.  I hope they keep her bowels in check.

7.  Pacifiers.  Although my mother is hard core against pacifiers, I am for them.  Not only do they help prevent SIDS, but since I didn’t use a pacifier as a baby, I sucked my thumb until I was 7 and had an awful callus from it.  Binky it is.

8. OB or Midwife?  We started out with a midwife and although we were really happy with our decision and the “natural” way to have a baby, due to my getting put on medication, we switched to an OB.  In retrospect, I’m glad we made the change.  Now, if medical intervention does become necessary (and I stress necessary…not optional), we’ll be in a hospital and can easily get it.

9. Vaccines.  This is a huge topic of conversation, lately.  It’s on TV shows, it’s all over the web, and it’s an important decision that each new parent must make.  We’ve decided we are for them…partially.  Meaning, she will get the ones we feel are necessary, but we’d like to space them out a bit more than the normal “schedule” due to all the hype about the Autism business.  I don’t see a need to give her 9 shots in a day.  I do see the need to keep her as healthy as I can in whatever way possible.  Hopefully, we’re making the right decision on this one.

10. Pediatrician.  Not only do you have to find a good Dr. when you become pregnant, but you also have to find one for your baby.  We don’t have a lot of options where we live in town, so we’re going with the Pediatricians office most people here go with.  We interviewed one in their clinic and he was ok.  I’m hoping there is one there we fall in love with.

11.  Daycare.  Although I absolutely hate the fact that my baby is going to have to be put in daycare since we can’t afford for me to stay home with her, I think we’ve found a daycare that we’re happy with.  Important decision to make when they will see your baby nearly as much as you will during the work week.

12. Cord Blood. We’re opting out of this one.  1) It costs a crap-ton.  2) It can generally only be used on siblings.  Perhaps next time…

13. Epidural.  Since we’ve wanted to go with a “natural” birth, meaning no medication…I’m going to try not to have one.  We’ll see how that goes.

14. Cutting costs.  Babies are expensive and because of this, we’ve had to figure out where to cut some expenses.  I now don’t eat out for lunch every day, I’m temporarily not paying my student loans, we’re paying our mortgage on a different schedule, and we’re rearranging who pays which bills.  I’m hoping these changes will allow for the additional $1200 a month or so baby is going to cost us.  Ouch!  Otherwise…Comcast and Verizon Wireless are next! And I may see if Jason is game for becoming a male prostitute.  Love you, hunny! 

15. Who gets to be in the room during the delivery.  Personally, I don’t want an entourage watching a baby come out of my vajayjay or me making a fool of myself while in pain.  Jason will obviously be allowed and since my mother most likely won’t be in town yet, Jason’s mother will most likely be there for back-up.  Guest list complete.

16. Baby sleeping in bed.  Although I would love for baby to begin sleeping in her crib immediately, I know my newness at being a mom won’t allow it.  So we got a little co-sleeper to go in the bed, since our bed is huge and I want to try breastfeeding.  We may end up with a bassinette to go next to the bed instead.  We’ll see.  Either way, I only want her in the room with us for 3 months tops, so hopefully we can transition her into her room with not too much of a struggle.  Hopefully…  Besides, she needs to enjoy her green and antique rose theme darn it!

17.  Stroller.  Travel system or not?  We decided not.  We bought a shell of a stroller that our carseat will fit in.  For starters, travel systems are really heavy and I have the strength of a tiny child.  Not to mention they take up your entire trunk.  Where the heck am I supposed to put groceries?  Also, by the time they are large enough to fit in the “big” stroller, they are also large enough to fit in an umbrella stroller, which weighs about a pound and is much easier to tote…and less expensive.

18.  Baby Registry.  Jason and I had a lot of fun dragging Corrie with us to register for baby.  We scanned a freakin’ ton of items and then I went home and compared reviews on them and made my final decisions.  Although fun…it’s a big decision figuring out what necessities and fun trinkets you want or think you need for baby.

19. Boy or Girl.  This one was a no brainer.  We wanted to know.  They just don’t make enough gender neutral stuff right now and I’m a control freak.  Girl it is!

That’s all the good ones I can think of for now.  If I come up with any more, I’ll add them to the list.  I’m sure there are a slew of them!  So if you’re about to get pregnant or are pregnant, good luck and be prepared to be decisive.  You’re going to need to be!  This isn’t even including the list of all of the random stuff I’ve learned since being pregnant.  That would end up being a novel.

As a quick note, to anyone who follows my blog, I found out yesterday that my grandpa I visited back in July, passed away last night.  Although I’m obviously sad about this, our family seems to be doing well about the situation all in all.  I think we’re all a bit relieved, to be honest.  His dementia was terrible and he hasn’t been the grandpa we’ve all known and loved for quite some time now.  He’s not suffering anymore and he’s not in pain.  He will definitely be missed, since he was an amazing man with an unbelievable soul.  RIP, Grandpa Hirr.