Cloth Diaper Craziness

We've been big on wanting to try cloth diapering for years now. I think it started with some documentary, I can't remember which one, where we saw disposables piled high, laying stagnant (apparently for some 500-600 years) in a landfill. The image definitely burned itself into my mind.

I don't at all have romantic ideas of cloth diapering being easy. Or fun. Or glamorous. It's going to be a smelly, poopy mess of wet cloth and hard-to-remove stains. Stains I have to actually deal with. Wash in the washing machine, which is in itself a bit of a mind-blower. Poop in our washing machine. Ick.

Now that we're almost halfway through the pregnancy, we're looking more seriously into registry items. One of our biggies is -- you guessed it -- cloth diapers. But there are so many different types (flat, prefold, all-in-ones), brands (too many to name), and opinions. Reviews are skewed or inconsistent, at best. Price points vary wildly -- and we sway toward the frugal end.

Plus: We all know how much I hate researching this stuff.

I thought I'd found my answer last night (image source). My friend Heather had hooked me up with some veteran cloth diaper-ers, and one of the ladies said that she liked the all-in-ones, but that after doing it for a while, she went to prefolds. Bummis Organic Cotton Prefolds, specifically. Last night, I found that Bummis makes a colorful kit with "everything you need" for $140. As easy as that!

PROS: The Bummis can't be priced much better. I read they rate well with absorption. They aren't too bulky. They're organic, which is a nice bonus. And they come in a kit.

CONS: We'd have to buy multiple sizes, and I haven't yet calculated the price comparison with all-in-ones. Prefolds aren't as user-friendly to family members, for example, who may not be familiar with/want to do cloth diapering. And we'd likely need to buy more covers.

So, I kept looking.


Of course, we're interested in the bumGenius one-size, with snaps (image source). They seem incredibly convenient. They are also super cute. Repeat: They are one-size and all-in-one. But . . . they're sorta expensive. However, other brands I've scoped out are even pricier. And from what I gather, they seem to require a special detergent? Still, when I ask people . . . the majority say: "BG is the only way to go."

But I couldn't pull myself away just yet.


Then I read that bamboo is the best absorption material out there (image source). Which lead me to find Hemparoo Fleece Prefolds, and I think my mind would be set on these . . . but they are much pricier than the Bummis. They also, like all prefolds, come in different sizes we'd have to buy. And I don't see a convenient kit where we'd get everything we need. So, we'd have to also buy covers/etc. Ugh.

My conclusion is that I'm not done researching, much to my dismay. And my friend Valerie says our best bet is to try out several different kinds. A smart suggestion. Plus, I'm beginning to think buying a mix is a good idea. Some bumGenius for convenience, some prefolds for the day-to-day, and some bamboo for night soakings. Probably some disposables mixed in for when we go out.

We've heard poop will become our lives. We just didn't think it'd start so soon!

Experienced (and new) CD'ers out there: WHAT SHOULD WE DO?! We're looking for what everyone ideally wants: A well-fitting, economical, and easy-to-use piece-o-cloth for our kid to dirty up. We won't even begin to ask how the cleaning process goes, though I have searched around. Please, please, please leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Getting in the Girl Mood

After finding out we're having a girl, I've required a bit of adjustment. Not at all in a bad way, but I was seriously, utterly, COMPLETELY convinced .m.y. .e.n.t.i.r.e. .l.i.f.e. I would have a boy. The idea setting in more and more with each passing minute . . . and I decided to help myself along last night by finally celebrating.

I went shopping.

Fortunately, there are a gazillion sales happening now. Mostly summer clothing, so I knew a lot of the items I'd buy would be sized 6 months and up. Better than sales, I wanted to see what it was like to venture into the less-traveled section of some of my favorite stores. Really, I hadn't set foot over that blue to pink divide line. And I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the experience.

We had already bought a couple knit caps from The Gap (we found 'em while researching stuff for our registry rant). They were hard to resist -- on sale -- at around $1.00 a piece. In addition, our friends Lindsey and John gave us the super cute leaf set as a gift for watching their little guy last weekend.

The BYOB onesie was a find on the clearance rack yesterday -- $6.99 with an extra 30% off -- not too shabby!


I've written a bit about how I'm not a huge fan of frilly, pastel pink girl clothing. These pieces? They're totally my style. In fact, Lindsey even said she could totally see ME wearing the striped shirt. And get this -- it was from the boy's section. The Gap had several similar styles for girls, but this one was, again, on sale . . . with the extra 30% off!

The green dress -- my favorite -- is from Gymboree. Oh, that store is dangerous. But I was lured in by 70% off signs and found this adorable, boldly patterned frock for $14. It was a milestone. Our first dress purchase.

Yes, Ashley: You're having a GIRL!


Most of the clothes in that store were lightweight and summer-y. And many weren't in our gal's 6 to 12 month summer size (for next year, of course). So, I stopped online and found these shirts, dresses, and even a hat! Pink is surely in abundance. But I love the bright pop next to the other colors.

AVERAGE PRICE PER PIECE OF CLOTHING: $8. And though we don't plan on buying a ton ourselves (we're told we'll get countless gifts of clothing at the baby shower), we love knowing we have a few items that were picked out just by us.

Overall, I'd say the exercise helped me quite a bit -- not only with getting in the girl mood, but also with my feelings about pregnancy.


I had been nervous for a long time about something going wrong. OK. Everything going wrong. Of course, anything can happen at any time. I know that. But now that we're nearly halfway there, my spirits are high and I'm feeling more confident. I'm starting to see this baby as reality. She's really going to be here -- soon!

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It's a . . .

I thought it'd be appropriate for Stephen to share the sex with you because he guessed right!

It's a . . .

GIRL!

I'm still in complete shock. Though Stephen hadn't had a hunch one way or another, this week, he started to feel something. He had this idea (a crazy one, to me) that our little one would be a girl. And I knew so much we'd hear boy, that I stopped looking at girl names weeks ago!

So, when the ultrasound tech poked around to get a good shot of the goods, I was surprised when I didn't see the classic "turtle" between the legs. At first, she wasn't sure, so we moved on to the rest of the anatomy scan. Everything looks perfect -- which is a huge relief because I had a lot of anxiety going into the appointment. The last time we saw her (that's so weird to write!) was at 9 weeks. She's measuring right on target, but even a few days ahead -- my due date is now 11/24/2011. Thanksgiving Day.


The truth? In my heart, I sort of wanted a girl. I would have been so, so happy with either. Honestly. We both would have. But I've been s.u.r.r.o.u.n.d.e.d by boys my entire life. I have a brother. Until my teenage years, all of my cousins were boys. Most of my friends have recently had boys. And don't get me wrong -- I love, love, love little boys!

But I've secretly wanted to experience what it's like to raise a girl. The ultrasound tech is 99.9% sure!

18 WEEKS


I'm most happy in this photo because I got to see the baby. We surveyed every tiny inch of her body . . . her heart, brain, spine, stomach, fingers, and toes. Everything is measuring right along -- and I was worried because I've still only gained 3 pounds. My midwife expects my weight to catch up to the "norm" soon, but isn't concerned either way since the girl is doing so well.


The belly is getting bigger. Though I will say some days when I wake up, I still just look bloated. I think it's because it's growing so gradually. Other people (Stephen and my parents) notice it for sure.

The rest of the appointment was rather uneventful. Right now, I'm cruising along with few complaints. But today has opened up a whole new feeling of reality for the whole thing. And I can't wait to get started on the nursery. We ended up buying those Wes Anderson movie prints last night!


So, all of you ladies (and gents) out there waiting to find out the sex. And even those just curious about it . . . all those at-home tests and tales do not work! We tried quite a few, too.

More on how I'm feeling and what's going on in this week's upcoming video post!

NEED TO CATCH UP?

17-Week Video Post
17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

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Notes on the Nursery

We haven't started anything yet, and everything we share today is subject to change, but we're thinking of the type of look we'd like for our nursery. Right now, it's pathetic:

No matter what the results are of our anatomy scan tomorrow, we've decided we'd like the room to be suitable for a girl or a boy. Though we love the look of brights and pastels, we've been most inspired by colors from old book covers.

It all started with this one (image source).


Our copy at home is slightly different in that the gold color on the bottom is actually a light grey. I love the combo of the yellow, grey, and black (in our case, a chalkboard wall). Though, I'd like to soften it a bit for our little one.

Here are some thoughts:

• Like I said, we have always wanted a chalkboard wall (source). Not only will it be a fun accent, but I think it'd serve as a fantastic backdrop for weekly photo sessions.
• It's hard to see, but the little stripe of color between the black and prints is the existing color of the room. It looks a bit pink on my monitor, but it's actually "baked brie" . . . a solid neutral, and we don't feel like repainting.
• The chevron print is what we'd like to use to make curtains for the space. The other prints are just ideas for accents. Possibly for a changing pad cover, rocking chair cushions, crib skirt, etc.
• The prints are a set I found on Etsy. We love Wes Anderson movies -- and though we're not sold 100% yet on this set -- we love the colors. They work with what we're dreaming up.

As far as furniture goes, I already wrote about how we chose our crib. Ideally, we'd like to find a dresser on Craigslist or at another second-hand store before paying full price. So far, our search has been fruitless -- so, if we do have to buy something new, we're liking this "Malm" 6-drawer dresser from Ikea.


At $179 -- it isn't too expensive. And it would do double-duty as a changing table, too. Can't yet decide between this wood color and white. I think it would depend what wall it would go on. We'll see. We still have over 20 weeks until we need to make a decision.


I've said it before, and I'll most definitely say it again: We're on a budget. So, though we love tons of stuff we see in stores and online -- we're thrilled to received hand-me-downs from relatives. Like this rocking chair from Stephen's mom. Not only was it free, but it has sentimental value that's out-of-this-world.

Ideally, we'd like to spend less than $700 for the whole room. The crib was $300 and the mattress will cost a bit, too, so I'm not entirely confident we can do it. But we'll try.


In other news, we had our first infant-care experience on Friday night. Our best friends Lindsey and John dropped their little guy Gavin off with us for a few hours. He was a total angel the entire time! We'll write more about it sometime soon.

Do you have any cost-savings tips for us as we forge ahead with our nursery? We want our space to be functional, safe, and fun. And we're totally open to second-hand stuff and DIY textiles (crib bedding, etc.). Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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17 Week Video Post

Before I get to the video, I need to clear the air. For those of you who read (never home)maker, you likely noticed our recipe post yesterday: Baked Flatbread with Sweet Onions, Collards, and Brie. Ever since the recipe went live, we've been getting comments and emails concerned about pregnancy and soft cheeses.

I made a note in the post that brie is totally, completely safe if it's pasteurized, but -- yikes! -- many people didn't read that note. Isn't that great, though? Brie is SAFE! And you don't just have to believe my word . . . here's excerpt from a US News & World Report article on pregnancy myths:

Soft Cheese: Many women have heard that soft cheeses such as goat cheese and brie can be sources of a dangerous microbe called Listeria. But a soft cheese is safe to eat as long as it has been pasteurized, according to the FDA. And although unpasteurized dairy products have surged in popularity recently, most cheeses produced in the United States, including domestic brie, are still pasteurized. Listeria can also grow in packaged lunch meats and hot dogs, so experts recommend that women avoid those foods—or heat them until they're steaming.

Alright, enough stalling. Here's the 16/17 week video post. And if you'd like to read stuff I left out, check out yesterday's 17 Weeks post, complete with up-to-date belly shots (not THOSE kinds of belly shots!)!



NEED TO CATCH UP?

17 Weeks and Preggo Brain
16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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17 Weeks

I finally recorded the 16 week video post this morning. Well, actually -- I'm cheating and making it the 16/17 week update. As I mention in the video, not much has been different between the two weeks. I'll let the video give you the lowdown on my current condition instead of repeating all the info.

Here are this week's belly pics:

There's something growing in there!


Stephen's getting much better at taking photos. I've been coaching him since I'm usually the one to shoot maternity pics for friends and family. I need a photographer, too!

This one's my favorite from last night's "session" . . .


Some things I forgot to mention in the video include:

• You see my veins? Whenever I take a walk or have been standing for a long while, my veins pop out like WOAH. My hands get swollen after walks, too. All that extra blood is making its presence known.
• MOVEMENT. I can't believe I forgot to go over this in the video. Preggo-brain, for sure. Anyway, I am feeling movement, and I have been since early on in my 15th week, usually in the mornings and even more in the evenings (after dinner). I wasn't sure at first if what I was feeling was the baby, but it's become more regular and intense in the last couple weeks. Especially after drinking a Reed's Ginger Brew -- yay sugar!
• It's a GIRL. Or so my mother-in-law thinks. I forgot to mention her vote in the what-sex-is-the-baby portion. We'll know in 6 days!
• I'm super sensitive. TO THE SUN. My mood hasn't been swinging too much, but my sensitivity to the sun is definitely noticeable. Even a quick walk outdoors at lunch gives me a glow slight burn. Especially on the top of my head. I need to get some hats before heading to the beach.
• I'm beginning to look into birthing classes. I've checked out what the hospitals offer, as well as other places (Bradley Method, for example). More on this in another post.

Also, I've packed away most of my non-maternity clothes at this point. Despite keeping up with running and other activity, I'm not as muscular as I was a few short months ago. I feel flabbier in the hips/butt area, too. I know and accept it's all part of the deal -- those mother fat-stores that help with breastfeeding and supporting another LIFE. So, it's cool.

Many of my "normal" clothes work for both purposes, so I still have a hefty wardrobe. But I was feeling ever-irritated when I'd put something on and it wouldn't fit. I'm learning to love my new shape and the reasons why it's changing, but it's still a struggle to embrace it at all times. Tight clothes only remind me of it in a bad way!

That's about it. The video will be up later today or tomorrow. And be sure to check out the main site if you didn't see yesterday's grocery savings post. We're big on budget these final months before the baby makes his/her big arrival!

NEED TO CATCH UP?

16-Week Belly Shots
15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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Sew Cool!

I took the plunge this weekend and bought one of those sewing books I've been lusting over. Specifically, Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings -- for her super-cute "quick-change" pants.

My mom has volunteered to teach me how to sew, which I so much appreciate, and is responsible for finishing at least 50% of this project. No, I can't take full-credit yet. But what an adventure we had figuring out the pattern!

Really, it's not that hard. The pants are reversible, though, which requires some tricky thinking about halfway through the instructions. The frustration (and seam-ripping!) is well worth it, though. Little baby boy or girl now has his/her first pair of pants.

Or should I say two pairs?


We decided to make them in the 0-3 month size, though I don't imagine I'll toil over tons of clothes this tiny. I'd say between my slow sewing and figuring out the pattern, it took us about 3 hours to stitch them together. Subsequent pairs will probably take only half the time. And there WILL be more!

Here's some reversible action . . .


I'm not totally in love with sewing yet. It's something about the preciseness of it all that's so difficult for me to embrace. What I will tell you is this -- I adore these little pants. Much more than most of the clothes I've seen in stores. Aaaaand, they definitely have to be sewn.

If that means adding patience, even at 17 weeks pregnant, to my set of virtues, so be it!


I can't wait to make my way through the rest of Anna's book. Some other projects that particularly caught my eye include the nesting blocks, nursing shirt, hooded jacket, diaper bag, and even -- GASP -- a quilt.

How did you add a special homemade touch to welcome your baby(ies) into your world? Any project suggestions for us? Or places where we can find really cute, affordable fabric? Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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New 5K PR . . . Sort of!

Of course I didn't PR at my 5K last night. But I did set a new preggo pace that I'm thrilled with. I finished the race in 25:57 -- nearly beating my recent times by 35 seconds. The weather was great, the course was relatively easy, and I had to pee the entire time. (What else is new?)

I had Stephen snap a shot of me at home before the race. My belly sticks out way more when I'm actually running . . . but I think my race number was obscuring it a bit.

We got there a couple minutes before the race started. I HATE not having time to stretch and hit the restrooms. Stephen was nice enough to drive and take photos, so I didn't complain too much. BUT if it were a race he planned to run? We would have been there at least half an hour early!

Aaaaaand we're off!


The course consisted of two loops around a local campus. The first part was slightly down hill, and I found myself actually feeling like I was racing. Yikes. I was having one of those magical second trimester days when I didn't totally feel pregnant. Those days scare me.

I had to keep reminding myself:


It was difficult, but my second lap was certainly slower than my first. On purpose. Part of the loop was a gradual up-hill, which -- no matter HOW gradual -- tends to make my heart race, so I took it easy. Drank water at each and every water stop. And tried to forget that my bladder might explode.

Since I'm more used to racing half marathons than shorter distances, it was over before I knew it. But I was thinking two things VERY loudly in my head:


OK. Maybe I was SCREAMING this one:


After a few swigs of water, we drove home. I felt a bit tired, but my muscles were good. I can tell my body can still handle going faster, but I wouldn't test my luck. I love ending each run feeling refreshed versus exhausted and achy.

Stephen gave me the royal treatment, really, and made a great breakfast for dinner -- complete with his famous chunky hash browns!


What this race taught me is that I don't love racing while pregnant. Especially 5Ks, because I miss fast running. I am keeping it light and easy, but it's SO hard to hold back. It's a mental war. This year if I could actually race, I would have had times in the low 22:00 minute range. My body knows it, too. From now on, I'm planning to do a couple more races, but mostly stick to my slow plodding around the neighborhood, sans watch.

Preggo runners: What is your experience with racing while pregnant? Is it difficult to keep your pace slow? Non-preggos: How do you imagine you'd feel in this situation? My own experience has shown me that I'm capable of listening to my body and doing what's best for me and the baby. But that doesn't mean it's not a huge struggle!

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25 Goals for 25, er, 23 Weeks!

This post is somewhat late, as we now have a grand total of about 23 weeks maximum till the baby is here. But I came up with a list of 25 things I'd like to accomplish in the next 25 23 weeks, and I'm sticking to it.

At least I hope I can!

BUDGET

#1: Get a handle on our flexible expenses. This includes grocery bills, gym memberships, entertainment funds, the running budget (all those races and shoes add up!), etc. In general, we're hoping to live more simply and do more with less. I hate the perception that simplifying has to mean bad sacrifices. We're looking at it more as a challenge to think smarter. Note: We got rid of our gym membership ($65/month) and are looking into different cable options (could save up to $100/month). Otherwise, we've written a detailed budget we're hoping to stick to starting in January.

#2: Save $X. Or as much as possible. We have a number in mind that we won't share on the blog. But saving money is a top priority. Note: We got close to our goal number, but baby expenses continue to mount. Thankfully, we have a good chunk of emergency dough in Baby A's bank.

HOUSE/ETC.

#3: Organize the attic. And everything else. During our attempt to sell our house, we stashed stuff EVERYWHERE. And by everywhere, I mostly mean at my parents' house and in our attic. We need to go through everything and do the whole keep, toss, donate drill.

#4: Create a laundry space. We have a washer and dryer. But I'd love a folding station. I'd also like this area to be clean and, dare I say, FUN to spend time in? Our basement is sort of icky, but if we plan on cloth diapering . . . I'll be spending more time down there. Note: OK. This one isn't 100% done, but we now have a large table beside our dryer stocked with lots of detergent. Beside that, we have clotheslines to hang our cloth diapers.

#5: Wash our cars inside and out. We're not the best at car-care. Especially when it comes to clutter and dirt. I want to wash, wax, vacuum, shampoo, and shine every inch of both our cars. And KEEP them relatively clean. While we're at it, we should probably get everything in the house, too!

#6: Paint our bedroom. I had painted it this washed-out grey a couple years ago (you can see it on the house tour). I've hated it ever since. We'll be spending much more time upstairs when the baby comes, so I'd like to LOVE this color. Suggestions?

#7: Develop a Chore List. I get this idea that it'll be a free-for-all when the baby comes. I've been told I'll be groggy and forgetful. So, it'd be nice to develop a list of things that need to be done each day, week, month to keep our place running smoothly.

#8: Learn how to make our own cleaning supplies. Including laundry detergent, specifically. Non-toxic cleaners that are also easy on the wallet.

FOOD

#9: Improve our kitchen. We may not be able to do a bigger overhaul that we ideally want (we wrote about all our woes in this post). Even a cheap one. We'll see. But I would like to at least install more shelving and get some type of dishwasher. Note: We won't be able to redo anything for a while. The dishwasher is going to be a tremendous help in its own right.

#10: Develop a pantry list. This item, of course, goes along with expenses. I feel strongly that if we had a more organized system for buying food, we'd eat better and spend less. Our needs will change when the baby gets here, but basics are basics.

#11: Learn how to can. I know pretty much nothing about how to do it. I like to make applesauce, and I'd like to stock up on it. I'd also like to can other stuff. Like tomatoes from our garden. Note: We, instead, are learning how to FREEZE.

#12: Buy a small freezer. We had one that died in an unfortunate keg-o-rator experiment gone wrong. And along with learning how to can, I want to freeze efficiently. Mostly to save time. Make tons of batches of garlic knot dough, for example, and have it on hand!


PERSONAL

#13: Run a 15K. But not a race. I haven't had any running goals since the half marathon. Not that I need them, but I've found it difficult to run with nothing in mind. We typically run the Boilermaker 15K each year, so I'd like to plan my own route, run it, and then celebrate the rest of the day.

#14: Strike a better balance. Or at least make steps to move in that direction. I bet this will be a hard one. But right now I feel like my life is too stressful, and there's little way out of it. I know we all deal with stress, but eventually we need to take ACTION. I'm still searching for answers.

#15: Develop an after-pregnancy fitness and wellness plan. It will involve how I plan to get back into shape -- as well as how to eat well, sleep well, and de-stress. Oh, and it may involve beauty stuff, too. I keep hearing all my hair will fall out after delivery. I may need to pick out a short haircut?

#16: Learn to sew. I already wrote all about my new obsession with sewing. My mom's planning on teaching me. We'll see how it goes!

MARRIAGE

#17: Take a babymoon. This goal is already planned (I talked about it in our 15-week video post). In just 15 days, we can cross it off the list!

#18: Go to the movies. And on other dates. We've heard there isn't much time or spare cash for this kind of stuff after the baby arrives. So, we're soaking in some summer flicks and going out more on weekends to bank some alone time. This weekend: Super 8. Next? Bad Teacher.

#19: Discuss how to get couple time once the baby comes. It all goes along with striking a balance. We just need to chat about how life will change and what we're planning to do to make it fun versus awful.

BABY-SPECIFIC

#20: Complete the nursery. Of course we'll complete it. But I feel like having it on the list will help speed the process along!

#21: Take a cloth diapering class. There are lots of classes I want to take -- including all the usuals -- but cloth diapering is the one I'm looking all over for. Oh, and breastfeeding. Note: We took lots of baby classes. Never specifically a cloth diapering one, but we've done tons of online research -- here's our current plan.

#22: Figure out a childcare plan. Nothing is off the table at this point. But I keep hearing if we decide on outside care, we need to get our name on a list now-ish. OMG. I think this item brings me the most anxiety and overall upset-ness.

#23: Create a binder of all mom groups/family activities/free activites/etc. in the area. I'd like to do the work ahead of time so I'm not hunting around when I don't have the energy to do so. I know there's lots to do in our area, it's just sort of here, there, and everywhere. Slowly, I'm accumulating some info, and we need to organize it.

BLOG

#24: Build up posts to eliminate interruption. Or solicit guest posts. I don't want to go all MIA on you, but I imagine we'll be busy those first couple weeks, months. Don't worry, it's on our minds now. We'll figure something out!

#25: Make progress on new blog. WHAT?! Don't fear. This project is in the beginning stages, but I'm thinking of taking the blog in a slightly new direction. Well, not new or different, really. Just more cohesive. Way more on this item in the coming months. It's overwhelming!

Can you think of anything we're forgetting? Do any of these items surprise you? Are some too ambitious? I'd love your feedback and wisdom!

So, along with this post being a bit late, we've shifted the video post -- again -- another day. But it'll be up before you know it! Heck, I only have a couple more days left in my 16th week, I sort-of HAVE to finish it soon! In the meantime, you can check out yesterday's post on how I decided on which half marathon to run . . . and whether or not to run it on the main site.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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16 Week Belly Shot

I gave in to the comfort of maternity clothes this weekend. Sure, I'd sprinkled in a few pieces here and there over the past several weeks. A couple tanks for underneath my usual shirts. A belly band for those particularly popped-out days. But for the most part, I was trying to squeeze into all my regular clothes.

Many of them still fit, for as you'll see in a moment -- my belly hasn't grown tremendously in the past week. But why not surrender to some of the fantastic fabrics that stretch? The waistlines that don't dig? The shirts that billow sweetly or sport flattering cinches?

Here's one of my new favorites.

Or should I say one of my FRIEND SARAH's favorites? Yeah. I had wonderful, generous friends. (Forever THANK YOU, Sarah!) The pretty lady leant me this top along with a multitude of other beautiful preggo items this weekend. I happily agreed to take care of them while in my ever-expanding state.

And I'm surely growing. Here's 16 weeks of growth.


Too bad that my roots are growing in as well . . . 16 weeks of dark, dull growth!


Every time I turn around, I need another haircut. Or I need to pluck my brows. Or shave my legs. I'm a hair factory! Does this mean another vote in the BOY direction? I guess we'll see in two weeks . . .

Oh. Can't forget the feet. Still haven't had time to paint my nails, so please excuse my always-neglected runner-toes.


OTHER HAPPENINGS

• I'm 95% sure I've felt the baby move at this point. It's early, yes. But I'm freakishly in-tune with my body. More on that in this week's upcoming video post.
• I'm also almost certain I gained another pound over the weekend. This may or may not be directly related to my peanut butter m&ms consumption.
• I walked/ran 30 miles last week. I wasn't thrilled to yet again not get in a run longer than 6 miles, but I feel strong and healthy. That's all that matters.
• As we wrote yesterday, we started registering for things. We're not overwhelmed, as many readers thought, it's more appalled/confused at the sheer number of baby products on the market.
• I still get sick from time to time. Happens when I least expect it. But I think it may have something to do with slacking on my protein intake. More eggs, please!
• I've been getting random bouts of pure exhaustion. Last night after work, I slipped into bed and stayed there all night watching 17 Kids and Counting. (Starting from the beginning of the series, obviously.)
• My newest food obsession: Eating lobster at the shore. For those of you familiar with me . . . you know seafood isn't really something I delve into. Ever. Now? I know the minute we get to the ocean, the sound of the waves will beckon me to the lobster dock!

I don't want to give all this week's wonders away in this one post. So, you'll have to stay tuned for our weekly vlog -- scheduled for Thursday this week. And if you haven't checked the main site today, we're hosting a great Tazo Iced Chai Giveaway!

NEED TO CATCH UP?

15-Week Video Post
15 Weeks and Counting . . .
14-Week Video Post
13 Weeks and Cravings . . .
How We Found Out
So long, 1st Trimester!

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Registry Rant

Over the weekend, we decided we'd start looking at creating a registry. I mean, time is flying . . . and we have a mere 24 weeks (or fewer) until the baby is here. Like. IN THE FLESH here. Thing is, when we started browsing possible registry sites, the sheer number of products and gadgets scared us away.

The project is on hold until further notice.

OK. Question: How many different types of EVERYTHING does the world need?


And as hopefully responsible parents, which of these items is the RIGHT pick? For safety, eco-friendly, and budget-y reasons. Here's something I'll tell you now -- we both absolutely loathe reading reviews and agonizing over this information. That's why we bought our crib already.

We wanted something modern with style. We wanted it to be safe. Tested and reviewed. So, we let Sherry and John at Young House Love do the work for us.


We're long-time fans, so I had stored their crib choice in my memory bank. When it came time for us to start looking -- or, long before we really HAD to -- we didn't scour the internet for hours. I simply referred back to their post. Read their reasons behind picking the Baby Mod ParkLane 3-in-1. And pulled out my credit card.

$299 (+ tax) later, we had happily checked one purchase off our list. Thanks, YHL!


Phew. That was a relatively painless one. But now we have strollers, baby carriers, bottles, breast pumps, cloth diapers, and a multitude of other things we "need" -- or DO we? Here's the other frustration: What do people get that they don't really need? We're not exactly minimalists, but we'd like to move more in the simplicity-is-best, so-is-clutter-free direction.

Think more of what's on the left than what's on the right. (Images sources here and here.)


Then there's the whole BOY stuff versus GIRL stuff thing. Neither of us is incredibly girly (me) or masculine (Stephen). Even when we do know the sex, we don't anticipate that factor making a huge difference on our purchases. We also don't love really blue or pink, daddy's-little-slugger or mommy-'s-special-princess clothing or prints on other items. However, though there are definitely neutral options out there, there aren't nearly as many, especially for clothing.

Right now, we're obsessed with the unisex styles at the Gap . . .


I'm sure this will be a topic for more discussion. Just getting out those early thought and frustrations! Do you have suggestions for us as we begin this part of the pregnancy journey? Certain tried-and-true products you stick by. Or other ones you could have done without?

Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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Post-Appointment Update

This morning's appointment went wonderfully. According to my midwife, I'm doing "fantastically" and everything's right where it should be weight and baby-wise. Well, she did mention I could eat more calories (I've gained 3 pounds total since before I was pregnant, which is somewhat on the lower end). But we talked about it, and she definitely thinks muscle loss might account for the number on the scale not creeping higher.

Anyway, the most exciting part of my appointment was hearing the heart beat, of course. But THEN my midwife surprised me by saying we could find out the sex sooner than I had thought. Our appointment for that is in a little over two weeks, whereas I thought it'd be at least another 4. Yippee!

Here's 4 weeks versus 15:

Since I'm a dork for stats, I thought I'd give y'all some.

• Days since conception: 97
• Days since we found out: 86
• Pregnancy tests taken to confirm: At least 6
• Days till due date: 170
• Midwife appointments: 4
• Average heart rate: 165 (this time around it was 155)
• Pounds gained: 3
• Ultrasounds enjoyed: 2
• Times called the midwife after-hours: 1 (for some minimal bleeding)
• Movements felt: None so far
• Favorite breakfast: Cheerios or egg sandwich on toast
• Favorite lunch: PB&J with string cheese and fruit
• Favorite dinner: Pumpkin garlic knots and steamed collard greens
• Favorite dessert: Jala fudge pops
• Favorite drink: Reed's Ginger Brew
• Nectarines eaten: 10,000 (OK. It only FEELS that way.)
• Cups of Greek yogurt consumed: 86
• Number names picked out: 6 for boy, 4 for girl. All subject to change.
• Massive headaches suffered: 4
• Times nausea resulted in all-out sickness: 5 (with LOTS of close calls)
• Days missed from work: 1 (Headache mostly.)
• Current complaint: Dizziness and allergies
• Miles jogged: 284
• Races participated in: 3 (two 5Ks, one half marathon -- and I have another 5K next week)
• Items of maternity wear bought: 12 (one skirt, one pair of pants, two belly bands, 6 shirts, 2 dresses)
• Average bed time: 10 PM (it WAS more like 9 a few weeks ago)
• Furniture items procured: 2 (crib and rocking chair)
• Other baby items: Graco pack 'n play, high chair, car seat, and swing in NOBEL print (on sale at Burlington Coat Factory -- thanks, Kathy!)
• Baby's first live music experience: Sim Redmond Band, song: "Life is Water"
• Most embarrassing guilty pleasure: I've watched the entire series to date of both The Secret Life of the American Teenager AND Make It or Break It (go ABC Family TV on Netflix!)
• Days till anatomy scan: 18 (not like I'm counting down to THAT, right???)

Pssst: If you missed it, be sure to check out the 15 week vlog update -- we posted it last night!

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15 Weeks: Video Post!

I still can't believe I'm getting ready to head to my third midwife appointment tomorrow morning. Days away from being 16 weeks pregnant. The time's-at-a-standstill problem I had in the first trimester is no longer an issue. It's flying, and I'm loving it.

Here's what's going on this week . . .

Catching up? Be sure to check out our first video post all about week 14!

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Momma Needs a Cocktail!

Will you all hate me if I postpone the 15-week video post by one more day? I hope not! I recorded it this morning in all my post-shower (wet-haired) glory. Then I went to do a quick review and . . . NO SOUND! Made sure the volume was indeed on and again . . . NO SOUND! I'm still getting the hang of our new laptop, but I have no idea what happened.

Indeed, this to-be mom needs a cocktail! Not that I'm a big drinker, but I certainly tossed several back each week before getting pregnant. My last glass was sometime in late January -- a deep brown ale, if I'm remembering correctly -- and I'm missing beverages.

I've filled the void with ginger ale, lemonade, and chocolate almond milk. But nothing really satisfies me. Not the way my summer cocktails used to. I'd pluck fresh herbs from the garden, mash up or juice fruits, and craft all kinds of funky creations with whatever hard stuff we had in our freezer (that's where we keep kept our booze).

With the heat, I just HAD to come up with SOMETHING.


What's in the mix?

• 3 to 4 fresh mint leaves, put into the glass and smashed with pestle
• 1/2 glass lemonade (Simply Lemonade)
• 1/2 glass sparkling water, unflavored
• 1 inch fresh ginger, minced and squeezed into the glass

Nothing crazy fancy or exotic. And it was quite good! Way better than plain lemonade. Plus, this mocktail made me feel at least a bit adult. Refined.

Graduated from chocolate milk with dinner, at very least.

What's your favorite mocktail recipe? There are many more I want to guzzle down. And there are certainly all different opinions on drinking the real stuff while pregnant. So, I didn't think I'd go into that in this post. My personal choice is to stay away until the baby's birthday. Trust me, though. I'm already making lists of drinks I want to try (or be reunited with).

So, stay tuned for the video post TOMORROW. I promise! And if you're a drinks and desserts girl like me -- check out today's post on (never home)maker about the s'mores graham bars.

Like what you just read? You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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