Everything has a knock-off …
Sunday, April 11, 2010
32 weeks pregnant
I knew all along that I wanted to buy a black diaper bag.
Partially because then it would totally unisex, and Darling Husband would help me tote it along (and not balk at taking the baby out by himself). But also, partially because I wear a lot of black, and I wanted it to go with the stuff I’d be wearing.
A colleague recently bought the SkipHop diaper bag online for $73 (plus shipping).
I hemmed and hawed over it, because it was a really nice bag. But we still had some giftcards to local department stores, so it seemed smarter to use those, if possible.
I was shocked when I walked into one store yesterday, and saw the Bily diaper bag — a pretty blatant knock-off of the SkipHop bag, right down to the two front pockets and the small red logo!
The best news was the price tag: $34 — a savings of $39 plus shipping costs. And we could use one of the gift cards from our shower. Um, yes please!
This was the last item to check off our “Things to buy for Baby” list, so we were thrilled with the savings. I have to admit that I’m proud of us for dealing with the hand we were dealt and getting everything we needed on a tight budget.
Here’s a quick re-cap:
CRIB: Gift from my mom. Cost: free!
CHANGING TABLE: Wanted a $399 dresser. My mom found a great $50 changing table on clearance, and we gladly accepted. Cost: free!
TRAVEL SYSTEM: Wanted a $299 system. Bought a different model (regular $299) for $140 on clearance.
GLIDER: Wanted a $269 glider/ottoman. Bought the same one for $153 thanks to a sale, coupon, and registry discount. Darling Husband’s parents are buying it for us as a gift. Cost: free!
PLAYARD: Wanted a $199 version. Bought a different one for $97 in a flyer sale.
DIAPER BAG: Wanted a $73 one online. Bought a different one for $34.
Total amount we spent: $271
Total amount saved: $968
Moral of the story: Shop around, and hunt for sales and coupons! Baby stuff seems to be always going on sale, so it doesn’t take long to find a really good price.
Welcome to Week 33
Sunday, April 11, 2010
32 weeks pregnant … now in Week 33!
OK, now I know why people say pregnancy goes so fast — it really is seeming to fly, now! Can you believe we are in Week 33? Holy crap, holy crap, holy CRAP!
Darling Husband and I definitely have mixed reactions to how “the 30s” (weeks, that is) are speeding along.
For me, they can’t go by fast enough, because I want this baby here, in my arms! I feel ready, we have all of the stuff, and I’m just generally a very, very, very impatient person. Bring it on!
Darling Husband, on the other hand, is claiming he would be quite content if the baby was a week or so late, because he is anxious about his arrival.
Luckily he has quite a few colleagues with babies, and they have all given him the same advice. It goes something like this: “Dude, you will never feel ready. It won’t seem real until you’re holding the baby, and then you’ll be like ‘Whoa'” — or something like that. Good advice, and I’m sure most dads really do feel that way.
What’s on the docket this week? Big things!
- OBGYN appointment on Tuesday. Oh yes, we’re bi-weekly now, people! Luckily, Dr. L should be back from vacation, so we don’t have to suffer through another Hippie Doctor nightmare. We plan on asking Dr. L specific details about who will be delivering this little person, and my fingers are crossed that Dr. Hippie is not the alternate. Oh, and we are also asking about epidurals, because Mom has frightened me by saying that if it’s not written on my file in advance, I won’t get one. Eep!
- Labour/delivery class on Saturday. I feel like I signed up for our classes (two four-hour sessions) a million years ago, and the first one is finally almost here. It takes place at the hospital, and we’ll be learning about labour and blood and needles all kinds of nausea-inducing things. I am looking forward to it, though, because I think it will help me feel a little more informed about the whole terrifying process.
Here’s what happening with Baby Boy this week:
Baby’s size: He weighs more than 4.2 pounds and measures about 17.2 inches long!
Development: His brain is rapidly developing, and his head is getting bigger from all of his smarts!
Appearance: His skin is becoming more pink, as he adds more fat beneath the surface.
Weekly re-cap
(April 4 – April 10)
Symptoms: Majorly swollen ankles and feet, pressure on my bladder when I walk around, leg pain, general grunting and groaning when getting up from a laying/seated position.
Body changes: This stomach has a life of its own (well, literally). I am quite grateful, though, that the rest of me really isn’t much bigger than normal — although it makes me look like very ill-proportioned with this giant belly!
Belly button: Still in (barely) and very small/wrinkled. I think we’re “in” to stay.
Baby movement: Less noticeable this week, as it must be getting crowded in there. Baby Boy moves around the most in the evenings, when I’m lying on the couch (with my phat feet elevated). It doesn’t really feel like kicks anymore — more just squirming and shifting.
What’s new?
Some of my maternity shirts are getting too short! WTF!
Energy level: What is energy, again?
Baby preparations: Nursery is totally done and stocked. We have the travel system and Playard, and are just waiting for the glider to arrive. Ordered the last of the cloth diapers this week, squeeeeeeeee!
Cravings: Nothing that I can remember. Oh wait …
High point: Ordering the diapers and soap online, and buying the baby thermometer and diaper bag — more details on that coming! We literally have everything on our list, except a couple of handmade things I’m working on. Huge relief!
Low point: Anxiety over work. As of this very minute, I have five weeks left in the office — as I have chosen Friday, May 14 to be my last day before maternity leave. I thought three weeks before the baby’s due would be a good time to stop, but now I am questioning how I will even make it that long. Work has been stressful and chaotic lately, and it is getting harder physically to be there for so long, every day.
I love you like I love french fries
Friday, April 9, 2010
31 weeks, 5 days pregnant
Dear Darling Husband,
Thank you for not judging me for the fact that I (accidentally) ate at McDonalds three times in the last two days.
Oh wait — you did judge me (and were kind of horrified). Well, thanks for loving me anyway 🙂 Here’s to hoping Baby Boy doesn’t come out looking like this:
Love, your wife
Diapers, diapers everywhere
Thursday, April 8, 2010
31 weeks, 4 days pregnant
Back when I first began my pilgrimage into the land of cloth diapers, I knew — with a lot of certainty — that I wanted to be a BumGenius household.
Dearest Amalah only made me feel more confident in my decision, and before I knew it, I made my first purchase:
Original purchase:
- 1 BumGenius one-size pocket diaper (“Twilight”)
- 1 BumGenius one-size pocket diaper (“Grasshopper”)
- 1 BumGenius one-size pocket diaper (“Butternut”)
- 5 Kushies reusable diapers (various prints)
I bought these eight as a package deal, and was really after the BumGenius ones — the Kushies were kind of an extra. I don’t have high hopes for the Kushies, because seem cheap-looking, but I figure they will be good “extras” to have on hand.
Before my baby shower, I registered for 15 BumGenius diapers (in various colours) from a local baby boutique. I was reeeeeally hoping to get all of them, since (if we didn’t) it was something we’d need to buy ourselves. I got a grand total of …
Cloth diapers received at the baby shower:
- 1 BumGenius one-size pocket diaper (“Twilight”)
I still had my heart set on buying 10-12 more BumGenius diapers, so I started scouring the internet. I knew I wanted to buy them from a Canadian site that offered free shipping, and ended up making a purchase from ParentingByNature.com. You get a break on the price if you buy 12 or more BumGenius, and I’m a sucker for a sale.
The one complaint I’ve read (repeatedly) about the classic BumGenius diapers is the velcro — even people who love these diapers admit that the velcro does get a bit cruddy after lots of washings. But the new organic Bum Genius have snaps instead of velcro, so I think they could be the best of both worlds. I bought …
The big purchase (from ParentingByNature.com):
- 3 BumGenius one-size pocket diapers (“Moonbeam”)
- 3 BumGenius one-size pocket diapers (“Ribbit”)
- 2 BumGenius one-size pocket diapers (“Clementine”)
- 4 BumGenius one-size pocket diapers (“White”)
So after buying eight diapers, receiving one as a present, and then rounding out the collection with 12 more, I feel ready! Check out my gorgeous little collection …
I officially own at least one of every colour BumGenius makes, with the exception of their two pink shades. I figure that if we have a girl someday, I will round out the collection with some pinks, and be all set.I also bought a package of Nellie’s All-Natural Laundry Soda, which is one of the types recommended for washing cloth diapers. I had my heart set on Charlie’s Soap, but it wasn’t available on the same site as the diapers, and I didn’t want to make two separate orders. I figure I’ll give Nellie’s a whirl, and buy Charlie’s down the road.
Is it wrong that I am REALLY, REALLY, REALLY excited for my package of 12 diapers and soap to arrive? I got it shipped to the office, so it should be here tomorrow or Monday, hopefully.
Like, really really really excited. I actually dreamed last night of where I’m going to organize them in the nursery. Quelle life!
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