To all the mom's out there...

Ok ladies. I am making a list of must haves, would like to haves, and should I gets for our baby. I have NO idea on so many things. I found a bunch of lists online but still am not sure. So if you have a second and want to help me out, take a look at this list, think about what you love, regret buying, wish you had etc. and please let me know! Either comment on this post or email me at kbhodgkinson@gmail.com Any input would be appreciated! THANK YOU!!!

Buy for Baby

Layette

[ ] 4-8 bodysuits or onesies (wide head openings and loose legs)

[ ] 4-8 undershirts or vests (snaps at neck or wide head openings, snaps under crotch)*

[ ] 4-8 one-piece pajamas*

[ ] 2 blanket sleepers for winter baby

[ ] 1-3 sweaters or jackets (front buttoned)

[ ] 1-3 rompers or other dress-up outfits*

[ ] 4-7 socks or booties (shoes are unnecessary until baby walks)*

[ ] 1-3 hats (broad-brimmed for summer baby, soft cap that covers ears for winter baby)*

[ ] 1 baby bunting (a hooded sleeping bag made of napped fabric)

[ ] 6–8 outfits

[ ] 6 bibs

[ ] 2-3 blankets

[ ] No-scratch mittens

[ ] Gentle laundry detergent

swaddling blanket

Nursery

[ ] Crib, cradle

[ ] Firm, flat mattress fit snugly in crib (less than two fingers should fit between mattress and crib)*

• Slats no more than 2 3/8 inches apart • Corner posts no more than 1/16 of an inch above frame • No cutouts in headboard or footboard • Top rails at least 26 inches above mattress

Bassinet

[ ] Crib Bedding

[ ] Waterproof mattress pad (with cloth)

[ ] 1-3 washable crib mattress pads

[ ] Bumper pads covering inside perimeter

(secured by at least six ties or snaps, with all extra length removed -- we suggest breathable bumpers)

[ ] 2-4 fitted crib sheets*

[ ] 4-6 soft, light receiving blankets*

[ ] 1-2 heavier blankets (for colder climates)

[ ] Rocking or arm chair

[ ] Music box, sound machine or CD player

[ ] Crib mobile with black and white images (remove when baby can support self on hands and knees)

[ ] Baby monitor

crib/mattress monitor

[ ] Nightlight

[ ] Dresser

[ ] Toy basket

[ ] Swing

[ ] bouncy chair

[ ] Infant toys

[ ] Play yard or playpen

[ ] Play mat or play gym

Changing

[ ] Changing table or cushioned changing pad for low dresser or bureau, with safety strap or railing*

[ ] Changing table pad*

[ ] Changing table pad cover

[ ] Diaper pail

[ ] Diaper pail liners

[ ] Diaper cream*

[ ] Unscented baby wipes (causes less irritation)*

[ ] Soft washcloths*

[ ] Tissues (for you)

[ ] 2-3 large boxes of disposable newborn-size diapers*

Bath

[ ] Baby bathtub

[ ] Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)

[ ] Baby lotion

[ ] Baby soap*

[ ] Baby shampoo

[ ] 2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels

[ ] Baby hairbrush

johnssons bathtime set

Feeding

[ ] 10-16 bottles and nipples, both four and eight ounce

(if fed strictly by the bottle, baby will go through about ten in the four ounce size per day)*

[ ] Liners, for disposable bottles

[ ] Bottle warmer (cuts down on nighttime trips to and from the kitchen)

[ ] Bottle sterilizer (if your dishwasher doesn’t have one)

[ ] Bottle drying rack

[ ] Bottle brush

[ ] Dishwasher basket for small items

[ ] 4-8 bibs

[ ] Burp cloths (or cloth diapers)*

[ ] High chair

[ ] 2-4 pacifiers

pacifier clips

[ ] Formula (if not nursing)*

formula dispenser

snack dispensers

For nursing moms:

[ ] 1-3 nursing bras

(Breasts swell following birth, so start with one size larger than your maternity bra. Wait until size settles down -- about two weeks after birth -- to purchase additional bras.)

[ ] Nursing pads

[ ] Nipple cream, lanolin cream

[ ] Nursing pillow

[ ] Electric Pump (even if you plan only to nurse, a pump will allow you to leave milk for baby if you want or need to separate)*

Hand Pump

[ ] Milk storage bags*

Medicine Cabinet

[ ] Baby nail clippers or blunt scissors*

[ ] Cotton balls (don’t use swabs to clean baby’s nose or ears)

[ ] Baby thermometer*, digital rectal

[ ] Bulb syringe/nasal aspirator

[ ] Medicine dropper or spoon with measurements

[ ] Petroleum jelly and sterile gauze (for circumcision care)*

[ ] Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol)

[ ] Antibiotic cream

[ ] Saline nasal drops

[ ] Baby gas drops

[ ] Disinfecting hand soap (for you)

[ ] Infant acetaminophen drops

[ ] Infant-safe sunscreen

[ ] Infant gas relief drops

Travel

[ ] Infant or convertible car seat*

[ ] Stroller (reclining to almost flat for infants)

travel stroller

jogging stroller

[ ] Diaper bag

[ ] Changing pad

grocery cart cover

[ ] Baby carrier/sling, baby bjorn

[ ] Portable play yard

For Mom

[ ] Ice packs (in case of tearing during birth or swelling after)

[ ] 2-3 week supply of ultra absorbent sanitary pads

[ ] Panty liners

[ ] Hemorrhoid wipes and cream (can become necessary after labor, even if pregnancy was free of problems…sorry)

if we ever have a boy...

We might have to get one of these pee-pee teepee's if we ever have a boy! Oh the things I am learning.

Happy Mother's Day

A Parable For Mothers

by Temple Bailey

The young mother set her foot on the path of Life. "Is the way long?" she asked. And her Guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the streams, and the sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young mother cried: "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this".

Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle and the children said: "Oh, Mother, we are not afraid for you are near, and no harm can come." And the mother said: "This is better than the brightest of days, for I have taught my children courage."

And the morning came and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children: "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said: "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars and said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of difficulty. Yesterday I gave them courage, Today I have given them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth - clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up! Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the mother said: "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the months and the years, and the mother grew old, and she was small and bent. But her children were strong and tall and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their mother; and when the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."

And the children said: "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Happy Birthday Mom

4 and a half years without you here.

But 4 and a half years of you in my heart, always.

Heelarious

Ok I love shoes. I really, really do. But is this going to far? I have yet to see them in person so I will decide then. The more I look, the more confused I get. Baby high heels. Unreal.

The Middle Wife

My cousins wife told me about this little story. I couldn't find it. Luckily a friend sent it to me a few days later! So funny. I've never had an experience quite like this...luckily. So funny.

The Middle Wife

by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself,
but the best "birth" story I know is the one I saw in my own second
grade classroom a few years back.

When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions
with my students.. It helps them get over shyness and usually,
show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model
airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that And I never,
ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it
in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid,
takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow
stuffed under her sweater.

She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother,
and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put
a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine
months through an umbrella cord.'

She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to
laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her
in amazement.

'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh,
Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked
around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing
a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't
have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie
down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the
wall)

'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case
he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like
psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming
water flowing away. It was too much!)

'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe.
They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a
sudden, out comes my brother.. He was covered in yucky stuff that they
all said it was from Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there must be a
lot of toys inside there. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him
for crawling up in there.'

Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat
I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's
show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle
Wife' comes along.

Race for the Cure 2010

Why do we Race?

• Because the greatest risk factors for getting breast cancer are being female and getting older.
• Because breast cancer knows no boundaries..age, gender, socioeconomic status or geographic location.
• Because one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Because we are making a difference!! The number of survivors at the race each year are a testament to our success. Together we can realize our promise, to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

It is that time of year again...

Time to register for the Race for the Cure!

The race is Saturday May 8th this year and begins at 8:30am.

This is the Saturday before mother's day.

I love the race being this day because I feel like it is such a great way to honor my amazing mother who passed away from breast cancer four and a half years ago. And to honor all those other mothers, sisters, wives, friends, daughters and anyone else who may be fighting or faught breast cancer. It is a great way for friends and family to come together for a good cause. I love running this race with all of my family. I feel like every year it brings us closer together as we celebrate the life of our wonderful mom.

Please join our team and invite your friends to do the same!

This year it is all on-line and your shirts will be mailed directly to you.

{instructions attached}

You must be registered by April 30th!

Team Bell'in Rosa is usually on of the largest participating teams.

Let's get it even larger this year!

Let me know if you have any questions.

I am happy to help!

How to Register...

Race for the Cure 2010 – Team Bell’in Rosa

The 14th annual Komen Salt Lake City Race for the Cure will be held onSaturday, May 8^that The Gateway Mall. The 5K (3.1 miles) run and walk and the 1 mile fun run/walk will start at 8:30am.Both events will start at 300 W and North Temple heading north, and come back to end at the Gateway Legacy Fountain.

Registering on team Bell’in Rosa Instructions:

Go to komenslc.org

Click on ‘Register Now’

Fill in personal information

Pick ‘Participation Type’

Choose ‘Fundraiser Goal’ (can be left at 0)

Under ‘Role’ choose ‘Join a Team’

Under ‘Select a Team’ go toFriends and Family

Find and choose Bell’in Rosa

Continue to next step

Pick shirt size

Pay and complete registration

This year the shirts are going to be mailed to each participant.

If you want to join us, some people will be meeting at the Bott home {2010 South Main Street in Bountiful} at 7:00amfor carpools and pictures.

On-line Registration must be completed by April 30^th

Sephora...in Salt Lake!

For those of you who know me, I mean really know me, you know I love make-up, shopping, and fashion. I may not show it all the time (especially these days) but it's true. I love all of it. One of my favorite stores is Sephora. It's a whole store of hair products, make-up, perfume, etc. Needless to day, you can pretty much find anything your little heart desires. I went to Fashion Place Mall on Saturday with Jess and when I saw that Sephora is coming I about passed out. It's true. Our very own little piece of New York heaven right here in Murray Utah. It opens in June. You can bet I'll be there!!!

The doctor said he's 98% sure...

Legally Blonde

I love broadway!