Baby product help - from you!

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I really have no idea what sort of baby gear I'll need come November. 


So at the urging of a couple blog friends, I'm turning to you guys :)


Maybe you have written/bookmarked posts on this topic. Maybe you are a mama and have an opinion. Maybe you're an aunt or close to kids. No matter what, I want any advice you have to give!


I will say that I am sort of old-fashioned when it comes to babies. I feel like they didn't have a fraction of the gadgets back when I was a kid that they have today, and I turned out just fine. However, I am also going to be a working mama, so I do need some of those conveniences. 


So what do I need to be sure to buy/register for? What are the things you would say not to waste money on.


You can leave comments here, or email me at michellefelter{at}gmail.com


Thanks friends!!!  And happy weekend :)

Thursday randoms

I can't believe it's already Thursday! This week sure has flown by!

- I'm only "working" half a day today. At noon, I have a Chamber lunch, where I'll graduate from our Leadership course. Another plaque to hang in my office :) Then, I have an hour drive to the main campus for an orientation. Fun, fun.

- This work week actually hasn't been too busy, as I was getting settled on Monday and then the person I'm working most closely with is on a work trip. So it's nice getting acclimated slowly instead of having a million and one tasks to bust my butt on.

- We get to hear Baby R again next week! I'm kinda sad that we don't get any more ultrasounds, but I also know there is NO WAY that I could go without finding out the sex. It's so tough!

- Speaking of Baby R, the two lovely ladies who will be throwing my shower are already pestering me to come up with my registry. I feel like I've been so busy, plus we just did our wedding registry a little over a month ago so I don't want to look like I'm begging for gifts. And a little confession - I have no idea what I need or what I'm doing. I keep trying to freak out J with all the baby stuff and I can't, which freaks me out even more. Aren't the men the ones who are unsure? Seriously, I don't know how to swaddle, I stink at burping, I don't really want to breastfeed other than the fact I know it's best for the baby, and more. We're at the point now where Baby R could be home in three months, and I haven't even cleaned out the nursery yet!

- OK, I just worked myself up to a small panic attack.

- We've been having variations of meatballs (left over from our reception) all week for dinner. I'm about sick of the things and will probably end up freezing them soon.

- I'm really loving this season of Big Brother. I'm pretty sure Dom will go home tonight and most excited to see who ends up winning HOH. I think it will be some type of an endurance competition, designed for a smaller person to win.

- The water at my new office is nasty. So I've been bringing in big 32 ounce bottles. And wearing out a path to the bathroom. Thank goodness it's only 20 or so steps away.

- I'm itching to legally change my name. But I haven't received the certified copy of the marriage license yet. Grrrrr.

- My wedding band is a loaner for now :( Our jeweler didn't have the time to finish the one I want, so he let me use my No. 2 band, which was already made. I have to take back my engagement ring for a couple weeks so he can make sure they match up perfectly, but I'm just not ready to do that yet. If I loved my engagement ring before, I don't know what to say about it now. A band gives it even more sparkle and prominence. I sometimes get lost in the sparkles and beauty :)

- We should FINALLY receive our flood insurance check today, after we signed the estimate more than two months ago. So this weekend may include some basement work for J, while I work on cleaning the upstairs and doing laundry.

- I'm trying to be patient in waiting for the rest of my wedding pictures, but it's hard. Hopefully they'll come in the next couple of days.

But for now, here's another sneak peek :)

What I'm Loving

Real quick, today I am very heavy-hearted as it marks the three years since a great friend and former coworker went to Heaven. He was only 38 when he died suddenly of an acute heart attack, and he and his wife have two small children. Please keep them in your prayers today.

Now, on to linking up with Jamie for What I'm Loving Wednesday :) Despite being sad, there is a lot I am loving on this HOT July day.

{1} I'm LOVING my new job, especially having my own office. 

{2} I'm LOVING the mini fridge I ordered last night to keep in my office. Goodbye, fast food and vending machines!

{3} I am LOVING how we are very blessed with great friends and family who support us. If there was any doubt, last Saturday showed it, when several of my family stayed until the reception was over just to help me clean the reception hall, bag up food, etc. so we didn't have to pay the $200 cleaning fee. My aunt and uncle even followed us home with what didn't fit in the truck!

{4} I'm LOVING that a sweet friend happened to have a brand-new camera at her house that was a gift and gave it to me after hearing that mine was stolen. This is a huge blessing, as I didn't want to spend $100-$200 on a camera, especially with things being a bit tight right now with the wedding, changing jobs and the baby on the way.

{5} I'm LOVING our sweet baby, who is kicking up a storm these days!

{6} I'm LOVING all the fresh garden produce my mom is sending to me :) Between the pregnancy and wedding planning, I kind of let my garden get overrun by weeds, plus a lot of it burnt up, being in sand with lots of temperatures in the 90s. So it's nice to have those fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and okra and not have to buy them :)

{7} I'm LOVING the great news I got from one of my blog friends this morning!!!

{8} I'm LOVING my husband. How fun is it to say that?

Bumpdate: 23 weeks

I turn 23 weeks pregnant today! 17 (ish) to go!

Nothing big during week 22. I had some super cute pictures but they were on my camera which got STOLEN. I'm not bitter at all. And this week's pictures were taken on the iPhone so not the best. I'm getting a new camera this week though, so it will only be sucky this once. We also got the full-frontal shot this week.


No real cravings this week, other than sleep and rest. Ha! My feet have been swelling a bit over the past week and a half, which I blame on being a bit too active. But my email says this is normal, as I have increased blood flow. I think it catches up with me a bit too quickly. Lots of back aches/shooting pains too. Sometimes I have to get on to Tuff and tell him to move. Last night I planned to clean the kitchen, but little one had different plans so I ended up on the couch most of the night.

LOTS of movement. Still not visible from the outside, but I definitely feel Baby R moving for longer stretches of time, especially after I eat or when I am resting. By now, he/she should be awake 10-12 hours a day and settled into the sleep patterns he/she will follow once here.

We had our anatomy u/s two weeks ago, when we could have found out the sex. But we turned away. J now has a feeling it's a girl, but I'm still saying boy. Most other people we know are guessing boy as well.

During week 22, baby was the size of a papaya, measuring between 10,5 and 11.8 inches and weighing somewhere between 12.7 and 20.8 ounces. I'm thinking this baby must be on the high side of that, because Baby R measured about a pound at our appointment 2 weeks ago.

As for me, I think I've gained about 4 lbs in the past two weeks. Yikes. But I guess that's not bad for vacation/picking up food every night last week? In terms of maternity clothes, I'm still at an awkward stage. I feel like my regular clothes are practically too small, but maternity clothes kinda fall off of me. So it's a mix, although I foresee I will be exclusively in maternity pants pretty soon.

My emails warn that my belly will pop any day now, but we'll see. I'm hoping that doesn't happen.

We also found this ADORBS T-shirt for Tuff while in Gulf Shores. I may or may not have shreiked in the middle of the store. He got a sippy cup, too :)

Sorry, can't get it to rotate!!!

Hope you all have a happy Tuesday!

 

I'm Back!!!

We got back into town late Wednesday but were so busy with cleaning house and getting everything in order for the reception I didn't even log onto Blogger.

But we're hitched and happy! We had a beautiful ceremony and a great time!

I started my new job today so life is pretty busy, I just wanted to pop in and say hi to you all! I'm going to try and get caught up on your blogs, but no promises!!!

I'll leave you with this picture for now. And if you're really nosy and want to see more (I'm hoping to post later this week but we'll see) let me know and I'll send a link to the uploads on my facebook album :)

Guest post: Melissa Jo (and a doggie cake recipe!)

Hi friends!

Today we're en route to Gulf Shores, so my sweet friend Melissa wrote this guest post. We definitely bonded over our doggies so I think it's sweet that she wrote about this cake. I actually made Hank cupcakes last year that he LOVED so I'll have to try this soon :)

Hey everyone! Glad to be here at Snapshots today while Michelle is busy getting M-A-R-R-I-E-D! I'm so excited for you and your hubby!

Since Michelle and I have our love for our chocolate labs in common I thought for all the rest of the dog lovers out there I'd share a recipe for some homemade doggy birthday cake that my Reese LOVES. I'm sure Michelle's pup Hank would grub on them too!

My Precious Reese

1 cup white or whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 cup shredded carrots

1 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup honey

1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)

Mix together flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a ring mold sprayed with a nonstick spray for 40 minutes.

Frost this cake with low fat cottage cheese and decorate with carrot pieces. Store in refrigerator.

Doggy Birthday Cake

Today ..

This day I will marry my best friend.

The one I laugh with, live for, dream with, love.

I can't believe my wedding day is here! I've dreamt of this day for so long, that it's unbelievable. The past six weeks, since we finally set a date, have seriously flown by. 

J and I have been together so long, it's hard to think of many events in my life that don't involve him. I was in college (four hours away) when we met and we lasted through that, so I think that's a huge testament to our love and commitment to one another.

As we all know, no relationship is perfect. We'll always have disagreements and there will always be ups and downs. But we have weathered every storm that has been thrown our way, and become better people (and had a stronger relationship) because of it. I'm not afraid to tell him if I disagree, and he isn't afraid to stick up for his beliefs, either. I used to get jealous my man wasn't "on a leash" like their men. But I'm so glad he didn't and has a mind of his own. It challenges me. 

He's my rock and my everything. When I feel like giving up, he encourages me to keep pushing. This may is my biggest fan and he works to remind me of that constantly. He always reminds me to shoot for the stars. And he encourages me to be a better person. 

I love you baby, now and forever. Even though we've already bought a house together and practically lived as a married couple for a few years, I can't wait to enter into this next chapter of life. I know you'll be an awesome husband and, in just a few months, a great daddy. 

And yes, I'll still love you when you're 64 :)

When I get older losing my hair,

Many years from now,

Will you still be sending me a valentine

Birthday greetings bottle of wine?

If I'd been out till quarter to three

Would you lock the door,

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four?

oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oooo

You'll be older too, (ah ah ah ah ah)

And if you say the word,

I could stay with you.

I could be handy mending a fuse

When your lights have gone.

You can knit a sweater by the fireside

Sunday mornings go for a ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,

Who could ask for more?

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four?

Every summer we can rent a cottage

In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too dear

We shall scrimp and save

Grandchildren on your knee

Vera, Chuck, and Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,

Stating point of view.

Indicate precisely what you mean to say

Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.

Give me your answer, fill in a form

Mine for evermore

Will you still need me, will you still feed me,

When I'm sixty-four?