Greetings Bookworms!
I know, I know. I wrote a total of ONE blog post the entire month of February. I’m not proud, but I’ve had a lot on my mind. See exhibit A:
That’s right, y’all. I’m currently gestating a tiny human. But I feel like it would be disingenuous to be all “YAY I AM PREGNANT!” without giving you at least a tiny bit of context. So, here’s the Reader’s Digest version…
Hubs and I decided we would like to have a baby nigh on 3 years ago. And, while it is VERY TRUE that one can get pregnant from a single encounter (I don’t want to take away from the importance of being responsible for any of the young impressionable minds that might be reading this) it doesn’t necessarily work that way for everyone. The road from flippant “oh, let’s just see what happens” to monitoring your temperature daily and buying ovulation kits in bulk is pretty depressing. Long story short, 2.5 to 3 years of trying, a whole lot of tests that couldn’t find anything wrong, and one (very early but totally heartbreaking) miscarriage led to the little dude in my belly showing up all on his own. When he darn well felt like it. I’m currently 16 weeks along, and if what the docs are telling me is true, it’s a boy!
I didn’t confide the whole of what was going on to very many people, mostly because it bummed me out and I wanted to feel normal. I also realize that given what some folks go through with hormone treatments and medications and other procedures, things could have been SO much more difficult. But reading the occasional blog post from someone who had been through something similar helped me feel less crappy. So, if this is you right now and you need a hug? Consider yourself HUGGED!
I suppose it’s been good preparation for parenthood. There’s going to be a whole lot that despite my best intentions is going to be completely out of my control. I’m still super excited to embark on this adventure!
Alright Bookworms. Any parents (or super awesome Aunts, Uncles, and Fairy Godparents) have recommendations for excellent children’s books or must-have baby gear?
Ashley Z
I am compiling a list for you, I promise! A boy!!! So exciting! I’m so happy for you! P.s. I tried for 3 years with Emelia. She was conceived with the help of fertility meds. Caleb decided he didn’t need help being conceived! I’m a firm believer that these kids decide their own time.
wordsfor
Oh my gosh, remember Bri from high school? She sent me this intense and amazing essay/list of kid books. I kind of want to just copy and paste the thing into my blog because it’s hilarious. And I totally agree, these kids have their own timelines. He’s going to give me a run for my money.
Ashley Z
They all give you a run for your money for sure! But he’s going to be the cutest little bookworm ever!
Quirky Chrissy
Crazy Aunt Chrissy can’t WAIT to meet that little guy!
wordsfor
And Babysaurus cannot WAIT to meet Auntie Chrissy! He tells me he’s looking forward to the snuggles, especially.
Quirky Chrissy
They will be the most snuggliest. <3
Care
All the best! Congratulations. I recommend pie. In fact, I recommend some of these books (I havent’ read them all yet):
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=children's+books+with+pie&qpvt=children%27s+books+with+pie&qpvt=children%27s+books+with+pie&qpvt=children%27s+books+with+pie&FORM=IGRE
wordsfor
Thanks Care! I will definitely look into these pie books. This message is delightfully on brand for you!
Lisa G
Oh my God! Sooooooooooo many congratulations!!! I’m seriously excited for you guys!!! As for kids books, beyond the classics, I strongly suggest “K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo.” It’s an abc book, and it has the most adorable illustrations ever. Two others we could never get enough of are “Mooses come walking” and “I Love You, Stinkyface”
wordsfor
I will definitely look into those books for the young sir’s library :). Thank you!
Megan M.
Yayyyy! Thrilled to death for you, friend! I feel like the two things that I loved the most for my three were having a baby swing and a crib soother thing that played a lullaby and lit up. Books? Oh my word, there are so many, and I’m sure you will receive all of them. They get more and more fun as the kids grow up. My two years old currently loves “The Crayons Book of Colors” by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers. He’s also very fond of the Llama Llama books.
wordsfor
A crib soother thing, you say? I will have to add that to my list. I had already figured on the swing- actually one of my pals offered to let me borrow hers as her kidlet has outgrown it.
Heather J Merchant
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Cassie
Congratulations! He will be well worth the wait, I’m sure. And you seem like you’ll be a fabulous mommy. I hope you have a healthy pregnancy and easiest labor possible!
Excellent job of delicately explaining your journey to becoming expectant parents. I too experienced an early, heartbreaking miscarriage but went on to have two healthy daughters: Sydney, 2 yrs and Madison, 8 mo. So I hope you don’t worry during your pregnancy too much 🙂
wordsfor
Thank you, Cassie! I didn’t want to dwell too much on all the bad stuff, but it also seems weird to try to sweep it under the rug, you know? I’m sorry for your loss, but so glad to hear about your sweet girls. I’m worrying less and less as time goes on. Can’t wait to feel some kicks!
JoulesDellinger
YAY again! I have so many recommendations. ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS!
wordsfor
I am especially interested in books involving dinosaurs (and peng-juans, obvi.)
JoulesDellinger
For dinosaurs, this one is a winner in our house: http://amzn.to/2meT31g The whole series is pretty great! Sometimes I find awesome kids books at TJMAXX and Marshalls, so start browsing the kiddo sections when you visit.
Charleen
Pretty sure you already know about the Baby Lit books. Guess How Much I Love You is also a favorite.
As for the “stuff,” having a car-seat/stroller combo was so convenient, especially those first few months. And I’m glad we got a video monitor instead of just audio. Being able to peek in on him without having to crack the door and possibly disturb him more is great, then and now.
So exciting!!!
Words for Worms
I saw that Costco had a box set of BabyLit at a great price- I have my mom on the lookout to see if she can find it!
Charleen
Oh, and Indestructibles! – https://www.workman.com/brands/indestructibles
They’re books that a baby can look at and play with on their own and will not get destroyed! Even better than board books (which can still get mushy corners after lots of chewing) for some early book exploration.
Marisa@TheDailyDosage
Congrats again and can’t wait to catch up soon! You’ll be great with finding the best books, of course. And for the “stuff”…it’s been over a decade since I’ve had a baby but one of the best things I got as a gift was an ear thermometer- I still use it today. And one for under the arm. I just couldn’t “go there”. 🙂
Words for Worms
LOL! Oh man, I hear you. Like, it’s bad enough they’re not feeling well, I don’t want to add to it by sticking a thermometer in their tiny tushie!
Kristen M
I love this news and I’m happy that you will be a mama. 🙂
To be honest, any books that you have early are mainly just for you so pick ones that you remember fondly! The kiddo won’t be aware for a while, your enthusiasm for the stories will come through, and you will get to read, well, Ferdinand and The Monster at the End of The Book and Are You My Mother and whatever else you recognize when you walk through your local kid section. After that … board books. Find the board book versions of everything you can because they’re going in someone’s mouth.
Words for Worms
I’ve been very lucky in that several family and friends have already gotten me quite the collection of board books!
Rhian
Congratulations! If bubba is born on my birthday (17th) you will have to name him after me ;-).
I’m not a parent so my advice is hearsay but apparently There’s no such thing as too many muslins when you have a baby.
Words for Worms
LOL, yes! I used to always tell my friends that “Katie” was an excellent name for a baby. Then they’d tell me they were expecting a boy and I’d be all “So?”
Unruly Reader
Congratulations, Katie!! I’m so happy for you and Can’t Wait to see the new one when he arrives. That’s one lucky little dude. : )
Words for Worms
He IS one lucky little dude, what with his own personal librarian spoiling him already!
Claire
Yay! Congrats! I’m writing this in my sleep-deprived state with a 6-week old passed out on my chest. Oh, this parenthood business is an adventure!
I think some folks already mentioned the KidLit books. I have a few and it’s hard not to start buying them all. I got the book “The Wonderful Things You Will Be” and cry every time I read it to her. It’s so so good.
And to offer one nugget of advice (’cause you’ll get lots. From everyone.) We held off on stocking up on diapers until after baby came. I had a friend describe diapers like jeans – certain brands fit differently. We got different types of diapers at the baby showers and now we’re able to narrow down what ones she likes!
Congrats again!!!!!!!
Words for Worms
Good point about the diapers. I hadn’t even thought of that, but it makes sense. Thanks for the tip! And give that 6 week old’s noggin a sniff for me. New baby smell is the best!
Julie @ JulzReads
I have no advice to give, but I can’t wait to see you and your lil bump this weekend! Junior’s BEA aunties will spoil him with all the baby lit swag.
Words for Worms
I have no doubt that the BEA Aunties will be spoiling this kiddo rotten!!!
Lisa
congrats!!! Baby Bargains is a consumer-reports like book that helped me figure out baby gear, which was overwhelming to me.
Words for Worms
It really is overwhelming. I’ve been quizzing friends and family on what gear they bought and what they liked. Everyone has a different experience, but there have been some things that are generally agreed to be a good idea.
Jenny @ Reading the End
I know this is not new information to me but I am still SO SO PSYCHED for your awesome little boy. He will be great! He will be extremely sweet and he will require lots and lots of kisses, so make a note of that. I have a Baby Bjorn that I really dig and so does the peanut (after some initial dislike of it). I have purchased a board book called “But Not the Hippopotamus” by Sandra Boynton that is greatly popular among my nephew. It has humorous bits and melancholy bits.
Words for Worms
I love Sandra Boynton! I’ve purchased “Your Personal Penguin” for many a kiddo on my shopping list. I’ve already been getting tips about the best baby carriers (mostly people like the Bjorn and the Ergo)- I hear they’re great!
Carrie
What a wonderful surprise! So happy for you. You’ll be such a fun mom!
Words for Worms
Thank you <3
Michelle
I am SO, SO happy for you!!! That is going to be one CUTE kid!
I will say anything by Sandra Boynton is a must for books. My kids are 16 and 12 and still remember the lines to their favorites.
I wish I could give you a list of great things, but you will soon realize just how quickly things change when it comes to gadgets for parenting. All I can say is that trust your instincts and relax. So many first-time moms, myself included, are way too uptight about everything from sleep patterns to eating to development. Babies are amazing, resilient things who will forgive you for anything you do. Enjoy your pregnancy and later your son from the moment he is born.
Words for Worms
I will try to take your zen mom attitude to heart… But knowing me? I’m gonna be such a worrywart. It’s my default setting.
Psychobabble
YAAAAAY!!! CONGRATS! Sorry to hear about the rocky road to conception and the miscarriage. That sounds horrible and sad and I feel for you and your loss. It takes balls to share that on your blog, too, so props.
As for stuff- I am loving my Ergo. Didn’t have it with my first but I really like it compared to the Bjorn we used before.
Do lots of research on strollers and get one that will grow with your kid. Meaning- one that can have a car seat clip on and then also have a normal seat once kid is out of the car seat. And consider buying a double stroller now if you plan to have more kids.
If you plan to cloth diaper and would like my research on that, let me know. I did a ton 🙂
So happy for you!!! Yay babies!
I hope the rest of your pregnancy and labor and delivery goes smoothly. I just recently had my second – not sure if you’ve had time to keep reading my blog.
Hugs!!
Words for Worms
Oh my gosh, I HAVE been reading your blog. I was going to post a response to Audrey’s birth story, but I was a little too traumatized. You are AMAZING.
Psychobabble
I think I’m still traumatized too.
DoingDewey
Congratulations Katie! How awesome!
Words for Worms
Thank you!
Nicole Brant
Wow, this sounds almost exactly like my husband’s & my situation (minus the miscarriage, so sorry ?). It’s been 5 years for us & no baby. I’m 38, so I have finally come to the conclusion it just wasn’t meant to be for us, and that’s ok. Thank you for sharing. Made me feel less alone.
And, CONGRATULATIONS! ?
Words for Worms
Hugs hugs hugs to you! It really super sucks. Although, babies do have a tendency to show up on their own time, so you never REALLY know. Still, I wish you peace with whatever ends up happening. My inbox is ALWAYS OPEN if you need to vent a little. MORE HUGS. ALL THE HUGS. XOXOXO
Nicole
You are so sweet. Thank you ?I’m trying to stay positive but every month is just another disappointment, you know? So I guess my coping method is acceptance. You never know though. Anyway, I can’t wait to hear more about your experience!
Jennine G
So glad you are on your way to your heart’s delight! Best wishes and lots of prayers for your little family!
Words for Worms
Thanks Jennine! I’m not going to go turning down any prayers, I’m sure we’ll need all we can get, LOL.
somer
I was totally wondering if pregnancy was the culprit of the decline in blog posts! Congrats, so happy for you. My story is similar to yours, in that we were trying for 2 years and had a miscarriage last year. I was surprised that so many women told me afterwards about their own miscarriages. It makes me sad that it’s like some secret that no one talks about until it happens. I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant with a boy due in late April! I’m so glad that it has worked out well for you so far and wish you an easy healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy book recs: The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by The La Leche League
The Big Book of Birth by Erica Lyon (a really great detailed book about Labor)
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp
The Discontented Little Baby Book by Pamela Douglas
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The list may seem overwhelming for anyone except a book lover like yourself!
I nannied for a bit last year to get “baby experience” and totally loved the Hungry Catepillar books for little babies. There is a cloth book that was a hit for the really young ones because they can touch it easily. Also recommend the board books for children under 3 because they can’t be easily destroyed! I hope you’ll post some of your children’s book reviews on here as well!!
Words for Worms
Conception story twinsies! How exciting, your little dude is SO CLOSE TO BEING HERE! In the immediate aftermath of the miscarriage I didn’t want to talk about it, not because I was ashamed, but because I needed to mentally work through it without hearing a bunch of empty platitudes from every direction. I mean, I know people mean well and it’s hard to know what to say, but I needed to wait until I was ready. Still, I’m glad it’s out there now. Especially since everyone deals differently. If there’s someone in my circle who is an “I need to talk this through” type person, I want them to know that I’m here for them. I’m sorry for your loss, darling, but SO EXCITED for the little fellow on the way. Best of luck to you and your family!
Christine @ BookishlyB
Congrats! I struggled to get pregnant for quite a while, too, with no real found reason, and it was really hard. And now that I have an almost three year old I remind myself of this every time he does something obnoxious, haha.
Great titles (with no authors because I am lazy): Hug Machine, The Most Magnificent Thing, Knuffle Bunny, Dragon Loves Tacos, and Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
My most important purchase was our stroller. I knew I’d do some serious walking with him and I have put thousands of miles on it.
Another piece of advice: I started buying $10 Target gift cards each week and stashed them away as designated diaper cards. Between what people gave us and those cards, I didn’t spend a dime on diapers until after he was one (I didn’t buy the actual diapers because kids all grow at different speeds… your little one may not even need newborn ones)
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
ALL of the Babylit books, and I don’t care what anyone says. You’ll also definitely need a copy of Jamberry. SO EXCITED FOR YOU!
A.M.B.
I am so excited for you (and the entire bookworm family)! I am looking forward to finding out about all the books you’ll share with your little one.
Kristilyn
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! xx