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The reveal last night went way better than expected. I had started having serious doubts and misgivings about going through with it starting midday. Panorama results weren't and wouldn't be back, and I had this fear that FIL would be a jerk and a half (long story, but he has opinions about just about everything, especially if it's related to money). But I'm glad I did, even though now I'm afraid I've jinxed it.

We had already planned to have dinner at my parents' house with my brother, my parents, DH's brother, and his parents (his sister lives way out of town now) as a kind of celebratory dinner for being done with the bar exam. I had taken the reveal gifts over during the day while my mom was picking stuff up for dinner. I wrapped them in large-ish kraft bags with yellow tissue paper and green ribbon. They looked quite nice! I should've taken a picture lol.

We got there fashionably late, but it was right after DH's family got there, so it was decent timing. We picked up a black and white cake from Whole Foods on the way there, and you should all get one because it was AMAZING. Chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream and there was a chocolate ganache on the top. So. Good. Anyway, I figured out a way to sneak the last two gifts in, and things were under way.

Everyone sat down in the den, and naturally we got on the topic of Disney World. So I used the opportunity to get the bags from upstairs, and I told them all that it was a surcee from WDW as a thanks for dealing with me for the past two months/three years. Everyone was convinced except my mom--she had sleuthed it out. MIL and FIL got these mugs, BIL got this mug (they're big coffee drinkers), my dad got an antique book (Tales of a Grandfather) from this store, my brother got the books Goodnight Moon and Night Night Little Tiger, and my mom got a board book of On the Night You Were Born (she's given that to my brother and me several times) and a little soft bunny.

BIL was the first to say something. He said, nonchalantly, "Uncle BIL." Then he got it. "Uncle BIL?" My brother saw his books and figured it out, but waited for the other responses. Mom knew immediately and was practically jumping out of her seat. MIL read her mug but thought we were giving it in advance (like we weren't pregnant yet). Then my mom told MIL, then she got it, then FIL got it. My dad was the last one to get it, though admittedly his was really subtle. But everyone was so sweet and so excited, and I'm really happy about it.

We're asking them to keep it quiet until after our next appointment, and then they can tell extended family and friends. We're also asking that nothing at all be posted to social media because we want to keep this as private as possible. I'm pretty sure they'll respect that, which makes me feel good. Only really worried about my dad blabbing when he's had too much to drink 😒

And now I realize this is longer than a birth story, but I felt like I wanted to write it all out to help me remember :)

> Now that I'm mostly out of the first trimester woods, I'm anxious to start making some progress on the house and nursery and buying some baby things, but I feel like it's still too early for a lot of that.

I know that feeling! Yay on almost being out of the 1st trimester though!

I found what kept me mostly happy on the "I want to buy baby things but maybe it's still ridiculously early...?" front was to start sale shopping and building my registry. I told myself that if I found a really great deal on something I knew I wanted/needed for baby I'd go ahead and get it. And so far I haven't seen too many amazing sales. I got a car seat and a pack 'n' play on Black Friday. And since I've gotten a couple of diaper covers and prefolds but that's about it.

If you're planning to cloth diaper the Thirsties Duo Wrap cover in size 1 color Aqua is on sale right now on Amazon. It's $8 instead of the standard ~$13.

There is a white noise machine/baby soother that all the registry lists like lucies seem to like that's on sale right now. It's almost 50% off which is pretty nice.

But yeah so that's what I've been doing. Then when I buy things I don't feel silly because I can tell myself, and mostly my husband, "but I saved 50% by buying it now!"

ETA: Some other sales I've seen if you're interested: Carter's is having their twice a year "big sale."

For actual pregnancy, I loved the American college of obstetrics and gynecology's book and I know a lot of people loved the mayo clinic book.


Planning for Pregnancy, Birth And Beyond: Second Revised Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0525941401/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PLZHAbPZ6V85C


Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: From Doctors Who Are Parents, Too! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1561487171/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tMZHAbRTF0RMQ


I also read what to expect when your expecting but it was a lot of the same info in my apps, except the actual birth and labor part. There was some helpful stuff in there!


For laboring I read Ina May's guide to Childbirth and I LOVED it. I feel SO prepared after reading it!


Ina May's Guide to Childbirth https://www.amazon.com/dp/0553381156/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_VNZHAbQ7T2S9D


I tried to read

Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way https://www.amazon.com/dp/0452276594/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_HOZHAbRC89D39


But I couldn't take it seriously!


And for breastfeeding I read


The American Academy of Pediatrics New Mother's Guide to Breastfeeding (Revised Edition): Completely Revised and Updated Third Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/0399181989/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9PZHAbSMPXVX9


And for baby feeding and sleeping I read


On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep https://www.amazon.com/dp/1932740139/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JQZHAbS5P7824

I am so sorry your life is so stressful right now :(

This book kinda has some "woo," but if you can get past that, I would highly recommend it: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308
It sounds perfect for your situation and is very inspiring, which is nice haha. There is also a subreddit, although it is not a replacement for the book. /r/konmari

Big hugs from California heading your way ❤

Try Pampers Baby Dry! They’re amazing for overnight. When H gets towards the top of the weight limits we size up for nighttime and very rarely have leaks. Luvs are also great at absorption but they puff up like nobody’s business. There’s also something called Sposies that are like menstrual pads for diapers that increase what they can hold. This might also help your gap problem.

Not really a hack but we bought this bin organizer and I really like it! It's pretty compact and holds a lot. It tips easily though so should be anchored to the wall somehow, but that goes for all baby furniture so not a huge deal

AmazonBasics Kids Toy Storage Organizer Bins - White/Pastel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FK6BRVN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_RGcGDbY165HCC

This one is really funny but also has some useful information. Someone gave it to my husband and we loved it

Yes, it's [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978)! It's meant to be humorous, but it has a lot of very practical info written in the store or an instruction manual. It's been quite helpful for us, as I too had zero experience with babies before my own arrived. ☺️👍

Make this, double the marinade if you’re a monster like me, and cry because it is so damn good.

We’ve discussed doing this in lieu of thanksgiving, no joke.

Also, check out Meathead’s book about grilling. It goes a lot into the reasoning and science about why one cooks things certain ways, and it’s totally helpful and interesting. We went from clueless to extremely capable.

It's like a shower cap that goes on over top of the car seat and zips up just where you put baby in. Prevents any drafts from getting in without putting any bulk on or behind baby. We get temps down to -40 and snow, so I wanted baby covered... But nothing that would interfer with the straps. I think this is the brand of one I got

I've had cramping in my calves ever since I started getting my period at 13! A lot of times my calves would hurt a lot when I was on my period. It's so weird. It happens after I exercise too, but I find that compression socks help, as does calf massages in the evening. I also have this thing called The Stick that I use on my calves.

I have been loving Breastfeeding Sucks. It has some cliches about husband sex drives and the like, but they’re not overwhelming. I like that the advice is succinct and it’s not overly militant.

I was looking at these but currently pumping both sides so this isn't a issue.

Tada!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007BEHSDU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1