Choosing Your Baby/Diaper Bag

Baby bag --- this is your travel companion while you're with your infant up until toddler years. There are a lot of available options now for your baby bag, from different designers and brands. So, how do you choose which one to get? Let me share my personal criteria:

1. Size. How many baby items do you intend to carry? On a regular day, you need diapers, wipes, change of clothes, burp cloths, and a blanket. If you're bottle feeding, you need bottles, water and milk container. You might want to add an extra shirt for you, in case of accidents. Aside from the baby items, do you plan to put yout personal stuff in there, too?

Personally, I used bigger baby bags when my son was below 1 year old. But as he gets older, I can manage using a 9 x13 x 5 inch length bag for a 2-3 hour trip outside the house.

2. Straps. Are you comfortable using regular shoulder handles or you want it crossbody or longer ones. I like both. There are baby bags with adjustable shoulder straps. So you have to option to  shorten or lengthen it. My hubby likes long straps because he has broad/wider shoulders. Whether you prefer long or short straps, make sure the strap is thick enough to support the weight of your bag and all the baby items in it. Carrying your baby around is already heavy enough, you need proper support for your baby bag, too. 

3. Pockets & Compartments. These help you organize your stuff. You want to be able to fish out the baby items fast and with ease. It'll be nice if your bag has 2 big compartments to separate food and non-food items. Then you need the small pockets for small items like binkies.

4. Bag Closures. I prefer and recommed bags with zipper closures. You have a lot of baby items in there and the last thing you want is your items falling out of the bag when you accidentally trip it somewhere. I've seen a lot of baby bags with open tops and just magnetic closures and they really turn me off no matter how nice the design or how right the size is. 

5. Color & Design. I would recommedbd gender neutral bags in terms of color and design especially if you and your husband might be using it alternately. If you really want that pink bag for your baby girl, just make sure you have a spare black, blue, or gray one for your hubby to use. Some husbands may not mind the color and design, but some do, too. So better to be on the safe side

6. Material. Nylon? Canvas? Leather? The lightest ones are the nylons. They are easy to clean, too. Canvas are light, too, but usually easy to get dirty. Although, there are coated canvas too that repels dirt and easier to clean. Leather are not common just because they are heavy and may not survive spills and liquid splashes. 

7. Price. There are a lot of brands and options in the market. You'll find a large, roomy, and sturdy enough baby bag between $30 - $80 (Carter's, JJ Cole, Skip Hop). A mid-level branded baby bags from $150-$400 (Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Coach, Michael Kors). Or luxury baby bags for $800 and up (Gucci, Prada, Burberry). Regardless of your budget, you have a lot of options out there. 

So what's my diaper bag?

For now, I have 3:

1. Rebecca Minkoff Knocked Up Diaper Bag. It retails for $345. But I got it on a good deal at Amazon for $120 November last year. Now, it's up on its regular price again. What I like about this is that it's simple, but with gold hardware. It has a long adjustable thick strap, a handle that fits my shoulder and extra stroller straps. I like that it has small compartments inside and it also has a changing pad. It's made of nylon with leather trims, and comes with zipper closure. It has side pockets for bottles, too. The only downside on this bag is that it is a bit heavy than I would have wanted.

2. Juicy Couture Nouvelle Pop Nylon Baby Bag. It retails for $248, but Juicy Couture offers a lot of sale and promos that I got it for around $70 only. It is made of nylon, light weight, has adjustable thick straps, zipper closure, a changing pad, and enough room for me. 

3. Lesportsac Deluxe Everyday Bag. It retails for $80, but I got it a discount again and end up around $50 only. This is not a baby bag, but somehow its compartments have been useful for my baby stuff. It's small, just enough for a short trip to the playground, playgroup, or running errands with your kid. There are 2 major compartments. One I use for my son's diaper and wipes, and extra set of clothes. The other one is where I put his water bottle and snacks. The smaller pockets in front is where I put my keys, sunblock, hand sanitizer, and other small stuff. There's another pocket at the back where I sometimes put my small wallet or other personal stuff. I can carry it crossbody or as a shoulder bag. I let my hubby use it too when he takes my son to the park. It is very useful, easy to clean, washable, and lightweight. It comes in a lot of design, too.

In choosing your baby bag, it's really up to your need and preferences. Sometimes it takes a couple of misses before you find the right bag for you. You just have to know what your need is, so that you'll find the right one to fill that need. 

Our Chicco Car Seat & Stroller

We got our car seat and stroller a month before my due date, just because I'm pretty confident that the baby is still holding up and the item is available and is delivered within 2 business days from order (Amazon Prime). But as early as 32 weeks, my OB has been asking me if we have it already, perhaps for extra preparedness just in case the baby comes in early. So I guess as early as 7 months through pregnancy, you can start shopping for your car seat already. The stroller, you can still delay if you don't have the space to store it. 

For our second baby, we opted for Chicco:

Chicco KeyFit 30 Zip Infant Car Seat

Features:

• ReclineSure leveling foot to help achieve a proper base angle in a wide range of vehicles
• RideRight bubble levels to indicate an accurate base angle
• SuperCinch one-pull, latch tightener to achieve a tight and secure fit
• Seat interior lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam for improved impact protection
• Infant insert for smaller babies from 4-11lbs
• 5-point harness with one-pull tightener
• Quick remove seat pad that is machine-washable for easy cleanup
• Adjustable, multi-position canopy
• Easy one-hand removal from stroller and base
• Ergonomically designed carry handle with comfort grip
• Conforms to FMVSS213
• Compatible with Chicco Bravo, Urban, Cortina, Neuvo, TRE, Activ3, Cortina Together, Liteway Plus and KeyFit Caddy strollers (sold separately)

Chicco Bravo LE Stroller

Features:

• Removable seat for easy transformation into a stylish frame carrier for the KeyFit
• Large basket easily accessed from front or rear
• Multi-position reclining seat and all-wheel suspension for baby’s comfort.
• Provides comfort for parents with height-adjustable handle and linked rear brakes.
• Features one-hand fold, auto-positioning wheels and a self-standing compact fold.
• Includes a premium convenient parent tray with zippered storage and cup holders
• Removable reversible seat pad insert
• Includes child tray that attaches to carry Chicco infant car seats.
• Canopy features a flip –out visor extension

Personally, I can only make a comparisson with my first born's Graco Click Connect Travel System. 

What I like about the Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat is it feels more padded and softer than our old Graco. It has more accessories, too --- removable zip foot cover for cold weather; canopy adjuster; and extra cushion pillow for the baby's head.

For the Chicco Bravo LE Stroller, what's nice about it is that it feels more sturdy and roomy. The wheels are larger. The rear basket has more space. Plus, we have the option to remove the seat first, while our baby is still using the carrier. This stroller arrived with some parts to be attached, and the set-up was easy. Opening, closing, and handling of the caddy is also easy, for me.

These two are not the lightest duo in the market, but I would say not the heaviest either --- pretty acceptable to me.

Another plus point for this duo is the design. I like it a lot. The color matches our beige car interior. The chevron trims gives it a bit of uniqueness. 

These Chicco models also received good reviews from consumers, too, which gives us a bit more certainty that we made the right choice.

For the price, it is relatively higher than Graco ($300+ range), but still in the medium range of stroller and car seat prices. We got the Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat for $229.99 +tax and the stroller for $249.99 +tax. However, since registered it through Amazon Baby Registry, we got a 15% completion discount, which gives us more than $70 savings. 

Overall, I'm pretty happy about it. Hope the baby will be happy to ride it, too. We'll find out in a few weeks... 😊

Maternity Photo Shoot

It's Memorial Day weekend and we had nothing planned other than a movie date. So, I decided to ask hubby to drive up to San Francisco and do a maternity photo shoot. I'm at my 33rd Week of pregnancy and my baby bump is quite big already.

I picked The Palace of Fine Arts as the location. I love the place. If I could not have a pre-nuptial shoot here (since we're married already before we moved to California), at least I'll have a maternity photo here. 

When we got there, it was a bit crowded. Aside from the regular tourists, there was a number of graduates having their photos taken there, too. It was a bright and sunny day, but a bit chilly and windy.

We brought our 3-year old toddler with us. Unfortunately, he was on explorer mode and it's difficult to have him stand still during the shoot. Oh well, we tried. I was glad we were able to get a few good shots.

33 Weeks at The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, May 2016

33 Weeks at The Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, May 2016

Last time I was pregnant, I had the shoot with my hubby inside a simple studio. This time, it's my husband who's taking the photos, and we're doing it outdoors. 

28 Weeks, August 2012

Whatever concept you choose, just have fun. I searched for some good shoots online and some had it on the beach or gardens. If you live in San Francisco, a view of The Golden Gate Bridge at your backdrop would be nice. Or you can also have Cherry Blossoms and garden ambiance at The Japanese Tea Garden, I like that place, too. 

Or you can just have it at home, set up some nice backdrop or props. You can lay on your bed, have picnic on your backyard, or chill at your patio. You are carrying a baby for 9 months and it would be nice to have a memento of it for keeps.


When is the best time to have your photo taken?

I think between 32 to 36 weeks. Your belly would have really shown already, but you are still comfortable to move around. After 36 weeks, that's when I found myself bloated and really heavy. With my first born, I had my photo taken at 28 weeks and I think my baby bump was still a bit small that time. But then again, you'll be the best judge of it, when you feel like it and when you're comfortable to have it.

What to wear?

Just about any outfit that you feel like it. Since I will be posing with someone (my son or my hubby), I prefer to match colors with them. Also, think of the background, either you want to stand out or you want to blend in. In this case, I think we blend in with our olive green theme, and a bit of a pop matching it with white.

If you're wearing a dress, I think long flowing dresses looks nice on your belly bump. I've seen maternity photos with the moms wearing that, and they look nice. But, if it's a knee length or short dress, I like the fitted style better, it shows the curve of your belly, without making you looking too bulky.

If you can avoid jeans --- I think it does not accentuate your pregnancy belly (just my opinion). If you like pants, just stick to yoga or leggings, match it with a maternity top, and you're good.

Shoes? Before I wore high heels. But that was because we were in a studio. Since I was posing with a toddler, and I expect chasing him around, I went with my sneaker buddy - my white Converse. But, that's just me. Choose whatever comfy or glam shoes you want, just make sure you can walk on it safely, just to avoid accidents.


Whatever you decide on --- concept, theme, colors, style... just have fun. Be yourself. We may not be as fabulous as the other celebrity pregnant moms... but hey, we all want to celebrate the beauty of pregnancy and motherhood.



 

Comfy Shoes for Pregnant Women

During my first and second trimester, I've been able to wear most of my shoes, preferably the low or flat-heeled comfy ones. 

However, as I entered my third trimester, I feel a lot heavier and thus my footwear choices are becoming limited. 

Here are my current dependable ones:

1. SLIP-ON SNEAKERS - Easy to wear, comfortable, and low-heeled. But, not all slip-on sneakers are reliable. Some are heavy weight, and have hard sole and thick heels. Better look for light ones with flexible heels. Personally, I like the following:

a. Roxy Minnow

b. Lacoste Maurice

c. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Janis

d. Vans Asher

2. LOAFERS - Comfortable, easy to wear, low-heeled, and has a variety of choices and colors for more serious occasion to casual getaways. Here are some brands to consider, tested for comfort: Crocs, Naturalizer, Cole Hann.

Although, I find my MK and Coach loafers comfy, too. I think most loafers with soft leather and flexible soles are comfortable enough. I find Sperry's a bit tight during this time. But, if you have narrow feet, they might work for you.

3. SANDALS - Breathable, easy to wear, perfect for warm weather, no socks required. I personally prefer those with wider footbed since the feet tend to swell during pregnancy. Also, slides and no-buckle slingbacks are prefered, too. It is not easy to bend down and adjust buckles when you get in and out of your sandals. Here are some brands to consider:

a. Aerosoles 

b. Fitflop

c. Crocs

d. Birkenstock

4.RUBBER SHOES/ SNEAKERS - There are days when I want my feet covered and secured, and rubbershoes and sneakers are my go-to shoes. My only  struggle are the laces. Bending down and tying them up is not that easy. As a remedy, I bought some non-tie, stretchable laces for my sneakers. For my rubber shoes, I just knot them on each side so I can slip in and out of them easily. 

I like my Adidas Adipure and Nike Kaishi. They are both lightweight, breathable, and roomy enough for me. 

For my sneakers, my Converse and Vans are comfortable enough. During this time I find Keds too tight, and Superga a bit heavy. 

Breastfeeding Seminar

Breastfeeding is best for babies, they say.  ...

My first child was not breastfed. We had a latching problem during the first few days and I was also not prepared that time. So this time, on my second baby, I am determined to try harder to breastfeed. 

I signed up early for the seminar on my 28th week so that I have lots of time to prepare. These seminars are ideally offered during the Third Trimester, as your due date gets closer. 

Some women have the "breastfeeding instinct". Unfortunately, I didn't. So I want to condition myself earlier, both mentally and physically, to be able to handle breastfeeding. 

The seminar was helpful. I know there are  a lot of reading materials available online regarding breastfeeding. But personally, attending the seminar and listening to a lactation consultant is a nice start. After attending the seminar, the supplemental information in the net is easier to grasp.

Here are some bullet points, I found useful for me:

1. The baby should latch at a bigger portion of the areola and not just the nipple. This will lessen nipple cracks and soreness.

2. In the first 2-3 days after birth, your mammary glands produces colostrum, which is good for the baby. The actual milk starts around the 4th day.

3. For flat or inverted nipples, there are products available to help the baby latch. I found these online:

a. Medela Contact Nipple Shield

b. Lansinoh Latch Assist

4. Ideally, you should breastfeed directly your baby for the first four weeks, before introducing them to bottles. 

5. If you need to go back to work, you should start bottle-feeding at least 2 weeks before you leave for work.

6. There are available supplements to help you produce more milk. Most of these include Fenugreek as the main component/ ingredient.

These are just some of the info that I find helpful. I suggest parents should attend a breastfeeding seminar to help prepare yourselves on what to expect and what to do during breastfeeding.

Less than 10 weeks from now, I will be able to apply what I learned. Hope I'll be able to handle it. :)

GTT - Glucose Tolerance Test

On my 24th week of regular check-up, my OB GYN gave me a request slip to undergo Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). She recommended a 1-hour Non-Fast GTT.  This test is done between 25-28 weeks of pregnancy, to make sure you have not develop Gestational Diabetes.

So, I went to the laboratory on my 26th week. For the testing, they asked me to drink a 50 gram of concentrated Glucose solution in a bottle (color orange, looks like Fanta/ Royal Soda; and tastes a bit similar minus the carbonated taste). 

After I finished the drink, they set the timer for 1 hour, after which they drew my blood for testing. I got the results after 2 days. Good thing the results were still within normal limits. 

During my first trimester, I had my 3-hour GTT, with 12 hour fasting. It was recommended by my OB GYN just because the result of my initial blood test showed high sugar level. I went to the laboratory first thing in the morning. For the 3-hour GTT Test, they made me drink 100 gram of Glucose Solution. Then, they drew my blood after every hour, for 3 hours. 

During the 3-hour test, I cannot leave the laboratory premises. No food or drink was allowed, too. And no matter how sick I may feel, I cannot throw up, otherwise it might affect the test results. It was difficult and I dread repeating that test ever again. 

But just in case you have to take this test, it is tolerable. You just have to keep yourself busy with a book or your phone, plus moral support from a family member, preferably your spouse. 

Who Determines the Gender of Your Baby?

I always wanted both a boy and a girl for our children. My first born is a boy, that's why I was a hoping for a girl for my second baby. But, 12 weeks into pregnancy, after doing the Panorama test, we already found out the gender and... it's a boy.

I checked a Chinese Gender Prediction Calendar with my age and the month I conceived, it should be a girl, they say. Nah...  

During my first 2 months of pregnancy, I was very sensitive to smell, vomiting morning and afternoons, and very weak. I was also very picky with what I eat. Compared to my first pregnancy, it was a very different experience. I already thought I was having a girl because they say the morning sickness is worse for those having a girl. I was wrong, again.

A friend of ours, who got pregnant two weeks later than us, is having a girl. My husband's office is organizing a group baby shower for the family of their employees, 3 of them are having girls, and we are the only one who is having a boy. 

So, who's responsible for the gender of your baby? 

I researched ('googled') a bit and they say Men determines the gender of their children.
Here's the link: Boy Or Girl? It's In The Father's Genes 

Date: December 12, 2008
Source: Newcastle University
Summary: A study of hundreds of years of family trees suggests a man's genes play a role in him having sons or daughters. Men inherit a tendency to have more sons or more daughters from their parents. This means that a man with many brothers is more likely to have sons, while a man with many sisters is more likely to have daughters.


Men born from a father who have only sons, are more likely to have only sons, themselves. And men born from fathers with daughters is more likely to be able to produce daughters, too. 

Hmmm... My husband has 2 brothers, no sisters. My father has 6 sisters and 4 brothers. He has 5 daughters and 1 son. My cousin's husband has a sister and a brother. Now, they have 2 daughters and a son. Hmmm... interesting...

I conceived my first baby a few days before my ovulation day. I conceived my second baby a few days after my ovulation day. Both of them are boys, regardless. 

Oh well, we can test again the theory with a third child. But then again, after reading the article, I am no longer inclined to. I'm okay with 2 boys. They can share their toys and clothes. They'll play basketball or soccer together. They might even have a double date in the future. But yeah, I'm good with two, for now... 😊