Car Seat Installation

Just 7 weeks to go, the car seat is installed and we are one step closer to welcoming our little one into the world. 

I visited http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/cps/index.htm a couple of weeks ago to find a car seat installation and inspection site nearby. I made an appointment at the Presby location for this past Saturday morning. The site is located in parking lot 1, in front of the Margot Perot Center, just off of Walnut Hill. Car seat installation and inspection takes place here the first Saturday of every month by appointment only. 

I highly recommend taking advantage of this complimentary service. Not only do the inspectors make installation an easy process, but they’re also available to explain step-by-step instructions and answer any questions. Additionally, I learned several interesting and helpful tips including: 

• The safest location for the car seat is actually in the middle seat in the back, while either side is also safe, the middle seat offers the most protection in the event of a side-impact collision. 

• Guidelines now recommend that children sit in rear facing car seats until the age of 2 years.

• Car seats expire 6 years from date of purchase. 

• Those cute toys that you often see hanging from car seats, or those mirrors designed to enable mom or dad to see baby while driving, are actually considered safety risks/projectiles as they are not crash tested and could shatter and injure your baby in the event of an accident. 

Resource of the Week: http://www.fitpregnancy.com

• Great for pre- and post-natal tips, including healthy recipes, workout recommendations, and prepping for, and welcoming home, baby! 

Meet Pure Barre Dallas Mommy, Allison Baker!

Meet Pure Barre Dallas Mommy, Allison Baker. 36 weeks pregnant, she is due August 21st with her first child, a baby girl, to be named Charlotte Claire Baker. She will go by Claire. 

I instantly fell in love with Pure Barre when I started taking classes a year and a half ago.  I had always been the type to do the typical work outs in the gym but I would get bored easily.  One of my good friends introduced me to Pure Barre, and I have loved every minute of it.  I am now 36 weeks pregnant and have been taking Pure Barre classes all throughout my pregnancy.  It has tremendously helped keep my muscles strong and flexible during this time, not to mention improve my mental outlook with all those pregnancy hormones:)  I always leave the classes feeling so refreshed, confident, and happy.  It has also helped me sleep better at night as my hips and legs tend to get very achy as I’m moving toward the end of my pregnancy.  I have really enjoyed and embraced every moment of pregnancy and it is such an amazing feeling to know you are carrying a precious life inside of you.  As I’ve been on this journey, here are just a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1. Start reading books on sleeping, feeding, newborn care, etc while pregnant rather than waiting until the baby arrives.  A friend of mine who had recently had a baby reminded me of that and I have been very thankful as I feel more prepared (well as much as possible:)) 
2. Do not register for clothes or diapers- people will give them to you regardless.  Other items I now find myself having about 2o of are blankets, hooded towels, stuffed animals, and swaddling sets.  
3. When buying clothes, you have to remember the season you are buying for and the age.  And you will receive outfits from people that would be perfect for the summer except your baby won’t fit into that outfit until the winter.  
4. Treat yourself to massages or spa days- especially near the end when walking seems like a chore and you can’t bend over to paint your toe nails.  
5. One of my baby showers consisted of everyone bringing children’s books by the author they were assigned to.  We are so thankful to have so many books now to read to Claire once she arrives.  
6. Give in to cravings with moderation- I didn’t always succeed in this area (especially when my husband brought home double stuffed Oreos) but thank goodness for Pure Barre.  
7. Favorite Baby Items we’ve received so far:  Sophie the Giraffe, Aden and Anais swaddling blankets, Pottery Barn crib sheets, halo sleep sacks, and Mustela baby products.  Now we just have to hope Claire loves them too:)  

I can’t wait to continue Pure Barre classes after my pregnancy, and I am so thankful for all the support I’ve received from everyone at Pure Barre Dallas:)

31 Weeks and Counting!

Only 9 weeks to go until we meet Baby Boy Jennings! All of the festivities surrounding the birth of the Royal Baby this week has made me even more excited for our own arrival. Here’s to looking as radiant as the Duchess just one day post delivery! 

Resource of the Week: Visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/cps/index.htm to locate a car seat installation and inspection station near you. Luke and I have an appointment at the Presby location next month. 

Swollen and Tired Feet? Aching back and stiff legs? I recently discovered Evanesque Spa, owned by Pure Barre client, Barbara Rader. Located off of Knox, this boutique spa offers prenatal massages for just $40. 

Latest Find: Custom monogrammed layettes on Etsy. Monogramme Maison (http://www.etsy.com/shop/MonogrammeMaison) makes beautiful “coming home” outfits and monogrammed onesies. 

In Need of Some Workout Motivation? Whenever I find myself struggling to get through a Pure Barre class, I remind myself of some of our pregnant Pure Barre clients, particularly those who are farther along than I. Seeing other mommies-to-be push themselves through a difficult thigh or seat series is just the encouragement I need. 

Hello 30 Weeks!

It’s hard to believe that I’m already 3/4 of the way there! The nursery furniture arrived this past Monday and I am completely ensconced in the “nesting” phase. I have to admit that my lower back and ribs are beginning to ache and that by the end of the day, my feet are swollen and sore, but just 10 weeks away from meeting our little slugger, it’s all well worth it. 

Nursery theme: Baseball and puppies. 

Nursery colors: Navy, light blue, reds, and grays. 

Tips of the week:

• Pedicures are the ultimate cure for those aching feet. Pampered Soles on Lovers is my favorite. They offer a “Pea in the Pod” pedicure that is perfectly suited for the mother-to-be. 

• Read a book that has nothing to do with parenting or babies. 

• Stop over-thinking every minor decision. I swear I’ve spent more time agonizing over how many Aden & Anais swaddle blankets we might need or the pros and cons of a Bumbo Seat. Take a deep breath and relax. 

On Registering: If I were to do it all over again, I would still register at Babies ‘R Us, Pottery Barn Kids, and Restoration Hardware Baby & Child. That said, here are some things worth remembering...

• Babies ‘R Us: Almost always a completely overwhelming shopping experience. I think it has hands down become Luke’s least favorite place in the world. However,  they offer a very easy return policy and almost always have coupons or sales of some sort. 

• Pottery Barn Kids: Better to register online, the store on Knox sometimes seems overcrowded and understaffed, particularly on Tuesdays at 11am when they host story time. That said, I love their products and they also offer an easy return policy. And if you catch them just before close, late in the afternoon on a Saturday or Sunday, it can be a perfectly pleasant shopping experience. 

• Restoration Hardware Baby & Child: Absolutely beautiful merchandise, but given that there isn’t a store located in Dallas, returns have proven to be tricky. You must wait to receive the store credit in the mail, before sending it back to RH Baby & Child, at which time your order is processed and the refund applied to the new order. Just a little bit complicated! That said, some of their items are truly one of a kind. My suggestion, only register for what you truly want from here and are fairly certain that you won’t have reason to return. 

What's in an ultrasound?

Before becoming pregnant, I assumed an ultrasound was the same thing as a sonogram. Little did I know that an ultrasound is actually the procedure by which a sonogram, or picture of the baby is created. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. For more information, visit: http://americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ultrasound.html

Aside from hearing your baby’s heartbeat and feeling him or her kick, seeing your baby’s sweet face appear on the screen is one of the most exciting moments of a pregnancy. The number of sonograms a woman receives throughout her pregnancy varies from practitioner to practitioner. I've heard from some moms, that their doctor offered them a sonogram every week during their third trimester! 

At 8 weeks, a sonogram confirmed my pregnancy. At 13 weeks, I saw our little jumping bean during routing genetic testing. And at 19 weeks, we learned from a sonogram that we are expecting a Baby Boy! Our practitioner has also been kind enough to offer two additional ultrasounds to calm some prenatal nerves. Assuming all continues to go as expected, we will have our last ultrasound next week, at the 30-week mark. Nearly 3/4 of the way there, the homestretch is in sight! 

Hello Third Trimester!

Officially 28 weeks and counting, I am two-thirds of the way there! It's hard to believe that Luke and I are just 12 weeks away from welcoming Baby Boy Jennings into the world.

What I’m Reading: Teach Your Children Well: Parenting for Authentic Success, by psychologist Madeline Levine, is a refreshing reminder that success is all too often measured by high grades and college acceptances, and that our children's worth should not be defined by their next achievement. 

How I’m Sleeping: I’ll be honest, not very well. Between getting up every 2 hours to go to the bathroom and upper back and rib aches, it has been a while since I've had a good night’s sleep. 

How I’m Feeling: Tired, and bigger, but very excited--I can't wait to meet our little bundle of joy. 

Weight Gain:  According to my doctor, I’m on track to gain the recommended 25-35 pounds. I’ll be the first to admit that weight gain can be a little overwhelming. Regardless, I feel healthy, am still able to fit into my Lulu, and can even make it through a killer Pure Barre thigh series without a break. Although I do find myself breathing a little more deeply and sinking a little less low. It’s helpful to remember that each woman and each pregnancy are different.

Latest Craving: Milk chocolate covered graham crackers from Starbucks. 

What I'm Doing:  Interviewing pediatricians. I've met two so far and have two more appointments. I started with recommendations from my OBGYN, other mommy friends and Pure Barre Dallas clients. I had absolutely no idea where to begin when meeting each doctor; the following interview sheet has been incredibly helpful: Pediatrician Interview Guidelines

What's in a Baby Shower?

I have spent the last two weekends celebrating Baby Boy Jennings, first in Dallas, then in Atlanta, with many of my nearest and dearest family and friends. Thank you to my wonderful hostesses for throwing two fabulous parties, and to everyone who was able to join me in the festivities. In Dallas, we indulged in petit fours topped with blue booties and in Atlanta, in Gigi’s Cupcakes. Surpise takeaway? My favorite childhood book, The Giving Tree, signed by all shower guests with sweet notes for Baby Boy Jennings and his mommy-to-be. Most popular gift? Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teether. And remember Pure Barre Dallas client Claire Christensen's advice on registering and returning? She was absolutely right! Don't be afraid to return or exchange. All three of our registries are almost complete. Baby Boy Jennings is one lucky boy! 

Dallas Hostesses  

Atlanta Hostesses