And Shana, they won't let you leave the hospital until you show them that you can feed and change a diaper. That they do make you do :p And believe me they SHOW YOU how to do EVERYTHING...Even breast feed :rolleyes: don't be suprised at their disregard of privacy. LOL

The baby showers will help sooo much! And you're having 2?? That's great! I wish you the best! Do not worry, i know you will be ready and be the best mom!

I too agree with all that has been said. It will all fall into place! I was 17 when I had my daughter and I didnt know how to care for a baby, 90% came naturally! the other 10% was the nurses lol. They do help you. As far as what you need for her, im almost 100% sure that with 2 baby showers you will get what you need and more:) I had one shower and didnt have to buy diapers for like 4 months!
Its always scary when you sit and think about being a mommy, ths little person depending on you...that is scary BUT you will do great! I understand how you feel about the finacial aspect of it as well. Like i said I had my oldest when i 17, then my son at 22 my husband was the only income and I was so scared but we made it and you will too! Then I found out that I was pregnant again when my son was only 6 months old wanna talk about stressed lol but we did it and we are fine :-) and u will be too!!!

I remember these same feelings - I was going from working fulltime to being off for 3 months. I honestly don't know how we did it, but it all worked out fine! I went back to work parttime, and again, I don't know how we did without my fulltime salary, but we did just fine.

My daughter just had a baby and she shops regularly at the consignment stores. You can usually find clothes with the tags still on. As for playpens, toys, strollers etc. they are dirt cheap at the consignment stores. Also, watch for sales at the regular stores. For example, Carter's baby store regularly has 1/2 price sales - EVERYTHING in the store is 1/2 price.

It will be fine - don't worry!!! :)

Hi Shana, like others said, I wouldn't buy much before the showers, because you don't know what you're gonna get. Babies actually don't need that much other than formula, diapers, and clothes. Of course you'll need a crib but the rest you'll see as times goes by, and you'll find that you maybe purchased things that you don't need. Like a lot of people get the diaper changer table, but they end up using the queen bed because there is more space and it's more comfy. Or you get a swing and she doesn't like it. You go to places like babies'r us and they have soooo much stuff, but you don't need all that! I know the place is awesome, but it's pricey and everything gets into your eyes and then your wallet! After going there for a friends shower, I decided I don't want to go there when I have a baby because I'm gonna end up in debt!!!
If you'll get two baby showers, ask for gift cards, those are good to save after the baby is born so you get what you need then. Maybe you get at the shower tons of clothes for 0-3 months, but when the baby is 7 months you don't have anything, so you have the gift cards to get clothes or even diapers or formula. Well, I'm sure that if you sew dog clothes you can make wondeful baby attire anyway!!!! :)

Did I mention in my first thread that I have never changed a diaper in my whole life? Ive never fed a baby or anything, yikes!!!!! I think Ive only held a baby like twice and thats becasue my friend made me. I have so much to learn and prepare for!!![/QUOTE]

My daughter had never changed a diaper til she gave birth to my granddaughter. You will do just fine. Our granddaughter was a pleasant surprise too.

Do not stress over the financial aspect. Rarely is any one financially ready to have kids.

The things Holly used most for Brooklyn were: a bassinet, baby swing, bottles, diapers, baby monitor, infant seat and stroller. The rest she started using later. BTW Brooklyn is now 10 months.

You are going to do great....

Oh Yeah...When Holly had Brooklyn, we brought home two hospital blankets that Brooklyn was wrapped in so that Holly's yorkie, Maddie, could smell it and get use to. That was a big help. Maddie thought Brooklyn belonged to her...lol

Do not stress over this, you'll do fine! I think that it is normal for first time mommies to get like this right before the final months, I sure did, then I ended up with 4 boy's in 5 years!!Only 2 were planed,#1and#3, the other 2 were nice surprises!

I would hold off with buying things till after those baby showers. I got every thing and then some from mine! I registerd at a few places and boy oh boy did I get things! I did not have to by bath supplies for a year! not to mention all the little outfits that I got. If you are worried about not knowing how to chang a diaper, see if your hospital or Birthing center offers classes for first time parents.

I was feeling exactly what you are a year ago from now. Everything worked out GREAT! Everyone kept telling me if you wait till you can afford a baby then you would never have one. Babies are expensive, but on a tight budget, hubby and I did just fine. To avoid getting things I didn't really need I made a wish list for my baby showers. I put up top Baby C's Wish List and the shower host sent them in the invitations. It didn't sound so demanding and they didn't feel pressured to buy those items. We had most of our larger items and just needed diapers, blankets, etc. I was so glad people bought us tons and tons of diapers! We went through those like crazy. One mistake hubby and I made was we didn't buy hardly any actual newborn sized clothes. Although they don't stay that size very long, the outfit we packed for the hospital swallowed my son up. We only had 0-3 months. On all of our big things we went the cheaper route. We bought the changing table and dresser out of the newspaper, my in-laws bought the crib, and my mom bought the bassinet. My son hated his crib and he didn't like his bassinet for very long. The bassinet was nice to have to bring him home to. He just seemed to small for his crib at first, so I'd buy a bassinet before a crib, but that's just my opinion. My aunt had just had a baby boy so we got a lot of my cousin's clothes he outgrew. They don't stay in the same size for very long but my weakness was still buying him tons of clothes. I'd hit the malls on sale days and even check out Wal-Mart. I was so suprised how much money I made back on my baby clothes he outgrew. They were like brand new. Try not to stress out to much. Everything will be just fine. :)

Ive been going to a lot of baby yard sales and stores that sell used baby stuff and Ive been hitting craigslist constantly. Craigslist is really awesome- there is so much on there in my area for baby stuff. So far I purchased a crib and then I bought a used bassinet that is super cute as it is all white with a pink bow and it looks brand new and I only paid $20 for it. Im trying to be good and hold off on anything else for now until after showers. Although Im thinking about buying a huge package of diapers every week to start stocking up now. :p

Ok I don't have kids, but I watched my best friend and her boyfriend have a baby and they had NOTHING... not married, both still lived at home with thier parents (they were 26) and she made $10/hr at her job and he couldn't keep a job. I was soooo worried for them. At the time I was moving from my apt, and buying a house with my boyfriend, so we gave them our apt so they could move in. We left them the security deposit bc they would NEVER come up with $800 for a security deposit on their own... but their boy is now 4 years old almost and they made it work, they provided for him and got almost everything they needed at their babyshower... you will more than likely get a highchair, a carseat or two, etc... make sure you register for it. Until the babyshower next month, don't buy another baby thing! Just put the $$ you were going to spend aside and let it grow interest in a bank account until you see what you get. Also Im sure that you know people with kids who will give you hand me down clothes and other stuff as their children grow out of them. I mean my friend got a carseat from another friend whos baby outgrew it... Im sure it will all work out just perfect :)

Most people I know have deallt with babies at some point in their lives but somehow I never seemed to be around little babies in my family so I missed all that. All my cousins were older and no one I knew was ever having children until now and since Ive gone 26 years without changing diapers and holding babies Im too afraid to hold someone elses. So it really helps to hear someone elses experience that has gone through what Im about to go through. Thank you for sharing :hug:

5 times! Wow, that is awesome! I cant imagine even doing this once yet, lol :p

Being such a shy and prude person I am sooooooooooooo nervous about the whole hospital experience and breastfeeding and the whole lack of privacy thing. But I am glad they will teach me everything I need to know.

Thank you so much, I hope Im a good mom and I do feel like I will be.
Im so excited and feel so lucky we are having 2 showers. My friends are giving me a shower and then my husbands work is throwing a shower next month and the people at my husbands work are just absolutely wonderful, so I knwo we will get a lot of the stuff we need from these 2 showers and I feel very fortunate for this.

My daughter had never changed a diaper til she gave birth to my granddaughter. You will do just fine. Our granddaughter was a pleasant surprise too.

Do not stress over the financial aspect. Rarely is any one financially ready to have kids.

The things Holly used most for Brooklyn were: a bassinet, baby swing, bottles, diapers, baby monitor, infant seat and stroller. The rest she started using later. BTW Brooklyn is now 10 months.

You are going to do great....

Oh Yeah...When Holly had Brooklyn, we brought home two hospital blankets that Brooklyn was wrapped in so that Holly's yorkie, Maddie, could smell it and get use to. That was a big help. Maddie thought Brooklyn belonged to her...lol[/QUOTE]



She is beautifull! Thanks for sharing those pictures. I hope Chloe gets along well with Tess like Maddie is with Brooklyn in those pics. Did it take awhile for Maddie to warm up to her? Im terribly afraid Chloe is going to be super upset and jealous since she is used to getting all the attention.