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Baby Rabies

pregnancy & parenting

  • Start Here
    • About Baby Rabies
    • Baby Registry Top Picks
    • Favorite Pregnancy Apps
  • The Book
  • Pregnancy
    • Birth Stories
    • Perinatal Mood Disorders
  • Parenthood
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • School Age Kids
    • Parenting LOLZ
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    • Photography

      6 Stunning Photos You Would Never Guess Were…

      February 11, 2019

      Photography

      Simple Tips For Editing Snow Photos On Your…

      December 13, 2018

      Photography

      I Wrote A Photography eBook And This Is…

      December 6, 2018

      Photography

      Creative Lighting Ideas To Help You Take Great…

      November 27, 2018

      Photography

      Learn How To Take And Edit Photos On…

      November 19, 2018

  • Reviews
    • Reviews

      The Answer To Last Minute Holiday Gifting For…

      December 19, 2018

      Reviews

      I Was Never A Barbie Girl Until Now

      October 1, 2018

      Reviews

      Finally! Jeans For My Jean-Averse Kids!

      August 22, 2018

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      If Your Kid Loves Dump Trucks & Garbage…

      August 13, 2018

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      Nobody Tell My Kids ABC Mouse Is Part…

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1st baby

5 Things I Love That I Did With My First Baby
Babies

5 Things I Love That I Did With My First Baby

by Jill February 21, 2019
written by Jill

The other day I heard a first-time mom talking about planning her baby’s first birthday party and all the favors she was hand-making, and I was taken right back to my first baby ‘s first birthday and the alien stuffies I sewed up myself to give the other babies coming to the party.

image of baby's first birthday with parents

I could feel the mom-of-4 in me laugh at mom-of-one me, and then I told her to STFU because  you know what? I love that I did that even though I’d probably never have the time or desire to do it again.

So, in that spirit, I thought I’d share 5 things I’m glad I did with my first baby – no shame- even though I wouldn’t go on to do that again for baby #4 (and sometimes #2 & #3). 

1. Cloth Diapers

I love that I cloth diapered him 100%. I was FULLY committed. He was in cloth diapers nearly his whole diapered life, including nights, potty training, and even when we traveled. I would never be able to commit that fully to cloth diapering the other 3, but damn we saved some crazy money on baby #1 by doing that! And we needed it. Our budget was suuuuuper tight when he was a baby.

2. Made Baby Food

I love that I made all of his baby food. It’s important to note here that back then I didn’t have a job. I had this blog, but it was not a business back then and I had a lot more free time. Making his baby food was fun for me. It’s not something I prioritized as my time became more scarce with the other 3, but I’m glad I got to do it when it was fun and I had time for it. 

3. Weekly Playgroups

I love that I took him to Gymboree classes and playgroups weekly. These activities were less about him and more about me, to be totally honest. They gave me a reason to get dressed and get out of the house regularly, and they introduced me to some incredible women I am still friends with to this day. Regular commitments like this became harder to stick to with each baby after him, but I had a solid base of local mom friends by then, and I knew all the words to the Gymboree bubble song. 

4. Incredible Birthday Parties

I love that I planned him some really incredible birthday parties. We’ve moved away from doing elaborate, themed parties every year, but it was a fun creative outlet for me. I didn’t plan them because I felt like I had to impress anyone. I did it because I enjoyed it. And I’m actually looking forward to doing more for my littles when we get off the road and settled into a community (sans hand-sewn favors). My oldest, though, is pretty much past this stage, and I’m glad I relished it while I could.

5. World Revolved Around My First Baby

I love that our world revolved around him for a couple years. That one-baby life was pretty special, and while I do lament that I wish I had ignored him more, I don’t regret the hours and days he was our only entertainment. I don’t regret the nights we kept him up a little late or the mornings we let him sleep in bed with us. We were much stricter about routines with him than with the other 3 kids. I think that mostly had to do with us needing to feel in control of this wild and new thing called parenthood. I’m most fond of the memories of when we let those routines fall away for a bit. 

BE EXTRA if you want, first-time parents! There is no shame in cherishing this new role and going all out IF YOU WANT TO. 

image of mother with first baby at hospital

Tell me what brought you joy when you had only one baby that you refuse to feel shame about. 

February 21, 2019 14 comments
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They Said My First Baby Would Be The Most Magical- And I Finally Get It
BabiesParenthood

They Said My First Baby Would Be The Most Magical- And I Finally Get It

by Jill July 13, 2018
written by Jill

I worked at a baby gear store (Right Start, RIP) when I was pregnant with Kendall, my first baby. As my belly grew and became more noticeable, customers- the seasoned parents type- would always say something to me that I found so odd.

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July 13, 2018 1 comment
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The Evolution Of My Diaper Bag
BabiesPopular Posts

The Evolution Of My Diaper Bag

by Jill March 17, 2015
written by Jill

With my first baby, I was that mom, the Martyr MacGyver with the Mary Poppins Diaper Bag. I had it all. I was prepared for anything. Packing that diaper bag was an act of love, and this isn’t me putting myself down for it. When you have one baby, you have the energy reserves to backpack through the mall with half your house on your shoulder.

What my diaper bag contents looked like for my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd baby. | BabyRabies.com

baby blanket, burp cloth (and do not mix the two), spoon for homemade baby food, homemade baby food, bib, antibacterial wipes for surfaces, an entire freaking medicine cabinet (diaper cream, gas drops, teething tablets, cough medicine, Tylenol AND Advil, A FIRST AID KIT), hand sanitizer (so much sanitizing happening), Boogie Wipes, Sophie the teething giraffe, nursing cover, cloth wipes and wipe solution, cloth diapers, wet bag, extra change of baby clothes, colorful and non-plastic toys

Of course, things have to change when you have another baby. I still did my best to pack that bag with love, but I also had to consider my oldest… and my sanity. This bag was A LOT more about my sanity.

What my diaper bag contents looked like for my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd baby. | BabyRabies.com

blanket/nursing cover, burp cloth, bib, organic baby food pouches, fruit leather snacks for big brother, lollipops/bribes for big brother, Sophie, obnoxious plastic toy for big brother, digital tablet distraction for big brother, board books for wishful thinking, hand sanitizer, surface wipes, disposable diapers and wipes, diaper cream, change of clothes, a baby wearing device so I could strap baby to me while chasing terrorist toddler big brother

Annnnnd then I had the 3rd one. Absolute game-changing ass kicker.

What my diaper bag contents looked like for my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd baby. | BabyRabies.com

“This is enough, right? HEY! Tell your sister not to run in the street!! Has anyone seen my keys? GET. IN. THE. CAR.”

March 17, 2015 47 comments
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Expecting your first baby? Come, sit at my table and look into my crystal ball with me. I have many exciting predictions for your future!
PregnancyThe Story

Look Into My Crystal Ball, Expecting Moms

by Jill April 23, 2013
written by Jill

Expecting your first baby?

Come, sit at my table and look into my crystal ball with me. I have many exciting predictions for your future!

That beautiful white rug you just bought, to go with those mirror-plated side tables? TOAST. In 2 years, you will literally think to yourself out loud, “That was the stupidest idea ever.”

There will be a moment (or 20) sometime in the next 5 years when you  sit in the middle of a room littered with toys and snack wrappers, staring off into space, while at least one child runs circles around you, climbs over you, jumps on your back, then smears an unknown substance on your person. You will not move. You will be too exhausted. You will walk around the rest of the day with the crusted substance stuck to you. You will maybe remember to wash it off before passing out in your bed that night.

Your clean car will soon become a goldfish graveyard, and you’ll be happy to just keep dirty diapers out of it. When you find you’re missing a child’s shoe, sock, clip, jacket, you will ask yourself and/or your partner, “Did you check the car yet?”

You’ll stop caring if the color of your nail polish matches your wardrobe for the week. You’ll actually avoid nail polish because the effort is so futile, and really, you’ll just be concerned that you get all the poop out from under your nails after a messy diaper change.

The most romantic thing your partner can do for you in the future will be to wake early with the kid(s). Even more sexy? He/she makes breakfast with them and then does all the dishes.

You’ll realize that all the time and money you spent on pinning and buying the cutest and trendiest baby gear and nursery decor was simply a way to keep yourself occupied before the baby came, and nothing of real importance to actually raising a baby (although, you do get bonus points for actually using the things that keep them safe properly).

On probably more than one occasion, you will find yourself in the middle of a parking lot, attempting to scrape a toddler off the asphalt as they scream at you. People passing by will offer looks of sympathy, shock, horror and disgust. You will throw the child over your shoulder, wrestle them into their carseat, then have a strong desire to open the bottle of wine you purchased right there in the parking lot. It’s okay to drink before 5 on days like this, just so you know.

No exaggeration, you will love that kid more than you can even possibly wrap your head around right now. Even after the parking lot scene. You may wish that they would take an extra long nap that day, but you will always have enough in you for an “I love you.” You will love them even when they drive you to drink. Even when they make you cry.

Oh, and yeah, they will make you cry. Sometimes they’ll make you cry about logical, sad, heart-breaking things. Sometimes tears of joy. Sometimes they will make you cry because you can’t remember the last time you got to go to the bathroom alone.

One day (many days, actually) you will find yourself doing something, and you’ll remember exactly the time in your life – prior to having children- when you said you’d NEVER do that. And you’ll laugh.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this fortune telling session. Do not be afraid, for even though these fortunes may sound terrifying, you will survive… if you keep your sense of humor.

CrystalBall

April 23, 2013 11 comments
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