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Jennifer's Place Archive
back
 Wanting to get it right . . . a message for all you
perfectionists!
I can remember it like yesterday. Standing in Target in the
baby section. Overjoyed to be there, of course, but
literally breaking into a sweat as I tried to make
decisions. Baby soap, baby lotion, diapers, bottles, formula
. . . the aisles seemed to go on forever, and the choices
endless! Registering for our showers was difficult, planning
the nursery took untold hours, but
making these last purchases for our trip to China was
impossible! Why? I wanted to make perfect decisions. Diapers
that would fit and not leak. A bottle she'd drink from every
time, lotion that wouldn't cause a rash, and clothes that
would fit. But how could I
know for sure? She was there, and I was here. Feeling like a mother,
but with my daughter a world away really caused me a lot of
anxiety!
So what advice do I have, as I reflect back on those days of
preparing? First, I'm so grateful for them. Those weeks
before we traveled, those days of planning and deciding and
shopping and packing . . . what a privilege! Like so many of
you, I'd longed to be a mommy. And so even before we met, I
worked at being the best mommy I could be to
Adrienne, even if it meant sweating it out over diapers and
bottles in Target!
Second, as I reflect back, I can say "Relax!" If the diapers
leak, you'll buy another brand. If one lotion irritates her
skin, try another. Clothes too big? Roll em up and know that
they'll fit soon . . . sooner than you think! Don't
let perfection be the goal; rather, work toward a balance of
feeling prepared and more importantly, flexible.
That being said, if you really want to feel prepared, take more
than one brand of certain items. It is often recommended to
pack two different kinds of bottles/nipples, and the same
could be said for travel size bottles of soap and lotion and
other similar items I
suppose that is why I'm such an over-packer . . . . can't
decide? Pack both!
And last, if it helps you at all, here are a few of my
favorites:
Almay Baby soap and lotion. The soap has a very delicate
scent, and the lotion is fragrance free. They also make baby
soap and lotion for very sensitive, dry skin, including
eczema.
Huggies diapers. We took size 2 to China with us, and they
were perfect for our 12 month old baby.
Avent bottles. We bought both the regular and disposable-liners
type. Actually, the first bottle we used was one purchased
in Beijing.
In China we were given a few packs of Adrienne's formula,
then were taken to a store where we purchased more. Knowing that it was milk-based and that she showed no signs
of lactose intolerance, we then slowly switched to regular Enfamil
once home. |
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