Some of my favorites

I've always been a researcher. I don't think I've made a major purchase or life decision without doing research. When I picked a college, I researched. When I looked for an apartment during my internship in Kalamazoo, I researched. When we got married, I researched locations, vendors, etc.

So when it came to pregnancy, I researched. I combed the Web. I participated on chat boards. I soaked up advice and comments from friends. I e-mailed people who have small children. I asked the doctor questions. I Google like it's my job. I know I mentioned some of the research I did when we registered, but that was for specific things - checking ratings, functionality, etc. - and I learned a lot. But I also research the crap out of the bigger picture stuff, too.

And I'm pretty happy with where some of my pregnancy research has led me. Here are a few things I'm thankful for so far (and I have many other books that I will be reading and reporting back on, too):

The Baby Book. Tim's friend Tim suggested this book to us, and after checking it out from the library and skimming it, I decided to order my own copy. I'm only about 150 pages in, but I've already learned some amazing things about delivery, initial bonding with your infant and what to watch for in the first few weeks of baby's life. I think it's going to be a valuable reference after Elle arrives, too. (Thanks, Tim!)

10 Minute Solutions: Prenatal Pilates DVD. I love, love, love this DVD. The instructor can be a bit annoying, but there are five 10-minute sections of the video, so just when I start to overload on her, I'm already done with the workout. I've tried all five segments, but my favorites are for buns and thighs, core and flexibility (the last two have helped a lot with minimizing my back pain). Other segments that I will likely work in more as I get bigger are standing Pilates (for balance) and total body Pilates. There's also a postnatal routine. I love that I can target whatever I feel like on that day and spend however much time I have, too. I usually do at least two together and feel amazing when I'm done. I try to use this video two to three times a week.

Summer Sanders' Prenatal Workout. I like Summer better than the instructor in the other video, but the workout isn't what I expected. I've only done the express versions of the second trimester workout, and I thought they'd involve some light cardio or interval training. Instead, it's all resistance training and stretches. It's not bad - and I definitely felt like I got a workout - but just not what I expected. My arms really felt like they'd been challenged, and Summer references several exercises that will come in handy when I'm carrying a hefty car seat or lifting a 20-pound baby. I'm going to try the normal versions of the second and third trimester workouts, too.
Baby Bargains. I was lucky enough to get a free copy of this book from a friend, and even though it's the second-to-newest edition, it came in handy a lot, especially at the beginning of my pregnancy. It has a lot of good general points for consumers, a lot of helpful Web sites and money-saving tips and has a comprehensive breakdown of several options for the most common baby-related products (cribs, breast pumps, stores, high chairs, etc.). I really loved that it broke things down to include different sections on strollers - from jogging strollers to travel systems, I could find out as much or as little as I wanted about each kind. For the crib and stroller especially, I appreciated the reviews on different products and companies, which gave a good look at some of the best and worst experiences consumers have had with quality, ordering, customer service, recall history, etc.

The Belly Book. My friend Traci gave me this about a week after I told her I was pregnant. So far, I love it. I record notes from our doctor's appointments, summarize each week, describe "firsts" (first ultrasound, first kick, etc.) and it has a place for a belly photo from each week. (I take "bare belly" photos each week that I *don't* subject you all to specifically for the Belly Book book - I think it shows the belly progression slightly better.) I keep a lot of details on this blog, and sometimes if I'm behind in updating the Belly Book book I'll come back to the blog for a refresher on what made me sick that week or what big milestone occurred, but I like the fact that while the information/stories/reactions are the same as on the blog, they're captured in my own handwriting. I think it will be great for Elle and I to look back on someday.

Stellie Bellies. Stellie Bellies is a consignment store in St. Petersburg, and I am SO glad it's here. It has three locations that I enjoy visiting, and two are extremely convenient for me to get to. I have gotten some amazing deals here already, and so far I've shopped primarily for maternity clothes. (Between online sales, the consignment sale, Burlington Coat Factory, donations from friends and Stellie Bellies, I don't think I've paid full price for a single piece of maternity clothing. LOVE. IT.) I've also snagged great prices on books, gently used toys and our crib mobile. The store also carries an amazing amount of super cute baby clothes, swings, bouncers, pillows, blankets, strollers, tubs ... and I'm also looking forward to being able to trade some of our stuff in for store credit :)

Craigslist. My love for Craigslist is similar to my love for Stellie Bellies. So far, we've gotten some gently used cloth diapers and our two strollers from Craigslist, saving close to $400 and getting some more use out of products that other people no longer need. I also love Craigslist because it introduced me to some great people. One of the people I bought diapers from gave me a free play mat-type toy. Another has become a friend who has provided invaluable advice on baby carriers and cloth diapering. And the woman I bought our jogging stroller from gave me some great advice on things I'll need and not need. She also delivered one of her children at the hospital we plan to deliver at and used one of the other doctors from our practice, so it was great to hear her first-hand experiences. She gave me some great tips on mommy groups at the hospital and local magazines to check out.