Things I want to remember if I have another baby.

1. I can totally do a natural child birth, but it's something I need to prepare for. I know I can after having pretty much doing it with Olivia, but if for whatever reason I decide otherwise. Decide before I get to the hospital. Stick to the plan. Don't wimp out at the last minute. Getting a epidural when I was dilated to a 8 was a baaaad idea. What could have been a 10 hour labor turned into 14 hour labor.  3 and half hours of solid pushing because it kicked in right when I needed to push.

2. Try harder to get baby to latch. It will be SOOOOO much easier and less time consuming to just feed the baby from the boob as opposed to pumping, feeding, and washing the bottles. Pumping is what I refer to as DOUBLE the trouble.

(That being said, I'm glad we have pumps to give my precious liquid gold to.)

Oh, on side note. I DO want to introduce the bottle to them though early enough that they take it. So that if I need a baby sitter, or dad wants to bond. They can do that. Also, I want to still give a bottle at night because I've heard and read that bottle fed babies go to sleep better. So I think there are perks to bottle feeding too. Next time I just hope we can do BOTH!

3. Don't feel bad if you have to switch to formula, it happens to a lot of good women who tried there dang well hardest!  I know in the future, Ill have to at least supplement a little with Livi. If you do though, try to choose one that isn't high in corn fructose syrup and organic (which is something that is important to me, but may not be to others), oh and just because you feed your baby formula, doesn't mean it has to be all formula. Any breast milk is better then none, so if you can, don't give up! (Either way though, if you're getting your baby fed-and keeping them alive and happy. That's all that matters)

4. Don't listen to the negative comments everyone talks about. Everyone said you'd get post partum, and you didn't have one day of the blues. Motherhood was actually easier for you. That's not to say that there won't be hard times, or that your next baby will be the same, but just stay positive! Things will be okay, I promise!

5. Get your membranes stripped! This totally put me into labor last time!

6. Get prenatal gummies instead of pill vitamins. If possible get ones with DHA and go to the health food store where you know you can trust they are using the best ingredients.

7. This too shall pass. If my next pregnancy is anything like my first.. just know that the sickness DOES go away. It may not be until 6 months like it did before, but it does go away, and even if it doesn't-it's totally worth it in the end.

8. The non hormonal copper IUD (paragaurd) so far (crosses fingers) has been soo much better then taking the pill every day. Plus no hormones, so I haven't noticed any side effects.

9. Parents choice diapers and wipes aren't as good as the other leading brands, but they serve the same purpose and get the job done for half the price. To me, thats all that matters.

10. Avent Binkies have been a success.

11. Playtex nurser bottles were really great for Olivia. She hasn't seemed colicy at all.

12. Swaddling blankets, warm baths, followed by a generous feeding have helped Olivia sleep through the night.

13. The medela double pump was better then the hospital grade pump I rented. Insurance covers the pump too with the affordable care act.

14.Don't eat before the glucose test. You failed last time, but passed ALL THREE segments of the 3 hour test because you fasted.

15.Make sure you like your obgyn. Dr Skinner was good!

16. Eat as healthy as you can, and exercise as much as you can, and drink lots of water when pregnant. It will help the baby weight come off quicker.

17. Be patient with yourself no one is perfect. Neither are you.

18. Learn to go with the flow. 

19. Get enough bottles that you can use one per feeding and then wash them in the dish washer at the end of the day. It will save a lot of time!!!

20. I read that you can put your pump items in the fridge after each session and at the end of the day wash it really good. That too will save a lot of time and hassle of washing.

21. If you do have to pump again. Just remember you're spending your time wisely. You're doing it for your baby.

22. Pass no judgement on any mother for her choices of parenting or how she does things. You may find yourself doing the same things later on.

23. Next time buy more gender friendly items, so if you have multiple children it can be used no matter what.

24. Get when your fertile apps. It totally worked for me.

25. Get the pregnancy app for all the progress baby makes.

26. Get the babycenter app for when baby is born.

27. Be as informed as you can be about vaccinations and be able to discuss all concerns with husband and with physician.

28. The swing and the bouncer have been life savers.

29. Buy lots of stain remover and lots of clothes for blowouts. 

30. Apply for FMLA (family medical leave act) for 12 weeks of maternity leave as opposed to 6 weeks.

....and that's about all I can think of right now. I'm sure there will be others as time goes on!