50 amazing things about having a baby - first month

1.   Being overwhelmed at the amount of 'stuff' you need from Baby's R Us
2.   Seeing your baby for the first time
3.   Attaching a "baby on board" sign to the back of your car
4.   Having to pick a grocery store based on whether your stroller will fit in the shopping cart
5.   Navigating the shopping centers / restaurants with a stroller and car seat
6.   Noticing the importance of public 'family bathrooms'
7.   Getting to know where all the (previously unnoticed) elevators in bi-level shopping centers
8.   Picking your 'going-out' times around your baby's nap schedule
9.   Figuring out which brand of diapers and pacifiers your baby likes best
10. Realizing that the adorable outfits you bought while you were pregnant are not as practical as comfy onsies
11. When your milk comes in for the first time
12. Realizing that disposable breast pads are a must-have!
13. Wondering why baby is so fascinated with the overhead fan and/or window treatments
14. Biting off baby's long fingernails (as it's much easier than trying to file them)
15. Going through your diaper supply much more quickly than expected
16. Continually referring to yourself as 'mummy' and your partner as 'daddy' (even though baby can't understand you yet)
17.  Successfully mastering how to fold up your baby's stroller
18.  Kissing baby's tiny hands and tiny feet
19.  Sponge baths
20.  The moment baby's umbilical cord falls off
21.  Being amazed at how often baby has hiccups
22.  Baby poohs!
23.  Sweet baby satisfied coo's while nursing
24.  Being the one to successfully comfort your baby
25.  Baby falling asleep in your arms
26.  Sweet milky baby breath
27.  Baby falling asleep on your shoulder
28.  Kissing baby's warm little neck
29.  The first time baby smiles (even if it's just gas)
30.  Trying not to be offended that strangers get baby's sex wrong when they peer into the stroller
31.  Being touched by the generosity of family and friends
32.  That bean shape your baby makes upon waking and stretching
33.  Cute little baby bottoms
34.  Rubbing sleep out of baby's eyes
35.  Taking endless pictures of baby just to get that perfect shot
36.  Walking your baby around the neighborhood for the first time
37.  Baby-proofing your home
38.  Finally getting the hang of breast-feeding
39.  Realizing that you can take care of baby yourself when your parents and in-laws leave
40.  The joy of having other people tell you that your baby is beautiful and/or looks like you
41.  Announcing baby's birth on facebook and getting tons of 'congrats' comments back
42.  Wondering why you didn't do this sooner
43.  Not being able to imagine your life without baby in it
44.  The amazing feeling of protective love you have for baby
45.  Capturing baby's hand and footprints in ink
46.  Getting baby's birth certificate in the mail
47.  Getting baby's social security card in the mail
48.  Smelling baby's head
49.  Baby yawns
50.  Staring endlessly at your baby and recognizing little pieces of you or your husband

35 things to love about being pregnant

The journey to motherhood has been so much better than I ever imagined, so I thought I'd share a few things that made it so fantastic for all those mothers-to-be out there

1.   When the stick reads positive or 'pregnant'
2.   Seeing baby for the first time via ultrasound
3.   Every time you hear the heartbeat at your prenatal visits
4.   Taking an interest in 'Parents' or 'Pregnancy and Newborn' magazine
5.   Wondering if baby will look more like you or your partner
6.   Registering at Babies R Us
7.   Picking a theme for baby's room
8.   Seeking advice on and reading books to find the perfect name
9.   The first time you tell your family and friends that you're pregnant
10. Wondering when's the right time to post your pregnancy news on facebook
11. Watching your baby bump grow
12. The anticipation of waiting (either 20 weeks or 40 weeks) to know the sex of your baby
13. Having people recognize that you're pregnant and not fat
14. Eating chocolate and ice-cream guilt-free
15. Feeling baby kick for the first time
16. Baby-shopping
17. The comfort of pregnancy jeans!
18. The second trimester
19. Enjoying your weekends and you're lie-ins before baby comes
20. Packing your hospital bag
21. Picking out a 'coming home' outfit for baby
22. The moment when you look down and can't see your feet
23. Planning your future...with baby in it
24. Not worrying about your clothes no longer fitting
25. Counting down the remaining weeks
26. Buying a stroller and car-seat
27. Your belly button popping
28. The comforting feeling of rubbing your belly
29. Noticing all the other pregnant women around
30. Being told you have the waddle!
31. Not having to worry about getting your period
32. Keeping up-to-date on your progress via "What to Expect When You're Expecting"
33. Being at the stage where your water could break *any minute*
34. Shopping in the maternity section
35. Getting the pregnancy glow