Collective Wisdom

Aside from the heartburn, difficulty getting comfortable and getting up to pee every hour or two, the to do list is keeping me up at night. Lots of decisions to make... I could use your wisdom and advice dear friends!

First, Bill and I looked at our soon-to-be budget the other night (with my income reduced to part-time) and it wasn't pretty. It really didn't add up. We are probably going to have to put baby boy in day care 2 days a week (or every other week but they would still charge us each week), and as reasonable as it is, it's still adding a strain to the budget. Without getting into too much detail, we are looking for ways to trim. Our grocery budget is the first on the cut list. We do spend a lot right now just because I'm not necessarily paying attention to prices on everything. I'm not a big coupon clipper b/c often it seems like the items on sale are processed foods or stuff I don't usually buy. I do like to buy organic when I can but am not religious about it. So... who out there has some tips for how to cut back on the grocery bill? (This will now also include diapers, and includes toiletries, cosmetics, etc).

I'm also starting the search for a pediatrician. Where to even begin? I don't know anyone who lives in my neighborhood or city. Probably because I spend all my time in Tacoma or Seattle and I pretty much disdain the city I live in. My doc is in Seattle but I've decided for the little one it would really be more convenient to have his doctor close by. How do you go about choosing a pediatrician? What questions should I ask/what should I be looking for? What do you love or dislike about your kids' doctors? Any websites that would be helpful for reference?

I know these posts without pictures are getting kind of boring. I am working on the baby's room and will take some pics when it all comes together. I just ordered the crib bedding and I hope I like it as much in person as I did online. Oh yeah, and have a baby shower coming up! Other than that not a lot of photo worthy activities lately.

Anyway, bring on the advice!

Belly Shots!

Check them out here. I was very lucky to have Molly take my belly shots - I keep telling her she had to draw blood from a turnip considering the weather was awful that day, it was dark, and we had to work around the Mr.'s schedule. I will treasure these... thank you Mol!!!

Back from a winter wonderland

Had a lovely, relaxing weekend here with Bill and the dog. It was beautiful, the food was amazing and it was a good time to reflect on the changes headed our way. It was probably the last quiet vacation, just the two of us, for a long time. Bill starts his new job next week, and I am staring at a long list of things to do in the next two or so months. Let the craziness begin!