Excited but overwhelmed: Preparing for baby's arrival

This is an exciting time in my life. I have never expected to get pregnant, and living it feels exhilarating and sometimes surreal. I love it when I feel my baby move, especially when I see my belly move, too! It is overwhelmingly good, though at times it is simply too overwhelming.

There are a lot of information easily available for soon to be mothers. Various websites and blogs are just a click away. Pregnancy and baby apps for smartphones are abundant. Books are and have always been available. Wisdom from mothers are aplenty. Sure, all of these would give new mommies valuable insights on pregnancy and preparing for the baby. Yet, sometimes they are just too much.

Last Saturday, we went to our first shopping experience at a baby fair in Expo. I wanted to take a glimpse of what products are out there and how much they cost, and buy a piece if it is really value for money. But there were just too many products and services offered!

While I had that vague idea of what I wanted from the fair, I did not have a clear picture of what we really need, when we need it, and the price range in the market. Therefore, I ended up buying a sling baby carrier and four cloth diapers with freebies that are very expensive even at a discount. I like the carrier, though, even if similar products cost almost half of what I paid. It has a better design, I think, and I hope it proves to be a good buy.

That shopping experience made me realize how little I know about shopping and more importantly about taking care of a baby. I find babies very fragile. I am afraid to carry them or give them a bath. I don't even know how to change diapers! I have to learn a lot in little time. They say I would easily learn what to do when baby arrives. Still, I want to proactively do something.

I have been taking note of the preparations I would need and things I need to learn, but I still felt out of my element even with advices and support from family and friends. Then I found a cute Baby Notes notebook at kikki.K that allows mommies to prepare get organized in a fun way. If it wasn't in grey and yellow colours that I find too soft, I would have already bought it even at its steep price. Hence, I take that baby notes to be my DIY project until next week. I hope that will help paint a clearer picture of the essentials that I need to do and know.

This is really going to be an exciting adventure, and one that I am looking forward to take. I still feel anxious sometimes, but that is nothing compared to the happiness this pregnancy brings me. I am truly blessed and grateful for this, and I intend to savour every moment of it.