For new moms like me, there are some newbie mistakes that we make. When I first learned that I'll be having a baby girl, I got so excited like a little girl waiting for her doll. I browsed the net for possible clothes to buy. I've bought some, around 1% of the overall clothes I put in my wishlist, and disregarded most. Here's a list of my personal insights when buying clothes for your little ones:

1. Choose comfort over style

• In my experience, always go for clothes made in COTTON. It is soft and gentle on my babies' skin.
• If I buy clothes with mixed fabric, I still choose cotton as the main fabric. Fancy dresses are no-no's if they are made of heat-inducing materials.
• I tried to buy this beautiful cheap dress without thinking if my baby would like its "feel". The result is that everytime I put the dress on, she freaks out like there's something disturbing her. The dress ended up as a display in our closet.

2. Buy size 2-3 months advanced than the current size of your baby.

• This goes to shoes also. Babies' feet are rapidly growing that's why it's good to buy shoes with size allowance. Make sure that they can still use the shoes even with extra space.
• When my baby will about to turn 6 months, I bought a cutie sleeveless top with bow on it having  a size for 6-month old babies. When my baby tried it on, it doesn't fit her and she freaked out that's why it also ended up as a display (and waste of money) in my closet.
• This formula worked well to me:
• If your baby is newborn, you may buy clothes for Newborn (NB) - 3 months.
• If baby is greater than 3 months old, buy clothes 2-3 months bigger than her size. For example, for 6-month old babies you may already buy clothes in 9-12 months category.
• If the clothes are too big now, don't worry there will come a time that it will fit already (very very soon).

3. Don't buy too much nor too few clothes 

• First of all, your newborns don't need to go out more often to avoid viruses that's why they won't need too many fancy clothes.
• Second, newborns until infancy up to toddler years, your baby will wee, spit out, vomit, get wet and get dirty a lot so make sure you just have enough clothes.
• During their 6 months onward, I found the need to buy additional going-out clothes because I tend to bring the baby out more often already.

I think that's all I can think for now. I will update this list if ever I remember something. Post a comment if you think I missed something. Back to baby sitting duties now!

Dress we bought for baby's 1st bday party

from http://zuribabycouture.ph/collections/tutu-set/products/good-as-gold

I WILL RECLAIM MY LIFE!

This is what all mothers should shout after a long, stressful and sleep-deprived life. Do not allow your motherhood to remove all the glamour and happiness from you. You should take care of your self.

Steps to take:
1. Stabilize baby in this world - may take up to 3 months.
2. Shop shop shop! Do things that you wanted to do. Leave your baby if you must. Just make sure you leave him/her to a trusted person.
3. Vacay! You may do it alone or with your husband. But sometimes being alone and masochistically free is not that bad.

Dream for your self. Don't worry, some time soon your life will be yours!

• Your baby will soon grow up and leave you
• Your house will soon be clean because they won't be around too often
• Your laundry will soon be free from poop because they will poop somewhere else, in their dormitory's bathroom probably.
• Your house will be quiet, no crying, shouting, playing, because they're not their.

Soon it will happen. For now, enjoy the suffering and pay attention to them, they won't be babies forever.

Expecting a baby? It's not just all fun, there will be more frustration than happiness.

The pain doesn't stop after delivery
I had a normal delivery/ natural birth with my 6-lb baby after 24 hours of painful labor. The delivery was painful too but not as intense as a day-long suffering. I thought all the pain in the world I experienced from conception will disappear in a flash after that.  What other moms don't tell you is that the pain will continue for some time after giving birth. You will feel the laceration on your vagina, your stomach will ache every now and then, your back will hurt, you will feel dizzy and you just want to sleep the whole day. It will be difficult to poop, wee, eat and you will always cry. It will be intensely painful.

The longest weeks of my life
The day after going home from the hospital is the start of the longest weeks of my life. I counted each day, each second, and pray that it will go by fast. My day consisted of waking up after a nap (it's not even sleep), attending to the baby's needs, soothing her cries, changing her diaper, entertaining her and massaging her. I could barely escape from her to take care of my self. Brushing my teeth and taking a bath would be a marathon.

I was thinking that it would rather be easier if I just went to work so I can escape taking care of this baby. But that will not happen because deep inside I'd rather experience these difficulties than entrust my own child to a complete stranger. I'm on my second week with the baby now. They said that you and your newborn will eventually discover your rhythm. Well, I think we just did. It was a catastrophic rhythm, an unordered chaos.

The strength is from within
I don't know where I'd find all the strength to last the day. I just find comfort in the thought that my child will not be a baby forever. I just have to wait patiently, for how long I do not know, for her to grow up. I know this will forbid me to enjoy this moment but that thought keeps me hopeful. I never felt this incompetent. For years that I've been in corporate life, I've been very tough and proud. But this time I felt like I am out of control and I do not know what I'm doing. I realize clients are easier to please than babies. I also get strength from my ever supportive husband who've been through with me all the way.