Study for New Moms: aka I Hate Wal-Mart

Brandy: Yesterday Brian and I took part in a paid study for first time moms. Two interviewers came to our house and asked us questions about baby items and our thoughts on registering. After that, we took a trip to a local Wal-Mart where we were supposed to register, while the interviewers waited at a nearby Starbucks for us to finish. We went in and the hellish nightmare began (more to come on my nightmare shortly). Can I just say for the record that I HATE Wal-Mart with a passion. I avoid it at all costs. I cannot even remember the last time I went in to a Wal-Mart prior to this. So why go? Because we had already registered at Babies-R-Us and Target and I wanted to participate in this study for the money! Wal-Mart was the only choice left on the list of approved stores for the study. We get paid $450 in total... just to register and talk about our experiences. We got $150 yesterday, and we get the other $300 after the final interview which is after the baby is here. So back to my nightmare... When we entered Wal-Mart, it was exactly opening time for the store. We headed straight to the computers set up in the customer service area to set up the registry, but they were not on. So we started to stand in the customer service line to ask about this, since there were no other associates around to help us. The line, by the way, was already about 15 people deep... UGH! While I stayed in line, Brian asked the greeter how we were supposed to start a registry, but there was a language barrier. A lady in line at customer service chimed in and told us that there is usually another computer in the jewelry area. So we headed that way, and on the way asked another associate where the computer in the jewelry area was (we didn't even see the jewelry area), and she said there wasn't one... we could only do the registry at customer service. So we headed back up to the front of the store to get back in line at customer service, only to discover that the line had multiplied. When we got there, the greeter looked at us oddly and started saying to go to jewelry. So Brian stayed in line and I went to jewelry, asked the associate that worked there, and there is NO computer in the jewelry section. So I head back to customer service AGAIN!!! This time an associate we had spoken to previously was walking by so we stopped her and asked for her help since we were still at the back of a very long line. She grabbed a manager for us. We told him our issues, and asked if he could please turn on the computers. He tried to turn on the computers, but it did not work. So he walked to the front of the line to ask the person who was actually working customer service. When he came back to us, he said the system was down, but we could do it online. So I asked if I could set up the registry using the Internet on my phone, and then get a "gun". He looked at me and said he didn't know what I was talking about. I asked him again... I need a scanner gun! The light went off, but he told us there were not set up for registries and they did not have the scanner guns. AAGGGHHH!!!! So after 25 minutes of utter insanity and no one in the freaking store knowing what was going on, we find out we cannot set up a registry there. Heck, even if someone came in to buy from a registry, there was no way to print it out and shop from the list. Stupid Wal-Mart! So we went to the designated Starbuck's to meet the interviewers and tell them what happened. After rehashing the whole story, we found another Wal-Mart online, called to verify that their registry system was working, and headed there. This time, when we walked in there were no computers in customer service, but the jewelry section was at the front of the store and there was a computer with a large sign above it reading "Gift Registry" and it was on. Finally! So I set up the registry and went to the jewelry counter for the scanner gun. I had to give up my license to get it, and I did not have to do that anywhere else. I guess they thought I would steal it. After learning how to use the gun, the associate told us she was going on lunch and if we were done before she got back we would have to find someone to give our license back. So, off we went to register. It was really disappointing. The infant section was very small, and there was not a good selection of products and brands to choose from. We tried to register for things we really need... onesies, gowns, sleepers... only to find that there was nothing to choose from in the unisex department. We looked at blankets, toys, walkers... all kinds of things but everything was stamped with a Disney character. This is great if you are decorating your nursery with Disney characters, but if not it was a little much! I literally could not find anything I liked without Disney on it. We did manage to find some bath toys, shampoo, lotion, cotton swabs, diapers, wipes and various other small items. I was pretty disappointed in the selection of large dollar items like car seats and strollers compared to Target and Babies-R-Us. When we were done, we headed back to jewelry. The original associate who helped us was not there, but someone else was. So we asked her for our license back and what needed to be done so we could print the registry. I did not know if she needed to do something with the scanner or if it transmitted via wireless internet? She had no clue either... surprise! Another associate was walking by so the lady in jewelry stopped her and asked her for help. She took the scanner and began pressing buttons, only to look up and say that she had no idea. She told us to wait there and she would go get help. She came back several minutes later, handed us the gun and told us to go to the photo department for help. So off we went... We asked the man working in photo, but he didn't know how to work the registry stuff. He did say there were some computers there we could look at. So we went over to those, and a lady came up to us (apparently this was who we were supposed to ask for help). She said she didn't really know about registry either but she would try to help us. We collectively decided to get on the computer just to see if the stuff happened to be there so we could print it out. Normally I would have just left, but I was required to take a print out to the interviewers. We found the registry and hit "print". It said printing 4 pages, which seemed like all of the items were there... only nothing printed. So she tried it again, and nothing printed. I tried the second computer, and again nothing printed. She called the guy in photo over and asked him to check if the printer was out of paper, but he did not have the key to unlock the box that contained the printer. He also told us the computer I was on didn't work. Of course there was no sign! So we decided to go to the computer in jewelry to try that one. We trekked back up there, and finally we were able to print out the registry. Two seconds later, the guy from photo came walking up to us with a crumpled, skewed printout that had been stuck in the printer. He handed it to us, and walked away. You could not read most of it, the paper was torn and it was a mess all of it's own. I could not get out of that store fast enough! We met back up with the interviewers and told our second story. We received our $150, and I was never so happy to be done with anything! Bottom line, we are registered for a few things at Wal-Mart, but I could care less if anyone ventures in that store to buy them. You can get the same items at Target or Babies-R-Us, and probably get a lot less hassle. If you do decide to venture to Wal-Mart, do so at your own risk. I, for one, will not be returning to that store anytime in the near future. In fact, I plan to avoid it at all costs!

Halfway Cooked! (and other updates)

Brandy: So today marks the beginning of week 20. My bun in the oven is halfway cooked! Brian and I had an appointment with Dinah this morning. It was nice that Brian got to meet Dinah and see the birthing center. She said not to worry about the stuff that came up in the sonogram. The appointment went really well. We talked for a while, then I got to jump on the exam table for measurements and the heartbeat. My fundal height is 20.5 cm and the baby's heartbeat was in the 150's. Everything looks good, and I feel great that I am in Dinah's care. Brian really seemed to get along with her as well, which is important to me. At the end of each appointment, Dinah has you randomly pick a card from a little bound book to read aloud. They are statements to make you feel nice about pregnancy and birth. My statement was "I am comfortable with the energy of birth". Then Brian got to pick one too. His said "I treat myself like a goddess". Too funny!!

Friday I took a late lunch from work and Brian met me at 2 home day cares. The first one is a lady named Chantell. She is really sweet, and was recommended by our neighbors. Their little girl has been going there for a while, and they really like her. Chantell's daughter goes to the elementary school a block from our house. So, during the school year Chantell will drop her daughter off at school and then pick up our neighbor's daughter. The cool part is, she would pick up our little one too! How nice would that be? The rate is very reasonable, and if we take vacation with advance notice we do not have to pay! The other daycare we randomly chose to look at, but it ended up that Brian's step mom used to live on her street and knew Elvira (the lady who runs the daycare) very well!! So, this place is a little closer to home, and they have more kids here. They are allowed to have more kids because there are 2 caregivers. Elvira's daughter-in-law lives next door and helps her watch the kiddos. So, choosing between them... I really want Chantell as the caregiver, but we are not sure if she has a spot open. She has a lady that said she was going to use Chantell, but has not placed her deposit. Chantell is giving her another 2 weeks to place the deposit (since her baby is due now) and then she will give us her spot if she does not pay up soon. Legally, she can take on another child (in addition to the one who has not placed the deposit), but she has to pick her daughter up from school and there is not enough room in her van for all of the kids. So the other option is that Chantell is looking for an after school program for her daughter OR a friend that can pick her up. Either way, we are on a waiting list and I hope we hear something soon. I would be happy with Elvira, I just like Chantell a little better. If it works out with Chantell, I will use Elvira as a back up/drop in when Chantell is closed due to illness or scheduled vacation. That should save us in the event of a sudden closure (if Chantell, her hubby or daughter get sick).

Other news... Brian and I had a fun time discussing baby names Friday evening. I think we actually have decided on a name! We are using it aloud at home to make sure we really like it and it sticks. Saturday morning I went to prenatal yoga. and later we went shopping for baby clothes. We made the trek up to Allen Outlets because I had coupons for Carter's and Osh Kosh. I loved Carter's! They had so much to choose from, and great prices/sales. Osh Kosh was a bit pricier and the selection for babies was not very good. We also stopped at a store called Buy Buy Baby on the way home. It is owned by Bed Bath and Beyond, and has a really nice selection of baby products that is different from Babies R Us. The only bad thing is that the store is SO FAR away!

A Great Giveaway from Jolly Mom and Thank You Baby

Brandy: So I have said before that I am addicted to blog giveaways. I wanted to tell you about a fabulous giveaway I found out about! Jolly Mom http://www.jollymom.com Thank You Baby http://www.thankyoubaby.com and Cymax http://www.cymax.com are giving away a complete set of nursery decor and matching youth room decor! The retail value is $644! The giveaway ends on 8/10 so hurry over to Jolly Mom and sign up! Good Luck!

It's a... Surprise!

Brandy: Okay, so we had our 20 week sonogram this morning (even though I am 19 weeks and 2 days). I would say most everything went pretty well. We did not get very good pictures, because the baby would turn away every time the technician tried to get a good shot. All of the measurements and fluid level were good. The baby is actually measuring at 19 weeks, 5 days which is close enough to our due date. The heartbeat was 147. Just as I thought, the baby likes to face the back of my uterus, so that is why it is harder for me to feel the little punches and kicks at this point. When the baby faces outward, I do definitely feel the movements! We DID find out the sex of our baby, and the technician was 98% sure in this department. We can get another look to at my next sonogram. I have to go back for another sonogram in 4-5 weeks because they want to re-check 2 things. The first I do not think is anything at all to worry about. The technician could not get a very good look at the baby's heart, and she thought she might see some calcification. She assured us it is NOTHING to worry about since our quad screen was negative and the measurements she took of the neural fold area were normal. Honestly, I believe her when she says not to worry about it. The second thing they have to check again is my placenta. It is low lying (near my cervix), and they need to make sure it is growing up and away from the cervix. I do not have placenta previa at this point (where the placenta covers the cervix in whole or in part), but they need to make sure it does not develop. So, what does this mean? It means that if the placenta does not move away from my cervix, I might have to switch to a doctor. And if I develop placenta previa, this would mean a scheduled c-section. I am hoping and wishing and dreaming that I at least get to try natural childbirth. I do not want to be denied my chance to try. C'mon placenta - do your thing! I have an appointment with my midwife on Monday morning, and I am hoping she has some secret herbal remedy or exercises I can do to encourage my placenta to cooperate. I will do ANYTHING she tells me to do!!!