Cord Blood Banking?

I'm starting to research Cord Blood Banking. I've registered to receive tons of info about the benefits of it. It seems like a no brainer -- of course I want to have the option if my child ever gets ill! But the cost seems kind of steep ($2,000 - $3,000) with all the other expenses adding up. My husband thinks we should absolutely do it, that we will find the money. I am leaning towards that as well, but I wonder how many people have actually had to use the cord blood they banked? What circumstances is it good for? How long does it last? So many questions... I just want to make the best decision.

Starbucks and a Baby Bump Don’t Mix

Nothing will get you dirty scowls like walking around with a baby bump and a Starbucks cup. I want to wear a shirt that says, “Chill out! It’s DECAF people!”. Same goes for anything revolving around sushi, alcohol and deli meats. People see the bump and immediately make it their responsibility to keep you on the straight-and-narrow towards Mommyville, like you wouldn’t do it on your own. The best was last weekend when my husband and I went to a Mexican restaurant with a crazy-long wait. As we walked up to the bar so he could grab a margarita, everyone’s eyes went straight to my belly. Baby bumps and bars don’t mix, either. He ordered his drink, and I ordered my customary water with lots of ice. I made a point of saying it louder than usual, as if to prove to the world I was a responsible Mommy. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief among the other customers close by. Thanks for having faith in me, people!

Old Wives Tales

The other day I was looking in the mirror when I noticed a new brown mark on the side of my face. Usually I would freak out (not another pimple!!) but this time I jumped for joy! I immediately Googled “Pregnancy AND Old Wives Tales” to see if my memory served me correctly – that a baby girl will “steal your beauty” and many women will get a brown mark on their face for every girl they deliver. Google didn’t deliver the results I was hoping for, so I went to the next best source – my mom. She confirmed the old wives tale, and I was elated! Can you tell I was hoping for a baby girl? Not that I wouldn’t be excited with a baby boy, but I think I may be way over-protective for a boy. I’d always be worried about him falling down, roughhousing, and so on. You know – doing boy stuff. So after I convinced myself I was having a girl, I looked into two more old wives tales – first, the Chinese Birth Chart. Results? Boy. Then I did the test where I put the ring over my belly and see what way it swings. As much as I willed the ring to swing in circles, it only swung back and forth – which means boy! So now I’m back to square one. Guess I’ll have to wait until August 17th to find out!