One of the most exciting times for parents is waiting for the arrival of a new baby. After the baby arrives, life will be somewhat hectic so now is the time to get a few things accomplished. What are some of the things that can be done while waiting?

Baby Preparations

Finding out the gender of your baby is an exciting step during pregnancy. Most of the time, ultrasounds are done at 18 to 20 weeks, and moms-to-be find out whether they are having a boy or a girl. With the new technology of 3D and 4D ultrasound, often you can find out the gender as early as 13 weeks. However, it is not always possible depending on the position of the baby and other factors.

The images of the baby are much clearer using 3D and 4D. This is one of the reasons parents-to-be choose this type of ultrasound so they have photos of the baby before he or she is born. Before You Were Born Imaging is an example of a company offering  Sonography Adelaide.

The Nursery

Parents often choose to wait until they find out whether they are having a boy or girl to decorate the nursery. Others may choose gender neutral themes. Yellow used to be a popular color when the sex was not known. Today almost any color will work when combined with the right décor. Light blues and browns can be used for girls as well as boys when paired with other items. Customizing the room for either can include wall art, curtains, blankets, lamps, and toys.

Getting the room ready ahead of time will give you plenty of time to decide on the theme. Choosing the furnishings includes making sure there is plenty of storage. Set up baby monitors and get a comfy chair to sit in while feeding the baby or just spending time in the nursery.

The Baby Shower

A baby shower is a fun celebration. Typically for the mom-to-be, it is becoming popular for dads to join in on the fun as well. There are several ideas for a baby shower for both parents-to-be such as barbecues. A family member or close friend usually plans the shower. If it is going to be for both parents, this should be specified in the invitations so that everyone knows couples are invited.

First-time parents will be surprised at how many things are needed for a baby. From the crib to the diapers, blankets, a baby bath, car seat, clothing, and more, the list is quite extensive. Many of these items will be received at a baby shower, and this is a big help to get started. Plus everyone gets to join in the celebration of preparing for the new baby.

Expectant parents should not forget to spend some time on themselves. Moms-to-be need to get plenty of rest and do a few things to pamper themselves. Take naps, get a massage or a manicure and pedicure, go on a picnic, or read a book. Expectant parents should spend time together at dinner, the movies, or wherever they enjoy going. The first few months after the baby arrives will be spent learning all about your new son or daughter, so this time before he or she arrives should be fun and relaxing.

There is nothing like walking into a kitchen to the smell of butter cookies in the oven. You might want to know  where to buy butter cookies Chicago IL bakeries have to offer along with grocery and specialty stores, especially if you can’t get enough of the sweet treat. There are multiple ways of enjoying the cookie, and they can be used for multiple occasions depending on the size and the decorations that are added, such as holidays and receptions.

From the soft texture that butter cookies have to the flexibility that the cookie has when baking, this is a treat that melts in your mouth. They are made of mostly butter, a bit of flour, sugar and liquid. The liquid that you use to make the cookies will determine the texture of the cookie. If you use milk, then you’ll have a cookie that is a bit softer while oil or water will give more of a crunch.

You might start with eating a different type of cookie, such as chocolate chip, but once you enjoy the delicious flavor of a butter cookie, then you’ll see that it’s in a league of its own. Bakeries often create designs on the cookies for holidays and special events. They will sometimes display plain cookies with decorative edges. Most bakeries allow customers to order large numbers of the cookies for a special event or just to take home and enjoy. A benefit of this kind of treat is that it’s easy to use for multiple events. They are easy to decorate for everything from Halloween to Christmas. The cookie holds up to icing and sprinkles that are put on top. You can make small cookies for baby and wedding showers or for wedding receptions. Since there aren’t a lot of ingredients and the bake time is short, you can make several batches of the cookies in a short time. They are ideal for bake sales as you can decorate them on the spot or package them without worrying that they will lose their structure between sales. Bakeries benefit from the sale of this kind of cookie because they can make money from a product that is easy and inexpensive to make.

Your summer vacation is right around the corner. So, where will you go? What will you do? You could do the same old stuff as usual. Or, you could take a few tips from the following list of ways to make your summer vacation better than ever.

Head Somewhere New

Most people go the same place for every vacation. But eventually the same place becomes as familiar and dull as simply staying home. Same difference. So, make a promise to yourself to go somewhere new. Whether it be a weekend at a paradise island, or a few days in a mountain-bound log cabin, you deserve to see more of the world than you already have.

Make Zero Plans Except for Where You Will Stay

Okay, so this one is a little scary and unconventional—but totally worth it. Some of the best vacations are those without plans and boundaries. So, after you book the  Singer Island Marriott, or wherever you plan to go, make the decision to go wherever, do whatever, and live plan-free for a while.

Book Somewhere Indulgent and Luxurious

You probably stay in the same kind of hotel or bed and breakfast with every vacation. But with a new destination comes new accommodations, so make them count. Book somewhere luxurious and indulgent, where you can bask in the sun from the deck of a 5-star balconette. Or, somewhere you can eat scrumptious gourmet meals and go to bed on goose-feather mattresses.

Take an Out-of-the-Norm Risk

On a normal day, would you sky dive or take any kind of exhilarating risk? Today you might. Be out of the norm and bold for your vacation. Try something new—something that might scare you a little, but in a good way.

Be Lazy for a Day or Two

Pick a day or two where all you do is look at the sceneries around you, laze in the sunshine, and do nothing at all. Most people take vacations to get away from everyday hassles. Ergo, they take vacations to relax. So relax—be at peace and lazy for a few days. It will do you good to refresh your body and free your mind.

Take Lots of Old School Pictures

Invest in an old-school snap camera for your vacation, and take tons of on-roll pictures. Then, when you come back, have them developed at a local drugstore. These will serve as tangible memories of you great time.

The aforementioned short list of tips was created to help you experience a hassle-free, better vacation. So, take some risks, be a bit bold, and feel free to leave the electronics elsewhere.