Right now, baby M is approximately 17 pounds and 27 inches long. So she is a pretty slender baby, but definitely has some chubster legs (like her mother), and broad shoulders (again like her mother). We just went shopping for some new pajamas at Carter's and she ended up in a size 12 months...12 months!! Here is what I have found about different brands and their sizes (Note: I realize that babies are different sizes, this is just our experience with these brands):
- Baby Gap - right now M is in size 6-12, but she has been since about 5 months. She fits their clothes really well, as they are made a little longer than other brands, which works for her long torso and legs (she gets that from her giant daddy). I find that Baby Gap runs pretty true to size, but she definitely won't be in this size after a month or so from now. What baby is the same size at 6 months that they are at 12 months? Where is the 9 month size?
- Little Me - This is a brand of clothing sold at Lord & Taylor. Believe it or not, we still have a little kimono top and pant set that is a size 3 months that she can still fit into! Granted it doesn't have feet, but we still fit the pants in the waist, and the top fits just fine.
- Carters - As I mentioned before, we are now in a size 12 months. I find that these run a little on the small side, and have since she was born. I am a huge fan of Carter's though because they are very affordable and always have pretty cute graphic prints. My only complaint is that the sleep n play's we bought would shrink a bunch in the wash - I always ended up having to pull them to stretch them out before I put them on M.
- Ralph Lauren - At 5 months, we were in size 9 months in Ralph Lauren. These definitely run on the small side. My mom is a Bloomingdale's frequent buyer so we have a lot of Ralph clothes. You can also get them pretty cheap at TJ Maxx or Marshalls. We have a couple of adorable pieces from Ralph, but they aren't every day clothes.
- Janie & Jack - Speaking of not everyday clothes...I could spend a fortune in this store. This is where the fancy grandmas shop! We have a few things (gifts) from here, and we wear them on special occasions. They are made extremely well, and I think are the best looking baby clothes out there - if you like the preppy look like I do. We are now in the 6-12 months size, but again, where is the 9 months?
- Hannah Andersen - My mother, being of Danish descent, fell in love with this Scandinavian store. They have really cute, simple clothes, but not at a simple price. They are also made for shorter and chubbier babies. They run in weird sizes (50, 60, etc.) too. What are supposed to be long leggings end up being capri on baby M, and they are always too big in the waist. Their clothes are very boxy too, but some things are too cute to pass up. And if you are that mom, you can buy matching clothes for yourself!
- Circo - To my dismay we can no longer buy the 3 packs of Circo PJs that they sell at Target. These were our absolute favorite. They were lightweight, just had a few snaps at the crotch and came in the cutest patterns and colors. We outgrew the 6-9 month size recently, and can't seem to find anything comparable for that great of a price...boo hoo. These also shrunk with every wash, but with a quick tug on the legs we were able to fit into them. We wore each size until M was unable to straighten her leg they were so tight!
Like I said before, all kids are different shapes and sizes, this is just what we have found with each of these brands of baby clothes. What have to found to be true about the sizing of baby clothes?
only do I need something to put my breast pads (so that I don't leak through to my shirt) in, but I need something to keep them supported because otherwise I am in pain. Enter the Medela Sleep Bra. At $19.99 you can't go wrong with this sports bra-ish bra. I say "ish" because it doesn't have anywhere near the support of a sports bra, but it just looks like one. It is very thin and soft, and does the job I need it to do, without cutting into my boobs like most nursing bras do. I don't even feel it on when I sleep, which is what I was most looking for in a sleeping bra.
things for a newborn, but what the hell did I know! For the past 4 weeks, my daughter has lived in Carter's baby clothing. Especially the one pieces with the feet. Her little feet are too small for any socks, so these are perfect. Plus, it is 20 degrees outside! What was I thinking with the short sleeves? You can always find these on sale somewhere, be it Babies R Us, Target, JC Penny, Kohls or you can visit there fabulous outlet store in Wrentham. They are cheap, they wash up just fine, and you don't mind if your baby spits up on them, unlike the Ralph Lauren clothing she has hanging in her closet that she will most likely not wear while she fits them. So much for my fancy baby! 
father. It makes me want to cry when I see him with Marlo in his arms (she is so tiny and he is so big) - I catch him just staring at her sometimes in amazement and my heart leaps. I sometimes forget that he too had been waiting for her so long...And now that she is here he goes above and beyond the expectations I had for him as a father. He is first to go to her if she makes a noise, always wanting to feed her, has no problem changing her (both diapers and outfits), always wanting to hold her in his long arms...he even came upstairs the other day with a book in hand and told me that he felt like reading to his daughter. I thought I would melt! Even being back at work, he is willing to get up with her in the middle of the night to allow me to get sleep. He is always concerned about me getting enough sleep, or being healthy (I was really sick for over a week and now again feel like I am coming down with something) - both physically and mentally. He has also taken over dog-walking duties for the next few months so that "his ladies" can be warm at home inside. Every day when he leaves work I get a phone call asking if he needs to pick anything up, and without question he will run here and there to pick up food or anything else I ask before running home to see all his ladies. I don't, and will never, take him for granted, and know that I am lucky to have such a loving husband (and a hot one at that). Sorry I got all shmoopy on you :)
