You finally receive those two lines you have longed for and could not be happier!  Your thoughts instantly race to the gender of the baby, buying adorable little newborn onesies, and how to share the big news with your loved ones.  You are only four weeks pregnant and need to wait a couple weeks to see your doctor.  But… what else can you do to prepare besides taking prenatal vitamins and your Omega 3s?  GO TO THE GROCERY STORE!  

During my first pregnancy, I was in La-La land daydreaming about all the precious and exciting events that were to come.  Around five and a half weeks pregnant I started to get nauseous.  At six and a half weeks I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) and was too weak and sick to do anything for myself for the majority of my pregnancy.  According to the March of Dimes Association, over 70% of women experience morning sickness during the first trimester (and sometimes second trimester), whereas only 3% of women experience HG.  You never know what can happen during your pregnancy, so please be over-prepared and head to the grocery store now!

Pantry

1. Crackers – Buy at least two kinds of crackers in case you get sick of one brand.  I highly suggest Saltines and Townhouse Crackers.  Since I am gluten free, I opted for Glutino Gluten Free Crackers and Lance Gluten Free Peanut Butter Bite Sized Sandwich Crackers.
2. Granola Bars – Choose a granola bar that is high in protein that you enjoyed to eat prior to pregnancy.  My new favorite is Bear Naked Peanut Butter and Honey Bites.
3. Broths – Having broths on hand is very important if you cannot keep anything but liquid down.  I bought bone broth, chicken broth, vegetable broth, and beef broth.  With my first pregnancy I would heat up beef broth and put some noodles in it to give it more substance.  The best part?  If you don’t use it, it can be used for cooking!
4. Candy –  Ditch those pregnancy pops!  They are expensive and other candies can get the job done.  Some mamas receive relief from Lemonheads, Sour Patch Kids, or Swedish Fish. I prefer Starbursts! 
5. Cereal – Buy a couple different types to throw in a baggy in your purse if you need a quick small meal. 
6. Potatoes– Potatoes last a long time, so these are good things to have in the fridge for family meals or a starchy snack.
7. Rice and Noodles – Rice and noodles are non-perishable foods that can be used at any time if they don’t work with your belly.  It is a great and bland filler for when you cannot stomach anything else.
8. Bread – Bread can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to last longer.  Dry toast sometimes helps people with nausea, however, I was more of a PB&J girl! 
9. Peanut butter – Instant protein is great to have!  Sometimes I would just grab a spoonful of peanut butter for extra energy.

Refrigerator 

1. Cheese – I am a Wisconsin girl, so cheese is a staple in my house.  Grabbing some pre-cut cubes of cheese or a string cheese helped me get through many hanger pains!
2. Yogurt – Before my first born, I hated yogurt–even FROYO!  However, I was on a girl’s trip and needed protein so I snacked on my friend’s blueberry yogurt and instantly fell in love.
3. Milk or a Milk alternative – For both of my pregnancies I craved chocolate milk.  It was a quick way to receive protein and it was so delicious (..just not delicious coming back up… so beware).
4. Lemonade – Some women get relief from the tartness of lemonade or limeade.
5. Gatorade – If you are spending a lot of time throwing up, you may need a quick hydration and electrolyte pick me up through some Gatorade or Powerade.  Please note: if you spend over 24 hours puking, you need to head to the Emergency Room for fluids. 

Freezer

1. Freezer meals – I could not emphasize this one more.  The second time I got pregnant I started doubling meals and freezing food for my husband and daughter before my hormones went wild.  This helped them out for a couple weeks as they adjusted to me being incapable of being near any food in the kitchen.
2. Popsicles and Pedialyte Pops– Another great tool if your throat hurts or are feeling dehydrated! 

For the kids

I have a toddler so I needed to find things she enjoyed but also required little to no prep.  Here is a list of things that I found easy to “prepare:”

1. Squeezable Apple Sauce pouches 
2. Pre-packaged individual snacks
3. Uncrustable sandwiches
4. Drinkable yogurt
5. Cheese 
6. Deli meat and hot dogs 
7. Microwavable mac and cheese
8. Pre-made smoothie mixes
9. Cut up fruit from the produce section

Did I forget anything on the list?  What would you add?