Finding out I was pregnant was an instant whirlwind. I have plenty of nieces and nephews but still felt completely overwhelmed. Here are 10 things I started with right away to prepare for my mini me.

1. Budget.

If you haven’t already started budgeting or your pregnancy is a surprise, start now. My husband and I set a savings goal to achieve by the time the baby arrives. We accounted for all of our bills and saved the rest. We wanted to make sure we had enough to cover bills for three months while I would be off plus the additional expenses.

2. Make a doctor’s appointment.

This may sound pretty obvious but in the midst of all the excitement selecting your doctor is key. Most women already have a specialist that does deliveries but you may not know what hospital they use or anything about the prenatal unit. Get started today.

3. Do your research.

Everyone around you will have advice. Most of it will definitely apply to you but some of it may not. Do your research and decide as parents what works best for you. After all, this will be a team effort for the rest of your life. Why not start coming together on the little stuff?

4. Start a registry.

I chose to use Amazon and Target because they were the simplest options. Target offers a free $20 gift card when you start a registry as well as discounts on not purchased items. Amazon does even better. You can receive free diapers, a baby bundle and discounts on everything on your registry. They both offer a step by step guide on what items you will actually need.

5. Exercise.

Through the nausea and fatigue, working out can feel like the last thing on my list. Luckily, I was already in the habit of doing 30 minutes to an hour of exercise daily. Consult your doctor on the best workout for your pregnancy but most will agree that yoga is a great choice. My doc suggested 20 – 30 minutes of low impact activity and light weights if I chose to use some. Take a look at prenatal classes in your area as well.

6. Water, Water, Water.

Water will be your new best friend. My doc suggested drinking about a gallon of water a day! At first, it seemed impossible. But I learned a little trick. Use a cup with a straw and you won’t even notice how much you’re effortlessly sipping.

7. Vitamins.

If you haven’t already started taking prenatal vitamins, grab a bottle. You little baby will be soaking everything you have to offer, including your vitamins. Choose one with high folic acid as it’s imperative for brain development. Check with your doc aboutspecific brands they recommend for any other supplements you may need.

8. Have a Baby Moon.

Through the hustle and bustle of preparing for your little miracle, parents get stressed out. My husband and I are planning to get away maybe a few times before the baby arrives. Once the baby is here, it may be a while until vacation is even in our vocabulary.

9. Make a Pinterest Board. 

With all these idea swirling around in my head, I had to get them in a central location. I’ve actually created multiple board to organize my thoughts. Head to Pinterest and get pinning!

10. Plan your announcement. 

Deciding how we would tell our dozens of family members was difficult. We decided on showing an ultrasound, having my siblings read a Baby Recipe on a chalkboard, wrapped a photo in a baby items for Nana and Facetimed and called members that we couldn’t visit. Our official announcement was a cute photo that we posted on Facebook.

Moms, what items would you add to this list?