Motherhood Exhibition 2013

Otherwise known as "The Day I Should Have Brought My Brains Out" or "The Day of Many Lessons Learnt".
(Long post ahead!)


Just a little bit about me and fairs.
I don't function well in fairs mainly because I get overwhelmed by the booths, the crowd and I usually end up with nothing but a headache after.

But this is the 'Motherhood Exhibition'.
It's my first 'mommy-baby' fair. And a pretty large-scale one.
I'll have to be there to experience what it is like.
Are the discounts great? Are the deals attractive?


THE DAY

The sweet sis had a day off so we had a good mummy-daughter bonding day with my mum.
It has been a long while since the three of us hung out together.
I'm deeply appreciative of these two wonderful ladies in my life.
I love them so, so much. ♥


In order not to spend too much time at the fair, I did research and shortlisted the booths I wanted to visit and the talks I wanted to attend. Remember that I don't function well at fairs?

This was my brain before I entered the fair.

And on my to do list:
1. Subscribe to Motherhood magazine. (Just one year at $50 will do)
2. Check out Cordlife. Get brochures and info.
3. Get the Theraline Pillow from Spring Maternity.
    (If there's a special promotion to get the Mom's card, get it!)
4. Listen to the talk on 'Caring for Newborn'. Hope and pray they'll talk about bathing newborns.
5. Go home!

Short and sweet.
We should be out of the fair by 3pm.


Alas, there is some kind of magic in such fairs. Mix that in with the "Oh! I'm a mommy!" brain, and you get this:

THE TALK:
The talk was pretty informative for me.
I'm glad I actually remember how to bathe a baby from watching my grandma and mummy bathe lil' bro 18 years ago. :)
There were a couple extra tips to take note of, which I diligently typed into my phone.
(I'd have taken photos or a video if my phone stopped acting like it was going to die on me. Then the hubby reminded me that I could have used my sister's phone.
Right... he could do with the video. *slams head on table*)

The lady brought up a good point about checking the mittens before putting it on the baby.
She mentioned a horror story about how a baby almost lost his finger because the loose thread got wound around his tiny finger, stopping the blood flow.
Should have seen our faces after she said that.

Lesson 1: Always update the phone's software and ensure that phone is in proper working condition.



THE SHOPPING:

Motherhood Magazine
I got a three year subscription instead. And ended up with something I probably have no use for.
After I did the Math, I wanted to shoot myself for being a Math major and yet, making all the mistakes I shouldn't make.

Lesson 2: Never ever let the "Sale and Freebies" part of the Brain take over the rational portion of it.




Spring Maternity

Source: Google Images

The Theraline pillow (it looks like a boomerang... teehee) is going at $116.10 from Spring Maternity.

It's the same price if you get at the store. The deal?
Mommies need to spend only $150 at the fair (instead of $200, though website states $400) to get the Mom's Card . Not bad at all!

I got an extra cover for the Theraline, and a couple more products just to make up to $150.
When preggie and unemployed (even though by choice), think like an 'auntie'.




Baby Kingdom
I wasn't planning to get any big-ticket items partly because Baby is playing along with the gender-guessing game and we also thought it might be a little too early to decide on the cots and strollers now.

But sweet sis being sweet sis, and the awesomest aunt in the entire world, gave Lil' One his/her first gift.

Source: Google Images

The Combi Rashule (dx) Parenting Station. ($359 before discount)
I love the mint green.
The sister is really an indulging aunt because she almost ended buying the Combi Roanju for the Lil' One.
Have I mentioned before how sweet sis is like a Santa Claus? (The gifting)

Almost all my friends have one of these for their babies and they swear by how wonderful it is. This must be the best purchase of the entire day.

There was a 10% discount, free delivery, a PVC cover to protect the cushion while the lil' one dines, and a 'mystery' gift. Pretty good deal!




SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS/OBSERVATIONS:

1. People do buy diapers in bulk.
    Bags and bags of Pampers.
    Cartons of Merries.
    Huggies seems to be giving away Little Tike's Cupcake Kitchen.
    Everyone holding on to the Cupcake Kitchen was holding on to two boxes of Huggies.

2. It was really quite an eye- opener.

3. There are so many booths which I've missed. All looked like they have pretty good deals.
    I was quite sold on one of the playmats because of its pretty drawings.
    And I am quite tempted to get the cots, strollers and breast pumps at the end of the day.
    The discounts look pretty attractive.
    Should we return during the weekends?


***

We left the fair for the John Little Fair at Hall 3.
Two fairs.
Four hours.
All our hands full.
I was dehydrated.
Despite the silly irrational moments of buying things I absolutely don't need, it was a good day.
It was a day well-spent with my loves.

For that, I shall be grateful.