Practice makes perfect, or so they say. Unfortunately, no amount of practice can prepare you for parenthood. But if you're pregnant, getting ready for baby is probably the first and foremost thing on your mind. If you want to make your pregnancy easier, there are some things you can do to get the house and yourself ready and keep you ahead of the crowd.

Start by getting the necessities ready for baby's arrival. Thankfully, newborns don't need much. But you'll want to have a diaper bag, diapers, a few baby outfits and somewhere for the baby to sleep (a crib, a co-sleeper, or a bassinette) on hand before the little one arrives. Bibs, burp cloths, sheets and towels are also necessities. Use baby detergent and have everything washed and ready to go, and you'll save yourself time once baby arrives.

Not only can you get the basics ready before baby arrives, but you can make room for baby in your house and in your life. Determine where baby will sleep, and if you need to rearrange rooms or furniture, start thinking about doing it now. Get the car seat installed in the car. Schedule maternity leave and talk to your boss about options for returning to work. Research paternity leave. Make a will. Taking care of these things before your baby arrives means less to do after your little one is here.

Once you've covered the basics and gotten things under control for the arrival of your little one, don't stop there. Read books about pregnancy and childcare, spend time with friends and family members and their little ones and get all the rest that you can. Each one of these things will help you feel more in control and ready, as well as making your entire pregnancy experience easier and less stressful.

If you want to make your pregnancy easier during the last few months, getting ready for baby's arrival and taking care of the details at hand is a great place to start.

*Babies grow fast and will quickly outgrow many of their firsts from the close*t. It won't take long to realize your baby is growing at a record pace; just when you've picked out the perfect baby jacket and matching shoes, don't be surprised to find that the shoe no longer fits a month or two later.

Instead of buying dozens of outfits every few months, you can save some money by planning ahead and buying a larger size whenever possible. Here are some other ways to cut back on baby expenditures so you can keep up with the family budget:

Rely on the Onesies
Outfits that snap on, zip on or are draped over baby's shoulders like a gown are some of the most versatile and cost effective baby clothes money can buy. Stock up on these outfits to make them the foundation of your baby's closet. You can buy these in a larger size so that they grow into them. Since most are made with a stretch fabric, they'll last much longer than your average cotton and polyester blends.

Consider the Weather
If your baby is going to be between 6 and 8 months come summer time, make sure you're buying clothes for that baby. It's easy to forget how quickly your newborn will grow by the end of the season, so plan on buying clothes that will fit them in the right season. If you're worried about the high price of new items coming in for the season ahead, shop the sales and clearance aisles for last year's lineup and make the most of the discounts.

Don't Be Afraid to use Hand Me Downs
While having a fresh new set of clothes for your newborn is important, you don't have to buy every item right off the rack. Consider asking friends, family members and neighbors for any gently used items or even nearly new items they mistakenly purchased for their newborn. You can focus on building up a basics baby wardrobe and count on used clothing for play wear or even baby accessories when the budget's tight.

With the holiday season right around the corner, dolling up your newborn in some festive gear is a top priority. Start with the shoes and you can't go wrong! Newborns might still be sporting padded socks to keep those toes safe and warm, but you can pick up super-soft soles to cover them up in style! Rhinestones and bows for the girls, and plush suede lace-ups for the boys are the perfect fit for your little ones as they venture into their first Christmas, Hanukah or other holiday celebration.

Dress up your handsome little gentleman with a pair of Ralph Lauren Layette lace-ups, a rich suede shoe with flexible soles for when they really are ready to conquer the world. These adorable shoes fit on snugly but aren't too heavy for your baby.

The little princess will really strut her stuff -- well, almost -- in a pair of golden Pampili shoes covered in jewels and bows. These metallic shoes are designed with a large bow and rhinestones across the buckle. She'll be ready to dazzle and charm the crowds in these fancy soles; just pair them up with a golden frock or princess gown for the ultimate holiday ensemble.

Loafers will give him that preppy look this season and make a great choice for any tuxedo-style outfit or suit you you're planning on dressing him up in. The Pediped Charlie shoes are smart and classy loafers that will get him plenty of attention. Their super-soft leather uppers fit snug and tight, and he'll be more than ready for that next photo!

For the fashion model to-be, dress her up with a pair of simple black shoes from Designer's Touch. They're finished with a black rabbit fur trim. The soft, padded shoes are ideal for your newborn with style. She'll be the center of attention with these chic and sophisticated shoes, which will complement any black, silver or red ensemble for the holiday season or other special occasions.

From designer-inspired lace-ups to glittering metallic shoes, there's always a way to jazz up your newborn's ensemble. Take your pick of these classy shoes for that upcoming holiday gathering!