This post wasn't in my original thought of a "How Do I?" series, but driving home Saturday night, I thought it would be a good one to add since Adalyn is scheduled to arrive on Friday!
When I was first pregnant with Gretchen, DJ and I were very prepared! I'm talking months in advance. I found out I was pregnant in May, and in August, we had already purchased her carseat and stroller, and had put it together by September!
I had my first baby shower in October, and my mom and grandma came and helped me set up her crib and changing table in our bedroom that same month! (We had her in our bedroom for the first two months because my grandma was coming to live with us while I went back to work.) I also purchased a package of different size diapers or baby shampoo every time I went to the grocery store.
When I was pregnant with Megan, I made the decision to cloth diaper, and I started buying diapers in January. (She was born the end of May.) In February, I had gone through all of Gretchen's clothes, and was able to get rid of the clothes that were stained or that weren't the correct season for Megan. Because we moved two weeks after Megan was born, I didn't focus on setting up a nursery, but I was able to put her pac-n-play up in our room, wash all of the diapers, and I left out all of her newborn clothes, but packed everything else for the move. I really felt like I waited until the last minute to get things settled and organized for Megan, but that probably had a lot to do with our move.
With this pregnancy, I was in denial for the first few months. I also knew that because she was our third girl, that I didn't have a lot to do. I had originally thought I'd use Megan's bedding for Adalyn, but my mom convinced me that Adalyn needed brand new bedding too. In February, we were able to pick out fabric and go shopping for accessories. I finally set up store registries in March, because I had two planned baby showers in April and May.
I didn't stock up on anything while I was pregnant. I bought a few more cloth diapers, because I knew we were very likely to have two babies in cloth at one time, and I bought a few outfits for winter when I found them on sale.
In May, my mom and grandma came up while DJ was out of town and we set up the nursery. The two weekends before, DJ and I moved Gretchen's room upstairs and I was finally able to go through clothes.
It was finally the end of May when I started making to-do lists and figuring out what we'd need to buy. Panic mode finally set in realizing that in 10 weeks, Adalyn would arrive, and I still felt like I had nothing together, even though clothes were hung up and the nursery was ready.
I finally bought new bottles, milk storage bags, and bottle liners.
On Saturday, I finally purchased Adalyn's baby book.
Last week, I also made a month long menu and went to the grocery store, so we would have meals and food. I made a written list of phone numbers, directions to the hospital, our alarm code, and a list of things to do in our area, for family that would be coming in from out of town, and emailed everyone that would be coming in.
We have still not put the carseat in the car or put together the bassinet, but I plan on having DJ install the carseat before he comes to pick us up from the hospital and we'll put together the bassinet sometime this week or right after we get home from the hospital.
With every child, the preparation is different. But, here are my main tips for getting ready for any birth, your first, third, or fifth.
- Make purchases throughout your pregnancy. If you are going to use disposable diapers, purchase a variety of large packages. Don't forget the wipes.
- Decide if you are going to breast feed, formula feed, or pump and bottle feed. Read at least one book on breastfeeding, if you go that route, so you'll be well informed, and set up a good support system for yourself. If you plan on breastfeeding, research pumps and purchase milk storage bags if you have to go back to work.
- Set up childcare for when you do go back to work.
- If this is your first child, I wouldn't purchase too many clothes. You'll receive tons of clothes at your baby showers and have outfits that your child will never wear. If you absolutely can't resist, make sure to buy a variety of sizes, and think ahead about how old your child will be so they are seasonally appropriate.
- Set up your registry. Go ahead and over-register. You can take back whatever you get too many of, or if you decide you don't want something; just make sure you know your stores return policy.
- Plan the nursery and decide if you'll co-sleep or have the baby sleep in your room.
- Don't forget to register for the hospital by the beginning of your third trimester. I waited until the middle of my third trimester when my doctor reminded me to do so, and then I also had to register for my epidural. It's also helpful to attend a class and tour the hospital, sometime in your 2nd trimester.
- Decide who you want in the delivery room, and who will be able to visit you while you're there. If you have older children, decide who will care for them and where they will be staying.
- Freezer cook meals ahead of time or see if your friends and family will be brining you pre-prepared meals.
- Have a date night or go on a baby moon.
- Spend some extra one on one time with your older children.
I think we're ready for Adalyn to arrive. We'll get to enjoy the 4th of July with family tomorrow, and then we make our way to the hospital Friday morning! By Friday evening, we should be holding our sweet baby girl in our arms!
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