What to do…
This, my friends, is a plea for help.
There is one month less a day until Christmas, which means there is one month and three days until this baby is due and I have nothing – and I do mean nothing – ready.
The baby will sleep in a Moses basket in our room for the first while (how old are babies when they outgrow those things?) so we’re not too worried about a crib, but we do need a safe stand for the basket because we live in a zoo. We’re borrowing a second crib from a friend and just hoping it gets here before we actually need it.
The baby’s room is not even started. I still need to steam off the horribly ugly border, prep & paint the whole room, buy a dresser with money we don’t have, move the lazyboy in there and the glider into the boy’s room and about seven hundred things I’m sure I haven’t thought of. It’s just full of my crap right now. Anyone want to buy a lovely three door armoire to make room for my kid?
Just tonight, at the urging of a friend who’s due 3 weeks after me and has already done it, I dragged the infant carrier in from the garage and took it all apart. The covers are in the washer as we speak (with Dr. Bronner’s peppermint…mmmmmm) and I’ll try to get that into the mommyvan this week. I’ve also washed my 0-6 month bin of neutral clothing this past week, but that’s absolutely it. My two slings and mei tai were in there so they’re ready to go. The clean and adorable little clothing items are downstairs in a laundry basket but to the aforementioned lack of a dresser.
I know this baby could safely & conceivably come any time now so I need to pack for the hospital for all of us, but I can’t even remember what to pack. Last time I brought SO much and didn’t regret any of it since I was there for 5 days. I wish I could remember what it all was. What did you bring that you were super glad you did? Maybe later this week, we can work on a cooperative list and then you can all email me every day asking if I packed yet to get me off my butt. Today let’s just focus on what I need to do at home. (Focus? What’s that?)
Ideas? Suggestions? Anyone remember what I did last time? (Deleting those damn archives bites me in the ass almost daily.)
November 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Wow! A new baby in a month! I can’t imagine the stress you must be feeling, with Christmas right around the corner. I’d say that the room is something that somebody needs to come help with, at this point. You will just get tired and overwhelmed with all that it sounds like you have to do, but with help, somebody else can keep you motivated and take directions if you get tired.
I’d say that the baby clothes, carriers and car seats are the most important things to do. (which you’ve already started) And the teeny diapers. Other than that, the rest is just gravy. The crib, the room, etc. is all stuff that doesn’t have to be perfect.
For packing, just remember that you need comforts at the hospital, but also that people can bring you things that you forget, so don’t stress. I’d say you should worry about the stuff that you intend on using during and immediately following the birth. I.E. CAMERAS!! FILM!! and a toothbrush. I hated the icky feeling after birth and labor etc. Needed a fresh mouth. I mean, even if you forget the baby’s coming home outfit, who cares? As long as it’s warm enough and a picture is taken, all’s forgiven.
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November 27th, 2007 at 7:55 am
The decorating can wait. Even though you’re feeling the stress (you’re handling it very well by the way) you’re in control. Just make sure you have the essentials first: blankets, clothes, bath things…
But foremost, take care of yourself.
)
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November 27th, 2007 at 8:10 am
I agree with Deb, you have to take care of yourself. Relax a little. The things that you need would be bottles, clothes, blankets, burp rags, diapers.
It will all fall into place, the room doesn’t need to be perfect, if you are anything like me the baby will be in your room for the first couple of months
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November 27th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Sounds like you got the important stuff done…bed, clothing. Just make sure you have some diapers and enjoy this last month!
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November 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I see you have all the good advise you need. If you forget anything someone can bring it to you. The decorating will get done when it gets done. If anyone asks about it, tell them you’re waiting for the people who notice that it’s not done to help do something about it.
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November 29th, 2007 at 10:19 am
The thing I LOVED having at the hospital was my own pillows. I wouldn’t have lasted at the hospital without them.
Remember, when the baby gets there…as long as he/she receives food, has diapers, and clothes…they won’t remember when they are 20 that you didn’t have the room PERFECTLY decorated the day they arrived home.
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