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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 11:50:21 GMT -5
I'm still allowed to say "shit" once the baby arrives, right?
I'm currently at 32 weeks and the reality that I'm 5-10 weeks away from a baby is really starting to hit. My to-do list has been whittled down from the "must do all the things" to the "this will be sufficient" items. And I'm trying to survive Christmas, figure out maternity leave, compile lists of dinners to make/freeze in January, and figure out what else I need to do.
So, for those of you who have been there, or those of you but haven't but can make some educated guesses, what should I have on my list of things to absolutely do before baby arrives?
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Post by nsweare on Dec 12, 2013 12:11:20 GMT -5
Yay! You are getting so close!
I would make sure you have plenty of sleepers/onesies/gowns washed and ready to go. Have diapers ready and formula if you're not breast feeding (the hospital should send you home with some stuff too).
Really you don't need much for a baby. And everything can be taken care of by dad if baby comes and you're not ready.
Something FI and I did, which I HIGHLY recommend, is take yourselves out for a really nice dinner/date the last weeks before she comes. I was on bed rest the last month of my pregnancy, but got permission to go out one last time. We went to a really nice steakhouse and treated ourselves to a really romantic dinner. We viewed it as a celebration of the changes coming and as the last time it would truly be just the two of us.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 12:29:01 GMT -5
Date night is definitely on the list of things to do! I'd tentatively like to have every else done by about 36 weeks and can then just relax through the rest of the time. Someone suggested hiring a cleaning service to come in and do a deep clean of home so you don't have to think about it yourself. I might end up doing that if I don't feel up to cleaning extensively myself.
Thanks for the other things to put on the list. I'm kind of just telling myself that humans have been doing this for ages, so I can figure it out. We'll see if that holds up. Or I'll be on here daily begging for advice!
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 12:41:23 GMT -5
Arrange for a possible pet sitter for Zoe if you have to go to the hospital quickly. Other than that I'm not sure because I have quite a ways to go before this. H plans to hang at home with her for most of the labor, so she'll be taken care of, but we have someone we can call in if needed. But definitely a good thought! I'll keep copious notes of things that would be helpful for your turn down the road!
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Post by nsweare on Dec 12, 2013 12:48:50 GMT -5
Arrange for a possible pet sitter for Zoe if you have to go to the hospital quickly. Other than that I'm not sure because I have quite a ways to go before this. H plans to hang at home with her for most of the labor, so she'll be taken care of, but we have someone we can call in if needed. But definitely a good thought! I'll keep copious notes of things that would be helpful for your turn down the road! Not to be an alarmist, but I would plan to have H with you as much as possible. I had to have an emergency c-section and FI almost missed it because he was in the hallway on the phone with his family. He was still trying to get the scrubs on as they were wheeling me down the hall.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 13:00:18 GMT -5
H plans to hang at home with her for most of the labor, so she'll be taken care of, but we have someone we can call in if needed. But definitely a good thought! I'll keep copious notes of things that would be helpful for your turn down the road! Not to be an alarmist, but I would plan to have H with you as much as possible. I had to have an emergency c-section and FI almost missed it because he was in the hallway on the phone with his family. He was still trying to get the scrubs on as they were wheeling me down the hall. Oh, I get that. H just wants nothing to do with the birth, so we're not trying to time it for him to be there. I mean, he will if I absolutely need him to for some reason, but otherwise he's just going to show up afterward when there's a bouncing bundle of joy and miss all of the messy bits.
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Post by nsweare on Dec 12, 2013 13:04:59 GMT -5
Not to be an alarmist, but I would plan to have H with you as much as possible. I had to have an emergency c-section and FI almost missed it because he was in the hallway on the phone with his family. He was still trying to get the scrubs on as they were wheeling me down the hall. Oh, I get that. H just wants nothing to do with the birth, so we're not trying to time it for him to be there. I mean, he will if I absolutely need him to for some reason, but otherwise he's just going to show up afterward when there's a bouncing bundle of joy and miss all of the messy bits. Ahh I got ya. I didn't want your H to miss anything if it was important to you both! I get this vision of him pacing up and down in the waiting room and handing out It's A Girl cigars. Very 1960's. meanwhile, you are in the delivery room, barely breaking a sweat and looking radiant.
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rusngl2
Red Shirt
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Post by rusngl2 on Dec 12, 2013 13:48:29 GMT -5
If you tend to sweat, I'd invest in a good headband. Fill the freezer with easy to cook foods, casseroles and whatnot. Plenty of water I couldn't drink enough after I delivered I was always thirsty.
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rusngl2
Red Shirt
Posts: 367
Likes: 218
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Post by rusngl2 on Dec 12, 2013 13:49:33 GMT -5
OH! and as for the cursing, I'd be careful! My oldest daughters first word started with S and had four letters...
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Post by Michelle04 on Dec 12, 2013 14:20:07 GMT -5
Awww KWith; this time is so exciting. Now you can feel every single little move she makes. Sleep in as much as possible just in case you have a night owl.
I love dancing and I knew I'd be out of commission for a few months after the baby was born. The weeks leading up to delivery were about H and Me time. We went out salsa dancing and dinner dates once a week and really enjoyed cuddle nights. I agree with PP who suggested stocking up on pads. You go through so many....
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 14:20:11 GMT -5
You guys are awesome. Thanks @xcalygrl for posting the bump picture. It's definitely making an appearance now. @daubachsgirl23, someone else had made a point about granny panties (they recommended just acknowledging reality and getting black instead of white) and it's definitely on the list of things to buy. But thanks for the reminder. rusngl2, a headband is a good call. I have a ton of them but will remember to throw one in the hospital bag. @jennylee, I love toast. That is all.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 14:31:06 GMT -5
@jennylee, I'm imagining something closer to a bikini brief just for my own comfort. Basically, I figure as long as I stay away from thongs and lace, I'll be okay.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 14:38:35 GMT -5
If all is normal, I just stay one night after delivery. A friend did give me a fancier version of a hospital gown that will allow for nursing, but I might get a set of pajamas anyway since they include pants, and I approve of pants.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 14:56:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I just don't get along with pajamas. Maybe it's because I tend to think of them as wool and Christmas themed and therefore unattractive. I bet if I had a pair of silk pajamas (and the super skinny body to make them look good) I'd like them, but I don't. So I'm fine with cobbled together versions.
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Post by nsweare on Dec 12, 2013 17:00:18 GMT -5
Oh on the topic of underwear, if they have the mesh underwear at the hospital, steal them all. They are seriously the most comfortable things on the planet.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 18:39:08 GMT -5
OUR FIRST BABY SINCE STARTING THE TREEHOUSE! SHE WILL BE OUR OFFICIAL MASCOT Technically there was one other and it was from a reg, but I can't for the life of me remember her name and she hasn't been around much lately (presumably because she has a newborn), but I will happily put forward baby kwith as a mascot. Also, I realized the other day that her initials will be AW and I fully approve of that for how much I will AW her. Be prepared.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 20:34:02 GMT -5
Thanks @swimmy1988! You were right, it was misshart - I could see her sig pic but couldn't remember the name. I think she was about 4 months ahead of me, if I remember correctly, so baby misshart should be about two months old now.
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 20:35:33 GMT -5
My initials are LAW (for 3 more months). ALMOST TWINS And actually, baby kwith will be ALW, so I think you're pretty much the same person. I'm glad she's taking after you!
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Post by kwith on Dec 12, 2013 20:47:03 GMT -5
kwith - If she's anything like me, you'd be well served to send her away from the ages of 13 - 17. Noted. I'll send her to live with you for those years
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Post by kwith on Jan 1, 2014 18:34:35 GMT -5
kwith, you're going to meet your daughter on the outside this year! We set up our crib today, and I sorted through all the clothes we've gotten. H and I kept looking at the tiny little newborn clothes and the tiny little newborn napper and feeling overwhelmed and excited. It's going to be an adventure!
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