Okay, where did the time go?
If you had run into me a month ago I would have told you that this was the longest pregnancy ever. Honestly, I feel like I have been carrying this kid around for years but yesterday I realized that I only have 12 weeks (or so) left before we welcome our little girl into the world. It’s definitely different the second time around.
28 weeks and counting. And yes, standing on a chair!
During my first pregnancy I read almost anything I could get my hands on that dealt with being pregnant, becoming a mother, breastfeeding and of course labour. My husband and I attended birthing sessions where we reenacted what delivery might be like and plunged our hands into ice cold water in an attempt to mimic the discomfort and pain of childbirth (um, really…that’s the best you could do, cause honestly it doesn’t come close to comparing.) I religiously attended pre-natal yoga classes twice a week and got in touch with my unborn child. We decorated the nursery, put together our stroller, pre- washed baby clothes and planned and executed our own baby shower. Before we fell asleep at night we tossed back and forth possible names and tried to imagine what the baby would look like.
Minimalist children’s story poster designed by Christian Jackson – Square Inch Design
How times have changed! I’ve made it to a total of one pre-natal yoga class, haven’t cracked a book on the subject of pregnancy and have boxes of baby clothes in the basement I need to sort through. As I lay awake last night thinking of all the things I need to do I thought the best plan of action would be to make a list and try to tackle at least one thing each weekend for the next 12 weeks. I hope you’re reading this, Myles!
Frazier & Wing Lucky Yellow and Sunshine Mobiles.
- Take stroller to bike repair shop and get brake fixed.
- Go through above mentioned boxes of baby clothes and sort and clean as necessary.
- Stock up on diapers, wipes, laundry detergent and other things newborns need lots of.
- Clean and install infant baby seat.
- Buy some new change table covers, a new mobile for above the crib, new sheets and an Ergo carrier.
- Apply for my maternity/parental leave benefits.
- Make sure we have all the supplies we need for a home birth.
- Prepare and put meals in the freezer.
- Buy some good nursing bras. (Does such a thing exist?)
- Get bassinet cleaned and ready for our bedroom.
- Design, decorate and get Henry moved over to his new bedroom. (Gulp!)
- Treat myself to one of these new diaper bags (unless someone else wants to buy one for me!)
Virginia Johnson chain stitched tote bag in Henna Black (currently on sale!)
Virginia Johnson Chain Stitched Tote Bag in Bear Dark Brown
If I can get all of this accomplished, attend a few more pre-natal yoga classes and re-read a few of those chapters on childbirth I’ll be feeling pretty good. I’d love to hear how you prepare for baby whether it’s your first or second (or third, fourth, fifth!) time around.
29 Comments
That’s quite a list! I’m with you on the laundry – I remember for our first child I pre-washed everything. Second time around – I re-washed the old but not so much the new. Everything seems to happen at such a quick pace when you’re busy being a mom. I do like to have the nursery ready and in our case I repainted and installed a chandelier for the second baby – she felt more girly to me than our first. And two years later I can confirm that I was right! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for each new room. Best wishes, you look great!
I hear you Emma. We prepped for our daughter and were ready way in advance. I did not read any books ahead of time, I left the scary stuff to hubby and believed that ignorance was bliss – and it was. My first delivery was emergency everything so no book would have helped there, I just had to trust the doctors and nurses and go with the flow. The drugs helped with that
Our kids are 19 months apart, so when I was pregnant with Desmond we moved him into the nursery and had prepped a simple room for our daughter. We pulled out the bassinet and car seat again and the stroller was still in use. I found out quite late that we were expecting a boy, so we sorted clothes I think a week before he was born and brought all the girl things to consignment.
I did not feel like I had to buy anything new and that kept the pressure off, as long as I had wipes and tiny diapers I would be fine. For our daughter we had rented a breast pump and a scale (she was 4 weeks early), none of that for my son. He threw us for a loop as well and came 3 weeks early at 4 am – we didn’t plan for someone to take care of our daughter in middle of the night as we were working with a planned C-section date…;) Poor great-grandpa had to be woken up and drove over to sleep at our house.
Tons of time!!!
We didn’t accomplish anything before 30 weeks the second time around. Then I reread birthing from within and Ina may’s book.
yes, that Ina May book is wonderful! It helped me tremendously –I have some crib sheets and waterproof change pads if you’re interested! thinking of you all xo
I am also expecting #2 in 10 weeks time, and haven’t done a thing. I am, however, starting a bathroom reno (eeek!) and re-decorating our bedroom and our daughter’s room. So keeping myself very busy but feeling a little guilty that I haven’t prepped anything or spent any time ‘getting in touch’ with the baby. Your to-do list was actually very helpful – I need to do all those things, so will be printing off a copy for myself! Hope you’re enjoying the final quarter of your pregnancy.
Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on things! I also probably didn’t start prepping for our second until into the third trimester. And I’m with you the odd comparison of the pain of childbirth with putting your hand in cold water. Not even remotely close! My prenatal instructor wouldn’t even use the word “pain”, she called it “discomfort”. Seems to minimize what we go through.
Looking lovely, Emma! I had the best nursing bras for both kids – same company both times, not at all inexpensive but wonderful! I am totally blanking on the company name, but I’ll message you the moment it comes back to me…Lots of luck in the coming weeks!
Hi Emma,
Looking forward to seeing Henry’s new room…
Evymama on Jane is pretty good for nursing bras…I think this one is fab http://evymama.ca/products/bella-materna-anytime-nursing-bra-c-to-f-cup-more-colours….no stupid clip things
Wow, that’s quite a list. Take some time to sit and have a cup of tea too.
i was much more relaxed with #2. I also felt much more confident with having her, everything from breastfeeding to just giving a bath. also just find some time to relax and enjoy these last few weeks
I had our baby two months early and was not prepared at all. Twenty months later we’ve all worked together with a few hiccups, but we’re all still standing! I don’t think you can ever be fully prepared for a new baby it just happens organically. I think in the beginning as long as they have a place to sleep, some clothes, diapers, etc… and lots and lots of love all will be good. Good luck!
you look beautiful! LOVE the bags.
When I was pregnant I decided it would be a wonderful idea to paint every room in our house, and we did (with Zero-VOC paint) – by the last room we tackled I was sitting on the floor doing trim and letting hubby climb the ladder. I saved one of my to-do lists from that time and it’s pretty hilarious. I’m sure next time around I will be much more low-key!
Oh, and it’s so nice to hear you are planning a home birth! I had a home birth with Bixby and would definitely choose that again if I can. It does take things to a whole new level of preparation though! Best of luck making it through your list and also finding the time to relax and enjoy the one-babe household! xoxo Laura
Hi Emma
You just nailed it in your post! Couldn’t stop laughing as I’m in the exact same situation. I’m 4 months pregger with twin boys and haven’t touched a book nor attended any yoga class yet. I do religiously read however updates for my pregnancy on babycenter.ca. Just reminds me of the different stages and keeps me calm that all is as its suppose to be.
We are also staring some renovation, take over our rental and integrate into our house, and then decorate Oscar’s new room. We also gain a workroom for me, so if I’m lucky I get to do some more sewing and painting before the twins arrive. And Andreas will have his library he always wanted. Best of luck to you and your family.
Ax
That sounds like the perfect plan. Just enough- but not too much to stress yourself out! You are looking SO good! Can’t believe you only have 12 weeks left!
Hi Marion,
Congratulations on your expected baby- You look amazing! I would like to get in touch with you about advertising my maternity & nursing stores on your blog. Could you email me, please?
Warmest regards,
Sarah LeMay-Kaplan
evymama.ca
First of all, you look great! and as I was reading your post I kept smiling and nodding. Your pregnancy stories are exactly like mine, amazing! books, classes, purchased baby items…and second time around, a colleague freaked out when she found out that we were not ready when I was 30 weeks pregnant and she sat in my office and made a list for me. Our second baby boy is not 2 months old and I find this time around way much easier and I am way more relaxed and I have to confess I’m enjoying my new born baby way way more. About nursing bras, I have no idea WHY it is such a hassle to get a good nursing bras! the best I found was at Change and they only have one kind of nursing bras. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy as much as you can, very soon you will be holding your baby girl and your list will be done…spring is almost here!
You look really fabulous Emma! Maybe you should go on The Glow after you have your new baby! Looking forward to the new room reveals!!
Hi Emma! I agree with Rachel. As long as you have somewhere for the baby to sleep and the basics (wipes, diapers, onesies), you should be fine. I’m pregnant (21 weeks) with our first and everyone is so surprised that I haven’t read a single pregnancy book. I’m just trying to be positive and rational and I really do feel ignorance is bliss–I haven’t been my usual stressed, neurotic, or paranoid self at all. It’s been a wonderful four and a half months so far!
Boobs, comfy bed and diapers. Everything else will come together. I’d also sneak in a movie and a fabulous dinner! We decided to reno our home when we were expecting our second (Poppy) and I moved back home with my parents and 3 year old son while my husband did the reno himself. Don’t do that.
You can only supress that nesting instinct for so long. I got back in about two weeks before the big event and everything worked out…as it mostly does. At the end of the day, it’s all about the boobs, bed and diapers. You look beautiful!
You look beautiful! I miss that time lol
I’m due with our first baby in ten days (gulp) and I’ve been doing exactly the same things you did during your first pregnancy. Sometimes I feel like it might be a be much but, as a first time mom everything is unknown and I would rather be over-prepared than under.
Firstly, you look so lovely. Such an exciting time. So much busier when you’ve already got one child, and so very different for each child who comes along.
Went to work in the morning, and had him at lunch time (good thing I work at a hospital). Then the next day, arriving home from the hospital our landlord let us know that he was selling the house! … Oh so happy those days are over, and we’ve got our own home now.
My first came unexpectedly early, and being incredibly superstitious, I didn’t do anything to prepare a nursery or buy any clothing or anything else. I did read everything I could get my hands on and attend yoga classes, sewed diapers, and all the rest. But then, the whole delivery was so early and so completely different than anything I’d anticipated. The big thing I learned was that very little was ‘necessary’. Healthy baby, healthy mom…that ended-up being my main goal!
With my second, I spent more time getting ready, prepared for an early delivery. The nursery was painted early (twice, because the first time the colour wasn’t quite right). Bought a new stroller. Prepared for everything I could think of, and yet, even though baby number two arrived a lot later (still early), I still wasn’t really prepared
I feel completely ridiculous saying this – as I have no children – but apparently my girlfriends say that Elle Macpherson nursing bras are the nicest – http://www.ellemacphersonintimates.com/collections/maternity/
I realise you are probably going to think this is spam or an advertorial – but it isn’t. I have been reading your blog for a long time and I guess, strangely enough, it was this that made me want to speak out! Good luck with the little one – I’m sure she will be super stylish like her mother!
Hello Emma, wow that is a list (remind me of not so long ago for us too!). It is fantastic you are having a home birth, I had one too for my second child and it was such a wonderful experience. You definitely need to take a small vacation with your husband before though. Can’t wait to see your kids room.
two words HOT MILK nursing bras sexy & functional!!!!!
You look great and that princess and the pea poster is adorable. I cannot imagine being pregnant again, although I would eventually love to be. You put so much thought in to your first pregnancy, your first baby, the first nursery you decorate. My entire life I have never thought about round two:) poor baby
You look amazing!
very recognizable your story! I read tons of books and websites for our first child and just a bit for the second.
My second delivery was much easier than the first, I just knew what was coming and when I was almost done (‘I vomit, so now I will be soon ready to push’). I really have good remembrances of that second time!
About breastfeeding: you have The Breastfeeding guru in your country: Dr Jack Newman.
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