It’s crazy that we are just a few days out from Baby H’s estimated due date! I’m so excited to meet him/her, but also nervous about everything. When I get nervous I start to think that we need “just a little more time,” but really, we have everything in place for when the day arrives!
Over the past few days, we’ve checked some final items off of “to do” our list:
V.I.P. Contact List
I put together a list of those who we would need to contact after I go into labor (our birth doula, midwives, family members) and who we would contact after we have Baby H (family, the doula doing our placenta encapsulation, the HR department at my office, the short term disability insurance company). After we’ve contacted everyone on this list, I have an email drafted to go out to all of our closest friends, and then we will post on all appropriate social networking sites!
It may seem crazy, but I like having a list put together for Mr. H and I so that everyone who needs to know what’s happening is in the loop.
Music for Labor
We put together a very comprehensive (and eclectic) playlist for labor. It’s filled to the brim with music that I enjoy and find relaxing – songs that we integrated into our wedding day, bands that we both enjoy and have seen in concert together, and other “feel good” music that will relax me and remind me of happy times.
Last Minute Baby Essentials
If “nesting” translates into shopping for baby, I’d be nesting like crazy! I’ve been buying a few odds and ends for baby that I’ve been stressing about (even though anything and everything can be bought after baby arrives): more hooded bath towels, a nightlight for the nursery, a fuzzy, warm blanket (all we have are lightweight swaddle blankets), a few random outfits. Technically nothing on this list is absolutely essential, but I feel more relieved knowing that UPS will be delivering everything today. Again, I think shopping might be my nesting.
Packing the Hospital Bag
The hospital bag has been in process for weeks now. I’ve just never been able to force myself to get it done. Now that we’re getting so close to Baby H’s arrival, I feel like I can finally finish it up and pack final items of clothes for Mr. H and I, toiletries, etc.
Movies, Books, Walks
Since I’m not working, I’ve been reading a lot. I’ve always been an avid reader and I figure this is my last chance to read a book completely uninterrupted. I’m loving every minute of it! Mr. H and I have also been watching some movies together and just relaxing. When the weather permits, we’re also getting some good walks in with our dog Charlie, and in general giving him some TLC before baby arrives (Charlie has enjoyed having me home and we’ve been having lots of snuggle time together!).
It’s been such a blessing being home to do this final prep, but I do have to say that I am trying very hard to fill my days with enough tasks to make the time pass. Even though baby could arrive in the next few days, we may be waiting for a week or two! Who knows?!
Oh, and just for fun, here’s a shot of my poor winter coat that has gotten me through the past 6 months.
A few weeks back the bottom button popped off (again!) and I just didn’t bother to sew it back on. I think I finally reached the point where it would be such a stretch to get it buttoned, it just wasn’t worth it. So this is how I was walking around downtown my last couple weeks of work. Needless to say, the look garnered a lot of stares and probably made me look even more hugely pregnant! But, this coat did well by me and kept me from having to buy an actual maternity coat. Now I hope to never have to wear it again!
What last minute items do you have to check off your list before baby arrives?
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I also put together a VIP contact list…. that we never used. Once LO was here I didn’t want to spend a second with my attention away from LO, so I figured people would just have to wait.
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
haha I’ve been doing the same with my winter coat. I refused to buy a maternity coat!
No contact list either for us, if we don’t remember them then they’re probably not important enough.
nectarine / 2886 posts
This morning I sent a list of email addresses to my husband for the message that will be sent out when the LO arrives. Yesterday I cleaned out my closet for the umpteenth time and will be going to the consignment shop and Salvation Army next week.
I also made it through the winter without buying a maternity coat! I just couldn’t justify buying one because even when we have our second child, who knows if I will be pregnant during the winter?
Good luck, sounds like you’re all set to go!
clementine / 878 posts
Our VIP list is pretty basic – family and close friends. And their cell numbers so DH can send out a text and call it good. Everyone else can wait until we post to FB or the word leaks out. I didn’t buy a coat either – I was lucky enough to still fit in my winter coat when I needed it and have been wearing unzipped fleece coats since.
Still on my to-do list: finish hospital bag (my part is almost done, but DH hasn’t even started his), wash all items from my shower (this Sunday), and maybe make some frozen meals (way low on my to-do list). Everything else is pretty much done. Now I just hope she gets here on time! (4.5 weeks to go)
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
haha my winter coat was the same. I could only button the top. definitely made me look huge.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
OMG, the coat! That’s classic!
pomegranate / 3729 posts
I lucked out that a friend of mine gave me a maternity coat, and my Mom had one that I asked her to save for me (but honestly, I haven’t worn that one much).
We’re due on Monday and don’t have a contact list together really. Immediate family and closest friends will know. It’s possible that we may post something to facebook, but I’m undecided. We might just wait until she’s born to do that! Other than that, DH is going to fend for himself hospital bag wise. I have stuff packed for me and the baby, but he’s on his own! haha.