Monday, August 8, 2011

Peanut before Glider?

Yesterday we went to Buy Buy Baby to finally buy our glider for the nursery. I have been putting it off for the last 5 weeks because I was nervous to pull the trigger on one. You see, they don't have all of the gliders available to "test drive" at the store, so you can't necessarily sit and feel the one you order. Also, none of the gliders out on the floor came in a fabric I liked. So that meant I had to order a glider I had never sat in, in a fabric I only saw a little swatch of. And to add insult to injury, once ordered you can't cancel it. It could be the ugliest, most uncomfortable chair in the history of the world, and we are stuck with it. Everything about that made me anxious and not want to pull the trigger! However, yesterday felt like it was a good day to be a risk-taker and buy the glider and ottoman.

So we went to Buy Buy Baby and bought a great looking, upholstered chair and ottoman in a fabric that looks like it will be beautiful (a creamish/tanish color). It's the same glider as in the picture (top right of blog), but it's in a different fabric. Well we got the chair ordered and then were told when we could expect our custom beauty: 10/6/11-11/6/11. As soon as I saw those dates I thought to myself, "What? Are you telling me peanut is SO close that I may finish incubating this little nugget before they can assemble and deliver a chair?!" The thought was thrilling and scary all at the same time. It made me panic a little bit thinking, "shoot, what else haven't I done that if I don't do it now it will be 'too late'?" But more than anything I was just excited. We are due in 12 weeks from tomorrow...which means peanut is considered full-term at any point 9 weeks from now. FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! I, obviously, am hoping to be one of those lucky ladies that has her first just glide right out at 37 weeks...however, I am fully aware that I will likely be sitting, twirling my thumbs at 41 weeks wondering if peanut will ever come out.

So here's where I need your help. What are things that I should be doing (or should have done) at or before 28 weeks? This first time mom has no idea what exactly should be done at this point, but all I know is that if a glider can take up to 13 weeks, there must be other things I need to get on the ball and do. So help me out here...what did you have done before 28 weeks? What can I leave for the last minute?

Comments (17)

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I figured out after my son was born how little time I had.This may or may not be something you are even planning to do, but.... It took me weeks to fill out and address the birth announcements we had purchased. When my second and third were born, I had the envelopes addressed and stamped and ready to go before the baby was born. One less stress for me and the announcements were sent out in a couple days. Enjoy this time of anticipation and I am hoping your little one glides out at 37 weeks:)
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
We probably won't send out paper birth announcements, as all of our family is reachable by email. But perhaps starting to design that (which is my job) is a good idea! Thanks for the tip!
Booking a photog for newborn pics. I just booked my session for november and she was almost booked out!! I couldn't believe it either....hmmm....registering for baby if you having a shower....hospital bag.....if you are ordering your carseat you may want to get on that as well, that's def something you will need ;) I am 24 weeks today....so exciting!!
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Great tips. Our friend is the photog, so we lucked out on that front. But I need to register before my baby shower! And we need a carseat...I'll add those to the list!
Washing all the new little baby clothes! I took off the tags and washed 10 outfits in the 0-3month size, thank goodness because my son, who was 2 weeks late, didn't fit in them after his first week. Also, all the bedding and blankets, burp rags, have them washed too now while you have the time. I would also make sure you have diapers, bottles and all the little odds and ends bought, so that way you don't have to worry as you get closer when your more likely to forget stuff. Try to have as much done as possible so that last 2 (or 4) weeks you can concentrate on yourself, it will be the last time you can for oh, 18 years or more!
If you are planning on any sort of childbirth class or anything, you should be doing that. Some classes can last several weeks (Bradley method, for one, can last 10 weeks!) and fill up. Other than having a few clean outfits and blankets, and a package or 2 of diapers, you really don't NEED anything else right away. Babies are very forgiving. Of course, putting the extra stuff off until later may make Ronnie's honey-do list a little longer... I'm 32 weeks along and haven't done much of anything so don't feel bad. We have a car seat and pack-n-play set up. We have some diapers and an outfit or 2 but we are woefully behind. I keep saying that I'm "saving" the work until next month. :) Best of luck to you!
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Good call! We are doing a general birthing class, but need to look into some classes that will help get me through the unmedicated birth I'm planning :)
Not really something you should do now, but in case I forget to tell you later... The best tip I got when putting on bedding or changing table cover; put on a waterproof pad, sheet/cover, then another waterproof pad, sheet/cover. This way, when you have leakage or a mess you can just pull off the top sheet/cover and pad and you already have a fresh one on! Really helps out with you've got poo/pee everywhere or a leaky diaper in the middle of the night. If you are co sleeping, not a bad idea to do the same to your bed too or at least have a sheet, towel, another sheet layered just in case. Good luck!
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
LOVE this tip!
I disagree with Nicole regarding washing ALL the baby clothes in the 0-3 month size. You have no idea about your baby's weight. If a baby comes real early you might need premie clothes. One of our children was born at 37 weeks and only weighed 5 lbs and 7 oz. My mom had to run out and get premie clothes for him. It took him a while to fit into 0-3 month clothing. If you leave the tags on them you can return them for the proper size and season. One of the best things to put babies in are the gowns ~ boys or girls. They are especially easy in the middle of the night when mama and daddy are really bleary-eyed and you have a squiggly newborn.

The other thing I thought about was bottles. Even if you plan on breastfeeding you should purchase just a couple. I nursed for a least six months with all of ours, but had to suppliment all our boys with formula a bit to help them put on weight. Also, I would suggest maybe purchasing one of two or three styles in the beginning. You never know which type/nipple style will be the one your baby prefers. If you plan plan on using pacifiers, I would suggest the same approach. Also, it never hurts to just have a small can of good quality formula on hand.

The suggestion above from Ginger was awesome (re: sheets/waterproof pads)! I wish someone had shared that with me. Oh, and speaking of leaks.........diapers. Have a couple of different brands. They will all fit your baby a bit differently. Chunky thighs love Pampers! Their Swaddlers are great too.

A night light near the changing table so you can keep the lights low while changing the baby during the middle of the night feedings is always helpful.

Also, swaddling your baby is great for him/her. The most awesome swaddle blanket is called Miracle Blanket www.miracleblanket.com. I would suggest borrowing someone's baby and giving it a shot ~ you could also try it on a baby doll (except they don't wiggle)! If you decide to not purchase the special blanket you can swaddle with a normal receiving blanket. You will soon learn which ones of these swaddle/hold the best.

That's all I've got at the moment!!
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Love the night light idea!!
Nesting! :) Fun fun! You will be doing *something* to get ready or go crazy ;) (but yes, spend lots of time with the husband before baby gets here!), so here goes. Let's see- wash about a dozen onsies in 2 sizes. Wash bassinet/crib sheets, change pad covers, blankets, etc. Organize the baby stuff (this is busy work- you wil probably totally rearrange once baby gets here and you get a system going :P ) . Prepare and freeze "throw in the oven"/throw in the microwave dinners for when the dinner bringers start to taper off, but you still haven't had enough sleep to see straight, let alone cook or phone in a coherent take out order ;) . Buy the "bring baby home" outfit in 2 sizes so you won't stress if it doesn't fit ;) , and have someone wash the correct size for you when you know which one it will be. Save the receipt for the other one. That's all I've got at the moment ;) ....
1 reply · active 712 weeks ago
Love the list! Thanks!
Get a dimmer switch on the nursery light, much gentler on everyone's eyes at 3am.
Try to get all your paperwork, photos, etc under control now.
Enjoy yourselves doing spontaneous stuff - it will be much harder soon!
Allison B.'s avatar

Allison B. · 712 weeks ago

I made a couple "to do" lists - one for stuff to bring to the hospital and one for things to do when we got home (i.e., fill out insurance paperwork to put the baby on your insurance, order a copy of birth certificate, etc.). Also, it's helpful to install the car seat, and if you can, have it inspected by a local fire department or similar to make sure it's installed right/tight enough. We took a CPR class and a breastfeeding class - both very helpful.

Don't worry if you forgot to buy something and you're sitting at home with a newborn - that is what online shopping is for! Diapers.com will throw in free 2-day shipping if you spend over $50 and Peapod was my friend too.
Annie Bridges's avatar

Annie Bridges · 712 weeks ago

Go to the movies!!! We haven't seen a movie in the theater in ages. Go out to eat, too. You find that your favorite casual dining places aren't so kid-friendly, but when you have a babysitter, you want to go somewhere upscale. Journal all of your feelings, hopes, dreams, and (most of all) prayers for your little one.
Buy some inbetween clothes for the weeks between your pregnancy weight and the return to your before baby size. Shopping is one thing that is a pain and I was over the maternity clothes almost as soon as my daughter was born. Buy a few outfits that will fit you if you were your original size plus 10 lbs. Pick a pedi. if you haven't already and find out if they can come to the hospital for the first consultation. Make a hair appointment for week 36 or 37 so it is already done and you don't have to worry about it right after giving birth.

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