One month to go
Our baby’s predicted due date is November 23rd, that means, as of today, that we have exactly one month to go (that assumes she will decide to make her entrance on her due date, which happens only 5% of the time according to our Dr.). We had a Dr.’s appointment on Monday and though the baby is “head down” she has not “engaged the pelvis” yet, so the Dr. thinks she’s not coming before November, which is good actually. This bun needs a bit more time in the oven, and as of right now we’re in no hurry (don’t get me wrong, I’m tired of being pregnant, but that’s a different issue).
So far so good. For all my belly-aching about it, I know I haven’t suffered the way a lot of pregnant women do and my issues have been very minor. This isn’t of great consolation at two in the morning when I wake up to pee and attempt to get my legs to stop aching. Though soon, I will probably be looking back at these nights of not-so-great sleep with tremendous longing. And I still teared up when I noticed my first stretch-mark.
Some people have asked us how well prepared we are for the baby coming. In terms of all the “necessary baby equipment” I’d say we’re not that well prepared actually. We have the stroller, car seat, a place for the baby to sleep, tons of clothes, more blankets than one baby could possibly use, and a few miscellaneous things but we still have quite a few items to acquire. I’ve been trying to get some stuff used, keeping perfectly good items out of landfills and a few extra dollars in our bank account. I did get a changing pad from Berkeley Freecycle. And I’ve been keeping my eye on the Berkeley Parents’ Network marketplace newsletters and Craigslist. If all else fails, there’s always Target and Babies R Us. Maybe I’m not worrying enough about all this, but the stuff we need is relatively low on my list of priorities. I know it will be easier to have everything when we come home from the hospital, but it’s not like we won’t be able get things once the baby has been born.
I think she’s going to be a busy little baby, she’s definitely active now. She kicks, and how! I think she may be destined for kick-boxing. She moves around a lot, pressing out with a tremendous amount of force at times. She throws lots of punches.
We picked a pediatrician and we’re going to our final baby-preparation class this weekend. We’ve been to infant CPR, a class on labor and delivery, and now baby care and breast feeding to finish up the trifecta. I hope I’ll feel more prepared after this weekend’s course, I think it will be really useful. In terms of the mental preparation, I feel like we’re doing pretty well.
Sounds like you guys are right on track.
We had lots of stuff, but we were so expecting to be late that Ray’s early arrival took us by surprise. So we had to set up the change table, crib and buy a glider after he had come home with us. Not big in the scheme of things, but I wouldn’t reccomend it. I was luck that Chris insisted earlier that week (I think) that I pack a hospital bag. Otherwise we would have been completely dependent on him for getting our gear into the hospital - ug.
I’ve gotten a bunch of clothes 2nd hand at a gently used store. Especially good now, when he’s at daycare and they don’t seem to care what he spills or crawls through or sleeps in or…..
Do you guys have time off planned once she comes?
Stay healthy and happy over the next month!
I wouldn’t worry to much about the stuff. You’ll find that you don’t need most of the stuff that you’ve bought or been given. Some clothes, a place for the kid to sleep, a LOT of diapers. Beyond that it’s all just a way for shops to make money. You’re doing the right thing by getting used stuff, most of it is probably barely used.
Andrea, I made Sinead get a bag ready as well. I thought the woman was meant to be the nesting, prepared one and we were just mean to turn up with cigars. What a scam.
Good luck to both of you, it’s about to get crazy!
Trust me cuz, you will soon be begging for the nights of not so great sleep instead of the not so much sleep you’ll be experiencing. Suprisingly,babies don’t need alot of material stuff. I had to laugh about the blankets. True, I could wrap baby Payton in a different blanket everyday and she probably would never run out. Get in touch with me some time. By no means am I a baby expert, but a 15 month old and a 10 week old will certainly make you learn fast. Sounds like you’ve got all that under control, though. Good luck, you guys!