With just seven days until my actual due date (although we’re pretty sure Baby P will make us wait even longer), we’ve officially begun getting ready for her arrival.
Of course you’ve seen us tackling her nursery, but now when we say getting ready, we really mean getting-ready-for-my-water-to-break-and-to-actually-welcome-our-new-daughter-into-the-world. See, pretty much right after we found out I was pregnant we slowly began to wrap our minds around the idea that our family would be growing as my belly continued to expand with every baked potato and chocolate milk craving.
Now you see why I’ve been humming my tweak on an old Beyoncé classic: “I don’t think you’re ready for this belly.”
And only quite recently did we fully digest the concept that we actually made a person. We made a person! There’s a girl in my belly who will walk and talk someday, heck she’ll even have a job and probably be desperately embarrassed about her dorky parents who always have paint in their hair. It’s just such a giant thought that it literally takes about nine months to sink in- which might just be why it takes so long to cook one of these things. It’s probably nature’s way of making sure you’re really ready for the life changing and momentous birth instead of smacking you in the face with a baby after 30 days of gestation. But anyway, now that we have fully been able to wrap our heads around the notion that we’re about to really be parents (!) there are a few things that we’ve done in anticipation of our little miracle’s arrival:
1. Our practical purchase: My obsession with my water breaking in bed or on the couch got the best of me and I convinced John to let me get a waterproof mattress cover to protect our beloved organic mattress and another little waterproof blanket that I can place on the sofa or the seat of the car in these last few days… you know, just in case. And the good news is that they’re not nearly as crunchy and diaper-like as I expected (we picked them both up for $23 total at Bed Bath & Beyond thanks to two of those 20% off coupons). Maybe it goes back to how fiercely I love our house, but it just seemed worth the added security to at least attempt to keep the sofa and the bed (along with the passenger seat of our new car) protected from the wrath of holy-cow-it’s-really-time. Especially since my mom’s water broke in bed with every single kiddo. Sidenote: my absolute dream is for my water to break at Target or Home Depot because I just think that would be hysterical since we practically live there. I know, I’m weird.
2. Our DIY project: This second idea was John’s brain child (I’m telling you, he’s the sweet sentimental one and I’m the neurotic fool who worries about my water breaking). He actually brought it up as my birthday gift back in March by suggesting that we get a fabric covered album and create our own little “baby book” with fun patterned paper and printed prompts that you see in typical baby books like “The First Week Was….” and “First Word…” We love the idea of adding in keepsakes like her hospital bracelet and her little going-home hat along with a ton of photos and even things like her inked footprints (we plan to bring a few pieces of cardstock to the hospital since the nurses will gladly make footprints that we can stick into our little memory book of sorts). So we headed over to Michael’s (with a 40% off coupon in hand) and snagged a sweet 8.5 x 8.5″ album covered in super fun Amy Butler fabric for just $9 after my handy coupon.
We also picked up a pad full of 8 x 8″ patterned paper to use as a backdrop in our keepsake album (to the tune of $6). So our entire DIY baby book project ran us $15 total. And after adding all the decorative paper and leaving room for notes about momentous occasions (along with photos and other memorabilia) we were left with a pretty sweet way to document many of Baby P’s firsts:
And since we made it ourselves we had fun adding in quirky things, like this page of “future predictions” where John and I guessed everything from her hair and eye color to her first word, her favorite subject in school, and even her future profession. It should be super fun for the beanette to look back at all of our goofy (and most likely completely wrong) guesses someday.
Plus the fact that it looks so cute in the nursery is the icing on the cake…
3. Our Burger-meets-baby prep: We’ve actually read quite a bit about how to ensure that your pooch and your baby get along, because there’s nothing we want more than for our first fur baby to happily coexist with our first human baby. And time and time again we’ve heard that bringing home a gift for the dog along with the baby can help your pup associate the baby with good things and feel appreciated and excited upon her arrival. Of course we’ll also be doing the bring-home-a-baby-blanket-for-him-to-sniff-beforehand trick, but ever since John mentioned that his mom got him a He-Man toy when his little sister came home from the hospital I’ve been convinced that something super fun for Burger (like a pup-cake from Three Dog Bakery along with a new chew toy) will make him giddy about our growing fam. So we recently picked up some goodies for him… and can’t wait to see his tail wag when he gets ’em.
4. Our blog backup: This forth prep step was actually right up there on the practical side with my waterproof mattress cover. We’ve been working overtime for over a month to amass enough extra blog posts to “tide us over” for the first few hairy weeks after Baby P comes home. That means we took on a few secret projects and wrote up a lot of extra Reader Redesigns, Look & Learns, Email Answers, and Burning Questions along with some fun new tutorials to keep the blog from stagnating while we get our “sea legs” with a newborn, so to speak. Oh and we have a killer House Crashing post to share as well. Basically, you can rest assured that you’ll still get the same YHL experience even when our day to day has gone from projects and blog posts to diapers, feedings, and no sleep.
5. And speaking of diapers: We got a bunch of BumGenius One-Size-Fits-All Organic Snap Diapers from a local shop called MonkeyGrass that we love to support (here’s a link to their online shop and for any Richmond people you can visit their store inside It’s Hip To Be Round in Carytown). These cloth diapers alone (which were actually selected as “more convenient cloth diapers” by Cookie magazine) will save us a substantial amount of money over the course of Baby P’s childhood, and we even ordered them in colors that will work for a possible boy down the road, since we definitely want to use the same cloth dipes for multiple kiddos.
Plus our easy to use Energy Star front loading washer and dryer will keep our water and electricity use to a minimum (everyone says you do laundry like crazy with a baby so we figure it won’t be much of a difference to add some diapers to the mix). And since the average baby uses 8,000 to 10,000 diapers between two and three years, we’ll get to keep that many disposables from landing in a landfill. And all the moolah that we’ll save from buying disposable diapers all the time (which is commonly estimated to be between 2-3K per child) means more money that we can put towards future DIY projects (maybe even with the help of our little girl when she gets big enough to hold a paint brush…). Is it weird to be super excited about diapers? Probably.
6. My clothes cleaning ritual: I actually read that washing all new non-organic baby clothing and bedding (as well as the removable covers of car seats and swings) with a cup and a half of vinegar can rid them of most of the chemicals and dyes that aren’t present in organic clothes. So I’ve been busy washing all of our sweet baby socks, onesies, and pretty much everything else I can get my hands on… just so I’m über ready with the purest baby clothes possible. And the funny thing is that they don’t smell like vinegar when they come out of the wash (they’re completely odorless, it’s kind of amazing). Of course I did have one fateful white-blankets-and-onesies-are-now-pink incident (don’t ask- I somehow tossed tiny hot pink leggings in with the whites) but the soft pink cast on everything actually charms me to no end. And I guess I should get used to letting things roll off my back, so it was a good lesson in the whole nothing-will-be-perfect-and-that’s-ok concept.
7. My pillowcase purchase: I actually got a quick tip from a reader that I just had to follow since it seemed like such a simple way to add some cheerful color to the pretty-stark-and-sterile hospital birthing experience. Joni wrote to us and said:
“I have a little piece of advice that may seem stupid but you’ll thank me later. Make sure you have a pretty pillowcase for the delivery of the baby. It will be in a million photos. Mine was so pretty that when I look at the pictures 13 years later, all I see is my gorgeous baby and that fabulous fabric. It’ll distract people from looking at your puffy I-just-gave-birth face”
Well, for those who don’t know me, I can puff up like the best of them. Seriously I broke my nose in college and my cheekbones didn’t come back for nearly a year. I’m a swelly girl (John even calls me Swell from time to time). So the idea of a pretty pillowcase to take the focus off my giant face sounds like a good one. Plus I just love pillowcase shopping. And the best part is that I hunted down this beauty (on sale of course) and John’s family actually got two of them for me as a birthday gift. So springy and sweet right? Just like my May baby on the way. And not only do I plan to use them at the hospital on Baby P’s b-day, but they’ll make such pretty and fun guest bedroom pillows from then on.
8. Our space saving multipurpose solution: We heard from various friends and family members that a white noise machine and a light machine were two secret weapons to help the beanette drift off to sleep (especially in those first few weeks). And although we believed that they both would really make a difference, with limited outlets and surface area in the nursery, we wondered if we could get some sort of a two-for-one solution that would work double duty. Enter our new iPod I-Home dock stage right (we’ve seen it on amazon.com for a good price):
It was another baby item that came highly recommended by friends and fam (since we can upload children’s music and learning songs for Baby P as she grows). And John, in a stroke of daddy-to-be genius, realized that we could download a CD of white noise from iTunes – to the tune of $6 no less – and effectively turn our iPod dock into a white noise machine with the press of a button (we can even leave it on “repeat” for lengthier renditions of “crashing waves” or “static”). Gotta love a $6 quick fix that allows us to cut back on an entire nursery gadget while saving money. But wait it gets better, the particular I-Home dock that we selected actually has a color changing feature, so it can cycle through a bunch of room-illuminating hues (quickly, slowly, or not at all if you turn off the ambient light setting). So not only does it serve as a sound machine and a music player, it’s a light machine too! Jackpot.
Oh and while we were prepping left and right we came across this quote, which touched both of us so much that we just had to share it:
“A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.” -Anonymous
Pretty sweet, huh? We can’t wait to meet our little one. And we’d love to hear what any of you guys have done while prepping for a new arrival (whether it’s a baby, a four-legged friend, a roommate, or even a few weekend guests). How did you get your house ready for the new company?
Ashley says
Looks like someone already asked… BUT, I would REALLY love it if you posted the pages for your baby scrapbook. :)
Barbara says
While I know it seems weird that anyone would want a drawing of Burger, it is a very cute drawing of a chihuahua in general, and would be great for a babies room!!
And Burger could be more famous than he already is!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s true! He’d be one step closer to his goal of world domination!
xo,
s
Liz says
hey darlin. So excited for you two. It’s so cute Burger’s little Big Brother T!! LOVE IT!
Hey just FYI. Another trick to get the baby P to sleep is to give her the shirt off your back. Yeah it’s insane, but it works! She is used to your smell and if you just tuck a little t-shirt you just wore off you, she will go right to sleep. This helped me a lot when I just couldn’t seperate myself from my little one, but needed a break.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a good tip Liz. Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Lisa @ lists in my pocket says
I’m so thrilled for you guys! This was a fun post to read and got me excited for when we prepare for kids. :) I’d love to hear more about your cloth diapers when you get settled.
Terri says
I just have to tell you, that Burger looks amazing in his new BIG BROTHER t.
LOVE it….too stinkin’ cute!! Good luck…..
Deanna says
I LOVE my Bum Genius diapers! I’ve used mine for a year and they have held up beautifully. My little bean didn’t fit into hers immediately, though, and I found this resource incredibly helpful if you wanted to use cloth on a smaller newborn: http://tinyurl.com/2evypdq. Best of luck and you also made a BEAUTIFUL baby book!!! What a lucky girl to grow up in such a pretty and thoughtful atmosphere!
DeAwna says
When I had my son, the nurse suggested we take the beanie they put on him as soon as he came out of the chute and give it to our pup while we were in the hospital. When we came home a few days later he was snuggling up to the beanie and would sleep with it! He is so great with the baby and has never snapped at him! It was such a great suggestion, I think we’ll do it with the rest of our kiddos too when the time comes! Good luck with your delivery!
YoungHouseLove says
Another great dog-loves-kid story. Thanks so much for sharing!
xo,
s
liz @ bon temps beignet says
Love that quote! I wrote it in the ‘congrats on the new baby’ card I gave to my sis-in-law last year.
Love the idea of the white noise on a loop. I think I might do that for myself.
Melissa says
We use BG’s too! I am sure you have done plenty of research but for all CD questions check out Diaperpin.com It will be a huge help!
Ruth says
My mother and grandmothers always wash dark clothes the first time in vineger. it helps the colors from fading.
Shannon says
I noticed that you mentioned that you and John got a new car (exciting!!). What did you get?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Shannon,
Here’s a post with all those details (even more in the comments): https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/03/email-answer-money-management/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Christie says
Such fun details …the baby book, the pillowcase …
And thanks for letting us know about the dipes you’ve chosen. I think you will be very happy with your choice as I’ve read so much good about BG. I’ll be using prefolds, flats and some prefitteds (fitted diapers made from prefolds) along with some purchased covers and homemade wool covers/pants. Welcome to the fun world of cloth diapering! So many good reasons to use cloth … health, finances, environment!
Baby blessings!
Ashley Harper says
We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first baby too…. Carson’s due date is in just 18 days! Woo Hoo! A friend of my husband’s gave us a good piece of advice: Take a small portable fan to the hospital. It’s nice to have during labor when you’re doing all of the pushing. I tossed one in our trunk and as hot as I’ve been lately I’m sure it will be sitting right next to the bed blowing in my face during the whole delivery! What a great idea Good luck with your delivery!
Laura says
We bought that exact same iPod docking station for our nursery! Haven’t used it with the baby yet, because he’s not due until the beginning of July, but we know our dog and cats are mesmerized by the different lights! :)
Christine says
Good luck – I can’t wait to hear about the birth of your daughter. I love that suggestion for a nice pillowcase – and I love that pattern from PB too!
Christy says
I love this post, it’s so sweet!
That pillowcase tip was great, I’ll have to remember that for next time. My water broke while I was sleeping and it was definately a BIG GUSH, so good thinking with the mattress cover. I still remember, it was like a pinch from the inside, then water everywhere, lol! Also, the water kept coming the whole ride to the hospital, so by the time we got there, I had soaked two towels and my pants were drenched! Definately grab that waterproof pad on your way out the door for the car ride!
Hope it goes smoothly for you, can’t wait for “The Baby is Here” post and to hear her name! Xoxoxo!
Lindsay Dryver says
Thank you guys for sharing, your excitement is contagious!
Anna says
Here’s a tip in case your water breaks (though mine didn’t do so until I was already admitted to the hospital): buy a pack of “Depend” or some other adult underwear-type product to have on hand in your purse and at home….just in case.
violarulz says
those waterproof covers will come in handy again later for lining the bed when it comes time for potty training. kinda icky, I know, but you’ll get there in about 2 years :-P
Amanda says
I LOVE that you made your own baby book! I am so going to do that when I have my own baby (if you don’t mind, of course!).
Anne-Marie Cain says
Love it all. I think you’re ready! I love my ipod for the kids and for me. But here’s a tip you may or may not know (and someone in the 200 posts before me might have mentioned it, but I didn’t have a change to look)…if you leave your ipod docked and charging all the time, it’ll kill the battery. My ipod nano still works while docked and charging, but cannot hold a charge at all if it’s away from the dock, so I can’t use it anywhere else. :( Same thing happened to my brother’s ipod.
Can’t wait to see Baby P!!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Anne-Marie,
Good to know! We’ll definitely have to keep it undocked when it’s not in use.
Thanks for the heads up.
xo,
s
Suzy says
Love your blog! I think it is hilarious that you bought a waterproof mattress cover, just in case. My first pregnancy, my water broke in the shower. You don’t get an easier clean up than that! Best of luck with everything!
Natalie says
aww thanks for sharing all of this! You guys are just wonderful. Praying for you and baby to be!
P.S. Have you shared her name yet??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Natalie,
Baby P’s name will be a surprise, even to us! We’re actually waiting to pick a final name until we meet her! Stay tuned for the big name reveal when we announce her arrival…
xo,
s
Val says
I can’t really speak from experience on this one, but I read something re: dogs and babies that seemed like really good advice. I’ve read that you should play some recordings of baby sounds around the dog for a few weeks before the baby comes home, to desensitize him a bit. That way all the crying and hollering and cooing and gurgling isn’t so strange and scary (and hopefully, not even interesting enough to investigate by getting too up-close to baby).
Good luck! We all can’t wait to see her!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Val,
Oh yeah we actually did that! Burger didn’t really act like he even heard the sounds, but we played a full 12 track CD of babies crying, cooing, fussing, giggling, etc. He was totally chill throughout the whole thing so we have high hopes!
xo,
s
steph says
not sure if anybody has told you this yet, but the single most important and valuable thing my husband and i did before bringing home baby #1 from the hospital was watch THE HAPPIEST BABY ON THE BLOCK on DVD. if you dont have it, get it, and watch it. it WORKS and it is PRICELESS, and no, i dont make any $ on its purchase or sale! its just that good, and i give it as a gift to everyone i know having their first baby. you will definitely absolutely not regret it. good luck!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Steph,
Done and done. We rented the DVD on Netflix and own the book. Thanks for making sure we’re in the loop!
xo,
s
Lydia says
I love your pillowcase… Its our duvet cover, (and pillowcases, of course). its a little wild, but I LOVE it.
Love your blog so much!
Nita says
I wish they made waterproof blankets big enough to cover an entire house…sometimes I think that when our son Oliver was born almost 2 years ago, he was puking upon exiting the womb. Memories get kind of fuzzy when you’ve been in labor for 16 hours & have been numbed for a c-section. Anyhoo…
He actually was diagnosed with a more severe reflux condition, but even in innocent spit-up instances of other babies, there can be quite a lot of spit-up that a mere burp cloth can’t handle. Our lovely cream colored sofa that we invested in only months before his birth [to get big, expensive purchases out of the way before our extra cash went towards college savings] was a stained mess within hours of our arrival home with our new bundle. His mishaps would even soak through blankets we threw over the sofa as added protection. A good upholstery cleaning made it good as new when he outgrew the reflux, but in the meantime, I’ll admit that the neat freak in me [who seriously loves this sofa!] died a little inside each time a bit of spit up hit this lovely fabric. I wasn’t embarrassed to have a baby puke covered sofa, but like anybody, I like a clean nice looking home…for me alone, if not for the guests as well.
So my point is, maybe look into a solution for covering your gorgeous most used furniture. Whether it be a nice thick throw that you can place over any area you sit with your little lovely, or a slip-cover [hideous, I know, but worth your sanity].
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Nita,
Great tip! Definitely something to think about!
xo,
s
Karen says
I read your blog almost daily, and I enjoy and appreciate all the information you share. Today’s post is my favorite of all! I just love the way you are embracing parenthood and preparing every detail for your precious baby girl. You are going to be wonderful parents!
Angela says
I can’t wait for more Look & Learn postings while you get to know your little girl … they have become some of my favorite (and frequently tagged for future reference) postings.
Sarah says
Thanks for sharing and I love the pillowcases! Just a quick tip…we have the same bum-Genius diapers and they just now fit our 16lb 5 month old baby. One-size diapers often take a while to fit really little people, so you may want to look into a smaller diaper for her first few months. We initially used green mountain diaper prefolds and xs thirsties covers and we loved them. All the best!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Sarah,
Yup, that’s the plan. We already have Seventh Generation diapers on hand (in the newborn size) until Baby P grows into her more long-term Bum Genius dipes. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
I am so excited for you two! A new chapter in your life. My DD was born on May 18th, so I am rooting for that date! She is such a joy and yes she drives her older brother crazy! Isn’t that what girls are supposed to do.
Can’t wait to hear the news!
Britiney says
Okay, I’m not trying to be gross or anything, but when I was in labor with my second son and on the way to the hospital (and it was June) my water broke. In the car. And even after the car sat in the hospital parking lot, in the sun, for the whole time I was there, it did not stink. I was so surprised and after we got home from the hospital my husband said, “I feel like I should try to clean up the car even though it doesn’t really seem to need it just so we can say we did.” And so he did, but it really didn’t need it. So don’t worry about the breaking water thing too much. Best wishes for a quick (but not too quick!) and easy delivery. Can’t wait to virtually meet baby P!
Aja says
love the last minute nesting!
i just wanted to share that the whole water breaking and ruining the couch or soaking the mattress is mostly myth. it is usually a trickle that you will notice long before anything gets ruined. all the movies and tv shows show this dramatic gallon gush of water leaving a huge puddle but it never happens like that. so no worries, your mattress will be fine!
glad to see you’re using cloth diapers… love love love mine! best decision ever!!
Ashlee says
My best friend is pregnant with her first baby — the first one in my group of friends! This post has me so excited! I’m totally stealing the scrapbook idea. And the pillowcase idea. And the quote.
I’ve been trying to think of something thoughtful and special to get her, and you guys have saved me! Thank you!
Paige Cotney says
Hey I’m looking for a slipcover for an oversized leather chair and ottoman and I was looking at your room by room source list but I don’t see where you got your slipcover for your couch in your living room..I thought I remember that that isn’t a new couch you just added a slipcover. Where did you get it? Thanks! I’m hoping for Baby P to be born about my birthday May 24!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Paige,
That slipcover came with our couch (both of our sofas are slipcovered and they came with the original piece- which is why they each fit so well). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy says
Great ideas! I brought the exact same pillowcases to the hospital, but for a different reason. Nobody is ever going to pick up my (precious, beloved) pillows and accidentally throw them in the wash with the hospital sheets if they are a bright, unique color! It is very easy to lose things (socks, pjs, stuffed animals, etc) when they change your sheets, and you will never find your favorite pillow again! Plus, it was a comfort when I was in labor to have MY pillow. Silly but true!
Molly Budde says
Hi Guys! Love your website- I read it all the time! Congrats on your soon to be little one! I wanted to tell you that I am a foster mom who uses Bum Genius! They are AWESOME! We get different size children and they are so convenient! I have used them for a 6 week old to a 16 month old! I found that when they are really little like NB they the diapers are little big though. Get some throw away diapers for the first few weeks(pampers makes a super swaddler diaper that is great)! Oh also,helpful hint– never use a dryer sheet (even free and clear ones) with the Bum Genius diapers. For some reason it makes them less absorbent and they don’t work as well. Congrats again!! Enjoy your last few days!! Happy Diapering!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Molly Budde,
Yup, that’s the plan. We already have some newborn Seventh Generation diapers on hand for Baby P until she grows into her Bum Genius ones for the long term. So glad to hear they’ve worked so well for you!
xo,
s
Destiny says
So excited for you. Freeze some quick to defrost and reheat meals to make things easy for the first week or so. (Or have a great relative like I did who will do the work for you!)
Ann Marie says
LOVE the idea about the pillowcase. Honestly, that is something I have never even considered. But it would have been so much better than the sad, white hospital pillowcase that was behind my puffy little head.
Can’t WAIT to meet your newest addition.
Blessings to you all.
Allison says
Hi Guys,
Sherry, you look so great with your baby belly! I’m so excited for you both.
I wanted to share a semi-unrelated tip (although someone 200 comments earlier may have said this). I use diluted vinegar to rinse my hair after I wash it. It sounds crazy, but the smell goes away once your hair dries. My hair has never been so soft and shiny. I’m betting that all those nasty chemicals vinegar is able to wash out of your clothes build up in our hair too. It is an AMAZING product!
Good luck with your delivery!
Carla says
Oh Sherry, your belly is so adorable. What an exciting time for you.
Hmmm…ideas…light dimmer in the nursery. You don’t want it super bright or completely dark. Keep the room cool, helps baby sleep. I also believe in swaddling the baby as well.
Jennifer G says
One thing I wish I had done when my son was born 8 months ago was bring my Boppy to the hospital. Learning to nurse would have been so much easier and more comfortable for mama and baby by having the right support as opposed to piling pillows and random blankets everywhere. Best wishes to you both!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Jennifer!
xo,
s
julie. says
ha, funny about the waterproof covers. I always read that actually a small percentage of people have their water break before they go into labor. Well, with both my pregnancies, my water broke before labor, in a big gush, (also uncommon, *they* say), and both times I was in bed.
Best wishes for a fast and easy labor/delivery!
Erika says
This was such a sweet post to read and I got a bit misty thinking about when the hubs and I went through this same thing. I am amazed at how organized you guys are and I wish we could have had all of our ducks perfectly aligned too. Unfortunately, we were relocated last summer for my husband’s work and arrived in Richmond a month and a half before our little guy arrived. I had to promise I would not be climbing any ladders, tearing down any wallpaper or starting any major projects outside of getting the nursery together. It was tough since that is the time frame for major nesting. One thing I did that you guys did not mention was I made a bunch of meals, labeled them (with cooking instructions too!)and put them in the freezer. We knew we would not have a lot of help since we were new to the area and we also knew lots of family would be coming to visit. It really helped to be able to throw a pan of pasta, enchiladas, chicken pot pies, etc. into the oven and know we would all eat well. It saved me for the first month.
One last thing…no matter how much you prepare you can never be ready for everything, and that’s really the best part, right?
Good luck to you two. So excited to follow your adventures as a threesome! (sorry, foursome….I forgot the Burgs!)
Mandi says
I know you probably get a million pieces of advice and little tidbits from everyone everywhere, and I’m REALLY not trying to do that, but I got too excited when I saw your cloth diapers-and since you are an eco-friendly family I thought I’d share what we use for washing our dipes if you haven’t heard of them already-Econuts! You can google them-but it saves a LOT of washes and rinses because it doesn’t produce suds. My diapers have never been cleaner and I’m still on my first box (and my water bill is lower)! And I can boil them down and make household cleaner when they are too mushy for the wash. Good luck with the upcoming events!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Mandi! We have heard great things about them so we’ll have to check them out…
xo,
s
Laura @ so alaurable says
So many great ideas for me to tuck away for the future! You are the cutest, most prepared pregnant lady ever.
In addition to the white noise, I think Baby P would also enjoy these lullaby renditions of famous songs (The Beatles, U2, Coldplay, etc.): http://rockabyebabymusic.com/. I just discovered these at a baby shower, and I think both babies and parents alike would enjoy it.
YoungHouseLove says
Those are super cute! Thanks for the link.
xo,
s
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
This takes me back to when we were preparing for our firstborn’s arrival. I had everything ready to go when one day our sweet boxer, Harp, decided to let us in on what she thought about becoming second fiddle to a baby. I came home from work about 2 weeks before the baby was born to discover that a Baby Bomb had gone off in our home. There was baby paraphernalia EVERYWHERE! Diapers, socks, onesies, stuffed animals…in the kitchen, the bathroom, upstairs, downstairs…you name it. And there was Harp calmly sitting amidst the mess looking at me as if to say, “What? I didn’t do it.” I couldn’t be mad at her though; I thought it was hilarious. You see, every item was still in perfect condition. She hadn’t destroyed a single thing. She must have just had fun flinging it all around. I pictured her tossing a teddy bear into the air while thinking, “Take that you lowsy, no-good fake animal!” She only did it that one time; I guess she needed to vent!
Has Burger done anything to let you know he knows what’s going on?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dana,
That’s too funny. Burger has yet to revolt, but he does love the nursery. In fact we think that he believes it’s his room. Whenever we can’t find him he’s always lounging on the ottoman or running around in circles on the rug. It’s super cute- especially since our vet advised us to get him comfortable with her room so he associates it with positive things before she comes along.
xo,
s
Erica says
You’re so amazingly organized and prepared! My water broke 2 weeks early at work (in the lunchroom) and I was not ready at all! But it all works out! We love our cloth diapers. Just so you know, newborn babies squirt poops constantly and you can’t keep up, so just slather on the diaper cream. Plus it become nearly impossible to keep everything clean all the time. Just let go a little, it’s ok! Also, it will be great to see how you still make your house look fab when it has to be older baby/toddler ready- I know you will be creative! You are absolutely going to looooove being a mommy! It’s the best thing ever!
Daniela Conn says
Hey!
If you haven’t already purchased it, you MUST get the DVD titled “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” It saved me with my first baby! My lactation consultant recommended it to me at the hospital….It teaches you miracle tricks on how to quiet a fussy baby!
Best of Luck!
Dani
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve already watched it on Netflix and we also have the book. Tons of great info! Thanks for making sure we’re in the loop!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Sherry, you look wonderful – all baby!
May I recommend bringing a night light to the hospital. Your nights will be a blur and florescent hospital lights at 3:00 am for feeding/diapering are just no good!
All the best for a happy, healthy baby girl.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip!
xo,
s