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The Kitchen Table

It's gone by so fast...

18 years ago

I can't believe we'll have a baby here in 5 to 7 weeks. This is crazy! It seems as if we were just announcing the pregnancy yesterday! My spring break begins tomorrow (I'm a teacher) and I'm so grateful for the time off. I need to start getting things together for the house, although I'm so hyper(anal)-organized, I think I've got it all covered.

Hospital bag packed, baby bag packed, playard/bassinet set up, baby's room is done, all clothes for baby washed and put away. Diaper and wipes purchased and bottles sterilized. I don't have a pump yet, but I might rent one through the hospital if I'm allowed to breastfeed (I'm on lifelong meds that are excreted in the milk, so I have to check with the doc again).

What am I missing? Any tips would be helpful!! I would cook some meals and freeze them, but I'm a horrible cook. I'll post pics of the baby room if anyone is interested :)

I know Teresa and I have almost the same due date, how about you other pregnant KTers? How are you guys doing?

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Comments (35)

gadgets
18 years ago
Wow, you really are an organized gal, aren't you? Yes, I'd like to see pictures of the baby's room.

Shirley
nicole_ont
18 years ago
Yes, yes! Post baby room pics!

Sounds like you've got everything under control. If you wanted to do something easy for food your first week or so at home, you could always do a big giant batch of pasta sauce that you could use for several different meals (spaghetti, chili, sloppy joes....) Or order in for a few days. :)

I always found that hand expressing was faster and easier than pumping milk. Consider giving it a try before buying or renting a pump.

It's SO close - you must be so excited. Woohooooo!!
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patti43
18 years ago
Sounds like you've got everything covered but it's been many moon since I had my daughter. You said you were a horrible cook and it just hit me that a great baby shower would be where everyone bought a frozen home-made meal for the new parents. Are you having help? Mom or MIL? That's pretty much what I did the whole week I was at my daughters--cooked and froze!!
bearcat_va
Original Author
18 years ago
Baby room pics are here!

I'm 33 weeks here. This was taken yesterday on our way out to our anniversary dinner. SEVEN years tomorrow (St. Patty's day!) DH bought me the most beautiful GREEN amber necklace and earrings before dinner. He's wonderful :)
socks
18 years ago
You really are organized, and you won't regret one bit of it either.

Stock up on some things that will make easy dinners--frozen things or stuff that's already cooked and can go in the freezer. Stock up the pantry so you aren't short on things. Make sure you have plenty of TP, laundry degergent and that sort of thing.

I'm quite sure you have birth announcements ready to go, right? How about a list of people to call & phone numbers for just after baby is born?

If you do breastfeed, it's helpful to have a nursing gown and big loose tops to lift up. Also there are soft pads that can be used inside the bra, for leaking or cleanliness, I was never sure which. I hope you can because it is so convenient, but if not, you'll be fine.

I'm so happy for you. It's really a special time, just before baby comes, and I know you are wondering and dreaming about it. Very best wishes, and yes, I'm sure everyone here would love to see the nursery.

Susan
patti43
18 years ago
You're so cute!! I forgot to add I hope you have an easy delivery and a healthy, happy baby. Love the nursery.
vannie
18 years ago
All systems are go! You'll love being on spring break! Hope everything goes smoothly. Keep us informed!!
okwriter
18 years ago
What a DARLING room! You are *glowing* in that picture...not sure if it's the anniversary or the baby. :-)

And yes, it doesn't seem like that long ago when you announced it here!
glenda_al
18 years ago
Such a motherly glow you have there!
Baby's room looks fantastic!
lydia1959
18 years ago
Wow, I didn't realize you were due so soon! The room looks great, love the colors you've chosen. You look great too!
nodakgal
18 years ago
You're looking great Joanna!
I love the nursery. I really think you've about got it covered as far as being ready, soon you'll be holding a sweet little bundle of joy!!
gwanny2three
18 years ago
You look great! So slim still! The baby's room is really really cute! Love the colors! How exciting for you.....what is the baby's name? Sounds like you have it all covered to me! Now just relax and soon you'll be holding that bundle of joy!
Cherryfizz
18 years ago
Love the room and you and baby bump look great!

Time does fly doesn't it. I am looking forward to being a KT Auntie again.

Anne
intherain
18 years ago
Cute, cute room! You look great for 33 weeks. Yes, time flies. I can't believe my oldest is 18! This is an exciting time for you. Enjoy!

Sheryl
tannatonk23_fl_z9a
18 years ago
Well, Happy Anniversary! Your nursery is adorable - so calm and peaceful. And I can't believe your baby is almost here! I was tiny like you with my first baby. In fact I weighed more at full term than I do now! LOL!!!

Sounds like you are very prepared for your little bundle. Use these next few weeks for quality time with your DH. That will all end soon :) Get plenty of rest too as that is about to come to a screeching halt!

I can't believe it's almost time - it does seem like you just announced it.

~Betsy
sharon_fl
18 years ago
Lovin' your nursery-great colors! And YOU!! The picture of health-oh, are you Irish? If not, you should've been, because that Irish gleem in your eyes just twinkles!
summer_tx
18 years ago
You are beautiful Bearcat. And the nursery is any baby's dream. Such a darling theme and color palette. These weeks fly by like we're all standing still. You'll be holding that little one in no time.

OH, and Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby.
liz
18 years ago
You are such a cute little mama to be!! I can't wait to see your announcement that the little bundle has FINALLY arrived!!
teresava
18 years ago
Hi Joanna!! Happy Anniversary!

Sounds like you've done a lot so far! The nursery looks great! Here's what I can think of...

Have a can of formula on hand, just in case. I personally thought the hospital pump was the best, because it was so, um, industrial and efficient. Looks scary, but you get the hang of it in no time! The hospital should stock your baby bag with some samples of formula/diapers/wipes too-take everything!! Especially the baby aspirator (nose sucker) the hopsital one was the best we ever found!! You might want to have a baby fever reducer on hand, again, just in case. It's easier to get some now when it's calm instead of when it's chaos at your house!

Do you have a baby bathtub and little bath products? You can use a little basin or even the sink if you prefer, but new wet babies are so slippery!

Stock up on anything you normally use-favorite foods (fill your freezer), TP, or even refills of meds. Do your laundry too, especially if you have some comfy clothes/maternity to wear afterwards. Because you'll be too tired to want to do much after baby arrives!

Do you have a baby book? Usually there are a few pages of stuff to do before little man arrives-posting sonogram pics, pregnant pics or what you and daddy are thinking about right now.

Pick out your birth announcements so you can fill in the blanks with the info after the birth. Make a list of all people you want to call or email from the hospital. Get your camera/video camera all charged up with extra batteries.

Do you have a pediatrician picked out yet?

Take a blanket to the hospital that you can bring home for your dogs to smell baby before they "meet" him. Might make the transition easier?
Then after all that-go out to your favorite restaurants, go see some movies or any other activities you and DH like to do! You'll be busy for the next 18 years or so-lol!!!

Congrats!!!
Teresa-33 weeks tomorrow!
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
18 years ago
Love the Nursery! Choc Brown and Blue my Favs.

OK, refresh the old lady's memory. It's a boy right? And you have a name? Sorry, I have a bad memory.

You are absolutely beautiful!

Gayle
sjarz
18 years ago
Those turtles are very sweet, great colors in the baby's room.
You look the picture of health, best of luck, can't wait to see the new arrival.
Suzan J
jen_tx
18 years ago
You look beautiful and knowing how athletic and trim you were before you got pregnant, I'm not surprised you still look tiny!

The nursery is just adorable! I love the turtles and the colors are so calming without being babyish. Love it. I can't wait to see the bed with the new baby in it! Have you picked out a name yet? It took me forever to pick out a name for my first and then I wouldn't tell anyone cause I didn't want to hear anything negative. My oldest son, Max just turned 21 so I agree with you......It has gone by sooooo fast!

Happy Anniversary! :-)
grammahony
18 years ago
What a sweet baby's room. It looks so fresh and new.
You don't have much of a baby bump. I looked like that at 5 months. LOL But I'm kinda short, and no where for it to go but out.
I agree, get all the rest/sleep you can now, because that will end soon.
And for me, the last month was the longest. I hope it goes by fast for you.
Leslie
jannie
18 years ago
The room looks great, and so do you! I hope you get to breastfeed, it is a wonderful bonding experience. and so healthy for the baby.
hale_bopp
18 years ago
Hello you gorgeous woman, you!!! :) I LOVE that baby nursery!!!! I'm so happy you posted pics- I always love to see your decor. :) And like Jenn said, I'm not surprised by your tiny-ness...I do hate you though. JUST KIDDING! (((J))) We're praying for a healthy, happy delivery, and big high five to your DH. Good job! :)

Blessings,
Haley
flowerpotmama
18 years ago
The nursery is freaking gorgeous! You have great taste! And you are beautiful but I-hate-you-a-little-bit-because-look-how-tiny-you-are! OK, I don't hate you but there is some envy there. :D I'm so happy for you and your hubby! What an exciting time! ENJOY the first baby. It's so special and if you have other babies it'll never be this peaceful and one-on-one ever again. It's special in a different way. Thank you so much for sharing.

Danielle
kframe19
18 years ago
I wondered when we were going to get the obligatory standing sideways picture. :-D
bearcat_va
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and advice!! We have picked a name but aren't sharing it until the baby boy is here.

I don't know anything about birth annoucements. When do you send them out and all that good stuff? I noticed most of the ones online are photo announcements, but that means I can't pre-order/address them until the baby is here, right?

We still need to find some stuff for the walls in the baby's room. We painted the letters of his name for the shelf above the changing table. Other than that, the walls are currently bare, but we don't want to be hooked into the turtle theme forever, so I'm looking for more abstract/versatile stuff. :)

Thanks to all again for the advice!!
williamsburgjane
18 years ago
It doesn't seem like its been that long since you told us you were pregnant, so yes I think the time has flown by too. I love the turtles and the color you are using in the nursery. Thanks for showing the photos. :o)
teresava
18 years ago
Apparently it's flying by for me too-I'm 34 weeks today not 33-ACK I lost a week there somewhere! I thought you were about 1 week after me. Wouldn't it be funny for our babies to be born the same day? I'm scheduled for a C-section on April 24th. My 1st option was April 21st-My wedding anniversary! I thought it might be kind of neat, but then figured everyone should have their own special day!

I got your email-And I"m sending you one back!
FlamingO in AR
18 years ago
It has gone by fast! And you look so sweet and happy and healthy, Bearcat, how precious your baby will be, blessed with your genes. Congrats on your anniversary, I've never even heard of green amber, I'd love to see it.

The nursery looks great and very comfy. Love the turtles!
bettyswwa
18 years ago
Wow. You are so organized. I love the nursery.
jennmonkey
18 years ago
I LOVE the nursery! It is so cute. Love that blue too. And you look adorable too!
kacram
18 years ago
Oh, my! It HAS gone quickly! LOL Teresa!
YOu look GREAT! and I LOVE that nursery! I really like that color combination! My Junior Prom dress was blue and brown! LOL
I've never heard of green amber either!

Here is a link that might be useful: green amber pics
brenda_in_tx
18 years ago
Your baby's room is adorable and you're just a little doll! Best of luck to you and your family.

:-)

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