Getting Ready for Baby

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Just poppin’ in on a Sunday to say hello and share some thoughts from my weekend!

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The theme of this weekend has been “getting ready.”  Countdown to Little One is ON.  When I found out I was pregnant in the spring, I thought forward to autumn and the holiday season and felt like it was so, so far away.  But as the leaves in my front yard change colors…

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…I realize that our second baby will be here before I know it.

 

More than anything, we are really, really excited.  I have asked so many people if they thought going from 0 – 1 children or 1 – 2 children was harder, and opinions are so mixed.  I think (and hope) that I am going to find 1 – 2 a lot easier than 0 – 1.  The lifestyle shift when we welcomed our first kiddo was so huge, but the arrival of this one just feels like… our family is becoming complete.  Does that make sense?  But there’s still a lot to do to prepare for the inevitable craziness of two!

 

On Thursday night, I was flipping through my date book and realized that I was running out of time to complete my “declutter and organize” goals.  So I peeled myself off the couch and tackled the attic and the baby’s room.

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It doesn’t look much more organized, but trust me – it is!  All our baby gear (swing, pillow, infant car seat) has been pulled out of storage. 

 

Newborn to 3 month clothes are in drawers…

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And little baby diapers are unpacked!  Gaaaaah so tiny.

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I also bought Little One his or her first “new” outfit (kiddo is going to mostly live in hand-me-downs regardless of sex!).  I can’t believe I made it to 33 weeks without buying anything, but that’s what not knowing the sex gets you!  I bought Henry and baby some Christmas jammies.  I definitely had an OMG moment at the register.

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On Saturday, Kristien and I went to a Bradley Method course refresher.  Now THAT was an OMG moment!  ;-)  The class was actually really helpful.  I would highly prefer a shorter push time with this baby, and I think I made some tactical errors that elongated the process with Henry.  My goals for Little One’s birth include: actually pushing in different positions (instead of just a variety of back positions) and not being so vocal/scream-y during pushing (I think I wasted a lot of energy).  

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Pre-Birth Review of Bradley Method Classes

Post-Birth Review of Bradley Method Classes

Henry’s Birth Story

Little One’s Birth Plan

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I’m sure most second-time moms don’t feel the need to drag out all the old birthing/newborn books… but I do!  Reading really helps focus my mental energy – so I have a ton of reading to do.  Especially the birth books.  I really don’t want to ‘wing’ this baby’s birth; I feel like I had an overall positive experience with Henry because I was prepared… I don’t feel prepared (yet!) this time around.  But I will!

 

And last – but not least – I had an epic 1.5 hour prenatal massage.  Thank you, Husband!  It was an awesome surprise.

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So – that was my weekend.  Very baby-focused.  But fun and exciting, too! 

 

What did you focus on this weekend?

{ 22 comments }

 

  • Traci October 12, 2014, 3:51 pm

    Those Christmas outfits are too cute, both of them! I also love that you call your second baby Little One. My family has called me Little One my whole life. I’m 27 and it’s still my nickname. And without knowing the backstory, my fiance has called me by the same name for years now. So I hope you’ll keep that nickname going, because for me it has been very endearing. :] (IF your son or daughter enjoys it, of course!)

  • Jess T October 12, 2014, 5:27 pm

    We have a 27 month old and a 13 day old and I can definitely say that 1-2 has been much easier of a transition for me. I’m already used to less sleep, being on someone else’s timetable, and identify as a mom. I have been waaaaaay less neurotic this time around and even things that are hard (postpartum recovery and early days of breast feeding) I know that in a couple of weeks thugs will get better. It’s by no means a cake walk, but it’s so much more relaxed and fun for me! Can’t wait to read about your experience!

    • Jess T October 12, 2014, 10:52 pm

      Heh…thugs…whoops!

  • Laura October 12, 2014, 8:14 pm

    For some reason I read the last part as an “epic 1.5 hour perineal massage”. I thought, “Good grief! She must REALLY want to avoid an episiotomy!” hahaha

  • Kaila @healthyhelperblog! October 12, 2014, 10:30 pm

    That santa clause outfit is the SWEETEST!! Makes me excited for the holiday season! 🙂

  • Dana October 13, 2014, 12:28 am

    We’re also in “get ready for baby” overdrive, but coupled with that, we’ve recently moved into a new home. I hope the transition from 1-2 is easier than 0-1. I agree that the 0-1 shift is a HUGE lifestyle change. Now, I’m used to not having time myself, being tired, and I know the hard times don’t last forever…and neither do our squishy babies. They grow so fast, so I hope to just appreciate every moment…good and bad.

    • Caitlin October 13, 2014, 7:28 am

      Well put 🙂

  • Katie October 13, 2014, 1:24 am

    I have a two year old (just turned two last month) and a 10 day old. I definitely think the transition from 1 to 2, has been easier. Much less stress and you kinda know what to expect. Also, hopefully you have a quicker birth this time around. My first labour was 16 hours long (about 6 hours of active labour) with 3 hours of pushing and this time it was 3 hours of active labour which included 13 mins of pushing. Things went much faster this second time. I hope things go well for you too 🙂

    • Caitlin October 13, 2014, 7:27 am

      I hope that’s how my labor is 🙂

  • Camilla October 13, 2014, 1:49 am

    We have a 3.5 year old and an 8 month old, and must say that for us the transition to 2 kids was definitely easier. Obviously there have been challenging things – our big boy had a reaction to having to share his mum and dad, of course. But nothing out of the extraordinary. Also, I think there is a lot of first-time anxiety, that simply isn’t there with baby number 2.

    The only thing I’ve realised is, that some things are definitely easier with one child – going places, organising things, activating – where I now sort of think: “Why didn’t we do more when there was only one?!” However, I know that the time will come again, where it becomes easier 🙂

    I love the pyjamas! They will both be absolutely adorable, I’m sure 🙂

  • Janelle @ Wholly Healthy October 13, 2014, 4:02 am

    Love the Christmas pyjamas! I can’t believe how small the baby’s looks next to Henry’s

  • Britt@MyOwnBalance October 13, 2014, 9:32 am

    Oh man! Prenatal massages are the best! And I know how you feel about crazy organization mode. We are so close to being done with organizing! I just have a few more things on my list!

  • alan October 13, 2014, 9:43 am

    Caitlin:
    I want you to know how important I think your “operation beautiful” is. So much so, that People today reported on an effort that Ikea is having. (Quoted from my daily email)

    ” Swedish furniture giant IKEA commissioned a study in its U.K. market that found under half of all Brits got no compliments in an average week, yet 38 percent admitted that even one good comment would make them smile. Armed with the data, IKEA installed a “Motivational Mirror” in its stores. Take a look for a self-affirming start to your week! ”

    Sounds like you are onto something. I hope that you find time to continue that work, and that you can transmit the love of self to your new baby as well. Have a great day.

    • Caitlin October 13, 2014, 10:38 am

      Thank you for sharing this!!

  • Tanya October 13, 2014, 12:30 pm

    Hey Caitlin, I admire your desire to be prepared. I’m telling you I really just want to “wing” this birth because I am still too traumatized to think about it again. Maybe as we get closer to the finish line I’ll be ready too. Sometimes I visualize it at night but my visuals just pretty much include it being much, much shorter. Wishful thinking! And oh, what I would give for a massage right now! Your husband rocks.

  • Alex @ True Femme October 13, 2014, 3:23 pm

    Aw I’m so excited for you! I love the Christmas pjs! So cute! I have a few friends who are also due during the holiday season and I think it will make it that much more fun! I’m a December baby and though I’m biased I think it’s a great month 🙂 Hoping you have a great and easy rest of your pregnancy, Caitlin!

  • Rebecca October 13, 2014, 7:52 pm

    We were very family-oriented this weekend. My dad did a 26K, and my cousin who lives where the race happened also did it, so it was fun to see family! We saw a couple of great costumes, too! 🙂
    So excited that you guys are so close to having number two! Is Henry getting excited or nervous or anything? Has he voiced an opinion on baby brother versus sister at all? I can’t remember if you’ve posted that or not. 🙂

    • Caitlin October 14, 2014, 9:57 am

      He says its a baby sister but I’m not really sure that he understands what that means. Hah. I think he’s excited but it’s so hard to tell with a 2.5 year old. His comprehension on what it *ACTUALLY* means isn’t really strong, you know?

  • cristal October 13, 2014, 9:07 pm

    I am due about 3 weeks before you, also with my second child. I have been researching double strollers. Have you decided on a double stroller?

    • Caitlin October 14, 2014, 9:57 am

      No, I haven’t even thought of it yet, to be honest. It’s soooo expensive and it will be too cold here to put baby in a stroller for a while. A Healthy Slice of Life just reviewed one!

  • Dawna October 14, 2014, 12:43 pm

    I had a Bradley class last night, so perineal was on my mind….and I read your post WAY too fast and I thought it said you got a 1.5 hour perineal massage. Haha…big difference. The PRENATAL massage sounds magical…. I’m 30 weeks and feeling some soreness in areas I never knew about. p.s. i loved reading your birth story on Henry!!!

  • Sherrah October 15, 2014, 11:55 pm

    Ohh! Congratulations girl, I am so excited for you. It’s good that you prepared for all the needs of the baby before he/she welcome the world. Good job as a mother.

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