If only my entry way could look this organized then maybe I wouldn't be so crazy...
Le sigh. It's so dreamy! But let's be serious...those bins? They would be thrown all over the place 90% of the time, including all the contents in them.
The nesting struggle is REAL! Anyway, the point of this post. I wanted to do something different today. Instead of hearing from me, I want to hear from ALL OF YOU!
I know many of you might come here and read, but don't comment often (I'm guilty of this too), so I'd really love to hear from you this time! I want to know...what was the best thing you did to prepare for baby #2? And if you don't have 2 or more, what was the best thing you did to prepare for your first? It can be anything-small or big and it can be something you did around the house, something you did for yourself, or something you did for your first child. Or it could even be something you didn't do before baby #2, but did after that you found was a huge help. Nothing is off limits!
Now I know that I will never be 100% ready for 2 kids, and that I can't prepare for everything, but since I'm type A I'd like to at least try to be somewhat prepared, even just to ease my mind for a good day or two and keep me sane over the next 6 weeks.
Alright, GO!
Have a cleaning company come in a do a deep clean and prep freezer meals!
ReplyDeletecleaning company is a great rec! We had one before but cancelled it, but I think it would be great to get them back especially for the first few months! thank you Tiffany!
DeleteStock up your pantry with healthy snacks like granola, crackers, energy bars, etc. also stock up all your household goods like detergent, soap, toilet paper, paper towels. Get your hair cut! Go out on a date night!
ReplyDeleteHaircut: noted (along with everything else but I REALLY need this done-good call!) and healthy snacks are a great idea!
DeleteFreezer meals and buying things in bulk! I feel like the easiest ways to make freezer meals is to make double of whatever you're making that night and put one in a foil freezer container. Such as lasgna or even stuffed chicken breasts. We don't have alot of extra storage in our house so we had to be selective in what we bought in bulk but the things I did were garbage bags, dishwasher pods, detergent, and toilet paper.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you have a bigger freezer stock up on the steam-able veggies. Then meals were super easy, freezer meal and a bag of veggies or salad.
Deletelove the steamable veggies tip and bulk! I've been meaning to make a list of freezer meals to make but your approach sounds much easier to tackle-doing one at a time as I'm making them. Thank you Lindsay!
DeleteStock up on foods and necessities (paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, etc) so that your trips out with 2 under 2 are minimal.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is a must!! We have amazon prime so I have subscriptions set monthly for things and love that they will be to me so quickly if I need an item right away or something!
DeleteWe made a "Big Sister Kit" for our first child. It included a few diapers, wipes, books she could read to her little brother, disposable camera, etc so that she could feel apart of bringing baby home and helping take care of him. She took her new "job" so seriously! Lol.
ReplyDeleteYES! LOVE this idea! Definitely doing this :) thank you!
DeleteI also have two babies under 2! Before the newest baby, we did a deep clean, stocked up on groceries, and made gift bags for big brother so we could give him something special at the hospital. One thing I wish I would have done is relaxed a little more (trust me, life is about to get crazy so rest while you can now!) and had more date nights with the hubby! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThe big brother bag/bags is such a good suggestion. I'm going to hopefully start on Cam's big brother little gifts soon, I hope! Also, you bring up a really great point about the rest and it really resonated with me. I need to just slow down sometimes and hit the pause button because I won't be able to once baby 2 is here. Thank you, Kali!
Delete**big brother gifts :)
DeleteI have one baby but a favorite prep item were panninis & burritos to freeze. I made a bunch and froze them individually. I'd pull a few out to the fridge and then cook in the oven or toaster oven within a few days. We were gifted a lot of meals but not as much for if 1 of us new parents wanted something...also both were 1-handed meals. Happy nesting!
ReplyDeleteI am just about 3 weeks into 2 under 2. Big brother turns two in 2.5 weeks. So best things I did...stocked up my pantry, and premade meals. Stocked up on diapers and wipes (we won't need any for a while). Also, and this has been huge, I got some new small toys for big brother that I've been able to pull out when desperate (from being home or busy nursing). The new toys have been learning centered and he loves them. I then hide them and pull them out when needed. Your post reminded me of myself the last few weeks of pregnancy- I seriously would have organized the Christmas decorations if I could have gotten to them!!
ReplyDeleteI have two recommendations for after baby boy comes...1. When you bring cam to the hospital to meet baby boy have cam in the room first and then bring the baby into the room. This way it helps welcome the baby into your family..2...I continued to send cooper to the sitter so I was able to have that special one on one time with number 2. Cooper was so used to going to the sitter it kept things as normal as possible for him. I also made sure daddy gave cooper a ton of attention (since he really can't do a ton with baby the first few days) so he didn't feel left out!!! As for right now continue what u r doing! Enjoying cam and relax!!!
ReplyDeleteI kept everyone home with me on maternity leave. I really enjoyed the special one on one time (as my newborns SLEEP A TON) and also it helped my daughter bond with her sister (now they are inseparable, 22 months apart for reference). I did the same thing when we welcomed number 3 and the girls ADORE their brother. PLus as a working mom it was the only time I got to experience the feel of being a stay at home mom:) I recommend a thorough cleaning once before baby (for your sanity), get yourself pampered (massage, facial, haircut) and enjoy the easiness that is one child:)
ReplyDeleteMy SIL is only 13 weeks with bebe #2 and the nesting is what told her she was pregnant! She's a teacher and is taking full advantage of the summer to have everything in place before their Christmas bundle arrives. I'll have to pass this on to her!
ReplyDeleteMy tip: When friends/family come to meet the newest, take them up on their offers to bring or do anything like starbucks or hold the bebe while you go for a walk/shower. Paper/plastic plates, cups, cutlery = Less dishes = Less to worry about.
Down here in GA, we never arrive empty handed when visiting friend's new kiddos!
So many things to do but not to freak you out - you will always be ready but never ready enough!!
ReplyDeleteStocking up your freezer or a meal roster from friends
Good clean of your home so you don't have to worry
Special date nights just the two of you
Special date days with Cam
A big brother kit for Cam - with a gift from him to baby and from baby to him
Quiet time in the nursery spending quality time with your bump
Organise play days or plans for Cam with friends or family members for the first few days to allow you time to find your feet with a newborn again
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