a few of my favorite things: preparing

Well, we've got just over 5 weeks before D-day (due date, that is:). Physically, I'm more than ready for this little guy's arrival. Practically speaking, not so much. A lot has been happening around here to try to get our house and family prepared. Here are just a few of the goings on:

1. "practicing"
Anna really isn't much of a baby doll person, but we pulled out the one she has so we could start "practicing". We made a big deal of getting him dressed in some newborn clothes and she's been working on swaddling him. She's pretty excited about baby Knox and I think she's going to be super helpful when he comes. (That's her shy face below) Owen is the one I'm more concerned about. He is very much a mama's boy and doesn't do well when he's not getting my attention. I think he's in for a rude awakening. Hence, the attempts to prepare him by talking about the baby doll.

2. Baby gear and house prep

I was in Middletown a few weekends ago for a baby shower and brought home most of our baby "gear" that was being stored in my Mother-in-law's basement. I immediately felt so much more prepared once I had a bag of newborn clothes and a bassinet. Not to mention bouncers, a swing, a bathtub, etc.?

I've never had a newborn in a two story house before, so that has posed some interesting logistical questions, particularly since our room is on the first floor. If your house is set up this way, I'd love to hear how you best set up house when bringing home baby. We'll have the bassinet in our room for a while, so that will eliminate running upstairs to the nursery multiple times a night, at least for a while.?

I'd been hunting for a reasonably priced dresser on Craigs List for several weeks that I could use on the first floor as a changing station and "keeper of baby stuff." I was frustrated after missing the sale on several pieces and decided to try Trader's World (flea market) with my mom while we were in town a few weeks ago. We came across this piece and I immediately loved it. Great shape and didn't need repainted or refinished. Woohoo!

3. Doctor's appointments
Since moving 10+ months ago, we haven't really switched over all of our doctors. Man, it's hard work finding all new doctors, checking on insurance, and filling out paperwork! I decided that it would probably be best to get in as many appointments in a) before Knox's arrival (when leaving 2 kids with a sitter is easier than 3) and b) before the end of the year. This week I went to the eye doctor, the dentist, and my regular OB visit. Phew. And next week Anna goes to the doctor for her (very late) 3 year check up so she can get cleared for preschool. Which leads to the next point of baby prep/transition.

4. Preschool and potty training
We decided to enroll Anna into preschool a few mornings a week. I think that it'll be really good for her to have something regular to go to outside the house and without me. It will also give me a little bit more time with just Owen as he adjusts to sharing me with Knox. That's our hope anyway! Anna is really excited about school and it was another good incentive for her to really master potty training. She's been doing great with #1, but has refused to go #2 on the potty. She would just wait until we put her in a diaper before bed or she'd ask for one at naps. Today she went for the 2nd time (without prompting!!) and she was SO proud of herself. Almost as proud as me:) Here she is enjoying the reward we've been promising her for weeks. I love the look of satisfaction.

5.?D-Day plan
The last thing that had been kind of stressing me out was putting a delivery day plan into place. Moving away from all of our family made this more difficult than I thought. When I went into labor with Owen we just dropped Anna with our sister-in-law who stayed at home with our nephews and lived 6 houses away. We finally have a "day plan" and an "evening plan" in place thanks to two wonderful friends and I feel SO much better knowing that we have these people on-call to help us out with Owen and Anna until my mom arrives for relief. Seriously, thank you!!

My emotions teeter back and forth between hopeful anticipation and sheer terror/anxiety as we await the arrival of this sweet boy. I'm really so excited to finally meet him and potentially complete our family. On the other hand, I don't trust my own emotions and how easily overwhelmed I can get and I worry about how it's all going to play out after we bring him home. Pray with me that the Lord will prepare my heart, our home, and our family and that I will have peace and trust that he will provide us with everything we truly need. Thanks for your support, friends!

Source: http://kevinstephjamison.blogspot.com/2012/08/preparing.html

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