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September 17, 2015

getting ready for baby

He’s coming.

In <6 weeks.

I’m excited!

I’m also terrified, because I love sleep and I love going out and let’s be honest, I love myself. But round two of denying yourself and devoting almost all of yourself to someone else’s life and well-being… well, it’s just around the corner!

I had grand plans to get several posts up and ready ahead of time, scheduled so it’d seem like everything on my blog continued as normal, but so far I am exactly zero posts ahead of the game, and I’m even scrambling to get this week’s out. Because I already find that juggling life with a toddler is plenty of work. Seriously how does everybody do it?!

Everyone’s been asking if we’re ready. We’ve transitioned our little girl out to a new room so baby boy is just taking over her old stuff (let the hand-me downs begin!), procured enough clothing to last him his first 1.5 years of life, and even installed his carseat. I think we are good to go. I’ve been reading books to prep big sister for baby’s arrival, and even got her a little baby doll to carry around and play with! She loves kissing my swollen belly and gently patting the baby, so I think she likes him so far. We’ll see how that progresses once he’s out and here to stay!

As for me, I’ve been reading. I’ve been reading like I won’t see another book in months (because, honestly, I might not). After recently finishing The 5 Love Languages of Children, I moved on to Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. You’ve probably seen people raving about her tidying tips, which are largely about keeping things that “spark joy” and discarding the rest. I haven’t followed her method to the T, but it has changed our lives. For example, I never imagined I’d go through my husband’s sock drawer for fun just to guess at which socks brought him joy and which ones didn’t, much less fold them so that each one could stand on its own and be grouped with like-minded individuals:

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But there you have it. A very satisfying Saturday night for this momma.

Life changed.

I recently started Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, since it was one of the books on my wishlist immediately available for library checkout on my Kindle… which I’m now in a rush to finish because I simultaneously have The Paris Wife checked out from the library on my Kindle, so I feel pressure to get them both read before they’re due (and before baby boy is due!). I’ve also been on hold for China Rich Girlfriend for about two months, and GUYS I’M NEXT ON THE CUE! That is, my position is currently 1 out of 20 available copies. I cannot believe it’s taken so long, but I’m excited AND STRESSED that I’m next, because that means I have THREE NOVELS to finish in just a few weeks, and it’s been nearly half a year since I’ve touched a novel, so this is all a little overwhelming. But exciting. Because books.

I’ve also been going through books to up my mom game, including material on the Montessori method, potty training, and general child-rearing books. Not to mention the book we were going through with my women’s small group, as well as keeping up with this lifetime staple.

Man, I didn’t even realize I’d been reading so much until I listed it all out here. But I think that’s part of how I’m getting ready for our next baby. I’m feeding that part of myself like a bear fattening up for the winter. It’s just that I’m gorging on books instead of salmon. And I won’t get to hibernate through the next season.

How about you? What have you done to get ready for a new baby? Whether a first time parent, or a seasoned minivan mom, I’d love to hear how you prepared for a new baby joining the family!

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8 responses to “The Home Stretch”

  1. Elaine says:
    September 17, 2015 at 2:54 pm

    Read Beyond One. It was great. 🙂

    Good luck! You will do great.
    I love your blog. I’ve been using your reading tips. So, thank you!
    Easy delivery and healthy baby,
    Elaine

    • joellen says:
      September 17, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      Thanks, Elaine, and thanks for the well wishes :)! I will look into the book. It’s true I haven’t heard of many books for parents expecting a second child, and since I always like to have a heads up for what to expect I have a feeling I’d appreciate it!

  2. Daniel C says:
    September 17, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    Wow! That’s an impressive list of books you’re reading!

  3. Lily says:
    September 17, 2015 at 10:44 pm

    One day each with the book, right? 😀

    • joellen says:
      September 17, 2015 at 10:45 pm

      Haha well first of all I cannot speed read like SOME PEOPLE… and secondly, instead of staying up all night reading, I should probably stock up on sleep as well as books. Maybe sleep more than books… :p

  4. Dakota says:
    September 23, 2015 at 12:46 pm

    Oh goodness, I didn’t realize you were so close! Congratulations!!! I am not sure why, but I love the mental image of you as a mother bear, fattening up on all her reading. It makes me chuckle. May baby boy come easily! (And after you finish all your novels! 😉 )