How We Prepared for Baby #2

I actually wrote this post *months* ago but forgot to post it! But looking back, all of the ways we prepared for Stella’s arrival were super helpful. Not that it was a perfect transition - Luna wasn’t quite ready to be a big sister - but it was mostly way easier than expected! So now I’m sharing all the ways we actually prepared for baby #2 plus a few things we should have done (but didn’t, ugh).

Okay, here goes:

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I thought it would be easy preparing for another baby … I mean, been there done that, right?!  But somehow we have even MORE to do this time around.  How is that possible?!

Lists are pretty much the only way I stay organized these days, so here are all the ways we’re preparing for baby #2:

#1 - DO AN INVENTORY OF ALL OUR BABY THINGS

We kept most of our baby items from the first time around …. but now we have to sort through them all!  Do we have enough newborn socks and mittens?  Soft washcloths?  Where's the infant tub we used when Luna was born?  Now is the time to figure out what we already have and what we still need to stock up on (gas drops, anyone?!). 

#2 - THROW A SHOWER/SPRINKLE (OR NOT!)

Some people think you should only have a baby shower for your firstborn. But if a loved one offers to throw a shower or "sprinkle" the second time around, accept the offer and enjoy!  Every baby deserves to be celebrated - plus there's a still a LOT to buy (or replace) even if you already have most of the big ticket items.

#3 - SET UP BABY'S SPACE

Time for washing and folding and organizing all those clothes, diapers, and miscellaneous items your baby needs (again).  I'm still torn on where to put everything - Luna's dresser is perfect for newborns (it has a spot for a changing pad on top) but it also still feels like hers! 

Another thing on our list?  Pulling out our infant car seat.  I plan to put the baby in the middle but we'll have to see what works best with Luna's seat!

#4 - PREP YOUR FIRSTBORN

A new baby is a big transition for everyone - including your toddler!  Let her know that some changes are coming.  Show her how to dress and burp and change diapers using a baby doll.  Make it exciting - You're getting a little brother or sister to play with!   We've also been reading books about becoming a big sister - this one is Luna's favorite! 

Now is also the time to consider sleep training, potty training, breaking the bottle/pacifier habit, etc if needed.  Keep in mind that some littles go through regressions - so try to make any major changes at least a few months before the new baby arrives!

#5 - DECIDE ON SLEEP Arrangements

Maybe this is just us, but part of welcoming a new baby means figuring out where Luna is going to sleep!  Are you going to buy a second crib?  Upgrade to a toddler or twin bed?  Buy a bigger master bed to accommodate family co-sleeping?  Whatever you choose, make the transition before the new baby comes - otherwise your big kid might resent your newborn. 

#6 - PACK YOUR BAGS

Your hospital bag, I mean!  Make sure to include essentials for you and your spouse and stash it by the door for easy access.  And don't forget a list of "Last Minute" items you won't want to forget in the rush - cell phones, chargers, wallets, etc.

Don't forget to pack an overnight bag for your toddler if they'll be staying with a friend or relative during your hospital stay.  Our plan is for Luna to stay at our house (with my mom) - but I'm still packing a bag just in case because you never know!

#7 - ARRANGE FOR A SITTER

Regardless of when you go into labor, you'll need someone to watch your toddler while you're at the hospital.  Choose someone who is familiar and available overnight if needed - and have a backup just in case!  And if your little one struggles with separation anxiety (like mine), here are a few quick tips:

• Do a trial run with the sitter

• Have your toddler stay at home (which is more familiar) instead of going to the sitter's house

• Leave your sitter with a few instructions (including a typical schedule, favorite foods, regular bed/naptime routines, and any other essential info) to keep things normal

• Make it fun with a little treat or a new toy!

#8 - PLAN A BABYMOON

Newborn life is pretty all-consuming (read: exhausting!).  Now is the time for a getaway with your partner!  It's one thing I wish I'd done the first time around but didn’t.  And it doesn't have to be expensive.  A staycation at a local resort or spa reservations for two is the perfect way to relax - and enjoy some alone time - before baby arrives.  Plus it's a great time for that trial run with the babysitter ;)

For our babymoon, we spent a weekend at The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Raleigh while my mom watched Luna.  So many good things to say about our stay there!

#9 - CHOOSE A NAME

Last but not least!  This one is always hard for us - we didn't decide on Luna's name until after she was born.  But we're keeping a running list of our favorites on the fridge while we figure it out.  And YES we're taking suggestions!!

I think that's it!   We're hoping to have everything done by Week 36 at the latest - but the earlier the better.  We'll see how that goes! (Update: it didn’t go well, we didn’t set up the crib or pack our hospital bag until week 39, ha! Thankfully it all worked out but still!)

How are you preparing for another baby?! 

With love,

Lace

One Year Immunizations

Hi mommas,

What a day!  Well, week really.  Okay, TWO WEEKS!!

Earlier this month, Luna had her one year appointment.  The doctor checked her height and weight and ADDDDDD.

I heard they might draw blood but luckily that wasn't the case for us.  What we couldn't avoid, though, were the immunization shots.  This time around, Lu had four total (two in each leg).  Ugh!  It's so heartbreaking to see her cry even though I know it's preventing something a lot worse.  But still!

Luna recovered from the pain pretty quickly.  I scooped her up, kissed her on the head, and said Where's your elephant, Lu? and she perked right up.  Even if her stuffed elephant is nowhere in sight, it always makes her feel a little better to look for it.  #ADORABLE :)

Afterwords, we spent the day at Weymouth Park with Kris.  ADDDDDD.

It wasn't until two days later that the fever started ... and then her legs broke out in a rash!  She started taking 3-4 naps a day and was acting really cranky.  I contacted the Immunization Department and they were super helpful.  They suspected she was having a reaction to the MMR or the chicken pox vaccine and gave me instructions on how to move forward.  And it totally helped!  The fever went down and the rash slowly disappeared.  But by the weekend it was back full force! 

I called again.  This time they confirmed it was a reaction to the chicken pox immunization.  They recommended giving her Tylenol every four hours until her fever broke.  And even though she's not contagious, they also said we needed to stay inside where it's cool - heat makes the spots worse!

So that's where we're at now.  For days, we've been holed up inside.  No walks to the park.  No pushing Luna's toy car around the yard.  No painting the sidewalks with water.  I'm a little cranky and she's a little cranky and we're both missing our park mom friends.  But ADDDDDDD. Wish us luck!

With love,

Lace

30-Day Happy Marriage Challenge

Hi everyone!

A few nights ago, my husband came home from work looking a little run down.  After we put Luna to bed, I asked if I could borrow him for ten minutes.  He looked a liiiiitle wary.  Like, what did I do wrong?  I patted the couch next to me for him to sit. 

Then I pulled his legs onto my lap and started rubbing his feet.  Just like that, his body relaxed.  He leaned back and closed his eyes and for the next ten minutes we sat in silence while I cared for him. 

That night, I thought about the little everyday things that make such a difference in a marriage.  It's not that my marriage is perfect.  Like every relationship, we go through rough patches.  There are days and weeks when we just. don't. get. along.  And I think that's normal!  But there are also things we can all do to make our marriages happier.

That's how I started working on The 30-Day Happy Marriage Challenge.  It's a list of little things you can do every day to change your marriage for the better.  You can try a few here and there or you can dive headfirst into the full challenge.  Whatever works best for you!  But there is one little rule I hope you'll follow:  I want you to do each of these things selflessly.  Do them without any expectation of receiving something in return.  Because guess what?  You're already getting something in return.  As you complete this challenge, your spouse will feel loved, appreciated, and more connected to you than ever.  And in return, you'll feel happier!

I know what you're thinking:  she's crazy.  But trust me on this one.  Or, don't.  Try the challenge for yourself and see what happens!  Good luck!

Day 1 - Give him an unexpected compliment

Day 2 - Show interest in one of his hobbies

Day 3 - Let go of some trivial annoyance

Day 4 - Set aside your phone and listen while he talks

Day 5 - Place a hand on his thigh during a car ride

Day 6 - Skip that lecture you're dying to give

Day 7 - Tell him how attractive you find him

Day 8 - Put a sweet note in his lunchbox

Day 9 - Praise him in front of others

Day 10 - Lightly touch his skin while you talk

Day 11 - Cook his favorite meal for dinner

Day 12 - Ask how how you can better support him

Day 13 - Allow him space to do something he loves

Day 14 - Ask for his input on something that matters

Day 15 - Borrow his car and have it washed/detailed

Day 16 - Plan a fun night out together

Day 17 - Send a little text to let him know you're thinking of him

Day 18 - Take a hot shower together

Day 19 - Surprise him with a thoughtful gift

Day 20 - Acknowledge something he does that you really appreciate

Day 21 - Give him a neck massage after a long day

Day 22 - Go stargazing in the middle of nowhere

Day 23 - Initiate an intimate moment

Day 24 - Hold his hand on the way to bed

Day 25 - Recreate one of your favorite memories together

Day 26 - Describe the moment you first fell in love

Day 27 - Forgive him for something you've been holding onto

Day 28 - Talk about the future you envision with him

Day 29 - Visit a place that has special meaning to your relationship

Day 30 - Tell him how much he really means to you

If you complete this challenge, I'd love to hear about your results in the comments below!  Or even better, share it with a friend.  Because I think the world could use a lot more happy marriages, don't you?! :)

With love,

Lace