Getting Set Up For The New Baby

Well it is getting closer each day to the arrival of our new baby. We still don’t know if it is a boy or a girl. With all of our 4 previous kids we let it be a surprise as well. Some of you may not be aware either but we have a tradition of having each of our kids born at home. The first time around it was difficult for me to adjust and the stress level was amazingly high. But now that we are on #5 there doesn’t seem to be a lot of anxiety like I felt with the first couple.

With the decrease in stress I can focus less on the actual birth event and prepare better for the baby. The following is a list of things I have been doing (or plan to do shortly) in preparation of our new arrival this month.

1) I have moved my office from upstairs in my bedroom to downstairs in the front living room. This will allow me to work and supervise more easily and prevent me from having to shuffle people upstairs just so I can check my email. I will continue to do a lot of my writing in the evenings but throughout the day I check email, check comments, and look for links.

2) I have been doing laundry up the kazoo! When the baby arrives I want to have all of our clothes washed, folded, and put away.

3) Removing clutter. I have been cleaning off those fireplace mantles where clutter seems to accumulate. I have cleaned off the top of the filing cabinet and other corners of the house where things tend to pile up. Reducing clutter is not just a mental relief but it also helps when the time comes for the baby to crawl.

4) Throwing unnecessary stuff away. Whether it gets tossed into the garbage or donated to the Salvation Army, getting rid of things that you just don’t need is a great way to prepare for a new baby. This provides more room in the house and it also makes it easier for you to find things.

5) Buying necessary items. Things I have yet to buy are newborn diapers, baby food, bottle liners, etc.

6) Break out the baby swing and seat now. With the past kids sometimes I am so wrapped up in the moment and focusing on the birth that once the baby is here I am up in the attic digging out the old baby seats and swings. Where is that baby bath thingy anyway?? I didn’t know the stroller had a busted wheel. Darnit!! Get those things out and make sure they are all cleaned and working properly.

7) Dust. No matter how much you hate dusting it should be done. It is healthier for the baby but also when will be the next time you actually dust?? Usually we are so busy with the baby and keeping up with messes that the extra step to dust is far from our minds.

Preparing the kids. One of the funnest part of preparing for the new baby is to get the children mentally ready. Ask them questions like how they want to help with the new baby when he/she (it) arrives. What kinds of things do you want to teach the baby? If we can get the kids prepared enough that it won’t be a complete shock when the baby arrives the better off we will be.