Saturday 5 May 2012

Here I Go Making Plans Again

As I have mentioned before, we are dealing with lots of things this pregnancy differently than we did last time. Last time around we had EVERYTHING ready for our son's arrival. We had 2 nursery lists (baby registries), one for our UK friends and another that our US friends could shop and still ship to my address here in London (I was very prepared). My friends threw me a baby shower which we planned around a family visit so my Mom and Grandmother could attend. After that, we bought anything that we didn't receive as gifts to fill the gaps.

We were absolutely prepared to bring our son home, except for the small detail that our son never got to come home with us. After he was born still, we had a house full of stuff and no baby. It was absolutely awful.

So this time we're doing things differently. We are buying NOTHING until after Frostina is here with us. I have made it clear to my friends and family that I don't want any gifts and I definitely don't want a baby shower. Nothing baby related will be allowed into this house until there is a living baby... full stop! I know in reality it won't make any difference, but mentally I just can't fill the house with baby things just yet.

Now that we're getting closer though, the practical and "I have to plan things" side of me is coming out. I couldn't walk into things completely unprepared. So I have allowed myself to do some things in preparation for Frostina's arrival. Just a couple of things so that The Hubby isn't running around like a chicken with his head cut off after she's born alive and well (see, I'm being positive). I've allowed myself to start making plans again.

First of all I have chosen and pre-ordered my baby buggy (stroller). I am having it delivered the day before my scheduled c-section. I had to pre-order it because the one I want is a new model and they are on back order. You can't just walk in and get one, especially if you want to choose your color options. After all we've been through this pregnancy, there's no way I'm settling for less than exactly what I want (perhaps I'm being a bit spoiled here), so I allowed myself to place the order. Of course, the box will be banished to the garage until after she's born. There's no way I'm allowing it into the house.

Secondly I've set up a small nursery list (baby registry) with just the basics on it. This will mostly be so that The Hubby has a list to work off when he's doing the shopping after Frostina is born. I don't imagine he will be in the mindset to want to pick which kind of baby monitor or breast pump after her arrival, so I've done that prep work for him.

I've also had the store where the list is set up put a car seat and moses basket on hold. It hasn't been paid for just yet, but the lady who helped me set up my list has already put them aside in the stockroom for me. That way there won't be any risk that the items aren't available when we need them. All The Hubby has to do is go in and pay for them and he can take them home. So even if everything else is out of stock, we will have something to bring her home with and something for her to sleep in.

In addition to stuff for baby, I've also started making appointments for me. Because as I've mentioned many times here, I am just a bit vain. There's no way I'm going into a scheduled c-section without a bit of "freshening up" first. So far I've booked my bikini wax and my hair appointment. I may be having a baby after 40 but you won't see any grey hairs on this head. I also need to book a pedicure and an eyebrow threading, but there's still time for all that.

It feels strange to be setting up these "last one before baby" appointments. I had them all set up last time too, only I never made it to any of them. Because we delivered my son weeks before we were expecting to. I don't even remember who cancelled them last time. I think it was my same group of friends who went in and got rid of all the baby stuff. Or maybe I was just a no show.

It doesn't really matter now, I just hope that this time I make it to them all. And that in my first photos with Frostina I have perfectly colored hair, cute toes, and nicely shaped eyebrows.

I won't be showing or taking any photos of the bikini wax so everyone will just have to take my word for it that things have been taken care of in that department. : )

18 comments:

  1. Ha ha! Being in hospital means no grooming down there before my c-section. Ahh well.
    Loving your hope and optimism.. may it surround you with light!!!

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  2. It is good to read the hesitant optimism in your post: seemingly nonchalant but with a nice hint of 'could this be?' It's a lesson to all mothers-to-be, yet we both know that many would never even think otherwise. Good for you. Good things coming.

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  3. I think given all you've been through your caution is quite understandable. In case I didn't mention before my blogs now gone private. I think I tried to send you the invite but your email isn't attached to your blog.

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  4. I think given all you've been through your caution is quite understandable. In case I didn't mention before my blogs now gone private. I think I tried to send you the invite but your email isn't attached to your blog.

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  5. I think given all you've been through your caution is quite understandable. In case I didn't mention before my blogs now gone private. I think I tried to send you the invite but your email isn't attached to your blog.

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  6. You and I are approaching things so similarly this time around. I am able to make certain arrangements for "before" and "after" this baby is supposed to be born, but I'm not purchasing or prepping the baby things. I don't know what we'll do about the carseat issue (as I'd like to have the installation inspected by the fire department before we use it), but there is no way I am putting that thing in my car until there is a baby to put in it. Oh, well. Those things will be figured out. Eyes on prize, and nothing else really matters.

    Except for personal grooming. I booked a pre-baby hair appointment too. :)

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  7. Hoping the best in your plans. hugs-
    Felicia

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  8. Sounds very reasonable - we are trying to strike a similar balance here. No extensive nursery setup or dresser full of clothes this time, but I've organized some of Elizabeth's things so it's not a total sprint to get things up and running if all goes well...

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  9. I don't blame you! We have very little for when an adoption comes through. We only have the things that we had before + a couple of things we bought when we were being optimistic. I pray for a safe and happy delivery!

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  10. Wonderful that you're doing so things for you... and letting your 'planning' self creep in a little... completely understandable. Thinking of you and Frostina with all my heart... and can't wait to see those first photos xoxo

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  11. Sounds like you are taking the right approach. All in order, sounds like a very good plan. Good too to get yourself foxy, all those first photos you will share with her will remain in the ol' photo album forever!

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  12. I do feel for you. I felt exactly the same after my daughter was born at 25 weeks, she spent three months skating very close to the edge and then finally, 119 days after she was admitted a nurse asked me, 'so have you got everything ready?' 'everything ready for what?' I said. 'for tomorrow' she said ' you're taking her home!' I hadn't bought a single thing.

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  13. sounds like you are balancing the need to plan for Frostina's arrival with the need to protect your heart from what could go wrong. Not an easy balance to strike, but you seem to be doing it very well. It's lovely to see you allow for hope in your little girl's arrival.
    I love that you are planning all these pampering appointments before the birth.

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  14. You gotta do things your way until you feel secure to shout from the roof tops. Certainly sounds like you are on your way there. Being vain during this time is highly recommended, spoil your self! Try to have a bit of fun, along the way.

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  15. That is all very organized of you. See I did NOTHING last time so this time I feel like I should do something...maybe to convince myself or increase the hope. Either way we want to do something different than the last time when we ended up with a dead baby. Ugh. So so hard.
    I kinda got a laugh out of the scheduled bikini wax because seriously I think people must think I am a total sasquatch (sp) because once my belly gets too big I am not swiping at my vag with a razor blade for fear of genital mutilation. I am terrified of a wax job...so yeah am a hairy beast. haha

    Anyway I am glad you have everything so well set up.

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  16. When we were preparing for Addalee's arrival, we didn't do anything. We had everything already for Caroline, and couldn't bring ourselves to do all that work if we were just going to come home empty handed again. So, I completely understand that. But it sounds like you've done very well at being prepared while not piling your house full of baby items. Good for you!

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  17. You're getting so very close. What a great idea to have those items on hold in the story ready to be picked up when needed. Continued prayers you'll be using those things in the very near future. Hang in there! xx

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  18. It sounds like you've found a good middle ground between being prepared, but not having baby stuff around. Good for you.

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