I'm back!

I know, back from where? Several days between post is the norm for me, so it would seem that I didn't go anywhere. But I felt like death for several days, so I definitely feel like I'm back from somewhere! I am FINALLY feeling better! Sure enough, that pesky little chest cold turned into bronchitis, which I knew it would. I've had that so much over the years I can feel it coming on like old people can feel a cold front. I'm still coughing quite a bit (to which D'Laney replies, Momma, quit choking!) and it really wears me out, but I am much better. I'll post about Halloween later today, but right now I want to get back to this baby business!

Thanks for all the comments on the last couple of posts. I had a hard time with the last one because it seems to me right now that nothing makes the last few weeks go by any faster or smoother. And it seems that the rest of you feel the same way!

Today let's talk about getting the house ready for the baby. This is something that as a first time mom you think about constantly and you have everything ready for weeks before the big day. I don't know if everyone is like this, but I know for us, the second time around is a vastly different story. Brynna will be here in six weeks, and we have nothing, NOTHING, ready for her. D'Laney is still sleeping in her crib, and all the clothes are still in bins in the shed. I feel completely prepared for another infant in the house, except for the nursery, clothes, diapers, blankets, etc. Ya know, everything!
You'll get a lot of stuff at showers, and some of it you won't be able to live without, some of it will stay in the box for several months, if you don't regift it! Everyone has different things that they prefer, and most of it is trial and error, but maybe we can cut down on what all you try. And I'm not talking about the obvious basics, crib, changing area, dresser, etc. I'm looking for the little things that might slip your mind.

• set up a pack and play: when D'Laney was born we lived in a tiny house, so walking to her room to change her diaper or lay her down for a nap was about 4 strides. Now that we're in a two story, I'm not about to do that! most pack and plays have an upper basket for the newborns, and they work great as a nap/changing station that's right beside you. (we set it up in our bedroom for the first few weeks instead of buying a bassinet, as well.) This time I plan on leaving one downstairs and having one upstairs in our room for the first few weeks.
• if you don't want to set it up, or don't have the room to, at least set out a basket with all the necessary changing gear next to the couch.
• those little baskets come in handy all over the house. have one next to every spot where you might feed your little one and stock it with burp rags and a couple of small blankets. I will be keeping one next to the couch downstairs, the recliner in the baby's room, my bed, probably one in D'Laney's room, and one in the office next to the computer (if I have time for that kind of thing!)
• I didn't like our wipey warmer, it dried out the wipes. Maybe we just got a lemon.
• if there is a phone jack in your baby's room, but a phone in there. You might not spend a whole lot of time in there, but it never fails that the second you sit down to feed the baby or rock her to sleep, the phone rings and you forgot to bring a portable in there with you. I had one that lit up, and I turned the ringer off, so when the phone rang I could see it, but it didn't wake the baby, and I didn't have to get up to answer the phone.

That's all I can think of at the moment! C'mon, ladies, add to it!!