Top Ten Before Baby Is Here

I saw a friend the other day who is due with her baby this fall. She looked amazing but she was tired. I had given her diapers my three-month-old had grown out of along with some other items. She was thankful because that is the kind of person she is. She stayed a while and we talked and it was nice being able to talk to another adult. Another woman. Another soon to be mother. As she left I started thinking about all the blog posts I had read “Things to do Before Your Baby Arrives,” and all the times' people said, “get your rest now.” I never understood that comment because unfortunately our bodies don’t suddenly become energized because it randomly remembers a nap you took when you were eight months pregnant. So here are my thoughts on this.

1. Sleep in on the weekends, or at least take your time getting up and ready, because babies and toddlers do not sleep in.

2. Stay up late when you want to, because once the baby is here you will want to stay up doing things but you also know the next feeding is coming and your time to get sleep is limited.

3. Window shop, or shop slowly. Shopping will get easier but when they are little time is limited.

4. When you are shopping buy something for yourself, once the baby is here you will most likely find your shopping cart filled with things for them.

5. Watch your favorite T.V. and catch up on the shows you want to watch.

6. If you have a pet who was the center of attention love on them now, because although they will most likely follow you around and be at your feet they do not get the attention they did.

7. Eat slowly. Enjoy your food because naps end, and babies need to be fed and suddenly you are just grabbing anything.

8. Take long showers because interruptions will come, and you will have shampoo in your hair when the monitor goes off.

9. Have things organized not because you are nesting but because it will decrease your anxiety when you are tired, and in need of something.

10. Catch up with your friends who are night owls, or who do not have children and do not want children. These friends will always be your friends but its going to be awhile before you can meet for a cocktail at 9pm.