…just a quiet Saturday at home. I made breakfast, washed dishes, mended two pairs of Jim’s pants, booked a B&B for our anniversary next month, and that’s about all I’ve accomplished today. Jim is busy in the basement cleaning up his shop area. The end of his shed/shop organization and clean-up project is in sight and it all looks so much better than it did before. I wish I’d taken some pictures before he started so we could document the drastic improvement.
Before we got married I repainted most of the living area in our house. Two rooms remained unpainted–the little laundry/entrance area and the office. I’ve talked about finishing ever since but never got motivated. Now it seems smart to go ahead and paint the office before we get all of the baby’s stuff set up, so that’s on my to-do list sometime soon. I got a small start on prepping the room today–taking things off the walls and such–but we’re having overnight guests next week and I don’t think I’ll have time to get the painting done before they come so the prep part is pretty much on hold now too. I think I’m going to be boring and use paint leftover from the rest of the house. No fancy baby nursery paint job. Maybe I’ll spring for cute curtains or something.
Baby time is fast approaching. My due date is eight weeks away. A lot can happen in two months (and a lot will!) but it doesn’t feel that far off. My sis-in-law and I went shopping on Thursday for baby things. She dragged me out in response to my earlier blog about hating shopping and wanting someone else to do it for me. I was happy with what we got, but disappointed that I came home without a few things I planned to buy for sure. Part of that was due to a remodeling project at Target. The store was in disarray and lots of the shelves were empty or missing. Jim and I had picked out a car seat there, and that was one big item on my list that was not in stock on Thursday. Come back in a week or two, they said. So I get to go shopping again! =) A question for you moms–what one thing would be on your “must have” list if you were advising a first-time mother who has no idea what all she really needs and doesn’t need and probably wouldn’t think of buying on her own?
Another question for you…are we crazy to plan on Jim going on a five-day trip to IL two weeks before my due date? Just curious. Our observation is that first babies don’t usually come that early, but I guess there’s really no way to tell. If there is any indication at all that things might happen early, he’ll stay home, but it seems important for him to be at these meetings if possible.
Remember how Caleb came almost 3 weeks early?
I know it’s unusual though.
And what you REALLY need is diapers, onesies and a car seat. Oh and a few blankets if you only have onesies.
Um, seriously? A good stroller with big wheels so you can go for walks. And a little umbrella stroller for when you travel. I know some people use a swing lots, but I used the bouncy seat a lot more. And when they got older, I really liked the exersaucer. I didn’t think I would but it was great for keeping them occupied and/or confined when they were becoming mobile.
Comment by Jenni — January 14, 2012 @ 4:09 pm
If you have clothes and diapers to start with, a stroller, car seat, and baby bed I think you can figure the rest out as you go along. Different babies like different things so it’s hard to know what baby gear you will use most. Chad loved the jumperoo but Drew hates being contained in anything like that so I didn’t use it much for him. You are probably safe on that trip but just be prepared to not go or come home early because you never know.
Comment by Joyce — January 14, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
my list would include a soother (pacifier or whatever you want to call it – even if you never end up using it, better to have one then to wish you did at midnight), something (like the flat cloth diapers at target or wal-mart) to catch puke, little baby washcloths (they make really handy toddler-face-wipers, too), the phone number of the nearest lactation consultant, and nursing pads. i also recommend a basket by your couch or chair where you think you will do a lot of the feeding…stocked with a few diapers and wipes, a changing pad, burp cloths, and books/magazines and a water bottle for you. as for the trip, no man knows the day nor the hour.
i can’t wait to see baby pictures here!
Comment by rhondablogs — January 14, 2012 @ 5:38 pm
It probably won’t come and that week the doctor can probably give you an idea. But the big question is, “will he and you be sorry if he misses it?”
Comment by Pat — January 14, 2012 @ 6:08 pm
My dear firstborn came THREE weeks early…
just sayin’
as they say these days!
Can’t believe you’re this close to your due date already.
Comment by Rita — January 14, 2012 @ 9:45 pm
Our 1st born was 5 wks early! I would be extremely nervous about my husband being that far away so close to d-day. Maybe you could have Tony on call to fly him home if need be?!?
My favorite baby things- Boppy pillow, more relaxing to nurse and later to prop baby when learning to sit.
Bouncey seat. Oh it was a lifesaver. I’m not one who likes to carry an infant while I work.
Pocket bib for learning to eat table foods.
Comment by marissa — January 14, 2012 @ 10:18 pm
For me the bouncy seat was great. Ours had a vibrator and I used that at night when I was so tired and the baby wanted to be awake.:) It is something you use right away. Babies like the slight upright position and sometimes sleep better in them.
Comment by Brenda G. — January 14, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
As far as the trip goes, it comes to this – if he goes, of course baby will decide to come early. If he stays, baby will be at least a week late. = L That’s a real dilemma there. As far as baby items – here’s one that hasn’t been mentioned that Karla K. told me about – the Nosfrida. You can get them online – amazon and a few other places. The idea is totally gross, but they are amazing. So those bulb snot suckers you get from the hospital or store, you just get a little blast and that’s it. They really don’t get much snot out. The nosfrida – well, you hold it up to Jimmy’s nose, then you suck on one end, there’s a filter so you don’t get any snot, well, in your mouth (gag). But it creates a much stronger and longer suction and you get some serious snot. I didn’t know how much I’d want one, but when Aleah had her first cold at 3 months, I promptly ordered one and have used it a TON (poor kid gets lots of colds). Still use it and she screams as though being tortured, but it’s effective.
As for the other stuff, other than the basics, people are right, you never know what baby is going to like and what you feel you have room for or how much stuff you want in your house. Lots of people love bouncers, but I never used one, just a swing (side note about the swing, if you decide to get one, I would suggest the little travel ones instead of the ones that are the size of a small kitchen. We had one that was really small and really cute and did just as good a job at swinging baby as a huge one. also they fold up). We were in a small apartment when A was a baby so I had to choose pretty carefully what I wanted. We didn’t really have room for an exersaucer, but used a door way bouncer for the same purpose and she really liked it. Another thing she loved and was great for her because she wasn’t mobile very early, was the floor activity thingy where they can lay under it and hit at toys and such. also nice because you can fold it up and put it away. I personally used that way more than I would have a bouncer – seems a little more fun for baby, unless they’re supposed to be asleep of course. = ) Oh, also, in the theme of space, for a high chair, the ones that sit on top of a regular chair are just as good as a regular high chair but don’t take up all the space. K, sorry this got so long! I too can’t WAIT to see baby pics! = )
Comment by Rachel — January 15, 2012 @ 12:34 am
I say clothes, diapers, carseat, receiving blanket (for spitup and to swaddle), a pacifier (unless you want to nurse 24/7), and a swing! My babies preferred being carried in a wrap at first but it didn’t long for the swing to get so handy!
Some like bouncy chairs, but my babies didn’t.
Comment by AnneJisca — January 15, 2012 @ 10:51 am
Bumbo seats are great too! They also can double as a highchair for a while.
Comment by krista — January 15, 2012 @ 5:33 pm
Breastfeeding my first baby was killer! I had no idea it would be so painful. So my must-haves relate more to that: disposable breast pads for the first 3-4 weeks (cloth ones work well after that), Lansiloh or something similar, and, since we’re being honest here, breast shells. Maybe you won’t need them, but if you don’t open the packages, you can just return them.
It’s also nice to have basic baby medicine on hand, stuff like gas drops, infant tylenol, saline drops for a stuffy nose, thermometer, etc. I’m so excited for you guys! Looking forward to seeing pics. 
Comment by Stephanie — January 16, 2012 @ 8:37 am
I agree with a lot of the things already said. My must haves are lots of swaddling blankets (bigger than average receiving blankets) and the “Mom’s On Call Basic Guide to Babycare” book. Nursing pillow, burp cloths, baby monitor… I never had a bouncy seat, I did have a swing, neither of my kids were too thrilled about it… I think Marshall would’ve liked it more if Jasmine wasn’t always trying to climb in there with him
Jasmine liked an excersaucer and a play mat on the floor… Marshall didn’t use either very much for the same reason he didn’t like the swing as much 
Oh and also a bath placer thing. I liked just the wire/mesh thing that works in a regular bath, I barely used a baby bath with Jasmine and never did with Marshall. Pacifiers with the clip things attached. Oh and we use our travel cribs a lot. I also agree with Rachel about the highchairs that strap on chairs… We have the Fisher Price SpaceSaver and absolutely love them. They’re easier to bring with you to other people’s houses as well. The book was the biggest thing for me. I love(d) that thing and highly, highly recommend it. We heard about it on a FamilyLife Today program when we were expecting Jasmine. Oh and another good/helpful read was First Time Mom by Kevin Leman. Anyways, I could go on and on. You’ll find out what you like and what your little bundle of opinions, I mean joy, likes 
Best of luck to you!!!!!
Comment by Emily Wiebe — January 16, 2012 @ 9:39 am
The basics are most important and most of them have already been mentioned. I agree that it is good to go ahead and have the gas drops, nose bulb (or whatever you go with), infant Tylenol, binkies, (make sure to have plenty of binkies as they seem to disappear into thin air), if you plan to nurse make sure to have ALL things pertaining to breastfeeding and plenty of onsies diapers and wipes. There are two things we got with Elsie that we did not have with Eli and I can’t believe we made it without these handy dandy gadgets. A Bumbo seat is a must-have! Elsie has been sitting in there since she could hold her head and she loves sitting upright and “participating” in family and Eli time. That is by far her favorite place to sit. We use it as a high chair for now and it is so portable too. The other thing is a Diaper Champ. (Unless you plan to use cloth diapers.) Eli’s room always smelled like nasty diapers and Elsie’s room doesn’t at all. We were advised to get the Diaper Champ over the Diaper Genie because in the champ you can use regular trash bags. You have to use specific ones for the Genie and they are more expensive. My third baby was the only one that made it close to her due date so I would be nervous about the trip, but its up to you. I like what someone else asked… the big question is how would you and Jim feel if he missed it. If you are both okay with chancing it, then he should go. If not… well, like someone else said, Little Jimmy will probably be a week late =) Love and hugs. Can’t wait to meet the little guy!
Comment by sadierosefoundation — January 16, 2012 @ 10:09 pm
Wow! Asking such questions really brings out the lurkers, eh?
I have no advice, but I can’t wait to meet him.
Comment by Bethany — January 17, 2012 @ 11:14 am
I agree with a few of the above: Bumbo seat! great for getting baby to experience the world from a new (and improved) angle…and helps head control! Also love, love, love our gDiapers
…. our Boppy! again, great for times pre-bumbo that baby needs a “prop” … our Dr Brown’s bottles for when I needed a break … Boon sippy cups … and Weleda diaper cream … my baby “splurge” that I adore was my Aden & Anais muslin blankets…perfect for a lightweight everything (stroller, car seat cover, nursing cover, etc)
have fun shopping!!
Comment by Crystal B — January 17, 2012 @ 7:47 pm
Scotty came 2 1/2 weeks early; gavin was 10 days early and Liam was 3 days early. I would be alittle nervous about Jim leaving…. you just never know! One thing I don’t recommend is any Eddie Bauer brand items. They are big bulky and heavy. I do recommend a swing, eventually an exersaucer and jolly jumper, and I especially like the really big receiving blankets. They make swaddling nice and tight! There are so many fad items out there, but the basics were good for me. Good luck Kendra!
Comment by elise — January 17, 2012 @ 10:25 pm
Ha Ha that makes me laugh… would Jim be disappointed if he missed the birth?!!?!?! On another note since I don’t have any mothering experience I don’t have suggestions but I would like to know if you are registered anywhere for a shower or anything so those of us from afar can check it out?
Comment by Beth — January 18, 2012 @ 10:00 am
Sorry, I’m not registered anywhere. You can call me if you want a few ideas. At this point, all I have is some clothes and a baby book. =)
Comment by kendraheatwole — January 18, 2012 @ 7:55 pm
Good point there….I don’t think disappointed is anywhere close to the right word..something much stronger, like frantic, wildly distracted,…I really think he might run the whole way back if necessary…:)
Comment by Carolyn Landis — January 18, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
But IL is pretty far away – who’s to say he could get back in time even if he started at the first sign? I don’t think I’d risk it personally.
Comment by Joyce — January 19, 2012 @ 10:17 am
I would never let Daryl go away in my last month…at least not this time, with having a toddler undertoe. Dominik came a week early. If it’s important for him to be there I’d say, anything is worth being at the birth of your baby.
I’d add breast pump to the list, or know of one you can borrow. I had so much milk it was impossible to nurse without pumping first. I was suprised how little I needed in the first few weeks and after that you’ll be up to going and getting whatever else you need. If you have diapers, clothes, and a blanket, soother, and breast pump you’ll do fine.
So exciting, I only have 10 weeks…and I hope to beat you. Haha!
Comment by Karen — January 19, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
One more thing – Craigslist can be a great place to find gently used baby stuff. We got our swing, bumbo, floor activity thing, and door way jumper thing all from there, and I’m sure there was more… all for a good price and they were all like new.
Comment by Rachel — January 20, 2012 @ 11:16 am
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