Baby Prep

We've got approximately six weeks left until the newest Baysinger girl makes her appearance. This mama is ready! Well, emotionally. And physically. I've got swelling and heartburn like mad. Sleeping comfortably? - barely remember what that is like. In fact, I've been waking up with leg crams and charlie horses lately - that's a new one to this pregnancy. Although, I haven't (yet at least) had the horrid, torturous stomach itching as I did last time. So I guess that's a good trade. I hardly fit into my maternity clothes. Just the other day I was at the library and a mother and her children were passing by to leave. After they passed by, but were clearly still in earshot, one of the little girls looks up at her mom and says "Did you see that lady with the really fat stomach?" Ha! Awesome.

Of course, some of the more practical things still need tending to - but I'm pretty sure I've hit the nesting stage which is taking care of that. In the moments when I'm not falling asleep from 3rd trimester exhaustion, I am running around tending to a hundred little chores and checklists I normally wouldn't think about. At least a portion of them are baby related.

Baby things I've done in the past two weeks:

Purchased large box of newborn diapers.

Bottles washed and organized.

Crib sheet and baby blankets washed.

Bassinet set up by our bed.

Diaper bag washed and ready to be re-stuffed with baby items.

Hospital bag packed - mostly.

Living room carpet has been shampooed (SO much better than before).

Double stroller purchased (and tested! - thanks Ephraim!)
Cleaned infant car seat - it's ready to go!

Checked out and reading books about breastfeeding.

Registered at the hospital

Baby things to do:

Organize baby clothes in dresser and closet.

Go through Ammely's current clothing so there is room in dresser and closet.

Wash pacifiers (though we never really got to use them last time around).

Investigate baby slings

Pack diaper bag
Pack overnight bag for Ammely
Put phone and camera chargers in hospital bag

Continually clean house so it's nice when we get home with baby

Making me even MORE ready for this baby to come out is the fact that I think Ammely is finally starting to comprehend that there is a baby in Mommy's stomach and that we will have a baby in our home.

For instance, she has started referring to the baby as "Am-me's Baby." Or on some occasions as "our baby." I'll say something like "Ammely, there's a baby in Mommy's belly." And she'll say "Our baby?"

And on Monday we had an appointment and Dr Layton let us take a little peek at the baby. Ammely actually sat and watched her on the screen instead of squirming around. She kept asking "What is it?" and I would tell her "That's the baby."

Then the whole way home Ammely insisted on holding the picture - she'd point at it and smile and say "Baby! Am-me's baby!"

It probably helped that it was a 3D picture - it actually looks like a baby! Isn't she adorable?

She looks quite a bit like Ammely did - remember?

Of course, there are other times I'm not so sure Ammely understands the baby in the belly concept. Case in point:

I am sitting in Ammely's room sorting through her recent clean laundry when she starts to walk through (and ruin) my neat, folded piles. I gently nudge her away from the clothing by pushing on her stomach.

Immediately, Ammely points to her belly and says "Hey, no touching baby! Baby! No touch!"

Hmmm.

Well, she'll figure it out someday. In six weeks give or take.