As I head towards the third trimester in a few weeks, I’m starting to think to my to-do and to-buy lists. Luckily, this time around, these lists aren’t quite as long. One of the best things about this pregnancy has been being able to relax a bit more (well, mentally, not physically) because I generally know what’s to come. I’m giddy with excitement because I can’t wait for the baby stage. I’m less worried about labor (although still anxious that she arrives in good health) and taking care of a newborn this time and mostly worried about surviving with two. Also, going back to work was probably the hardest part about having Emerson, and I’m so fortunate that I don’t need to prepare for that this time around.
To-Do
Three big things that are already out of the way:
- Potty train Emerson
- Clear out spare bedroom
- Hire a doula
The rest is a little overwhelming when I see it written out, but I still have plenty of time:
- Hospital tour
- Get nursery ready (hanging decor/curtains, setting up furniture). I really wanted to do a wallpaper accent wall but I think I’ve decided it’s too expensive.
- CPR refresh?
- Make a few freezer meals/snacks stock up pantry & household items (side note: should I try Daily Harvest?)
- Assess nursing stuff and buy more?
- Stock up on a few activities and prizes for Emerson (thinking sticker books and such) plus get a gift for her from baby and to baby
- Think about Emerson bday present and party
- Pack hospital bag
- Organize/wash all old baby clothes
- Get gear down from attic and clean off dust
- Get a lactation consultant rec.
- Find a pelvic floor therapist
- Plan some special dates for Em and me
- Find newborn photographer
- Clean/install carseat
- Anchor furniture to wall
What am I missing?
To-Buy
Other than some big ticket nursery furniture, I don’t have much to buy this time around – a major upside to having another girl! So far, I’ve purchased the nursery furniture we need (excited for it to arrive hopefully in July) and a rug and curtains. Oh, and I just treated myself to a new diaper bag:) I’ll probably search for some decor, storage, and bedding at Homegoods and Pottery Barn Kids and then maybe order some art prints from Etsy when I have some time during summer camp. Even though I don’t need much, I still created an Amazon registry just for myself – to keep track of everything and for the discount.
Things I still need:
- Double running stroller – leaning towards the Thule so I can attach my carseat. I figure the ability to walk with both will be important since that will be my main form of exercise in the first 3 months. This stroller went on major sale for Memorial Day, so waiting/hoping for the same thing for Labor Day.
- Monitor – learning towards Amazon Cloud Cam.
- Rollerboard for Uppababy Cruz (I think Emerson will LOVE this)
- Crib bedding and storage for diapers & laundry
- A few clothing items just for fun like this Magnetic Me footie that I didn’t have last time
- My favorite Pura bottle
- Pacifiers
- Diapers & wipes (duh)
- Some kind of changing pad/station for downstairs?
What else could I be missing? If there anything that wasn’t around 3 years ago that is life-changing?
Mara
June 11, 2019 at 4:19 pmHi Laura, I live in Charlotte. Just wanted to put in a plug for the lactation consultant at Charlotte Pediatric Clinic. Jan Ellen Brown was a lifesaver for me with my son (now 2.5 years old). Not sure what pediatrician you use, but just wanted to throw this out there! Best of luck with everything!
Laura
June 11, 2019 at 4:38 pmThank you!!!
Sarah
June 11, 2019 at 4:27 pmWe’re due with #2 in September. Definitely making a ton of freezer meals! Those saved us last time. Planning a Costco run to stock up on paper products/toiletries/etc. Also going to get some easy food/snacks for my 2 yo.
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:45 pmCongrats!! Snacks for the two-year-old are a great idea!!
Meredith
June 11, 2019 at 6:09 pmIf possible, borrow/test the roller board. My older kid liked it, sort of, but it really didn’t work well with everyone’s size and height!
Congratulations!! Also, lots of places to put baby down are needed with two. Think swing, lounger, etc.
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:44 pmThanks! I wonder if I can return to Amazon if it doesn’t work for us…
Jordan
June 11, 2019 at 6:31 pmOne suggestion is to try the ride-along board for the Cruz before you buy, in case Emerson doesn’t like it. I got one for my just-turned-2 year old when the new baby came last fall and she loved it….for one stroller ride. Haha. It was a total waste of money for us and we ended up getting the Zoe XL2 double stroller once the baby was older. For the first few months we’d just put her in the stroller and I’d wear the baby in the ergo. Maybe since Emerson will be older she’ll actually like it! Just my 2 cents 🙂 Congratulations!!
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:44 pmThanks! She tried it once when she was two and really liked it, but I know that could change..
Sarah
June 11, 2019 at 8:08 pmMy 2.5 year old loves the buggy board!
Jordyn
June 11, 2019 at 10:54 pmSo exciting! Sounds like everyone has a different opinion but I would say ditch the double stroller and just go with the boogie board. My kids are only 18 mos apart and by the time I could go any reasonable distance / run with both there was just no way my oldest would have sat in the stroller. She did however love the boogie board and that worked well enough to get us from A to B. I loved stroller running with my first but sadly had to find other ways to fit in exercise with the second. They’re only 2 and 3 now so I still barely know what I’m talking about and ymmv. Good luck!
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:43 pmThanks! I figured I would try both – Emerson is still happy in the stroller, especially if she’s running fast with Matt, but I could see it being a waste of money if that changes soon…
Kath
June 12, 2019 at 9:24 amI would think about your first night home from the hospital and work backwards from there. Get nursing clothes/PJs ready. Have diaper station in your room all set up. Get bassinet ready. Put snacks in nightstand. Have baby’s first night jammies and a swaddle ready in bassinet. That first night home was so chaotic for me because everything was “ready” but nothing was where I needed it to be at 9pm. (It was also Halloween and Mazen was wound up, so that didn’t help!)
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:41 pmDef. need to do this because right now that stuff is all over the house!!!
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 9:57 amWe didn’t do a changing pad downstairs for diaper changes. We just put down an old swaddle blanket for changes (it seemed like we had a never ending supply of those!) and just kept diapers and wipes in a little caddy by the couch. We have a double BOB and I love it! Who’s going to watch Emerson when you deliver?
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:40 pmThat’s what I was thinking – Maybe just one of those changing pad protectors to use on the couch downstairs. My mom is coming the week before my due date, so fingers crossed I’m not early!!
Elizabeth
June 12, 2019 at 10:01 amWe didn’t get a rollerboard and never needed it (my son was 2 years, 9 months when my second was born). Definitely assess the need later.
Do you have a white noise machine? The Hatch is AMAZING. Recommend that for the new baby (and E since it turns into an ok to wake clock).
Also, we used a SnuggleMe which wasn’t around 3 years ago. Loved it for early mornings.
I also recommend getting quiet activities for E. We got Water Wow books, new trains, kinetic sand and a tablet (because electronics are gold). It really helped keep my older son busy.
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:39 pmThanks!! My sister gave me a dock-a-tot, so not sure I can justify the SnuggleMe, but I’ve heard great things. I saw the Hatch and am between that one and VOBOT bunny for Emerson. Then we’ll, give baby her SkipHop Owl for white noise. Quiet activities are a great idea – I’ll have to check out the kinetic sand.
Karen
June 12, 2019 at 2:14 pmIf you didn’t have a haaka pump for Emerson you definitely should get one for this babe. It’s a passive pump that suctions to the breast you’re not feeding from and gently suctions milk that may otherwise leak (and a little more) but doesn’t stimulate the breast to create an over production. The first few months I was able to catch almost 300 Oz just using it during overnight feeds
Laura
June 12, 2019 at 2:36 pmWow! Is this similar to the Milkies milk saver?
Stacey
June 13, 2019 at 7:50 amSlumberpod!!! It’s basically a tent that goes over a pack n play so the baby has a totally dark space for sleeping. You can keep the lights on in a hotel room and hang out while the baby sleeps in darkness and use a sound machine to give them white noise while you hang out like normal. It’s also got a pocket for a video monitor so you can still see and hear the baby with the monitor. I’ve been using it with my 8 month old and soooo wish it had existed from the start with my 3 year old. https://www.slumberpod.com/
Laura
June 13, 2019 at 3:34 pmI just saw this on Instagram! So cool!! Would it work with a bassinet too? We have a travel bassinet that converts to a pack and play. Thanks!
Stacey
June 14, 2019 at 8:43 amI assume so if it’s smaller than the size of a pack n play. It’s basically a stand alone tent so anything that fits inside works. They even recommend using a toddler cot inside as an option for when kids are too big for pack n plays but still need a dark private space when traveling (even though I can’t imagine my toddler willingly staying inside something like that)
Laura
June 17, 2019 at 3:18 pmThanks!
LAuri
June 13, 2019 at 11:12 amMy son was a little older than Emerson when I was due with my second (He was almost 7) but one thing we did was go to Build a Bear Workshop and he made a bear for the baby. It could cross two things off your list – a special date for you and Em, and a gift to baby from her. I’m not sure if she is too young for the concept though – She may want to keep the bear she makes for herself 🙂
Cyndi
June 13, 2019 at 2:21 pmI’m hoping you’ll do a post on freezer meals when you prepare those. Would love to have some ideas!
Laura
June 13, 2019 at 3:35 pmI’ll definitely share, but it probably won’t be anything too impressive 🙂 We have a really small drawer freezer in this fridge but hoping we can fit a lasagna, some pizza crusts, and maybe some of those crock pot zip lock meals!
Susan
June 14, 2019 at 11:04 pmFor nursing tops, I really loved Au Fait Mama. The tops have a pull down neckline so you don’t have to clip/unclip one side and then the other. They’re made of bamboo, so soft and wear well too.
Laura
June 17, 2019 at 3:18 pmThank you!! Will def. check this out.
Gillian
June 15, 2019 at 10:50 pmIf you don’t mind sharing, I’d love to hear what you choose for your diaper bag. I’m on the hunt for an upgrade. Congrats again!
Laura
June 17, 2019 at 3:18 pmI got the Mina Baie Kinney backpack (arrived this weekend), and although I LOVED how it looked and felt, I just decided to return bc it was a bit heavy and barely fit under my stroller. I think I’m going to get the Freshly Picked backpack instead because it seems to hold more and is a little more flexible for shoving under a stroller.
Gillian
June 18, 2019 at 4:37 pmThanks for the input! I was debating the freshly pickled bag and I appreciate your advice.
Laura
June 19, 2019 at 10:59 amPS: you can use the 20% buy buy baby coupon on the freshly picked bag!!!
Lauren
June 19, 2019 at 9:32 amI second the slumberpod. My neighbor and her mother developed this product just a few years ago and it has been fun to watch it catch on. We use it with my 10 month old and he loves it. He was able to nap in the playroom at my sister’s house while the older cousins played. Amazing, and definitely worth the cost.
Jen
July 3, 2019 at 7:07 amI love the rug in the baby room! Where did you get it from?
My sister gave me a roller-board for my son (he was 32 months when I had the second) and he used it once but never seemed interested again 🙁 I have the city mini gt double stroller and love it!
Laura
July 3, 2019 at 7:24 amIt’s the Astrid rug from Pottery Barn kids!