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@cheert16: That's kinda the way I feel too. It's better to have something than nothing if you're a worrier like me. All the rest is sprinkles on the icing.
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@NaturallyCathy: I totally copied what you did and started entering my info- thanks so much!!
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@shopaholic: That's so weird about your FIL! What a funny thing to ask.
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@cheert16: No problem
Here to help. Been there, done that sort of thing.
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@NaturallyCathy: Oh my gosh, best news ever!!!!! Congratulations to you! Hopefully the rest of the process is quick and painless!
@shopaholic: Yikes! Hearing about people having their babies early freaks me out. I'm soooooo not ready!!!
Also, WTF is your FIL??? He wants you to bring gifts that you received from your baby shower so he can regift them to other people??? That's f'd up... And kind of funny, haha. I would just ignore him, I guess!
@Arden: OMG, a birth binder??? You over-achievers are making me feel so under prepared, haha!
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@Adira: Thanks
I hope so too. And my hospital notebook was for my own self-soothing. @Arden, on the other hand, really is an over-achiever 
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@Smurfette: The question just occured to me this morning. I know we're in a slightly different boat from one another - when you move, you're only dealing with a newborn while I will have a newborn and a toddler - but I thought I would ask. Are you going to baby proof as you move in?
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@NaturallyCathy: Nah, we will wait till she is mobile to start baby proofing. Have enough expenses right away, no extra money for outlet covers and all that yet. I will keep it in mind when decorating and make sure breakable's are to low on shelves and such.
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Are you having any family come to stay with you after the baby is born?
My mom is planning to come down (a short flight or 8 hour drive), but we're trying to figure out when to schedule her flight. So frustrating not knowing when the baby will come!! I'm leaning towards a week after just to hopefully ensure he'll be here, but also sort of want her here in the early days. Ugh.
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@aprk: My sister flew in from California when Henry was born. When my father called and told her we were on our way to the hospital, she booked a flight and was there the day after he was born. I think she's planning on doing something similar this go around. She'll probably stay for a few days - no more than a week - then head back to California.
Other than that, it'll be interesting to see who comes help and how we'll manage. I'm more worried about Henry than I am about the new baby. He/she won't care where we are so much but Henry will start wondering where his ma-ma and da-de have gone off to, leaving him with his grandparents (my parents, thankfully). I hope I have longer help just so we can help him adjust a little.
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@Smurfette: I feel you on the 'tight on money' thing. I didn't figure you'd need to since this is your first but the thought occurred to me because, like I said, we'll have to proof as we move in. Can't have cords loose for LO to pull a lamp on top of his head, etc.
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@NaturallyCathy: Yeah with a 1 year old you have to go ahead and do it. I am so not ready to see the money start flying out the door. Although I will be so excited to have my own washer and dryer for once!
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@aprk: As far as I know, we're not having anyone come stay with us after the baby is born. Though most of our family is tops 2 hours away, so they can visit whenever. Not sure what our family intends to do, but we haven't talked to any of them about this kind of stuff.
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@aprk: My parents are only 45 minutes away, but I have told them when we first come home I want some time just the 3 of us. DH is taking 2 weeks off work, so my Mom is probably going to come help me out the next week, esp if DH is traveling and gone all day and night. Just going to play it by ear.
Not sure about the IL's. They haven't said anything. We are assuming they will drive up (4 hours away) when we call that we are in labor. But I am hoping they don't stay to long. FIL can't sit still and I don't want to feel like we need to entertain him. Plus I am going to be needing to figuring out breast feeding and I won't feel comfortable doing it in front of the IL's at all.
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@aprk: No one is staying with us. Not only do we not have the room, but I don't feel like I need it. Both my parents and hubby's parents live within 10 miles from us.
I'm an independent type person, so I will get annoyed if too many people are trying to help. I didn't have help with my son, and now that he's here, and somewhat helpful anyways, I don't think I would need anyone again this time. I mean, they can visit, but I'd prefer they just bring me food or something.
I have a feeling that my mother in law will be around a lot at first, but luckily she has a job, so I don't have to deal with it too much! I also have no problem telling her to give me space.
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@katiew92081: I envy you on your ability to tell your MIL to give you some space. I wish my MIL had a job that kept her busy - she works as a receptionist only two mornings out of the week which means she's annoyingly available all the time and practically begging at my door to do something with her grandson... Right now she keeps suggesting taking a trip over to the mall and I'm like, sure, but really I'm thinking, what for?
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@naturallycathy: My husband is really good at telling her to back off. She worries so much about everything that she drives us crazy. Our dogs have to stay with them while we're in the apartment and she even worries over every little thing about them. It drives us nuts. We're so ready to have our dogs back.
I should say that I like hanging out with her, cause we both love shopping, but I can't stand her around my son, and I know she'll drive me crazy with this baby (which is her first grandchild). She just worries and undermines me at every turn, and it drives me bonkers.
She's used to my hubby telling her to back off, though, so she knows if I say it and she doesn't calm down, hubby will say something, and he's more assertive than I am. She doesn't like to make him mad, lol.
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@katiew92081: Now I'm seriously envying you. I won't go into it right now (or again, rather), but my ILs and I have some issues. One of our biggest is how they act around my son. Unfortunately for me, while my DH listens to me when I tell him my side of things, he isn't quick to stand up for me. My MIL, however, would back down quickly if he did as he is her only son and she's not a very strong willed person against him or her husband... Me, on the other hand, she thinks she has a kindred spirit and therefore tries to control -me-.
There's always a power struggle, especially when it comes to her grandson, every time we go out. Which is why I definitely don't want to go to the mall with her even though she's suggested it the last three times I've seen her. "Maybe we can go to the mall sometime soon when the weather's nicer..." "Sure, that sounds good." When I'm thinking, "Not a chance in hell, what are you going to try and buy your grandson this time that I don't want you to buy?"
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@naturallycathy: That is exactly what happens with my mother in law! When we're out together with him, he'll ask for something, and even if I say yes, sometimes it's "in a little bit" or something, cause I don't always want to give him instant gratification. (He has problems with patience and gratitude at times. I've been working on teaching him that he doesn't need to get a toy every time we go somewhere), and she'll just turn around and give him whatever I said no or later to right away. Then she says, "I'm a gramma, that's what I'm supposed to do!"
It drives me insane. It was the last straw last weekend, and I got furious about it. It's one thing to spoil him on your own time, by yourself, but when I'm there, I'm the parent and I'd like hi to know that I need to be respected, no matter who else is around us.
I told my husband that I'm going to be avoiding any more outings with her and either kid. She just can't control herself.
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@katiew92081: I would be pissed too if I told my son no and she turned around and bought it for him. Boundaries. I am worried about this. The IL's buy new toys for the nephews all the time, I don't want our girl thinking she gets a new toy every time we go down there for a visit. They also let the nephews eat and drink whatever they want, granted the parents let me, but I am not letting them give my 1 year orange soda, mountain dew or sweet tea. But that is really another subject.
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I think one of the biggest problems my MIL have is that she'll tell me I'm the boss, she'll follow my direction, and then turn around and do whatever she thinks will be okay. 'Well I thought it would be okay if I gave him...' No, no no. I told you to give him only what was in his bag for food/snacks/etc. 'Well I know you didn't want to get him anything special for X but I thought it would be okay...'
And really, lady, does he need every stuffed animal just because he goes ape over it? He's one! He won't remember if you get him every single toy he cuddles or not! I think this is my biggest peeve because two weeks ago she convinced me to get a stuffed animal that matched a book I was getting him? And then just Wednesday she bought him another stuffed animal because he kept reaching for it. Her logic? 'Well, I thought it would be okay if we put it in the middle of the table for his party.' Why on earth would you put stuffed animals in the middle of a table at his birthday party? Why would you try and use that as a decoration?
Soon, we'll look like we own a toy store...
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@smurfette: That's another hot topic. DS doesn't get much sugar here. NO soda...sometimes juice, but usually water or milk. I let him have treats, but I limit the amount daily. At her house, I've found him with whole cans of cola (which is sugar AND caffeine!) and eating all kinds of junk, even though I'm always complaining about the amount of sugar he's getting to her. I have this issue with his dad (not my husband), too. I've gotten him back from visitation, and he's got half a 20oz bottle of Sprite with him.
My biggest issue with this is the sugar high and crash he gets. He ends up with headaches and acts like a complete brat once the sugar wears off. I know my son doesn't like feeling this way, but he doesn't have the will power to say "no thanks" cause what 5 year old doesn't like sugar, you know? So, the adults in his life should be protecting him from this, not pumping him up and letting me deal with the consequences.
I worry about it with this girl. Not with my ex, obviously, but my MIL. I'm adamant about her not eating solids until 6 months, and at that point we'll be doing BLW. I WON'T leave her alone with my MIL, cause I don't want her to let the baby "try" anything. My MIL keeps saying "when I watch her" but, yeah, sorry lady, not happening. I trust my mom way more, cause my mom knows how serious I am about bfing and feeding solids. I know she won't break my rules.
I just gotta watch her with my kids. Maybe once baby is a toddler, I'd be more lenient about her watching her, but at this point no way.
MIL smokes, anyways, which is the first reason anyways.
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Yikes! Y'all are "morning people" on this board! lol! And/Or all East Coasters! Every morning I get on and I'm like a page behind!
@Adira: Yeah - nothin offensive about FIL asking - I think it's just them being more lazy to go out and buy something. I just thought it was weird and funny.
I forgot who asked unless I scroll all the way back - I don't think anyone is coming to help us right away. I guess our IL's still think it's far away - they haven't really mentioned anything to us about it. But DH thinks they will come for 2 weeks when I want them to. I think I want them to come after DH has to go back to work (2 weeks). My mom already said she can only come on the weekends, but I also don't count on her for that. She said I can ask my Grandma to come help cook for me. So we'll see. I'm just going to try and wing it I guess.
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@shopaholic: Central time zone of Tennessee and I get up early because I have a LO as an alarm clock. Usually I'm up by 7:30.
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Yeah, and DH and I are late-night people. So we are headed to bed probably closer to when you are waking up.
OMG ladies - I got up less than 2 hours ago, ate breakfast, and seriously ready to crawl back in bed to pass out again. SO TIRED! The rainy, gloomy day doesn't help either. I just don't know how pregnant women manage if they another LO too! And working pregnant moms with kids under 3? I bow down to them!
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@katiew92081: I know what you mean. I never see our nephews drink water or milk. Juice or soda's. They eat like crap too. They don't eat veggies at all. Then they wonder why they are running around like crazy and won't sit still even for a minute. Granted this is partly more on the parents then my IL's. But I will have to speak up, I will NOT do this with my child. At least DH is on my side on this one. I know my parents will follow whatever guidelines I give them.
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@smurfette: Sometimes the best parenting decisions are the ones that come from looking at other people's kids and learning what not to do, lol.
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@katiew92081: Agreed! I feel bad judging, esp since it is easy since I don't have one here yet but I am sure they will judge me right back. No one seems to understand why we won't share her name yet, so I guess they already are.
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@smurfette: everyone thinks everyone else does it wrong, lol.
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I just got back from meeting with the highly recommended pediatrician today and I think I am set! I didn't quite know what kind of questions to ask, besides letting him know about our trip abroad when baby will be about 3 months old.
He started asking me questions, like if I was going to BF. That's when I told him about my eczema (which makes my nipples crack a lot) and told him that was one of my big concerns. I also was worried about baby inheriting my life-long struggle with eczema and how I've been taking probiotics and want to BF to help prevent that. He went on to tell me all sorts of things we can do to try and avoid allergies and about the baby's GI tract, sensitivities, plaque build-up from toxins, etc. He must have spent at least 30 min. with me and discussing dietary changes I should start now to help avoid these problems in the baby! So it looks like I should be starting to eat something close to a Paleo-type diet in order for baby to try and avoid my Trifecta-of-Allergies (as dubbed by my allergist): allergies, eczema, and asthma. After all the stuff I've been learning about in BF'ing, it's no wonder I have all these issues since my mom only BF for like 1 month!
An even better bonus with this "Dr. Sear's recommended" pediatrician - his office is literally walking distance from our house! I could walk there in 10 min.!I'm going to start working on my Binder and stuff tonight - got to go look at that blog link checklist now!
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In unrelated news, I fell tonight. It's more embarrassing than anything. I had just finished giving Henry a bath (by myself, something I never do because DH always helps us). I got him out of the bath, wrapped in his towel, and he started crying. He loves baths, they're one of his activities. I get him to the bed, start toweling him off, he's being his squirmy-wormy self so I decide to sit on the bed in front of him.
Only one problem with this. The padding of my bed makes it look like I have more room to sit than I actually do. I get my legs underneath me, start to lean forward when my balance suddenly goes. Funnily enough, it felt like it was a slow motion thing. I didn't fall as badly as I could have but I definitely scared Henry and myself a little. I landed on my butt, which has a little padding but not much - my tailbone's hurting worse than usual - and my arm hurts where I caught the rest of my weight but I didn't bump my head. I just sorta slid off and onto the floor. I'm just grateful my bed's not higher off the ground! It was a two, three foot fall maximum.
So I'm fine. I just can't decide whether to tell DH about it tonight or let it go. I'll probably have a bruise on my arm tomorrow and sleeping tonight might not be too comfortable but I'm fine. Henry's fine. Baby's fine. Everyone's fine. Gordon won't even notice the bruise because of how clumsy I am on a regular basis. Would you tell?
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@shopaholic: Yay notebooks!
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@NaturallyCathy: Yikes! At least you are already in 3rd tri and you were already in a siting position. If you feel okay, I wouldn't worry too much. With my first pregnancy, which ended in a m/c, I slipped and fell in the shower, but I don't think that's what caused the m/c. I was really nervous still about slipping and falling until we were a few weeks past V-day. Now, I'm pretty confident baby would be fine. I would have been more worried about Henry being hurt if you were holding him or something.
Thanks - I'm feeling a big sense of accomplishment just deciding on the Ped today!
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@shopaholic: I'm grateful I wasn't holding him. I thought about that as soon as I got up and looked at his shocked little expression - which was more funny, than anything. Yeah, it hurt right after but other than that, it was just another day in the life.
And I applaud getting the whole pediatrician thing figured out prior to the baby coming. I was supposed to do that but to me, that was really low on the list of things that needed to be accomplished. When they asked me after Henry was born if I had a pediatrician picked out, I told them no and told them I was going to try and keep it in hospital (Vanderbilt, if you don't know, is huge. Widespread). So they gave me some options, my sister picked one out (she's married to a doctor, read the bios provided and was impressed), then we switched to one I like better a few months after.
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@NaturallyCathy: I honestyl hadn't even thought of it until my OB asked me about it at appointments, probably ever since about 20 weeks. Even though it's more about baby care AFTER she arrives - I'm glad I went for the meet & greet and he went over a lot of PREVENTATIVE measures and plans for us to avoid baby getting allergies and eczema like I suffer from. For a free visit, I feel like it was so worth the specialized info and peace of mind having it all settled!
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@NaturallyCathy: Yikes! So glad to hear you are okay!!
@shopaholic: We're going to interview a pediatrician tmr. Did you ask the Dr. specifically about preventative measures re: allergies and eczema? I only have a questionnaire form which I printed from Baby Center..not sure if that is enough?
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@cokiezombie: Only thing wounded is my pride... the rest of me's just bruised
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And in other random news, today's blog post (just posted) is about my house pains from start to finish. While we're a better place than we have been in months, the ride has been far from smooth... [link removed by mr. bee per our self-promotion policy]
Hopefully this explains better than my other posts what our current situation is house wise.
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@naturallycathy: Wow, I'm glad you and both babes are ok. I bet that got Henry's mind off of his woes, lol. I hope the bruise feels better soon.
Since I had my son early, I didn't have a ped picked out. I just went off a list in the hospital. But, he was in the NICU, so I did have a couple weeks to look around. I settled on a family practice, but once I left my ex and moved over a few counties, I switched to the ped that my brother had been going to. We've only been there for well visits, so once a year, except for one ear infection we dealt with last fall (healthy kid!) so I haven't had any issues with them. My mom didn't have issues, either, and my brother was a lot more high maintenance than my son is, so I went with her recommendation.
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Just a quick note... we had to establish a policy against self-linking to your own site/blog, since otherwise vendors end up linking to their own businesses!
http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hellobees-community-policies
Here to help. Been there, done that sort of thing.
I hope so too. And my hospital notebook was for my own self-soothing. @Arden, on the other hand, really is an over-achiever 
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