Hellobee Boards

- Getting everyone dressed/presentable by a certain time every morning. This made me feel so much better when I was on leave for DD2 (kind of like still wearing real clothes if you work from home)
- Planning activities ahead of time. DD1 will be 6.5 and DD2 will be 4 when DS arrives, so I know I need to keep them active. DD1 and I have already started talking about a weekly schedule to give us something to do at least once per day (ex Mondays visit with one grandma, Tuesdays go to the playground, Wednesday’s go to the other grandmas house, Thursday’s go to the library, Friday’s go to the pool, Saturday’s do something with dad and take the big girls to the Farmers Market, Sunday’s will probably be unplanned). I’m also hoping to figure out some kind of daily schedule to keep up with reading, math, and science. Will likely just be apps and workbooks so they can do it while I’m taking care of the baby. We’ll also do swim lessons for the older one (3 y/o insists that only her dad do her swim lessons) and there are some super affordable camps here.
- Planning for meals and snacks. I meal plan now which I didn’t really with DD2. I hope that eating better will lend to more breastfeeding success.
- A regular laundry schedule. I am SO bad at laundry. We cloth diaper and now with adding another kid and cloth diapers again I feel like I have to be disciplined. I’m giving myself until March to get into this schedule (due in June).
- Get my girls fully independent in making breakfast. They still often ask me to get them cereal with milk or yogurt even though at least the older one is capable.
- Actually getting a lactation consult while still at the hospital. I left early last time, and I had a really tough time both nursing and pumping. I actually want to bring my pump to the hospital to see if the shields are the right size.

One thing that is HUGE for me is that my girls now shower independently. They do it together and the 6 year old makes sure the 3 year old does everything right. I still supervise the 3 year old once a week to make sure she gets really thoroughly washed at least once, but she is really good. Having this time before bed to get myself ready for bed and do some quick tidying upstairs is a game changer now and will be even more so with a little baby.

@SweetCaroline: freezer meals are super helpful but also think about easy breakfasts and lunches (especially if you breastfeed!). If you didn't babywear with #1, I highly recommend looking into it - I have a 2.5 yo and a 4 week old and wearing the baby in a wrap has been my life saver. Good luck and congrats!

When I had DD2, we kept DD1 on the same schedule daycare wise to make life easier for everyone. I'm usually already very detailed/schedule oriented so as long as everything's put on my calendar, the day-to-day stuff didn't really change.

Using the Hakka to effortlessly build a small stash was priceless so I wasn't stressed out about pumping extra on top of nursing all day/night.

I was alone with DD2 at night since birth since DH was still helping DD1 transition; I had a caddy of all the essentials so I didn't need to look for anything MOTN.

These are actaully great tips to read back to myself as I'm about to have my 3rd