You’d think that since I’ve done this whole pregnancy thing before that I’d have it down by now—that I’d prepare for Baby #2, that I’d wash and fold all the tiny clothes, that I’d install the baby car seat long before my third trimester.
Ah, if only.
Here I am at 34 weeks—that’s a month and a half from my due date for anyone who can’t be bothered to do the math—and I still feel largely unprepared for the tiny person who’s about to make our family a foursome. Perhaps part of me has gone all laissez-faire about it because I figured I have everything we used with Peeper; perhaps I’m just more focused on things like taking care of a toddler to make fastidious to-do lists and register for layettes.
(Still not entirely sure what a layette is.)
This past week, though, I finally got my widening butt in gear—at least a little—to prepare for Baby #2.
(This post contains affiliate links, which earn me a small income at no extra charge to you.)
Shopping for Baby #2
I bought some things I knew we’d need, thanks to my new BFF, Online Shopping. Our cosleeper arrived on the front porch, and I’ve been thinking about moving everything from my old diaper bag to the new one I now love and that is big enough to fit gear for two kids.
I even went out to a few real stores, although my decision to take a nap-striking toddler to Costco when it was pouring rain outside was highly questionable. But hey, now we have 196 ounces of peanut butter in the house, so it’s all good!
Downstairs, there’s a storage/crawl space everyone—including Peeper—calls the Creepy Room. Well, the Creepy Room has been upgraded to the Baby Survivalist Room. In it, I’m gradually piling a metal shelving unit full of all the things we run out of frequently but that I won’t be able to run out and get—you know, because it’ll be practically impossible to make it to the grocery store when I have to time a trip between a newborn’s feedings and diaper blowouts and a toddler’s iffy nap schedule and frequent demands to see nearby tractors.
That is how I’m rationalizing our accumulation of canned diced tomatoes, toilet paper, ketchup, trail mix and chai tea. (Plus, we’re meant to have a stockpile of food and drink for when the Big One hits the West Coast. This totally counts.)
Stocking up on baby supplies
We’re planning on cloth diapering Kiwi along with Peeper, but I’m also fairly sure that we’ll use disposables at least part of the time, especially during those crazy first few weeks. That’s why to prepare for Baby #2, we also have a giant pile of diapers in the Baby Survivalist Room. Peeper has pretty much every sensitive skin issue you can imagine, so I figure Kiwi has a good likelihood of persnickety skin, too. That’s why I bought about a bajillion The Honest Company diapers, which are made with plant materials and are free of fragrance or chlorine and generally make me feel less horrible about the amount of waste diapers create.
In fact, I got them at a pop up store at Whole Foods, where they were having a 30% off sale—that made them about $2 cheaper per package than buying them direct online. (FYI Portland folks, they’re having another pop up sale—with 30% off all The Honest Company products—at the Tanasbourne Whole Foods this week, June 10-14. Seriously worth a trip to fill your own Creepy Rooms!)
Am I more prepared now? Marginally. But don’t expect to find me laboring over my pre-baby checklist anytime soon.
If you need me, I’ll be organizing bulk groceries and admiring cute diapers in the Baby Survivalist Room.
Disclosure: I received a $20 gift card and a free tote from The Honest Company at their pop up store. Based on the fact I bought ten packages of diapers, you can rest assured that these opinions are entirely my own.
Smart woman getting prepared! Before baby 3 arrived I made a lot of frozen crock pot meals (make one for now freeze one for later) which came in really handy.
That’s a great idea. I bought a bunch of smoothie supplies, but having fully prepared meals would be helpful too.
I never felt fully prepared for Alder’s arrival. I honestly just figured we would figure it out when he (or she) arrived. We had a co-sleeper, a car seat, a handful of newborn outfits and some newborn diapers.
I can empathize. There are a lot of changes going on in our neck of the woods, making things feel a little out of control, so I guess exerting a little influence here makes me feel a little better.
All great ideas for helpful baby shower gifts!
Absolutely! I’m also a fan of giving a Costco membership at a baby shower.
That is such a smart idea! I’m sure you’ll be glad you stockpiled when you are feeling exhausted with two young ones and no will to get up and out of the house, haha. And your due date is so close… exciting!! Cheers 🙂
Yes! Though I can’t exactly make a meal out of trail mix and diced tomatoes. Now THAT would be an interesting blog post!
I think what you learn between baby number one and baby number two is that there are really very few things that you and the baby cannot survive without, at least for a while. The result is that prepping for baby number two is usually a little more relaxed. Just breath, Mama – it all works out just fine. (I had five: by that time, you just sit back, hope you can find clean underwear, and enjoy the ride. )
Renee, thanks for the encouragement – and the laugh! I do hope I’ll be able to find clean underwear. Maybe I should stock up on that. 😉
Sounds like the baby survivalist room is a great idea for stockpiling groceries and other goodies for more than just baby time!
Yes! Now that we have the space, I’m hoping it’ll help us save trips to the store – and money by buying things on sale/in bulk.
Sounds like you are more ready than you think! You can do it!
Thank you! I’m feeling the internet encouragement. 🙂
whew this gives me anxiety! hah! but it sounds like you’re on the right track!
Oh no! Meant to reduce anxiety! 😉
I love being prepared like this…one less thing to have to think about it always a good thing for me. Yay for a new baby. You’re going to fall right into the roll and will do great. After a first, there really isn’t a ton to prepare mostly because you know it already. 🙂 Good luck!
Thank you Bonnie! It does make me feel a little better. Even if it saves me one grocery trip, it’ll be worth it!
Heehee. Is it bad thta I totally want a baby survivalist room!?!?!?
Join me, Susannah! 😉
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