While You Wait
(Ideas For Moms While They Wait On New Blessings)

Through the years, I have fallen into "habits" of pregnancy that I thought I would share. These are things that make things easier for new moms during those months when "your hands are full" and give you something to focus on in that time when you must wait before you meet your sweet little blessing.

#1 If you use disposable diapers and wipes, try to buy one of each every time you go to the store from the time you find out that you are pregnant. Remember to not just buy newborn sizes, try to get a variety.

This is for two reasons....believe me when I say that there are always unexpected expenses with a baby and this will allow the money to come from your budget now instead of after baby when it's already stretched. Second, because it's a lot of bulk in a buggy that has a baby carrier already in it....you'll have more room for other things.

#2 Freeze meals throughout your pregnancy for your family to enjoy after baby's arrival. I usually start with a master list of meals that I would like to have, for both breakfast and dinner. I try to put at least one extra meal in the freezer each week of my pregnancy so that I won't have to cook too much after baby comes. Be sure to specially label these with their date and what they are...this is not the time for surprises!

#3 Preassemble baby announcements. I've loved filling these in while I'm in the hospital...if you already have some of the information written in (even if it is just to pre-address envelopes) the rest of the task will go much faster and you can put them in the mail quickly after baby's birth.

#4 Make a list of important phone numbers and information for the children who will be at home and their caretaker. You will want to include emergency numbers and scheduling details. You might even want to make the joy a little easier and pre-plan menus for the family. The inside of a kitchen cabinet is a great place to store this kind of information.

#5 During my last pregnancy, I took a photo of all seven of my children together and placed it in the side of my baby's bed for her to look at while she was in the hospital. The best part is that it opened discussion about our family and I was able to share the Lord to these special people.

#7 Prepare little goodies for the hospital staff. We always wrap little hershey's kisses in toile (like the little rice bags at weddings). We tie them either in pink or blue and hand them out to the medical staff while we are in the hospital. Again, what a great opportunity to share the Lord, and the nursing staff appreciates the "thank you" gift.

#8 Make a list and pre-address and stamp bills and correspondence that will need to be taken care of while you are in the hospital and during the first weeks of your recovery. This will make it much easier for whomever has this important task, even if it is you when you return home.

#9 Purchase thank you notes and slide them into your hospital bag so that you can work on them while you are still there. That will help time pass more quickly while you are not home and make things easier for you when you are.

#10 Make the special purchase of a good book or your favorite magazines to pamper yourself with after the birth of your baby.

#11 Compile a list of friends and family and their numbers for your hospital bag.

#12 Stock your home with "easy to cook" food items as well as paper plates, cups and napkins. We don't ususally use these but they are really nice during the first few months following a baby's birth.

#13 Pack a bag of pampering items for you in the hospital...your favorite tea, some hot cocoa, nail polish, foot cream, etc. You are going to work hard...it's nice to treat yourself!

#14 Get your hair cut a couple of weeks prior to your baby's due date.

#15 Ask your friends and your church to add you and your new family to the prayer list.

#16 Make sure that you make a note on your calendar to return library books prior to your due date.

#17 A month before baby's birth, prepare a diaper basket for the living/family room with diapers, wipes, lotion, a change of clothes, a burp cloth, etc. Anything that you might need so you don't have to constantly go to the changing table.

#18 Write in on your calendar to "spring clean" a month or two before baby's birth...just be careful!

#19 Pack away some of your toddler's toys to be pulled out when you go to the hospital. This will keep them entertained with their "new" toys and make it easier on the caretaker.

#20 As your due date approaches, go ahead an lay out clothing for your children to wear to the hospital when they come to visit. Believe me when I say, that your hubby will thank you!

#21 Pack some cup of soup, granola bars and crackers in your hospital bag. I was starving after the birth of my children and sometimes breakfast at our local hospital isn't served until after 9! It's nice to have something to snack on!

#22 Be sure to prepare "feminine items" that you might need. Postpartum bleeding can be expected sometimes up to 6 weeks!

If you are a "seasoned" mom and you have items to add to this list, I would love to hear them! Please send them in!