Getting Ready For Baby Two (…or Three or Four…)
Photo Credit: Lisa Julia Photography*
When I turned the page on the calendar last Friday, it hit me. Baby boy is due to make his big debut next month! Yowza! We have been busy with all the normal pre-baby preparations: the car seat is installed, clothes are washed and put neatly in drawers, hospital bag items are purchased (though they haven’t made their way into a bag yet).
We are already parents, though. Our “Getting Ready For Baby Checklist” should be shorter, right? Instead of the full 12-week childbirth class, we can just opt for the short, refresher course. We don’t have to read as many books about what life with a newborn will be like. And, I’m so relieved to not be scouring endless reviews of baby products (most of which we never used).
But, while the checklist for babies after your first is different, it is no shorter. Whether you are expecting baby number two or number ten, there are a few things you should do to prepare yourself and your family for the arrival of it’s newest member.
Photo Credit: Lisa Julia Photography*
Today, I’m kicking of a new series here in the parenting section about the things we are doing to prepare for this sweet boy’s arrival. Over the next few weeks, in a series called “Getting Ready for Baby Two (…or Three or Four…)” I’ll share more details on the following things we are doing to intentionally prepare our hearts and minds for this eagerly anticipated addition to our family:
– Write a letter to your older child(ren). Share your heart with them. What are your dreams, hopes and fears?
– Reflect upon your previous birth story(ies). What went well? What do you want to do differently? Be open about your fears and concerns, so you can proactively choose how to address those. What did you learn during that birth that you need to remember now?
– Write a letter to the little one in your womb. Share your heart with them. What are your dreams, hopes and fears?
– Communicate with your older child(ren) about the new baby. Read books together. Give them the freedom to express all the feelings they are having about the baby.
I’d love to add to this list! What did you do to prepare for the birth of baby number two, three, four…?
*Last week, I got to spend time with my dear friend Lisa as she took some maternity photos for us. (The two pictures in this post are our sneak previews, I’ll share more on the Facebook page when we get them in a few weeks.) We didn’t take many pictures when I was pregnant with AE. I’m so thrilled we got some pictures of her with her brother, while he still inhabits my womb! If you live in the Washington Metro area, be sure to check out Lisa Julia Photography. She is amazing!
Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Tiffany!
One thing someone told me when preparing for #2 make sure you are preparing for #1 too! Breast feeding leaves us glued to the couch for endless hours! Make a big girl bag with new to her books, games, etc and each day when you are feeding and she really NEEDS mommy time, pull something fun out of the bag. It excited me, my son, and helped him know I had been thinking of him too! I bought my books and games at Ross and got some great deals! You can also make a jar where you fill it with fun things on slips of paper she can do alone while you nurse! Eat a Popsicle, watch a show, etc. and this one was a big one that I realllllly appreciated my sister modeling to me. She let big brother be the FIRST before any family could hold the baby in the hospital and let him see her & show just how special he was in the bonding! Then HE was able to introduce her to the family! When they got home the big brother got to be the tour guide as they showed the new baby around the house and to its new room! And lastly, She bought a new puzzle for big brother and the minute the baby was home and handed off to daddy after being fed, she sat down in the kid table and completed the new puzzle while making LOTS of eye contact, high fives, & gentle hand squeezes to get some good one on one time in! Hope this helps!
Kathy, wow!! Thank you so much!!! I’m going to do every one of these things. Awesome ideas!
Oh good I am glad you liked the ideas!!! I was sent to your blog by Megan Tietz that has been my friend since middle school. LOVE her and she just moved down the street from me!
I can’t WAIT to hear how the birth goes and how these ideas were implemented!