While I sit here in my 34th week of pregnancy number two, I am feeling wholly unprepared for the arrival of Allyson’s little brother (he still doesn’t have a name – and no it’s not Darryl.) In the midst of escrow (we’re set to close August 31st), we’re making every attempt not to buy anything, use our credit cards or make any major purchases. But as D-Day approaches, I’ve been making lists of the things that he’s going to need – that we don’t have. Might be a little odd to use my blog as a To-Do List, but when I have the urge to write, I guess all who read have to suffer along with me (and help me make sure I’m not missing anything.)
When Allyson was born I knew that we were going to have a second so I made sure to get most of the “big” items in a gender neutral color so that we could re-use them. I am incredibly thankful for that foresight now because I could not imagine buying some of these things again. I already have – in bright green – the car seat and stroller. We have a swing and bouncy seat as well as a Jumperoo and high chair.
Here’s what I still need (and am starting to freak out about):
Bedding – we have it narrowed down to two different options (I think.) One set is called “Wings.”
And the other is called “Lil League.”
I think we’re leaning towards the “Wings” set. He’ll be able to have sports stuff later on in life if he wants. All Allyson’s bed set will be passed down to her little brother. So, I already have the crib and changing table along with the dresser. (Note the other big cost – this means my kid now has no bedroom set – yikes!)
I also need to get another monitor. In the new house, the kids are on the complete opposite side of the master bedroom. I don’t really love it (but I know I’ll get there when they get a bit older.) So, I really think I’m going to want a monitor in her room as well as one in the baby’s room – at least while she gets to know her room and the way to Mommy’s if she needs me in the middle of the night.
My diaper bag was destroyed in the last year, I really beat it up. Plus it was pretty girlie. I found this Timi & Leslie bag online at Zappos.com (have I mentioned how much I LOVE Zappos?)
This item isn’t deathly important, but now I’m heading into “nice-to-get” zone.
I’ve also done a little bit of research on strollers. We hardly ever use a stroller now, but I’m thinking that with two I might need/want/use one a bit more. I really wanted to find one that I could attach the carseat too, but that would also allow for Ally to ride along as well (she’s not all that keen on being strapped in a stroller – she’s my big girl.) I found one online by Joovy called the Caboose Ultralight Stand-On Tandem Stroller.
It’s a pretty cool idea. The infant is strapped in the carseat in front and then the toddler child gets to ride or sit behind. Again, a “nice-to-have,” I’ll see how desperate I become when I start to venture out with the two of them.
And then there are all the little things that I know I’ll use but don’t have my shelves stocked with yet. New binkies – I love the NUK ones. New nipples for bottles – for when I go back to work. Milk bags, a new bath sling, diapers…you know – all that little stuff. I’ve been shopping since I found out we were having a boy (I know – shocker to all of you) for clothes and I went through all Ally’s old clothes looking for gender neutral items. I think I’m all set on onesies – that’s about all I was able to separate out. I see now that my daughter was a pretty girlie girl. (No wonder she was so cute! Wait a minute, she’s still cute.) I have all the stuff I have bought him in a bin but really have no idea what kind of inventory of size I have. Once we’re in the new house I’ll line it all up and see where I need to fill in.
I’m sure I’m missing stuff, but I know that I’ll be able to wing this one a little more. I mean, I’ve already had one – I know what I’m doing, right? All this stuff will fall into place as we get into the new house, as the baby arrives and as life as we know it moves into a more normal routine. At least a girl can hope, right?
~Becky
