Freak-Out Time

Apparently I have begun the freak-out phase of my pregnnacy...exactly 6 weeks until the baby's arrival. I've woke up at 3:12 this morning (to pee and snack) and my mind has been racing ever since. It is now 5:05 and I am (still) fully awake and watching the morning news while listing my anxieties here.

We've waited for so long for this baby...and we're down-right psyched. I have complete faith in my abilities to care for this child as I've had extensive babysitting/nannying experience including with newborns. I'm really looking forward to becoming a parent, as is my husand.

First and foremost, I am grateful that this pregnancy has been and is going smoothly. At this week's check, Baby Boy was 4 lbs., 1 oz...and scored perfectly on his biophysical profile. All my vitals are still good/normal, cervix long and closed, etc. My weight is up one more lb. for a total of 23 lbs. and my doctor is very pleased--as am I! My sugar has been going low at least once a day, but I'm staying prepared with healthy snacks within reach at all times. I have no complaints and I am savoring each kick to the ribs or head-but to the bladder that my son doles out.

So, why am I freaking out you ask?

My husband (aka apple of my eye) is a very dedicated man..... to me, his family, his job, etc. You get the idea. His latest work release/project is coinciding with our baby's arrival. Our baby is coming 10/30....the company's realease party is 11/5 (yeah, which happens to be our 4th wedding anniversary). He won't be attending the party...nor will I, obviously.  But anyhow, he's been flat-out busy with work, plus when he's home he's been wrapping up the last outdoor project of the season...preparing for the installation of a much-anticipated and sorely-needed shed. This is the the last weekend he'll be doing that (finishing off the leveling of the site and surrounding it with timbers) as the actual shed arrives and will be assembled on Wednesday. At that point, the #1 project priority will be prepping the nursery.

My husband and I have done a lot to prepare for this baby (product research, making decisions re: circumcision, cord blood banking, getting life insurance policies, etc.)...but we haven't done anything for the nursery yet. (Gasp!) We need to strip wallpaper, prep the walls, and paint that room. The baby's furniture has arrived at the store, but we will wait until the nursery is painted before picking it up. We have pretty much all the other baby stuff we need, thanks to our showers and my craigslist & consignment shop deals. I know that even if he nursery isn't done in time, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The baby will be sleeping in our room initially anyway in an Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper.

I have decided on a new car that will meet the needs of our new family.....(The new Subaru Forester makes Mama happy!)....but, please...don't tell the salesman yet....we're playing hard-to-get! The car can facilitate safe transport of all family members...including the furry, 84 lb. one! Getting a new car now is very exciting, but somewhat stressful too. I mean, just trying to schedule a time that works for my husband, the salesman, and me is a task in itself.

Also, I'm nearly 33 weeks and I have yet to tour the hospital, pack the hospital bag, or meet the pediatrician. We've selected a pediatrician...simply going with the one in our medical practice...but we haven't gone the extra mile to meet her, and see if we jive. Part of me says simply to go with her and switch if we find she's not meeting our family's needs.

OK, I feel a bit better having typed-out my anxieties. This anxiety is normal, right? Or have I done things completely ass-backwards? If that's the case, it wouldn't be the first time!

--Paula

P.S. Oh, and this baby still doesn't have an actual name! Seriously, "Baby Boy" may just become permanent.

I don't have any advice but it sounds like you have everything all mapped out and under control!

Can't believe he is going to be here in 6 weeks - so exciting!

Ok my friend - breathe!!!!

Let me give you my take on things from being a first time mom to a second time mom.

I remember feeling this last nesting push with Bailey. Everything was ready for her by 36 weeks. Her nursery was gorgeous - just lacked a sleeping child. The carpets had been replaced, the house re painted, the car detailed.... you get it :) Bailey also slept in the pottery barn kids bassinet I HAD TO HAVE for the first 6 months - until she could really start pulling herself up to a sitting position - then we were done!

I didn't tour the hospital until 35 weeks when I had to go be monitoerd! LOL! Each pregnancy my bag has been packed by 36 weeks and honestly I didn't meet the pediatrician until the day after Bailey was born in the hospital :) I didn't have any friends with kids, and didn't know who to go with. In the end after meeting his him a few times he wasn't a right fit for us - but after talking to my OB and several of her office staff I decided to try a new Doctor who we still have and LOVE. Talk to your OB to see if there is anyone he can reccomend. He sounds like such an awesome Doctor, you know that he would only referr you to another awesome Doc!

Fast forward to Isabella. Her nursery still isn't done. Our friends came over to help DH paint it after my preterm labor scare. Dh hung the curtains and set up the furniture. The cats sleep in the crib (jerks). The is no bedding, no decoration - nothing. Her basic onesies and sleepers are thrown in a drawer of the dresser, diapers in the cabinet of the changing table, and few cute outfits hanging in the closet.  It honestly doesn't matter to me this time - I know I have 3 more months to finish and I didn't let it stress me out that it had to be done. It was kinda nice to just sit on my butt at the end this time and eat strawberry newtons! On that note I am almost back to pre preggo weight and can actually where my pants from before her.....

Anxiety and total freak out nesting is normal. There is no wrong or right way to do any of it - just do what fits for you. You can see that I have done both - and honestly the only regret I had was not doing more research on on a ped in the beginning. You will be ok my friend! Trust me NONE of it matters that minute he is in your arms.

(((HUGS))) Dawn

((((HUGS)))) Dawn

Isn't it exciting and nerve wracking at the same time.  Yes- if the nursery is a little behind your son won't notice because he'll be with you guys.  We transitioned our daughter at 6 weeks and she did A+++.  If anything having that stuff to do will help the rest of time just fly by.  I have 7 weeks (6 weeks 6 days) and I am starting to get the "this is really happening feeling".  So I am right there with you.  My husband has been spending this week trying to keep busy- so he is completing my sisters nursery...her baby is already 6 1/2 months old.  So see- it could be worse! 

In my opinion, all completely rational fears and many of which I think all of us first time Moms shared because no matter how much we read, see, etc we still can't actually prepare completely until the baby is here. You have been able to be in "control" since preconception  and it is natural to want to continue to do that.  I had it all planned out....nursery, names, pedi, etc
Well we DID not agree and have a name for Emad until two days after he was born...which was 3 weeks early so in itself threw me for a loop. He was know as Baby Boy Makinsi that whole time. We also ended up switching pediatricians 3 months in because as nice and great as the office seemed when researching them, checking referrals, speaking with them, and checking out the office, in the end it was not a good fit for Emad. I did have the nursery all ready to go about 2 months before Emad arrived BUT he did not even use it until almost 6 months after his birth and instead slept in a bassinet in our room.  I could go on and on about what we planned and wanted to do and what ultimately happened but I know you get the point. Nothing we can say or do can help you not worry but just in reading your posts and hearing about everything I feel confident that you will do awesome with everything and can't wait to *meet* your Baby Boy!

First I just wanted to say that 11/5 is our 4th anniversary also!   Congrats! :)

Second I felt the same way before Aethyn was born!  I had all these things that needed to be done...it didn't but all turned out well!  His room wasn't ready for him until he was about 7/8 months (He slept in our room anyway up until then) I hadn't met his Dr.-We took the "if she doesn't work we will switch" route!  It has worked out great!  I love his Dr!!   I did tour the hospital- but during a birthing class (I think I was between 30/35 weeks)  I packed my bags around 35 weeks I think...
I think you are doing fine so far!  I think it just seems like more you have to do then there actually is!  Hang in there!  Things will get done...maybe not RIGHT away, but as you need them to!!!!  It is Totally normal to feel like everything needs to be in place...NOW! 

I think you are completely normal. I know with having surgery last week and having the contractions that softened my cervix made me jump start in to getting things done. I now have all the furniture in the room. I have got almost everything washed and put away and doing the wall stuff this weekend. Doctor told me though to be ready early cause she might not wait as long as we hoped. This will be my 3rd though so I was not really in a rush to get anything done before all this happened. I think its normal to start worrying about the things not done in the end. I know I was like that pretty bad with my first 2. I say relax and know everything will come together.

Everything you are feeling is normal and YOU WILL BE FINE! Everything does come together in the end, and once you look in his little face everything that was left undone won't matter anyway! As for the name, our baby was five days old before got one, so don't sweat it, you will know the right name when it comes time.