There's only so much one (or two) can do to prepare for a new baby. I feel like Hubs and I have done everything we can, but – as I write this – we could still have two and a half or three weeks to wait. If you've read many of my blog posts over the years, you know I am not the patient type. I leave that to Hubs.

After finding lists of things to do prior to when the baby arrives, I think we've covered everything. We just need our boy to make his grand entrance! Below is a list of things we have done. Moms: Can you think of anything else we can do?


1. The nursery is ready
As you may know, the nursery was ready months ago. As soon as we found out we were having a boy, I immediately got to work sewing the bedding, curtains and other fabric pieces. We ordered the crib and dresser; Hubs built a hutch, changing pad frame and added shelving to the closet. We found or made unique decor pieces for the walls and the top of the hutch. The baby monitor, humidifier and diaper genie are ready...it's safe to say there's not a thing left to do in the nursery.

2. His clothes, blankets and towels are washed, sorted and organized.
I washed all of his newborn-, 0-3 months- and 3-6 months-sized onesies and outfits in gentle detergent, along with his blankets, swaddle cloths, towels, sheets and his changing pad cover. They're neatly organized either in his closet or his hutch (or on his mattress and changing pad) and are ready to be used.

3. His car seat is installed.
Not only is the car seat installed, but the car seat canopy is attached, we've added a newborn head support, his matching blanket is included, and the mirror (that lights up and plays music with the touch of a button...how cool!) is attached neatly on the head rest. Whew!

4. Our meals are ready
I've heard it's good to be prepared to not have time to cook food for the the first few weeks home with a newborn. Rather than cooking a lot of meals in advance and freezing them, we just stocked up on frozen, microwaveable dinners. I know...gasp! As fat as I feel and as swollen as my feet are, there's no way I'm spending hours in the kitchen cooking. While the frozen meals will be totally unhealthy, we're going for quick and easy with no clean-up required. Plus, it will (hopefully) be a short-term dinner solution.

5. His bottles have been sterilized.

6. The birth announcement is ready.
It's something I would've never thought about prior to him being born, but we will want to send out birth announcements (both via Facebook and snail mail to those who graciously gifted us with items for Bryson). I went online and got a few ideas, but I ultimately decided to design my own. I have three different versions ready to go. All I'll have to do is insert the photo and his birth stats. :)


7. His playard/bassinet/changing station has been set up in our room.
Since we're starting Bryson out in a cozy little bassinet as opposed to his crib, we wanted to purchase a playard that had one included and would fit in our room. Plus, it will be easy to pack up and take with us when we travel.

8. Our hospital bags are packed.
Or, should I say, my hospital bags are packed. I've got a small one to take into the delivery room (filled with items on lists I found on Pinterest from other moms) already in my car, plus an overnight bag and a few different sized outfits for Bryson to come home in (who knows how big or little he will be?). Hubs doesn't have anything packed...tsk tsk.

9. We've preregistered with the hospital.
The quicker I can get in without having to worry about paperwork when the time comes, the better.

10. We're aware every date night could be our last for a while.
We treasure our date nights and, really, any time we have with just the two of us. In fact, it's one of the reasons we're just now expanding our family after 10 years together and almost five years being married. My love language is Quality Time, and I am never a fan of sharing our time with anyone else. We've had so much fun over the last 10 years going where we've wanted when we've wanted and doing what we've wanted. But, we knew it was time to share our love with someone else, and we're so excited for this little blessing to get here! But, until then, we will continue to cherish our date nights, knowing each one could be our last.

A few of the other things we have been trying to keep finished prior to his arrival include keeping the house cleaned and organized. The floors are mopped/vacuumed; The dishes are clean; The laundry doesn't get backed up; The guest bedroom and bathroom are clean. We've purchased a glider for the living room. The high chair, swing, walker and stroller are all ready to go. The only thing we haven't been able to get to is landscaping in the backyard, but that's due to the 2+ feet of rain we've gotten this month.

So...that's what all we've done to prepare for the arrival of our baby boy. What else should we add to the list?