The slacker thread.

texasmama2014

I love hearing how some of you are so productive and have your stuff together, but I also am a procrastinating slacker.

Tell me how you're slacking these days, wear it proudly!  What do you have left to do before baby comes (or what are you neglecting while you snuggle your cutie?)

runsoncoffee

Well I had pretty much everything left to do (setting up the nursery, making freezer meals, cleaning the house, finishing lots of tasks at work, packing my bag, washing/prepping all my cloth diapers) and then was told at 35 weeks I had to be induced at 37... needless to say, I worked my butt off those last two weeks! I thought for sure I'd have a past due baby... so don't procrastinate too much!!! It was a stressful two weeks! (everything got done though!)

texasmama2014

@court5608 You are my spirit animal!

Fremdschamen

Completely unfocused at work!  Just picking away at things wishing I were already done.

As for baby-related procrastination...

hospital bag: not packed.
newborn cloth diapers: still at BFF's house
PnP: ditto
carseat: covered in dust in basement
bottles: unwashed, but pulled out of basement

And the house is also a big mess.  I need to get my act together, but the heat plus being 9 months pregnant are making me SO lazy by the time I get home from work!

texasmama2014

So, I have a lot of things left. Among the most pressing:

Wash the RNP and Swing covers, they've been in storage for over a year.
Find the head part to the infant car seat. No idea where to look for that. 
Pack a bag, probably not happening.
Do some deep cleaning- I did do some (shampooed carpets and organized my clothes)
Take maternity pics- supposed to happen last week, it didn't (also DD's 2 year pics, her bday was June 25)
Thank you notes (Both DD's bday and the diaper shower from last weekend, whoops)
No freezer meals, no stocked up on essentials.

Thought process--  
If nothing else we have 3 convertible car seats, we can use those until I find the head part, or used rolled receiving blankets because those are allowed per manufacturer.  
If I wash nothing else, my mom could do it while I'm in the hospital, because I'm spoiled.  
Who needs a packed bag? Someone could grab me an outfit and the baby outfit before we get released. Hospital gowns are fine.

I do however need to pick up a nipple shield just in case this one needs it at first too, I didn't get one until I got home from the hospital and DD wasn't nursing well last time.  Nurses are not supposed to hand them out, but no one tells me how to feed my kid. 

MamaKSquared

I'm done with the big things for the most part, but my house could use some cleaning. We've done a lot of deep cleaning, including shampooing carpet, but we never got around to shampooing the stairs. They needed it most of all, along with an area rug that didn't get done. At this point, I just want to hire someone to do it. 

Freezer meals also. I have a few, but not much. We got a new chest freezer, so now we have plenty of space (that was my excuse before). Maybe tomorrow morning I'll get motivated and make a few more. 

ETA: lactation cookies! I really want to make some. Not sure if I'll need them or if they'll work, but who wouldn't want extra cookies waiting in their freezer?

JournoGrl23

I'm definitely in the procrastination boat! I was in a nesting mood at work long enough to clean my desk and that was it. I was hoping on my next day off I would clean the house, but that didn't happen! I need to pack my hospital bag, clean and sterilize pacifiers and bottles and my breast pump that just came in, and I have a dog who sheds a lot so I really need to clean. I feel like my baby will be overdue and that's just making me procrastinate more. I figured if I go into labor I could just forget about the hospital bag like @texasmama2014 . I'll just have DH go get us an outfit when he gets the chance! And he can maybe clean the dog hair the day we're supposed to come home. I'm just too pregnant, too tired and too lazy!

AliKay20

I keep putting off writing thank you cards and it's week 3 of mat leave. It will happen by this weekend...

Nikkoli98

Also totally in the procrastinator camp and it totally didn't work out as planned!  Everything was still in boxes from the baby showers, nursery was still a storage room, had a crib but the crib mattress had not arrived yet, and the rest of my registry stuff had not even been ordered, no hospital bag packed.  My parents and parents-in-law did SO much to help us out while we were in the hospital for 9 days.  There is still a ton of organizational stuff to do, but we at least we are up and running with the essentials.  Getting stuff more organized is more challenging with a newborn!

@texasmomma2014, there was a Baby and Me shop at the hospital where we delivered that sold nipple shields and other essentials.  If you end up in a pinch, maybe your hospital has something similar...

Stephanie7693

@texasmomma2014 an LC at the hospital gave me a nipple shield the day baby was born. I was not offered on when I had my son 6 years ago, not sure if they existed then lol. I also bought one at target before he was born, but forgot to pack it in my bag.

texasmama2014

@Stephanie7693 when I told my pedi that I had been using one last time he got a little mad and asked who gave it to me, I guess they don't want nurses handing them out, or something.

@Nikkoli98 that sounds like a really smart idea, if I am in a pinch my mom would be fine to bring me one I'm sure, she bought my first one after I was home from the hospital with DD, so she knows my size... That's kinda weird.

Stephanie7693

@texasmomma2014 I think they are starting to realize more mom's are successful breastfeeding with them. Hopefully your docs are on board with them these days! I really think I may have been successful with ds1 if I'd had them then... our pediatrician is ok with them. He said baby will wean himself off them at some point too. All he cares is that baby eats!

texasmama2014

@Stephanie7693 He put her on the scale after scolding, and she was back to her birth weight. Then at her 1 week she had gained a full pound so he never mentioned it. The rational was that it's hard to get the fatty end milk through the shield which was obviously false.

ShanRum3

I planned to deep clean my kitchen, dining room and bathroom yesterday. I didn't do it. I also need to sterilize my breast pump and bottle nipples. I need to get more groceries for while I'm at the hospital,  so my nephew can feed the other kids quickly and easily.  I am also scheduled to work the next 6 days! 

DDRRT1982

I bought some clothes and a car seat.  That's it.    I did clean today, so I hope that is nesting, but unlikely.  I don't really know if I am prepared.  I also haven't registered with the hospital.  I should probably do that tomorrow.

jaceru

I was hoping to get more done but it just didn't happen. Big stuff is in nursery but it's still a mess, car seat isn't installed, registry isn't closed out, breast pump isn't ordered, bottles aren't cleaned. Wanted to clean the house but I'm just so exhausted. My mom offered to come over on Sunday to help so of course I'm taking her up on the offer. 

Stephanie7693

texasmama2014 said:

@Stephanie7693 He put her on the scale after scolding, and she was back to her birth weight. Then at her 1 week she had gained a full pound so he never mentioned it. The rational was that it's hard to get the fatty end milk through the shield which was obviously false.


Why do I keep getting stuck in these boxes?! 

Wonder where that rationale came from?? We had a weight check at 12 days, and Levi gained 10 ounces since his last check at 6 days. He is now 3 ounces over his birth weight before 2 weeks. They were pushing me to supplement with him when he had jaundice, but he wouldn't take it after a couple days. He nursed enough to get what he needed. So he is gaining and healthy and doc was happy! He then told me I could let him sleep at night and stop waking him... I kinda laughed and said I never woke him anyway! Lol (I only did for the 2 days his jaundice was bad, but he didn't sleep all night then anyway)

ballofmeat

We have just a few things left on the list. My motivation has really taken a dive. I'd rather lay in bed at this point.

-Car is getting fixed on Monday. Tires need to be rotated as well as a long overdue oil change. Also I have been meaning to clean out the soda that exploded in the console. 
-Haircut tomorrow
-Purchase some newborn clothes. We were convinced this kid was going to be huge because out of all my siblings and DH's, I was the smallest at 9.8 lbs. I am measuring two weeks behind and with two weeks left to go, DH and I are now realizing we probably have no clothes that will fit this kid. 
-Clean out DH's car. You would think we lived out of our cars in general. They are gross. 
-Call the third party place that will issue the breast pump with our insurance info. I have been putting this off for months...
-Take our baby basics class on the 17th (4 days before due date). Probably the dumbest time to schedule it, oh well. 

gingersnap-mama

I'm way behind on meal prepping. I had grand plans of making a bunch of freezer meals .. i cant even get the motivation to go food shopping anymore. 

tisunge602

@jkershaw2013 Ditto! I had assigned myself to make two freezer meals per week for the six weeks leading up to my due date. Yeahhhh that only lasted two weeks and I really don't see any more happening at this point. Just thinking about it sounds exhausting.

My DH and DS are gone this weekend so I have a lot of time to myself. I got the carseat installed yesterday, which took all of ten minutes. That's it. The rest of the day was spent unproductively. I still have to pack hospital bags too, for me, DH, and baby. Also need to get the heirloom cradle out of the basement, clean it up, and find sheets for it so baby has a place to sleep buuuut I probably shouldn't be lifting/carrying that thing by myself. 

I'm telling myself I'm "on bedrest" til DH gets home because I would hate to go into labor while he is 6+ hours away. Plus it's a great excuse to sit on the couch.

pelorunningmama

We have a lot to do still. Currently the nursery is pretty much set up but the bathrooms that connect the kid's rooms are still not functional (like the toilet is sitting in the bathtub as we wait for baseboards and new vanities, sinks, etc). I also need to:

-pack hospital bag
-wash baby clothes
-buy a new baby monitor (ours broke)
-freezer meals (probably not happening)
-find all my pumping stuff 
-get DH to pack his bag
-get stuff set up for DD at home to have fun things to do while we are at the hospital
-find car seat inserts for infant seat
-oil change and new tires on my car 

carstekj

I'm so in this club! I have spurts of motivation - which is good... because we have the stuff that "needs" to be done, done - like the rock-n-play cleaned and clothes washed and we were able to fit 3 carseats in my truck.

Where I'm struggling - what the heck is the point to cleaning now if it's just going to get messed up with 2 kids (almost 3yrs and almost 5yrs old) and a husband coming through like tornado's?!?! ooft! Freezer meals - yeah right... we have a chest freezer (for 2yrs now) that DH hasn't plugged in because he wants to put another outlet in the basement for it. Ugh. Our freezer is tiny (sidexside fridge). And, we are having a bday party for our DD next Sunday since her bday is 4 days after my repeat c/s. So much to do!! Oh, hospital bag too, we just got back from camping (I'm crazy), so now I can pack my hospital bag... that will happen... sometime. I don't even know when I'm having my repeat c/s - either the 17th or 18th... but my Dr. hasn't told me yet. And then I'll nail down what we'll do with the other kids! Hahaha Poor 3rd baby, get's no "special" treatment!

AliKay20

midwestbaby said:

-Take our baby basics class on the 17th (4 days before due date). Probably the dumbest time to schedule it, oh well. 

We took our breastfeeding class the day before I went into labor! It worked in our favor though because the things we learned were still so fresh on our minds

satto_takai

I am sooo in procrastination camp, here!


I really feel like the "accomplished" list is shorter...

• washed 90% baby's clothes, towels, blankets, washcloths, cloth diapers; put in closets
• bassinet "sheets" - bought a bunch of pillowcases that totally fit the mattress, easy peasy, & washed; one on bed
  
• washed bottles/spoons
• "bare minimum" cleaning of house - definitely looks "lived in" plus a bit

We are doing a home birth, so no hospital bag. However, home is 20min from the hospital, so I am not too worried. I can always send hubby home for stuff if that happens.

I still need to:

• finish turning the study into the nursery
  
• get the disposable diapers/wipes organized (midwife recommended using the gifted disposables the first few days b/c the meconium is pretty darn sticky, then swap to cloth)
• find a place for baby's books
  
• find a place for washed bottles/nipples
• get breast pump
• Line the bassinet
• finish baby's laundry
• get a dresser for baby (everything is currently on hangers due to the lack of dresser. Hangers are also cheaper, lol)
• deep clean and organizing in about all the rooms of the house (thank goodness my younger sister is willing to come help us deep clean tomorrow!)
  
• Freezer meals
• grocery shopping for more foodstuffs
• the rest of our laundry
  

Let's not talk about how unready I am at work.

Anyone of the powerhouse "pretty much done" peeps wanna lend me some motivation and "umph?"

gingersnap-mama

Now you have a list written down @satto_takai so go conquer it! I found once I did that it made things not so overwhelming and paralyzing! I posted yesterday morning about not having any meals ready. I went out to the grocery store a couple of hours later and made a 6, only took a couple of hours. Just looked on Pinterest for easy recipes that looked good! If anyone doesn't have a food saver I highly recommend one! I sealed all the meals in bags and wrote on them if liquid needed to be added in the crockpot and how long to cook!

No more Miss!

All you ladies and your freezer meals are killing me. I don't even want to go shopping for regular food. I don't think I'm physically capable of standing that long. You put me to shame!

Let's see:
install car seat (liner, base, mirror), because I can't leave that task to DH. He won't remember how to. I also have to move DD's seat to a different spot in my truck.

Write thank you cards for my shower.

Wash crib and bassinet bedding.

Hospital bag. 

Clean house? Doubt that one is happening. 

Ah, feeling so blah today. At least I'm resting on my inlaws couch. 
 
@jkershaw2013, just typing it out makes me feel like I can say screw it all, if it's done it's done. If not, I guess I'll (dare I say it) ask for help!

gingersnap-mama

Haha yeah the beauty of these babies is they won't care how messy our houses are or how much stuff is checked off our lists! I hadn't gone grocery shopping in 3 weeks, we were down to bare bones. I finally went yesterday and got the motherload, I refuse to go again until after LO is here!

mbelcourt89

I still have to....
pack hospital bag
Clean baby bottles
Organize baby stuff
Clean and organize DS room
Clean and organize our home
Carpet clean

I'm not going to worry about the freezer meals. But we had a false labor scare last night. So that really is putting my butt in gear to get these things done. 

JournoGrl23

I'm going to sound niaeve here, but how clean do our houses needed to be? I keep seeing women talk about deep cleaning it themselves or hiring professionals to make sure it gets really clean. We clean our home regularly but we have a dog who sheds immensely and two cats. Starting to worry the fact that my house isn't pristine is going to put LO in danger?

tisunge602

@JournoGrl23 For me it wasn't about deep cleaning for the baby specifically, but more that our house needed a deep clean anyway and I knew I wouldn't have time/energy after he's here to get it done. Your baby is not in danger!

KMeredith82

@journoGrl23 I'm just trying to keep mine clean enough so that when my mom stays here with our 3yo, I won't be embarrassed (or she won't feel like she needs to clean)!  We have 4 pets and lots of fur as well, I'm not stressing about that beyond what we normally do. I read once that being around the pets helps lower the chances of a pet allergy, so I figure the more pet fur, the better??

luckily my mom is going to sleep on an air bed in the baby's room, and use the hall bath, so I'm not feeling as much pressure to keep our bedroom and bathroom guest clean.  

My MIL is sending her cleaning person over at the end of next week to do a "deep clean" as a welcome baby present, the baby will/should be here by then...  I've never had someone else clean my house, but I figure she'll get anything that we've missed!

ballofmeat

The reason we deep cleaned was because I imagine we won't have a lot of time to do even basic cleaning once she arrives. Same with cooking. We figured anything to save time once she was born so we could take advantage of rest rather than cleaning/cooking would be worth getting done. 

I delegated some of our list to DH. He made all the freezer meals, installed the car seats, cleaned out the cars, etc. 

I literally have sat on my butt for the last several days while he did stuff. I think he is losing it. He went to the hardware store yesterday because he thought we should replace our furnace filter for the baby. I told him to do whatever he wanted. He came home with 6 furnace filters because they were buy two get one free. We are set for a few years...

mbelcourt89

Same reason for us to clean our carpets. Probably won't have the time or energy to clean them. 

satto_takai

@jkershaw2013 I have no trouble making the list. It's getting the UMPF to get it done that I seem to be lacking... But having the list does make it seem less a scattered "aaah, what do I need to do?" feeling. Now it is the "ugh, what a list." haha.

@JournoGrl23 As PP have said, it is less about "my house must be spotless to be healthy." It is more that I have a feeling that I won't want to clean at all for the first bit (and Midwife actually wants all her new mommies on full bedrest the first three days), so if it is deep-cleaned/superclean before baby arrives, it is easier to deal with the little messes. Then, I hope, they won't pile up to a gigantic mess, and poor hubby won't be too terribly busy during the process.  I have two cats, so we have hair everywhere. That isn't a big issue to me. I don't want too much dust (which makes me sneeze like mad and hard for me to breathe) or any mold to start early on.  I am sure your house is awesomely healthy!

JournoGrl23

Thank you so much for your responses! I feel much better now. I did vacuum the baseboards last week and we shampood the carpet in the baby's room, but other than that we've just been doing our usual cleaning routine. I was worried I was doing something wrong! DH plans to give the house one last clean either while I'm in labor or the day we're supposed to come home from the hospital so hopefully that'll help with the dog and cat hair. I know I'll definitely be like all of you and won't want to clean for a while once she's here. I imagine I'll be quite preoccupied.

pelorunningmama

I just added a Roomba to my Amazon registry in hopes that DH will finally agree to getting it with the 15% off. That should help out the cleaning issue at least. I wasn't planning on doing a deep clean but am second guessing that now. 

lotsofsunshine

I suppose I have been in denial about all that still needs to be done before baby. I had some serious nesting in the second trimester. Ever since I hit the third trimester, I have had zero energy. My house looks like a bomb went off as a result. Every night when I go to bed, I think tomorrow is the day I clean this house. Then I wake up and I'm like," Nope. Not today. " DH is gone for the next 4 days for work, so maybe I'll get my act together and get something done.

Nikkoli98

@midwestbay, regarding the exploded soda in the console, I have a similar story to share.  We purchased a property where the previous owners were pretty much hoarders and DH has been cleaning up the place.  We found many cans of Harley Davidson beer from 1993, yes - the beer itself is literally of drinking age!!!  DH put a can in the trunk of the car to take to show my family in PA.  During one of the transitions I put it in the back window and shortly after we arrived home I found that it had exploded all over the back window as well as the back of the car, leaving the whole car smelling like alcohol.  While I was frantically running around trying to pack hospital bags because my water broke much earlier than expected, DH was cleaning the beer out of the backseat of the car...

texasmama2014

I got like 2 things done this weekend, and then we had a diaper shower today and now my list is longer.

ballofmeat

@Nikkoli98 Oh no! I can imagine the frantic clean up of beer. What a nightmare! I really hate the smell of beer, so this would be the worst while driving to the hospital while in labor. 

@texasmama2014 I thought I would feel more accomplished after my shower was done too. And instead it also made my list longer. hope you at least got lots of great stuff/diapers. 

charmedlifex3

So we wanted to bring something for the nurses... I'd been putting it off. We totally stopped at target on the way in for my induction and bought chocolate. It may not have been pintrest worthy but it seems to be appreciated!
And I put off hiring a cleaner so long her first cleaning is tomorrow... So we left the house picked up but dirty .... Really hoping every thing goes smoothly and I come home to a clean house... Oops.