STM+ Check-in 9/13

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · September 2018

Hey STM+ ! How are you and your other kids doing? How is baby prep going? Any other thoughts/questions?

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · September 2018

I haven't seen this thread in awhile so thought I'd start it up again.

We are slowlyyyyyy getting ready for #2. Last night we went to Ikea and picked out a bed for me and DH with storage (DH is currently storing clothes in our guest room which will be Baby Boy's room), a wardrobe and a Hemnes gray dresser for Baby Boy. Of course we didn't purchase anything, ha! but will order everything online and shipping is just $40 for three big pieces of furniture. Totally worth it so we don't have to make multiple trips to Ikea and round up people to help load/unload items.

My 2yo is actually starting to play more by herself, which is really, really nice. We are getting back into our "fall" routine-- classes, story time, etc. so that has been nice to have some consistency.

Question- I have a ton of clothes from DD (like bins of stuff) and since we are having a boy we won't be needing it. What did you do with baby/toddler clothes you were done with? Give to family/friends? Donate? Sell? I have a lot of nice stuff and I don't know anyone right now who is expecting/needs stuff.

ETA- question

saltedcaramel518 · September 2018

Haven’t done any baby prep yet, but finding out the gender yesterday has me motivated. I’ve started planning the nursery. I’m going to go through all of DS’s old clothes this weekend and purge clothes that I didn’t like/will be off seasonally (for this baby) and consign them at a consignment sale that’s near me later this month.

I told DS yesterday that he’s going to have a baby brother, and his response was, “I want to eat.” so you could say he’s really excited.

Picking up DS is getting more difficult. I know that’s contributing to my back pain. I planned on having him rear face in his car seat as long as possible, but I flipped him to forward facing 2 weeks ago so he could get himself in/out more easily.

saltedcaramel518 · September 2018

@UnbreakableKimmySchmidt Like I said, I’m consigning DS’s clothes. There’s several consignment sales near me in the fall/spring. I’ll opt to donate the clothes that don’t sell.

Alternatively, I’m in a lot of kids’ clothes b/s/t groups on Facebook. You could post a big purge in a group like that and see what sells. Or if you have a lot of clothes that are a certain brand, there’s probably a specific group for it, like “Gap Girls Only bst.” The only thing that’s a pain is that you have to ship the items yourself.

kns1988 · September 2018

@UnbreakableKimmySchmidt I like to take clothes to a kid store that we have that will buy them back and give you store credit. I think there's an option to take cash, too, but I always take the credit because I always need the next size up for DS.

I went through DS's preemie, newborn, 0-3, and 3 month clothes last night. Baby #2 will be a girl, but she's going to have a lot of cool dinosaur stuff to wear! I pulled out some things to sell that were either too boyish or that I didn't like, and I made a list of stuff to buy for her for when I go to a consignment sale next weekend.

I mostly had 3 month clothes on hand when DS was born because people had told me that babies don't always fit into the newborn size. Well, then he needed preemie and I had to go buy a bunch of stuff! I'm hoping to avoid that this time, so I saved a lot of his preemie and newborn clothes for DD.

I ordered my breast pump today, and I upped my life insurance a few weeks ago. The only things left to do that I can think of are a little bit of clothes shopping, setting up the crib in our room (DS will stay in his crib in the nursery), and turning in my FMLA paperwork.

ladystout08 · September 2018

We bought car seats long ago (thanks Graco 30% friends and family) and the nursery is almost refinished but that's about it. I haven't thought about delivery, my STD paperwork, nada. And after the nursery is done we're moving DS into it to re-do his room so we likely won't do anything with it for LG for a while. We're getting close to the point where we start watching closely for signs of me getting PIH and Pre-e again so that'll likely kick me into high gear. My sprinkle(or whatever) is only 7 weeks away, eek!

PolarBear517 · September 2018

DD is doing great since getting her tubes! She is hearing a lot better and has picked up so many words in the last 2 months. We just had our anatomy scan for this little one yesterday and things are looking perfect- measuring spot on/maybe 2-3 days ahead. We have remained team green and will have no more ultrasounds so that is now a solid decision. In terms of baby prep I have really only bought a few neutral long sleeve outfits. We need to finish the basement before we can start a nursery so we can move the guest bedroom set downstairs... BUT I am slacking and don't have a nesting impulse yet and meh, DD slept in our room until 10 months. I'll definitely need a double stroller and good baby carrier before LO arrives.

What I REALLY want to know is what you guys plan to use for winter footwear?! My feet got SO swollen with DD but she was a June baby so I could wear flip flops... and even some of those didn't fit.... I'm only 21 weeks but already have mild occasional swelling and difficulty fitting into my fall boots Thought about creating a new thread for this topic but not sure if it warrants one

saltedcaramel518 · September 2018

@PolarBear517 I have the same question about footwear. No swelling yet, but I did swell with DS.

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · September 2018

Tha thanks for the feedback about what to do with clothes!

@PolarBear517 as far as footwear I have some cheap boots (like ugg style, but not uggs) that I think I got at Kohls. They keep my feet warm. I will have to check the tread on them, I don’t want to slip on the ice!

pttomato · September 2018

DD is her usual crazy self. Her language is getting so good, I love how much she can communicate now. I could live without the arguing and correcting me and whiny “I have nothing to do” though. We’ve been doing good about getting lots of outside time which has been great for both of us, but I am really tired.

We have done nothing to prepare for #2. Right now there are a bunch of boxes of DD’s old clothes in the nursery and that’s it. My yarn to make the baby a blanket is supposed to come today though-the important things, lol.

tosh24 · September 2018

Hi! I don't usually participate in this thread because my kids are older so I don't feel like my situation really "fits" with the rest of you that have toddlers or preschoolers (mine will be 12 and 7 when baby gets here). But today I just feel like "why the heck not" so here it goes

Second week back to school and things are going well! DD is in grade 7 and DS is in grade 2. Both like their teachers and have their friends in their class so they're happy. DD plays rep soccer and usually has games/practice 5 nights a week but the outdoor season just ended and tryouts for the next level up start next week so we're on a bit of a hiatus right now which is sooooooo nice. It's given DH and I time to do some baby prep!

Right now the nursery is the playroom so we're working on cleaning up the basement so we can move the toys down there and make another family room (the basement is finished but we've never used it the 9 years we've been here!). Just have two more bins to go through and put back in the crawl space and then have to shampoo the carpets. Once that's done we can move the toys down and set up the nursery. We've got all the furniture already and the room was renovated a couple of years ago so floors and paint are good. Kept all the clothes from DD and DS so I'm pretty set for whatever sex we end up having (Team Green!). Just need to buy a new car seat and some more baby gates. I need to find a coming home outfit for a boy (have one for a girl) and I want to get a newborn Christmas sleeper juuust in case baby makes an appearance before Christmas (I'm full term on Dec 17th and my other two came early). Other than that I need to get all my cloth diapers out and wash them and then prep the few new ones I've bought. I might be crazy, but I cannot wait to start doing little baby laundry...it's my favourite kind!

Edited* typos

ChasingTheDog · September 2018

@tosh24 my DD is 6 and this will be #2 for us. She can make her own cereal so I feel pretty good about that lolol

I havent done much baby prep. We have a 2 bedroom condo so I’d love to hear how other folks make that work. Eventually we’ll have to move but I’d like to make it for a couple of years. New baby boy will be in my room for a few months then transition to a crib in DD’s room but it’s toddler-hood I’m worried about.

tosh24 · September 2018

@ChasingTheDog Hahaha I'm banking on the independence too! They can wipe their own butts, get their own snacks, dress themselves and brush teeth, etc. so I'm hoping for a smooth transition to number 3!

molosmiles · September 2018

@tosh24 MY DD1 was 8 when DD2 was born and the independence factor and ability to help was HUGE. I am nervous about doing this with baby and DD2 so close in age. Of course, DD1 is always like, you have me to help! So sweet

I luckily didn't get rid of most of DD2 baby stuff because I'm lazy like that. We weren't planning on having any more so I'm pretty stoked for my laziness right now. I did get rid of her clothes along the way...donated some, gave some to friends. We are having a boy this time so it works out. Beyond that I haven't done anything else besides think about what I want to get or need to get. I half assed started an Amazon registry just to keep myself a list but havent even gone back to it yet. I feel like I have time but I know it will fly by. I was not like this with my other 2, 3rd child syndrome happening already, lol!

bradleysmommy28 · September 2018

@tosh24 & @chasingthedog +1 to having an older kid. This baby is likely to be born the same day or week that DS#1 turns 6 so I too am banking on the independence factor. Also, DS started Kindergarten this year and we are 2 wks in and finally getting into a routine with school, DSs soccer practice/games and DHs sports schedule.

@chasingthedog - we currently are in a townhouse with only 2 bedrooms upstairs so we are planning to put the baby in DS#1's bedroom (we have a bedroom in the basement which is my office and a den in the basement that is our play room so we have no intentions of using them as bedrooms). The baby will sleep in our room for a few weeks but my goal is to have him in their bedroom by the time I go back to work (same thing I did w/ #1). Thankfully DS#1 is a pretty heavy sleeper so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that helps with the transition.

ladystout08 · September 2018

I'm glad to hear from some of you with older kids. DS will be almost 6 when DD is born and I'm super glad he's somewhat self sufficient.

sweetyjenj · September 2018

I was just telling a colleague yesterday...I give major props to single moms or moms with SO on deployment. Taking care of a toddler is hard enough as it is, then add in being pregnant and I'm sooooo grateful for the help DH offers. Some days I'm just like, "can you lead dinner and bedtime tonight? I'll make us dinner later, but right now I just can't." and he steps in and it's wonderful.

I went into nesting mode last weekend and started organizing basement storage so I can move a bunch of stuff down there from the guest room and office, since the office needs to be combined with the guest room before we can start doing anything to the nursery. The nursery really doesn't need to be finished for a while after he's born, since he'll room with us for at least 6 months, but it'll be way easier to prepare the bulk of it while I only have 1 child than when they're both here. I've started a huge pile of items I want to either sell or donate.

I have well over 1000 books, and for a long time I've loved having them, but now I think it's time to say "screw it" and get rid of half of them. Many of them I know I'll never read, or never read again, and are just taking up space. It's so tough, though, because I know many I could sell for more if I sell them online...but who has time for that when I need to get rid of so many?

I basically feel like a beached whale by the end of every day. DH and I sit on the couch and watch Netflix and it's the best part of my day. Some days DD is a blast and I love spending the few hours after work playing with her until bedtime...then other days I'm counting down the minutes until she's asleep and I can just sit.

sweetyjenj · September 2018

@UnbreakableKimmySchmidt We're in this situation! I have TONS of girl clothes. I went through it all and removed anything that can be used as gender neutral and all the white onsies and all the swaddles, then I took the remaining and put in vacuum seal bags to put under the guest bed and in the basement storage. I plan to give them to one of my sisters/brothers in the near future if they're having a girl. Otherwise, the JBF sales (Just Between Friends) here in the Twin Cities are a great place to resell the items in good condition. I know some of them have a "valet" service where you just drop off your things and they tag them for you and you don't have to do anything but collect a check after the sale ends.

@saltedcaramel518 how old is your LO? they've extended the rear facing requirements due to recent research, so you might want to check that out. If your LO doesn't meet the requirements yet, it may be worth it to have them rear facing longer for safety reasons, even if it's not comfortable to put them in.

@PolarBear517 I've heard that it's common to get swollen feet in the warmer months, but less during the winter months. Everyone is different, so who knows. I didn't get any swollen feet with DD and she was born in early February. Maybe you won't have to worry about footwear once it gets cold out! Fingers crossed!

UnbreakableKimmySchmidt · September 2018

@sweetyjenj Good to know about the JBF sales. I looked into Munchkin Market and it looks like you have to do a lot of prep for those sales and idk if I want to do all that. I might try some of the facebook groups too.

sweetyjenj · September 2018

@UnbreakableKimmySchmidt facebook groups might be the easiest, since I know people who even just put the clothes into piles and post those pics and sell in bulk. That would be easier than pricing out and selling item by item. I LOVE the JBF sales, though, and go to all the local ones. The Maple Grove sale is coming up soon.

VallieS86 · September 2018

Things with dd are good, she's finally getting into potty training and is doing pretty good at either just going in the potty or letting us know when she needs to go. It's exciting.

Baby prep is going... not really. Lol. We've kind of looked into a double stroller, but need to start thinking about cribs... we have a 3 bedroom house but our 3rd bedroom is in the basement so they'll have to share a room until whenever we can afford a bigger house. I kept all dd's clothes, bouncer, swing, infant car seat, so I'm excited to be able to use the stuff again, and then get rid of it as #2 gets older. We don't plan on having another one.

sfgiantsgamerbabe · September 2018

Baby prep is coming along. We did some more cleaning and organizing but mostly our stuff. Baby stuff is next. I put a Target registry together that’s mostly just little stuff like diapers, wipes, new towels, new sheets, etc. I’m not having a baby shower this time around but my mom told me to create one anyway so if anyone asks about sending a gift she can just tell them where to go. I should get the 15% completion coupon in time for Black Friday.

DS is still not potty trained and it sucks. Bleh!

bradleysmommy28 · September 2018

@sfgiantsgamerbabe I didn't even think about the completion coupon in conjunction with black Friday, thanks!

ladystout08 · September 2018

I'm so glad I'm not the only STM lacking on baby prep. It just dawned on me the other day that I haven't even considered daycares yet.

sweetyjenj · September 2018

@ladystout08 I'm not looking forward to daycares

DD is currently in a home daycare a mile from our house that we LOVE. DS will be able to go there with her, but not until September, 2019, so for 4 months while I go back to work we need to find an alternate place, which won't be easy. I'm hoping a SAHM friend of mine would be willing to take him for 4 months if I pay what I would be paying the daycare. I'm not planning on it, but maybe it's a backup.

ladystout08 · September 2018

@sweetyjenj we're on the wait list for the daycare center on the post I work at but there's estimated timeline for us to get in, other than that, I have no idea. I keep meaning to ask around to friends who they use. Blah.

kmos816 · September 2018

I have also not given a thought to daycare! We plan on moving within 6 months and not sure where we will end up. DD starts kindergarten in Sept ‘19; and instead of two daycare drop offs for 3 months I’m considering a nanny from end of May- end of August, although not sure I’m ready for the extra cost!!!!

My feet never got swollen with DD1- and I was pregnant fall-spring (born end of April); my ankles now however have been swollen by the end of the day everyday, so hoping once colder weather finally makes it way that will stop!

emmaaa · September 2018

DD is doing well! She will be two in about 2 weeks and I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. She is really starting to put more words together and can say, "Help me please" and things of that nature. I would say she is pretty average in speech so I love seeing her learn new things. She is also wanting to do EVERYTHING herself and doesn't want help, which causes a lot of frustration on both ends. I think she may be getting her 2 year molars because she has been extra cranky lately but that may just be her mood lol

We have barely done anything to get ready for baby boy. We have to clean out the spare room before we really do anything and I have no motivation to do it. We did make a registry for the baby shower/brunch/whatever so there's that.

molosmiles · September 2018

@emmaaa My DD2 is turning 2 tomorrow and I can't get over it. This age period is definitely my favorite. I love watching them learn and figure out new things. And they are just so darn funny.

We also haven't done anything to get ready for DS. I cleaned out the spot I intend to put his crib and my cousin fave me a bunch of hand me downs. I haven't even found one outfit for baby boy that I must have. I keep looking!

LeahNicole · September 2018

We took DD (20 months) to a hockey game tonight for the first time. She loved it! She loved the mascot. I love watching her see things, it's such a joy to experience life through her eyes. It was my mom's 50th birthday! Such a great time!

sweetyjenj · September 2018

We FINALLY finished moving the office into the guest room. I wasn't sure how it would work out and was worried it would just be a cramped mess, but after moving the bed and getting everything in there, it actually works perfectly and it feels really great. Now I just have to find a spot to put 3 bookshelves (likely the basement rec room) and the room will be ready for us to get started turning it into a bedroom!

jandd2014 · September 2018

I don't know if its just me being pregnant and irritable and not having any patience left, but DD has been pushing boundaries this week. Its been rough. But she's doing pretty well staying dry and peeing in the toilet when I remember to ask her if she needs to go so maybe there is hope that she will be potty trained before the new baby gets here.
We have the baby's room set up how I want it but there's still random stuff in there that I need to find homes for somewhere else in the house. I got down the box of DD's newborn clothes yesterday and had all the feels. Got half of it washed and put in the drawers, but I'm waiting on my mom to repaint DD's dresser so that I can get the rest of her stuff out of the dresser/changing table so there's somewhere to put the newborn clothes.
I'm still debating getting a double stroller. DD likes to walk and I could wear #2 for a while, so she could still sit when needed. I don't think we go many places where we would actually need a big double stroller. But I'm going to keep looking at different options and maybe find something cheap-ish/second-hand.

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