What things should we do before the baby arrives?

November 27, 2011

We’re now over the 30 week mark, and in the words of my mum, who texted me the other day when I mourned the sad state of my once perfect belly button, ‘go Baby C!’ One of my pregnancy iPhone apps gives a daily progress update, and ever since it went from being ten plus something weeks to nine plus something weeks left to go it seems like there’s been a subtle shift and we’re now counting down as opposed to counting up.

There’s really not long to go, and I’m equal parts thrilled and excited (mixed in with a good measure of slightly nervous anticipation, I won’t lie). But as it’s all getting quite close, I’m wondering about things we should do with this time, before the baby arrives. I’m not talking along the lines of buying blankets or painting the spare room – although we’re making good headway with our multiple to do lists – it’s more about making the most of the time to do things we won’t be able to once there’s three of us.

One of my work clients is tommee tippee, and I’m now writing a weekly pregnancy update post on the UK Facebook page. Things we should do before the baby arrives was my theme for this week, and I had some really lovely responses from the community. I also had a conversation on Twitter the other day with Alexandra and Alice on this very topic, who both gave some great suggestions.

So! I’ve used all these to compile a list – as follows – and intend to make sure we work our way through it:

  1. Take the opportunity to sleep while it’s there! Lie-ins and naps, mmm (sure this will be easier when I’m on maternity leave though)
  2. Spend quality time with just the two of us
  3. Go out for dinners at really quiet restaurants
  4. Go to the cinema and watch lots of films while I’m able to concentrate for more than five minutes
  5. Meet up with my friends for drinks / dinners
  6. Eat chocolate for breakfast guilt-free, without having to worry about ‘losing the baby weight’
  7. Go shopping for non-practical things
  8. Straighten my hair, paint my nails, apply a full face of make-up
  9. Have a haircut
  10. Read books that aren’t What to Expect When You’re Expecting, or anything to do with baby routines
  11. More sleep

That’s the list so far, but is there anything else I’ve missed off? I’d love to hear any more suggestions…

12 Comments

  • instead of working through the baby

    November 28, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Instead of working through your baby list you should be working through your own list (as above)y

    1. gillian

      December 5, 2011 at 10:47 pm

      We’re trying! Working on the sleep part first..zzZZzz

  • Week thirty of pregnancy – being really tired! |

    December 4, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    […] Skip to content HomeAbout me / contactBlogs I love ← What things should we do before the baby arrives? […]

  • Actually Mummy…

    December 5, 2011 at 10:10 am

    Take a bath! And I can’t recommend the cinema enough. I have been 5 times to see a proper grown up film since my daughter was born 7 years ago! It is the thing I miss most!
    YOu are my new discovery for 4th December (I know I’m a bit late). I will be giving you a shout out on my blog next time I post 🙂
    http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/2011/12/01/december-31-days-of-bloggers/
    Feel free to use the badge if you like – or don’t, either way I’m glad I found you 🙂

    1. Actually Mummy…

      December 5, 2011 at 9:46 pm

      And here is your link – couldn’t find you on twitter but have tweeted your blog 🙂
      http://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/2011/12/05/popular-posts/

      1. gillian

        December 5, 2011 at 10:52 pm

        Oh and I’m @gill_crawshaw on Twitter – just followed you!

    2. gillian

      December 5, 2011 at 10:50 pm

      Brilliant suggestions, thank you so much! We’re trying to watch lots of films while I’m able to have a concentration span, so cinema sounds good too (for the peace and quiet!) And thanks so much for the mention, really excited to be your 4th December 😀

  • Popular Posts | Actually Mummy…

    December 5, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    […] the 4th day of Christmas I found myself at A Baby on Board, dishing out advice on what to make the most of before the arrival of baby number one. What do we […]

  • Being 32 and 33 weeks pregnant |

    December 18, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    […] week we saw Coldplay at the O2, in the style of doing things pre-baby, and it’s probably the last gig we’ll see in a while. The baby loved it, judging by […]

  • Things to do before you have a baby – the ultimate list |

    June 4, 2013 at 11:39 am

    […] this question when I was pregnant, and everyone very kindly sent me lots of suggestions for my pre-baby list. It has since become one of the most popular posts on my blog; it’s a big question every […]

  • How technology can help you as a parent |

    November 6, 2013 at 12:08 pm

    […] second babies, and a year before that I was thinking about what to do before the arrival of our first baby (and mourning the sad state of my belly […]

  • Things to do before you have a second baby – with toddlers and young children |

    July 9, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    […] a list of the ultimate things to do before the baby arrives and everything changes (original list here). Wine, sleep, socialising and appreciating your lovely untouched home featured heavily. First time […]

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Prev Post Next Post