My Final Weeks Before Delivery {Nikki’s Game Plan}

Well, the time is here where all of my planning to plan is in the past. I must actually really plan what I will have in place for my little man’s arrival in what appears to be just over 4 weeks.

I had planned on filling my freezer with meals, having all clothes sorted and cleaned (for baby), and I wanted to organize every single square inch of my house so it was orderly when we added a new little member to our family. Things won’t get easier and more relaxed once he is here, so I want to make my life easier, if possible, by front loading.

Here is the problem. I am 35 weeks pregnant. With that comes exhaustion, a gigantic huge belly, the inability to breathe well, the inability to walk up stairs without feeling like you have run a marathon, or to be too long on my feet without wanting to, well, cry?

My pregnancy is happy and healthy, but I am still pregnant! This means my body can’t work like a work horse now just to make my life easier later. How do I prioritize so I can have an easier time once little boy arrives? I decide what is most important and also what is easiest to accomplish while pregnant. Then (and only then) I can add to my list if I have extra time and energy!

I must consider also that he could arrive early. I gave birth to my second daughter 2 weeks early and it could of course happen again. So I have decided to give myself a 3 week plan of attack. Then I can spend the last week or two (or none?) more relaxed and just working on finishing touches!

What is most important to me in my final weeks before delivery?

1. His newborn/0-3 clothes must be cleaned and folded so any grownup is able to easily access them and use them right away.
2. His pack n’ play and co-sleeper need to be out, dusted off, and ready to use. Including sheets and fresh blankets.
3. Car seat washed and assembled (it is downstairs in our construction zone!) and then the base installed (that is my husband’s job!)
4. Nursing supplies out: breast pump, lanolin, nursing pads. So if I have a rough recovery, others can get this stuff for me easily.
5. Hospital bag packed (Don’t worry, I will have a whole post about this).

What is easiest to accomplish in my final weeks before delivery?

Item #1 is easy. I mean, it isn’t hard to do laundry. I will wash the car seat padding (#3) at the same time to make one regular sized load. I am going to task my dear Anthony with #2 and #3 (after I have put the car seat back together!). Items for #4 will likely end up in my hospital bag and then #5 well, that is fun for me. So that is easy.

Wow, when I look at it, I really don’t have too hard of a time ahead of me! I would like to get some other things done. But what I listed above is what is most important. The rest is bonus and will just make me look like an uber-planner (cough).

Other tasks to accomplish in my final weeks before delivery:

1. Bulk freezer cooking. On crock pot days, I can cook my future meals. I will share about this in an upcoming post too!
2. Packing my kids overnight bags. They are going to spend a few nights at their Nonnie and Poppy’s house while we are at the hospital. They have enough clothes that I can go ahead and pack them each a little bag. I can put each of these by my hospital bag and we can just grab them all on the way out the door.
3. Special allergy meals for Karli. I am blessed to attend a church where they will provide us with meals after we have the baby. This is so awesome! Karli however cannot have dairy or eggs. I would like to make several (at least 10!) individual meals for her so healing mama or less-work-in-the-kitchen-is-better daddy can just defrost and heat up with the meal that was provided for us. All of the meals I prepare (#1) will be allergen free so we don’t have to tap into our resource of Karli meals unless we are eating a meal that was given to us. The only reason this isn’t on my top list is because I can throw together meals for her last minute. We’re used to it. This step would just make our lives much easier!
4. Finish organizing and cleaning out “hot zones” in our house. This is just part of nesting. I have been working through my house and throwing away/packing up for Goodwill all of the things that just need to go. This is NOT mandatory and I won’t be doing this if I am too tired, but if I have any extra energy, I would like to simplify before adding more (aka, a new baby).
5. Take naps! I know you can’t store up sleep, but I will be trying to nap or get my feet up more to make sure my body isn’t exhausted, if possible! Taking care of myself, eating well, and resting is a must – even with an ever-growing to-do list!

What is on your list to accomplish before your little one arrives??

This current post is my game plan. Coming soon, I will share with you:

What I am bulk freezer cooking (and preparing in the kitchen),
Freezer-friendly allergy meals for my little girl,
and Packing my hospital bag!

Make sure to come back to see all I have going on in the next few weeks!