Just because I’ve stopped writing about the possibilities of another baby, doesn’t mean that the thoughts have stopped. Oh, those never-ending thoughts.
So while we’re in the pre-trying phase, I figured I might as well be proactive about this. I might as well not waste this precious non-pregnancy time away by obsessing over pregnancy. Because you know when I’m waddling to the bathroom for the 64th time in three hours, I’ll be shaking my fist at my former self. Damn you and your empty body!
And that’s where this list came from: 20 Things Before Pregnancy #2.
1. Print photos from computer and make hard-copy albums
2. Finish the godforsaken scrapbook that I’ve, quite literally, shelved.
3. Do more one-on-one baking and crafts with Noah. (See part 1 of this here.)
4. Make a video montage of Noah’s first two years.
5. Have my sister take some family photos. (Actually, any photos that document the three of us in the same place at the same time will do.)
6. Exercise 3x a week, consistently. Consistently, Michelle.
7. Run 5 miles. (That number is completely meaningless to me, but it sounds impressive.)
8. Take a getaway without Noah.
9. Take a trip with Noah — preferably to a beach.
10. Do yoga weekly.
11. Potty train Noah. (For the love of God.)
12. Take more home videos.
13. Capture Noah’s performances on camera. (He won’t perform to the blink of a recording light. Most likely to drive me crazy.)
14. Go to the Bronx Zoo/Botanical Gardens/(insert any NYC attraction) with Noah.
15. Start a college fund for Noah.
16. Finalize a guardianship decision. (I know. It’s bad. And, yes, even I’m shocked at how low this ranks on my to-do list.)
17. Have a weekly date night.
18. Remove my IUD.
19. Dye my hair — just for the hell of it.
20. Indulge in soon-to-be-forbidden foods: soft cheese, raw sushi, deli meat, wine — all of which I’ve surprisingly avoided since my last pregnancy.
And then when my 20 things runs out, I’ll be left with nothing to do but get knocked up. Sounds like a reasonable plan to me.
What would be on your list? What did I miss? Help me out!
[...] That’s why I came up with a list: 20 things to do before pregnancy #2. [...]
Have Sex! hard enough with one but still possible, once you have a 2nd it is near impossible. Maybe more impossible for me because my DH works 3rd shift 6 nights a week lol.
Oh honey, this is always on my list.
That’s a good list, but I would say be lax on yourself about the potty training. My oldest is 3 1/2 and although he’s trained 100% on number 1 I’m still changing poopy diapers for both him and the baby. The more we forced it, the worse it got. So we’re in hands off mode about it for now. You have to consider the Noah factor in this equation, HE may not be ready, so if he’s not, don’t stress out. (Also, there’s regression sometimes when the baby is born and you’re back to diapers for a few days to weeks.) I’d say something that I would have done had we been able to afford it is pre-schedule and pre-pay for hair appointments, especially after the baby was born. It’s a good motivator to go out and DO something for yourself if you’ve already paid for it.
I agree. We’re absolutely taking a slow approach with him, only because we know that it’s best for his personality. I’m sure some kids benefit from an intensive “potty training camp,” but definitely not Noah. He won’t do something until he’s 100% in. He’s been stubborn from infancy.
I too, am a young mom..going on my 3rd baby in 3 years (Due Feb) (this one WILL be the last!) so I know all to well about the getting stuff done before the next! I am 26, for the record. I had a list while pregnant with my second and it was a lot of..print pictures..catch up baby book..make videos and I am really happy i got it done- so start now, cause it’s nuts!
Get your teeth cleaned and any necessary dental work done. Get your eyes checked (you know they can’t dilate your eyes while you’re pregnant?). Something I wish I did before pregnancy (I know this is silly) was get Botox in the “11″s between my eyebrows. That doesn’t seem like a safe thing to do while gestating.
Well I don’t know about the Botox lol, but good call on the dental work and eye exam.
Ha! Love this list! Also shaking my head at myself because I have yet to accomplish several of these things and my little is 7 :-/ terrible…
Wishing you the best in tackling this list!!! You’ve so got this
Have a girls night every so often and if you have other mom friends that you’re able to meet up with during the day with just one kid along, try to do that as often as you can before you have 2. If you think its tough working around 1 kid’s schedule, try 2 or 3. Coordinating feeding and napping for multiple small children is quite the challenge, I’m sure even more so when they’re different ages.
I’d also say if there are any non-essentials that you want to buy for yourself or your home, go ahead and save for those a bit if you can.
These are great suggestions, thanks!
I love #5- it seems so simple, but so important. I was just complaining to my husband the other day that I wished there were more pictures of the two of us together before we become a threesome.
I LOVE THIS! I just had baby #1, and we are planning on baby #2 in about 4-5 years. And i know myself well enough to get a ‘baby itch’ well before then. When (not if) this happens i will remind myself of this post. I am a very goal oriented person and i think doing something similar for myself will not only be productive (yes, get those pictures where they belong!) but will keep me in the present and enjoying this precious time of a family of 3.
I’m glad this helped you! Congratulations on your first baby!
[...] after my son was born. I’ve also been working on compiling photo albums as part of my 20 Things Before Pregnancy #2 [...]