I have been an absolute nutcase lately. Next week I will be 20 weeks (Eeek!) and I feel so overwhelmingly unprepared for this baby. For those that don't know, we are in the process of buying a house and it is driving me UP THE WALL! Good grief what a lot of hassle. Honestly, if I wasn't preggo I don't think I would be flipping out so much, but I need a home for my baby, and I need it now. The freakin idiot sellers with their idiotic realtor said the roof was being replaced this week (we close on the 27th), then yesterday we drive by and see the same old roof. So we call our realtor and come to find out they were waiting for the appraisal to do the roof. ***! I FLIPPED out on our realtor. Like, big time. I called the other realtor as a lying idiot; I told our realtor that apparently we don't have anyone working on our side. I told them this is BS b/c if they haven't got an appt for the roof yet, I don't see how they are going to get someone at the last minute to do it next week, when the place we called for the free inspection said they couldn't get us a new roof until February. UGH! Dustin told me today he used to think nesting was a load of doo, but now he knows better

Anyways, aside from that, work is super busy and stressful right now too. And I have like no time to plan for this baby. I realized yesterday all these things I wanted to do with this pregnancy, but it is flying by and not a one of them has happened I have no cloth dipes yet, no classes scheduled. I haven't joined a preggo group, I haven't toured our birthing center yet. Now I am seriously wondering if I should have a doula. I still need to talk to my doc about my birthing desires and ask her about episiotomies and all that. I have no registry, nothing picked for the nursery. No children’s books yet, no baby Radiohead CDs that I wanted. I keep forgetting to take my fish oil vitamins. I need to schedule the 3D/4D ultrasound, and buy a new camera and camcorder, and start thinking about maternity portraits. Acccccckkk! Oh yes, and I still need to get my hypnobabies supplies.

Good grief I am frustrated, and I need a vacation. But I'd rather spend the money on a new kitchen for the house so that option is out. Whoever actually read this, thx for listening. I need to go knock one of these goals out and gain some sanity.

[~Jess~]

Ugh, what a nightmare, I'm so sorry.

you need to stop and take a step back!! You'll explode!!! Sit down with Duston and write a "to do" list - a baby to do list and ahouse/other to do list. Write down what you need to get and take it one step at a time. You don't need to get everything all at once. And getting so stressy isn't helping blobby!

[*Anna*]

Sorry Michelle!!! But just relax, sit back and write everything down. You have plenty of time for baby and will figure everything out!!! And we're all here for you :hugs:

[*JenJen*]

:hugs: take a deep breath.......and go shop on amazon and buy the CD's you wanted. Then you can cross one item off your list. Just take it a day at a time and you will get things done.

[♥Ashley♥]

Michelle, I totally get like this!!!! (Not nesting of course) But I start freaking out when I have all kinds of stuff to be done! I just get out my planner and make a list of every single little or big thing that needs to be done, and then when I start marking things off I start to feel soooooo much better! I swear making a list and then checking things off of it is a stress reliever for me!! And then you wont forget anything, and if you think of more things just go back to your list and add onto it!! Buying a house is so stressful, and then to be pregnant on top of it probably is really stressful! When we bought our current home we were getting the run around like you kind of are...I just became the devil I swear, I called those sellers every single day for a check up on what they have done so far and when exactly they will be doing whatever else needed to be done. I didnt get off the phone with them until they gave me exact dates for everything. They soon realized they needed to get their sh** together because I was on them like a hawk!

I hope you get everything figured out!!

[ShannonMVT]

I have no cloth dipes yet, no classes scheduled. I haven't joined a preggo group, I haven't toured our birthing center yet. Now I am seriously wondering if I should have a doula. I still need to talk to my doc about my birthing desires and ask her about episiotomies and all that. I have no registry, nothing picked for the nursery. No children’s books yet, no baby Radiohead CDs that I wanted. I keep forgetting to take my fish oil vitamins. I need to schedule the 3D/4D ultrasound, and buy a new camera and camcorder, and start thinking about maternity portraits. Acccccckkk! Oh yes, and I still need to get my hypnobabies supplies.[/b]

Okay girl, I don't know if this will make you feel better, but I'm a month ahead of you and I could have written most of that paragraph. We have picked out some things for the nursery and a few books and that is IT! No cloth dipes, no detailed questions for dr, no figuring out if I want a doula (or what kind of birth I will try for), haven't pre-registered or toured the hospital, etc.

And I am feeling completely unmotivated to do any of it right now so that just tops it all off.

But I agree with Fi to make a to do list and you will feel better if you can just get one thing crossed off and then focus on the next thing. I did that a couple weeks ago and it DID make me feel better that I could cross of making eye appts, dental appts and getting that sort of stuff done. I understand the freaking out, I have done it myself. Just take a deep breath, everything that really matters WILL get done before blobby gets here.

I'm sorry about the roof situation, I am all about yelling at your realtor in this situation.

[niknok]

Deep breath sweetie.....now go get some paper for your to do list. Just choose one thing per day. Don't try to do it all at once, or you really will drive yourself nutso. One little task a day, and no more. And before you know it, you'll be ready, and your sweet baby will be here. But let me just warn you--you will never feel completely ready. There will always be at least one more thing you can get done. It all works out in the end, I promise. All your baby really needs is you, the rest is just bells and whistles.

[Mars]

Ugh to all you're going through!! But, apart from the house issues (am really sorry about the roof stuff going on),you still have quite some time to get baby's things in order. As the other ladies suggested, make a list and then just start knocking off things one at a time. You will get it done. And Nikki is right, a lot of the stuff we get are bells and whistles and baby doesn't really care for any of that. Get all your necessities first and slowly knock off the other items from your list, otherwise you'll drive yourself bonkers.

[IamMom]

Michelle - don't worry sweetie - my kid is almost three and there are still baby things I don't have for him (HE HE HE)....basically there were things I intended to get and intended to do and never did and we made it all the way to almost three just fine! It will all work out - you'll see!!!

[**Jenn**]

Ugh! I'm sorry things are so crazy and hectic right now. Just take a step back and a deep breath. I agree with making a list (or two) and just doing one thing at a time.

I don't know if you're having a baby shower but that may be a great time to get tons of books. At my cousin's shower it was requested to bring a children's book instead of a card to sign. She got a ton of books and each one had a personal message and signature from the person who brought it. So as her son grows up he can look back and see all the family/friends who loved him before he was even here. I thought that was a sweet idea and maybe something you can suggest to whoever will be giving you a shower? And then that's also one more thing off your list!

[Resi]

Wow! You have a big list there but a lot of it can be planned towards the end of your pregnancy (birth classes, pregnancy pictures, etc.) You can order the cloth diapers online along with some of the other stuff you listed. You can also do a lot of your baby registry online. It's a big list but it can be done! I know it's an overwhelming feeling when you hit the 1/2 way mark and still have so much to plan.

I agree with you all that tackling one thing a day will help me chill. Hopefully. So tonight I am going to see if we can schedule a birth center tour during the three day weekend, and order some pre-folds. That should help I think

And our realtor got back to us. Our appraisal came through and the sellers have an appt scheduled for Tuesday to have the roofers start. They estimated a 2 day job. So now I am feeling MUCH better about the house, thank God. And even though I sorta feel bad for yelling at our realtor, I needed a definite answer today and I still feel like they were really screwing around with us. I just NEED to get the house together and start the nursery.

Thanks girls

[thepinkleprechaun]

You should DEFINITELY look into getting a doula If I were you I would just look around and interview a couple to see which one you feel comfortable with.

And the to do list is a very very good idea. I had a "to do" and a "to buy" list and it helped a lot.

As for the cloth diapers...I will be listing Phin's newborn stash for sale in the next few weeks just in case you're interested

[ANGWife]

You are NOT alone!!

Along with this baby preparation, I'm also setting up my family daycare. So basically we're renovating/redecorating the entire downstairs and then the nursery. The daycare stuff HAS to be done by the end of March. So while I really feel the need to nest for this baby, I have to split my time and do the daycare stuff cause it's coming sooner.

We also have a running list of "to do's." I think what makes me feel better about the list is that DH can actually see how much needs to be done and can feel my pain!

[soImarriedAnerd]

As for the cloth diapers...I will be listing Phin's newborn stash for sale in the next few weeks just in case you're interested [/b]

I vote that you list them on this board first! LOL



I agree with everyone else---lists are great! Glad the roof is working out also!!!! Oh and YES a doula is worth their weight in gold I have heard over and over again from moms.

[**Jenn**]

I'm so glad for you that things with your house are coming together! We moved when I was 36 weeks pregnant with Lochlann and I DO NOT recommend that at all! Did I mention it was also the middle of July with a temp and humidity in the 90s with no ac? I really hope for your sake you can get in your house and things done asap!

[Mod-LadyCoconut]

Wooo. Breathe, Michelle! I am so glad after the wedding crazies are over with I have the first-time-momma crazies to look forward to! haha... your post, while on an entirely different topic, sounded just like one of mine lately. I'm starting to forget what it's like to have my brain back... to NOT be planning wedding stuff and stressing out, etc.

You definitely need to make a list. Just have it out of your head will make you feel better. Then you don't have to constantly have it float back up from & center... because you won't forget, it's written down -- which also means you'll stress over it less. It's like when you're worried you'll sleep through your alarm and you wind up waking up every hour to check the time. Get it out of your head and on paper and you'll instantly feel better. And as another poster mentioned -- this way Dustin can see what needs to be done also and start checking things off the list as well.

I LOVE the book instead of a card bridal shower idea... that's so cute!

Once you've written down your list, prioritize the things that are easy to do and knock those out. Buying the books and cds and hypnobabies stuff sounds pretty painless. Seeing those marked off the list will make you feel a lot better. Hell, even put down some things you've already done just to see what you've accomplished already and to get to check a few off.

As far as the fish oil thing, make it Dustin's responsibility! Tell him that it's his job to give it to you each day. He can set an alarm on his phone and bring it to you with a glass of water each day... whatever. It'll probably make him feel good to have a 'job' and when Blobby Norwood grows up you can tell him all about how Daddy supplied his fish oil. haha.

And try not to worry toooo much! Yeah, you're 20 weeks... halfway there. There's a reason why women have m/s and feel tired the first tri... and then get a boost of energy and a nesting urge later on. You probably aren't as behind as you think you are, you're just getting overwhelemed. You've still got it together, and you do have a ton going on!

I'm glad the roof thing is working out... that's awesome and a huge relief. Don't feel too bad about going off on the realtor, it's her job to stay on top of things and you shouldn't have to be so stressed about it.

Remember, there is SO MUCH information about pregnancy and babies. It can be really overwhelming. I still can't figure out how many kinds of cloth dipes there are and what the differences are, and it stresses me out and I'm not even TTC yet! There's just a lot to know. But really, your baby and you will get along just fine... there are women all over the country and world who raise their babies without even being aware of half the options you have. To want to put a nursery together and not physically be in the house yet is a huge worry. It WILL all come together, and it WILL be fine. You'll finish what's important and necessary. Don't be afraid to start asking for help either! Your DH, your mom... people who can check off some of those to-do list items. Even the ladies here can help... if you have research to do, questions you want to know to ask... start a new topic. They'll give you all sorts of things and likely research and websites as well. Sometimes I use you guys as my 'google' when I need thoughts/advice/opinions. haha.

Okay I'm rambling.

Now I'll have to re-read this, put it in a wedding theme, and apply it to myself. haha

((((((((HUGS))))))))

(if I said something stupid, don't blame me, it's the crazies taking over.)

[lauren in hi]

I'm glad you're feeling better, hon. That's great about the roof...what a relief!

I totally know how you feel, except that I have only 2 months from today left to prepare. We are getting furniture for our bedroom delivered this afternoon, and we still need to clear out the computer room (which will be Joshua's room, although he'll sleep w/ us the first few weeks/months). So I'll have to go set up and pack stuff for all that. I have to try to get Abby into a new preschool for next school year. I'm also still working on potty & sleep issues w/ Abby, and I know I'm not going to be done with both or maybe either by the time Josh is here. My preregistration for the hospital is only halfway done. I don't know if we're going to do a tour--probably not at this point, and I was born there but that was forever ago, so I really don't know much about this place! (It's probably the most popular hospital, though, for births, as it's a women's & children's hospital, so I'm sure if I ask around at work I can get the info. I want/need about it without actually going there.) Brant wanted to redo our master closet, but I don't know if that will get done either. I have to do a lot of stuff for work...some is like I should've gotten it done yesterday, and the rest needs to be done by 2/24 which is not too long from now. I have not been on my treadmill all week. None of Joshua's clothes are washed, nor do I have a dresser for him yet. I have to pack up the remainder of Abby's old clothes...some are going to my co-worker, and the rest are going to be donated. I don't have everything bought for Joshua, nor do I have a list of what I still need. I haven't tested my breast pump to make sure it still works. My sling & the DVD it came w/ are still in the box. I have to clear out my file cabinet at home because it's getting so full, but I don't even know how long I should be keeping stuff from in case we are ever audited. Our taxes need to be done before he comes because I normally do them over spring break, but he will be there before then! I haven't discussed my tubal & c-sec. in detal w/ my OB and have loads of questions about that.

Anyway, if you want to feel better, just refer back to my list. I'd love to spend more time doing baby-related stuff, but I just need to focus more on Abby & work right now. I know stuff will get done...all I can do is tackle it little by little & hope for the best!

[Alison81]

The "to-do" list is a GREAT idea. I did that when pregnant with DD. I moved in with my parents half-way through my pregnancy, and I felt a lot like you. I had to re-do 2 bedrooms to make room for me and DD, and I did it all by myself. I still find it crazy that I moved furniture at 25 weeks pregnant, but you gotta do what you gotta do, LOL. But you still have PLENTY of time! I am sure you will be like me, bored out of your mind in the last 2 weeks with nothing to do but stare at the crib and all the cute baby stuff, and wait! It'll be okay!