I am sitting here trying to figure out what to write about and I'm stumped. Part of me wants to write every thing I can think of about Mazzy, because I have a bad feeling she is about to be ignored for the next few months.
But I've started three different posts about her and for the first time since I started this blog, I can't think of anything interesting to say about my soon-to-be three-year-old little girl.
So here's what's probably going on…
I'M HAVING A FREAKING BABY IN A WEEK.
I'm excited, scared, nervous, tired, anxious, etc. etc. etc. It seems like there are still so many things that need to get done.
Like…
COME TO GRIPS WITH THE REALITY I AM HAVING A FREAKING BABY THIS WEEK!!!
Once that's done, perhaps I will be able to move on to the rest of my to-do list, which includes items that should probably have been taken care of somewhere in my second trimester.
MY VERY BELATED TO-DO LIST:
1) Pack hospital bag.
Yep. I still haven't done that. I did take out a bag today so that's a start but it is lying empty on my floor. I don't have cute PJs to pack or a special outfit for the baby and I'm not about to pack my make-up bag when I am still using my make-up every day, so YEAH. I can throw stuff in there once contractions start, right?
2) Settle on a name.
My husband and I are in agreement on the first name. HALLELUJAH. But we still have no idea what to do about a middle name. We thought we had a middle name but then I read a disturbing meaning for it and now it's back in the "maybe" list. Then Mike had a dream about some name he was supposed to be called if he were a girl and got totally stuck on itβ even though I HATE IT. Then he emailed his mother and she said that was totally not going to be his name and she has no clue where he got it from. Childhood crush? Favorite teacher? Pet rock? Who knows. But we've got NOTHING.
3) See Argo.
I heard it's really good and if we don't see it now we probably won't have the opportunity to see it for the next three-five years.
4) Organize five years worth of digital photos.
The goal is to make a hard copy album for each year. Since, when the new baby arrives, my iPhoto library will only get larger and more disorganized. (Spoiler Alert: this is obviously not happening EVER.)
5) Start a baby registry.
I know. I should have done this months ago. I thought it was silly to have a registry for a second kid but now family members say they need a registry to know what to buy us for gifts. Honestly, if I'm going to have a registry, I'd rather make it for Mazzy, because we may already have the baby stuff but we don't have stuff for a little girl who's about to turn three.
Which brings me to…
6) Plan Mazzy's birthday party.
Her birthday is December 9th. She's gonna get screwed.
I think that's it. Work ended last week and now I have this week off to get things done. Yesterday, I got a pedicure. Very important, obviously. I hear they won't let you in the hospital without freshly polished toes.
Oh no, wait. I thought of two more!
7) Potty train Mazzy and 8) Teach her to sleep in her own bed.
FAT FUCKING CHANCE.
In other news, what do you think of these cards for our birth announcent?
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On Babble today, read "14 Must-Haves for Your Hospital Bag" about all the things I have yet to pack and "20 Adorable Ways to Say We're Pregnant" about pregnancy announcements we did not send out.
Also, today is the last day to submit your pictures for tomorrow's Halloween Costume Contest. Just post them on the wall of the Mommy Shorts Facebook Fanpage.
AHAHAHA! I freakin’ love your posts.
Don’t panic! You’ve been through this labor thing before so it should be a breeze (God willing!)
Try planning little bits of Mazzy’s birthday in advance – I like to write lists of what I’ll need and where I’m sure I can find them so I don’t go driving around the city like a headless chicken. This will also help Mike (or anyone else willing to give a helping hand) find the party stuff easily. Also, check with a local bakery and see if you can make an order over the phone or via e-mail (with a picture or description of what you’d like, etc). Party invitations can be sent through e-mail as well! Technology these days π
You’ll be alright! Seriously, don’t freak out!
Don’t worry, the world still revolves around baby one when number two comes along. Best wishes π
I only finished packing my hospital bag just before I went to the hospital.
I was all calm and collected, taking my time before heading there. Even got on Twitter to tell people, it’s time!
By the time we were on our way, I was lucky the baby’s head wasn’t out already.
Moral of the story? It’s okay not to have finished packing yet, but when the time comes, haul. ass. Second babies come fast.
Good luck and can’t wait to meet girl #2! (and find out her name!)
We had our second little girl five weeks ago…and our first will be 3 on November 12. I’ll let you know how the party I haven’t planned goes this weekend.
And baby one will always be your sidekick. It will be ok.
Careful…. the night I made my list of things to bring to the hospital was the night my water broke…I didn’t even make it to 37 weeks!
We’re in the middle of potty training now. Not gonna lie, I hate it with the fire of 1000 suns, but it’s slowly getting better.
Good luck! I seriously was so clueless that when I went into labor I told my husband he should just go to work because it would be awhile. I started packing my bag just then, and 12 hours later….
Mazzy is going to do great. It might be hard in the beginning (I’ve seen it with my sister’s girls), but my “little” sister is my oldest and dearest friend.
Don’t worry, it’ll all work out! I am due any day now as well and I have a list of my own things that haven’t gotten done, but at this point I’m too tired to care.
Mazzy will be an awesome big sister! Can’t wait to read about all the new adventures and sharing your sentiments π
I’m new here, but I just wanted to wish you luck and tell you that your photos are freaking amazing. I started following you on instagram and WoW!
Try to relax and enjoy this week.
TWO natural disasters, and a full moon, and that baby hasn’t come yet?! maybe she will be late and is nice and cozy in there. relax you may still have 3 more weeks. that’s enough time to get potty training done, right?
edit…i guess the nor’easter isn’t technically a natural disaster, but it seems like it should be considering all the people still without power.
Oh, you’ll do great with everything on your list! Just don’t forget the chapstick in your labor bag. I would have been fine if that’s all that was in mine. π
Potty training? That will be just fine too! You’ll already be doing loads of laundry every day, anyway. π
I think you are doing great!
The birthday party? As long as you have cake, kids, and presents you’ll be fine!
And don’t worry about Mazzy sleeping in her own bed–for the next few weeks nobody will be sleeping too much….
And a big YES on the cards! If only they had those when I had my 2nd! π
My biggest decision is whether to have the party at home or somewhere else. It’s tough to do a kid’s party in a NYC apartment but “somewhere else” is EXPENSIVE.
Yeah, pretty sure Mazzy isn’t gonna let us off the hook that easy.
I’ve decided the outfit I am wearing RIGHT NOW is the outfit I will be taking to the hospital. THERE. DONE. Although, I guess I should probably wash it…
Ha! Happy birthday to your first!
I was convinced I was gonna go early like I did with Mazzy but here I am just a week away. Must be the lack of planning. I’ll hold off on the hospital bag a few more days and see what happens.
From what you’ve said about Mazzy, I highly doubt she will ever let you ignore her for more than a few minutes!
And you do not need a registry for a second kid. But the pedicure was definitely critical.
My little sister is my best friend too. Also, my little sister is 31. OY.
I’m not sure about this, but I think you might be able to start a registry on Target.com without ever setting foot in the store. Go for it. Make it an all Mazzy registry. And maybe a couple of things for baby.
You’re doing better than I did with baby #2. I was in labor for pretty much weeks before I was actually IN labor. They finally had to break my water and man did that ever piss off my daughter. She got mad and had to come out quickly and scream at me about it!
There should be some sort of formula for naming babies. Something simple. HA HA, right.
Relax and enjoy. Then enjoy that baby! π
I’m shocked as well that she hasn’t decided to make an entrance! Sheesh! Technically you could go at any time, so maybe Meg is right. She’s just not ready! Good luck! I’m sure we’ll all be thinking of you.
Yeah, I was gonna potty train both the twins before the new baby got here. I just finished changing three very unique diapers. I’ll let you do the math on that one.
Congrats and good luck!!!
Awesome. I just had a baby 5 months ago, and have two 8 year-olds, and made all kinds of lists like that. Yeah, it does get more complicated. Sorry!
My second baby was born on September 17th and his sisters third birthday is Nov 8th. We totally slacked off on her party and she didn’t care. We invited one family with three kids we’re really close to and went to a big play place at our local mall and then back to our house for dinner and cake. The kids all had a ton of fun and my little girl didn’t know that it was totally last minute and required virtually no effort on our part. π Win all around!
Also my three old totally was not potty trained by the time my son got here because she is super stubborn. Then a few weeks after he arrived she decided she was ready and potty trained herself in like a day. (I think she really wanted some attention) And since that day we haven’t had a single stinking accident! So that could totally happen for you!
For whatever it’s worth… I had my second child 4 days before my daughter’s second birthday. I was really really stressed about her getting screwed, and maybe because of that stress, it was a wonderful birthday filled with a lot of love and joy. She didn’t seem to feel she missed out on anything! Secondly, I was also very worried about her being ignored or left out when baby #2 arrived. Now, 7 months later, my bigger concern is that the baby is the one who is neglected. Luckily for all of us, he has a sweet disposition and is the opposite of demanding. This also makes him the opposite of his older sister. And, unfortunately it means he often gets left in bouncers, exersaucers or the like to entertain himself while we cater to his big sister’s neverending demands. I don’t think Mazzy will let you forget about her, bless her heart! π Everything will work out just fine!!
My daughters’ birthdays are Dec. 29 and Jan. 3. The year I had the youngest girl..my daughter turned 3…a few days before. Mazzy will be fine. Don’t put to much pressure on yourself. Your new baby may be super laid back and you will be feeling better in many ways by Dec. 9. It’s good she’s still young enough to not have as many expectations. Keep it simple with family or close friends. Buy lots of balloons!!!…children love balloons. Almost more than gifts. She will adjust. OH I also have a 9 month old baby boy who’s birthday is in January. It took me a few years to realize I put more pressure on myself than they did.
The potty training will happen..now may not be a great time…and if it is…get your husband to help.
The new baby will be fine as long as you have clothes, diapers, milk and somewhere for the baby to sleep. I put a lot less energy into the 3rd baby coming because I learned.
And by the way…totally fine and normal to be overwhelmed. Because having a baby is a little scary. π Good luck.
no reason to panic you could still have 3 weeks. for your sanity i hope not but my daughter was born at 42 weeks so you could potentially have time. hang in there
Just popping in to say good luck and that I can’t wait to read future posts about your new little one! And yeah, who knows, she may even be late! I was two weeks late and was a big 8lbs 9oz! Maybe she was aware of all of the hurricane and nor’easter stuff and said, “You know, I think I’ll hang out in here for a bit longer!”
And thanks for getting the song, “The Final Countdown” stuck in my head. ;-P Although it does make me think of Arrested Development, which is fun.
Since everyone else gave you advice already and I agree with most of it I’ll just say “Good Luck!”. π
WELL, my second was born three weeks early … ON MY FIRST-BORN’S SECOND BIRTHDAY. So, at least Mazzy won’t get screwed that terribly. π
Shit Just Got Real would be the absolute best birth announcement of all time. If it makes you feel any better, I never packed a hospital bag until contractions started with any of my 4. Slipper socks, toothbrush, bottle of champagne. Thinking of you in the home HOME stretch. Keep us posted and best wishes for an easy, fast delivery…at a hospital, preferably.
I can’t believe you haven’t given birth already! I never made it to 39 weeks with my first! Hang in there, girl! Take this week to rest up ’cause you know what’s coming soon. LOVE your birth announcement. And great posts on Babble! Love those announcement photos.
LOL! We are at the two week count down and this morning lingering frequent contractions scared me into packing my hospital bag and pre-registering for the hospital. Waiting for the next bout to scare me into getting the second car seat installed in the car. ;D
Mazzy shares a birthday with my husband. His “party” always gets screwed too–between holiday parties and our oldest being a December baby too he’s just out of luck. Do something small for Mazzy now and then let her have a big HALF BIRTHDAY next June when the weather is nice and you can do something outside.
37 weeks pregnant here, with a soon to be 3 year old girl too, still NOT potty trained and I am pretty much saying eff it till after our second baby too. Your birth announcements pretty much sums it all up for me! Thanks for bringing some humor to my day!
OK, the fact that you’re 39 weeks pregnant and haven’t started planning Mazzy’s birthday party makes me feel like I still have PLENTY of time to plan Lil’ Bit’s (which is a week earlier). I mean, I’ve booked the bouncy house. So, there’s that. But I’ve still got time, right? Because it’s three weeks away and I’m not about to have a baby!
With the potty training, have you tried just sticking her in underwear? Lil’ Bit was driving me crazy with her very blase I’ll-pee-in-the-potty-when-I-feel-like-it attitude. So, one day I asked her, “Sweetie, if you know you’re supposed to go pee-pee in the potty, then why do you still do it in your Pull-Ups?” And that little stinker looked me straight in the eye and said, “Because I can.” So, I was like, “OK, that’s it.” And I put her in a pair of underwear and told her if she peed in them, she’d be really uncomfortable.
That was at 5pm on a Sunday. Over the remainder of the evening, she used the potty FIVE TIMES. And two weeks later she was fully potty trained. Considering Mazzy and Lil’ Bit are scarily similar, might be worth a shot?
Hahaha! I love this post because I was the same exact way before I had number two (miraculously, we all survived and continue to).
The only difference is that I didn’t go out for a pedicure (dummy) I sat on the floor trying to lean around my enormous belly and paint my own toes.
What is it about being dangerously close to birth that makes women lose their shit and straight up NEED painted toes? As if their midwife has never seen any unpainted and would be horrified?
Everything will be fine π
Except for the make-up, You may want to go to the corner store and get some cheap extra make-up “just in case”,For your purse . If you forget it, will Mike really know what to grab. Throw in a scarf or neck warmer, Just in case the foundation doesn’t match and it is an instant Boo for the baby, no need for the dry cleaner to sew you up one :)and you will look like your dressed.
Seriously, Your going to be fine. Mazzy will be fine. Just rest up while you can.
I got a dog in order for my daughter to go to sleep on time and in her own bed. If she got up out of bed to do anything but pee, The dog had to go in the laundry room. – But we have a fenced in yard that I can just let the dog out…
Good luck !
If anyone can do this shit, its you …
And if by some minute chance it is screwed up, you have great writing material. Of course, that is on the off chance you have time for that π
I definitely think you need to go see Argo! We hadn’t been to the movies in MONTHS but went to see that last weekend. I loved it. Also, what’s a hospital bag? I don’t think I ever had one of those packed. Water broke and I was out the door clutching myself while yelling at my husband to speed. Both times.
My second was born 5 days before my daughter turned two. I threw a huge party (60ish family, friends and toddlers), and it was great – everyone got to meet the baby, see our new house (we moved around 5 months pregnant) & wish Nora a happy birthday. Everything ran late, and it was a bit disorganized, but no one cared, since I had a 5 day old. Lots of people pitched in to help cut fruit and clear plates etc.
Now they’re 2.5 & 6 months, & the baby is usually the one to be neglected…everything we do is for the toddler & the baby just comes along for the ride.
Good luck!
Hey, maybe the baby will be a couple weeks late and everything will figure itself out! (JUST KIDDING.)
what she said.
I had huge dreams of getting Anna both out of diapers and out of her crib by the time #2 arrived. And then I tried potty training for like one day and realized I was much too pregnant and lazy to deal with any of that. A crib’s not so bad – except instead of coming into our bed on her own, she screams until one of us goes and gets her.
Almost six weeks in to having two I can promise you that it’s not as drastic of a change as you think. I was in tears leaving for the hospital because it was the last time I would be just Anna’s mom, and I can honestly say she’s taken it all in stride. And I think the second one is easier because it’s so much easier to see how quickly it will all go by.
Best of luck!!
Love the name HALLELUJAH. Awesome.
π
It all works out. I didn’t pack a bag the second time. No registry. No potty trained 1st kid. We did have a name though. And it wasn’t Hallelujah.
SHIT JUST GOT REAL is the best birth announcement ever.
And I can’t wait to hear the name you’ve chosen. I wasn’t supposed to be Julie until a last-minute change-up thanks to Doctor Zhivago and The Sound of Music.
(Yes. I’m old.)
So when I was pregnant, I suggested the name I was originally going to be called for our baby girl.
Instead of wanting it for the kid, Bill said he liked it better than Julie and wanted ME to be Claudia.
Yeah. Ass.
#husbandshaming
OMG, exactly the same here….except my son is younger. Just had his 2nd b-day party last weekend and I’m 39 weeks today, going to induce late next week since the baby’s getting so big and my BP is getting up there. Hang in there! I can totally relate, rushing around trying to get everything done, the nursery isn’t done, I haven’t sent thank-you notes from the b-day party, and my bags are only half packed. My suggestion on the registry….AMAZON! They have absolutely everything and you can set it up in like an hr…really easy for you and for family/friends. That’s what we did for this 2nd kid – there isn’t much on there but it’s something. Oh, and have some sort of present for your daughter from the baby for the birth so she feels appreciated – a friend did that and I’m going to too, sounds like it might help. Can’t wait to hear of your little one’s arrival! π
I had no plans for my youngest’s third birthday as figured she would have no idea that she needed a party as wasn’t in school yet, not invited to parties yet, and we were not throwing a party for her sister this year ( her sister turned 9 two weeks prior to my baby turning 3). Right. That was brilliant right?
Up until the point approximately 3-4 weeks before her birthday when she started babbling all-the-freaking-time about her ” birthday party”! And would randomly invite us to it ( when she liked us) and univite us ( when she was pissed – try to not laugh at a toddler hissing at you ” Mommy! You not invited to MY birthday party ….” ( that means nothing in text, you have to read it in a tone that makes you think of a head slowly spinning 360 degrees).
So after the 3rd day or so o this happening, when I realized the child actually did this she was entitled to a party, because what sort of lameass crackpot parent would deliberately NOT throw a party, I had a full blown panic attack, followed by three phone calls. And voila, had three of our closest family friends over with their kids for pizza and cake, and the guest of honour could not have been more delighted! I should mention part of my panic is because the hild’s birthday falls on August long weekend, when everyone and their dog is usually on vacation.
Moral? Three year olds are happy having pizza, cake, wrapped presents, and a small amount of people who act like the world revovles around them for at least a few hours. Everything else is honestly more or our benefit than theirs. If fewer kids are invited less entertainment is needed because they can get along well enough to amuse themselves – and I am sure Dr. B. would also be on board with the promotion, benefits and honest enjoyment kids get out of free time play over total structure. This can all be arranged easily and fairly quickly. And don’t kill yourself with Mommy guilt, as the kids will likely love the low effort party – or if they hate it, have no memory of it in a couple years anyway, so who cares? Besides if you keep taking kick-ass pictures like you do, you can TOTALLY “make up” a whole party scene to show her if she tries to doubt you, lol! Hooray for ambiguous photos, and editing! π
Yay! One or two or three weeks to go! π One of mine came 3 weeks early, the other one 9 days over. Both were totally not what I planned lol.
I suspect we will be getting many Mazzy stories, like how much she loves her baby sister (or not) and all the stuff she does for/to her. My 21 month old daughter loved her “baby brudder matnu” (Matthew) so much that while leaning over to kiss him in his infant seat -which was sitting on the coffee table- she pushed it over backwards and he landed upside down on his face on the floor. He was strapped in, it was carpeted, I couldn’t catch him in time. I was traumatised. He wasn’t. LOL
I’m pretty sure there will be lots of those kinds of stories involving missy big sister.
As for potty training, ditch the pull ups and go straight for bare butt or panties (11 years and many many daycare kids trained). Wet panties suck, as we all know! She’s smart. And let her pick out the pretty panties she wants to wear.
Birthday party- she won’t know if you don’t go all out. Grandparents, cake, balloons, presents. Maybe a friend. Let it be simple this year.
Have an awesome delivery. And don’t worry about keeping up with your blogging here, babies and sleep will definitely take priority for awhile. Take the time you need. We’ll still be around when you can post!
Can’t wait to hear the name and the details though. Thanks for sharing your family and your humor.
Oh, my 2.5 year old was not even close to being potty trained when my daughter was born. Don’t even ask how THAT went.
I can’t imagine planning a party for a three-year-old in NY. I suppose the only park is Central (um yeah, never been to Manhattan… or NY.. or the northeast) and there isn’t a nice place to do it outside. Oh wait, you’re NORTH. I’m Texas. It’s cold this time of year. Scratch that.
Do your mother or in-laws live close enough (and have more room) so they could host a party for you? That way no set-up, clean-up, or overhead plus built in grandmas to hold the infant while you do the party?
Just make sure no matter what, there is cake. I’ve found my three-year-old is happy if there is cake (ice cream helps to) ALL FOR HER. The rest of the party is flexible.
All I can remember by this time in my second pregnancy (my daughter was born 5 days early, so in two days for you), is I wanted my child OUT. I was sleeping about as bad as with a newborn so I was ready to be able to bend, eat more than a few bites, and stop having to pee every 30 minutes on top of not sleeping.
Good luck!
Oh man, I totally want to see Argo too! I would take you if I lived closer.
And less that a week now! WAHOO!! π
Don’t worry, Mazzy will not get ignored. She knows how to get your attention, and she’ll want it more than ever. It’s the newborn who gets ignored. You think it’s not possible, but it is. You will hold the baby, feed the baby, sooth the baby, etc., all the while giving attention to Mazzy. Darndest thing.
I feel you girl! My due on Nov 20th… hopefully at most only 10 days left. I have a 17 month old daughter who has started the terrible twos early, plus the daylight savings added to the crappyness of the week. Still haven’t packed anything either. Hang in there. Maybe our babies will share a bday. π
Congrats on your new arrival…complications, here they come!
I freakin’ love your blog and Mazzy is the most ADORABLE girl ever (with the exception of my 2 girls, of course! ) Can’t wait to meet baby (through the blog of course!)and read about Mazzy being an awesome big sister. Congratulations!
Thinking about you. All of mine were early and emergencies so I brought nothing with me to the hospital. Except a 2 year old one of the times. I rocked those sexy hospital gowns the whole time. It was awesome. xoxo
Sister ties a Rakhi or a charm around their brother’s wrist as
a defensive charm and pray to god for her Brother’s happiness, she also offers Sweets to her brother which symbolize the sugary moment stuck between them.
You can select from a wide variety of Rakhi chocolate hampers, dry
fruit hampers, kid. 34 years after its inception, Glastonbury finally got a Beatle to headline.