To be absolutely stupid with excitement?!

[Thisnamechanger]

I come from a tiny family. The last baby in our family was me, 31 years ago.

Today is SILs due date. My wonderful DM died shortly after their wedding in 2016 and this feels like the first good thing to happen to our family since.

Help me out MN! I'm child free and I'm not sure I've ever ever held a baby on my life but I'm STUPIDLY excited about becoming and Auntie!!

Have text SIL and DBro and said I totally understand they may want days or weeks alone with DNorN before inviting visitors but that I've kept the diary clear for potential visits in January.

AM. so. EXCITED.

What shall I bring baby? And more importantly SIL?? Any idea for a nice present for a new Mum??

Arrrrrggghhhh!

Apologies if it’s already been mentioned but if you’re putting a pamper/treat pack together then please include something Cussons Mum and Me bubble bath with arnica.

New mums can be a bit, err, sore!

Not sure if it's been mentioned but

A drinks bottle with a straw so you can drink lying down. Brilliant for night drinks

A baby nail filer machine, from Amazon, great for filing nails and no danger of hurting baby.

Sock-ons to keep socks on, obvs!😂

Ah, my baby was due a week and a half before my birthday but went over... I didn't want to share so popped her out using castor oil (do not recommend this to your SIL actually, it bloody hurts)

This thread is just lovely! You will be such a fabulous auntie.

Aunties are the best, I'm very close to one of mine - she's been there since day 1 and we are very similar. DM is always saying in exasperation "you're just like your auntie x".

Any chance of a photo of DBunnies while we wait for news of DNiece or DNephew's arrival?!

OP you sound wonderful! Huge congratulations, hope you’re not waiting too much longer

PP have made good suggestions (hair voucher etc) but you sound just like my amazing SIL and honestly just being as excited and kind and considerate of her needs is more than enough. I’m sure your SIL appreciates you so much.

So sorry your Mum isn’t here to celebrate this life changing event. Baby will bring you so much joy and you have so many amazing times ahead.

Do update us when baby comes ❤️

Pamper/treat pack is a lovely idea, as it's winter a snuggly fluffy blanket for the sofa would be nice for feeding time. Bubble bath, chocolate, nice moisturiser, a posh scarf (Cos when you are living in post birth gear a scarf makes all the difference), perfume, wine if she isn't BF.

For me I would have died and gone to heaven if someone had come round, brought food and done some ironing for me 😂

I made my sister a care package when she had my niece... it went down v well... and defo offer jobs and food... I still remember my MIL arriving with lunch even though they lived 100miles away... and that was nearly 2 decades ago!!

You are so lovely! Perhaps some clothes but go for age 6months. Muslin cloths - can’t have enough. But the best gift you can give the mum is encouragement on how great she is doing and (if she and you are comfortable) help with household chores - ironing, laundry, cleaning, bring them a lasagne! Xxx

OP you are adorable

And OP you’re a sweetheart and going to be an awesome auntie... my baby sister is one and you sound just like she did when I had my DCs... they still adore her and spend time with her even now they are grumpy-ish teenagers. Enjoy your auntidom!!

Come on baby - Thisnamechanger is waiting to be an auntie!!!

.... induction day tomorrow!

Eeeeeeek!
Shall look forward to the update 🤞🏻

Ohmygoodnessohmygoodnessohmygoodness....baby is on the way! and the bloody personalised mug hasn't been delivered yet

Gosh childbirth sounds awfully dangerous and tense!

Yes it is...you sound like such a lovely auntie. lucky baby being born into such a loving family.

Goodness me she's still only 6cm. God, the poor dear. Am praying to God/Allah/Vishnu/Jesus/princess Diana/kris akabusi/the god of all things wonderful that baby comes soon, safe and sound!

You sound like such a lovely person. Good luck to you - you new auntie! X

What a lovely thread :)

So exciting!!! I haven’t read all the thread so this may have been mentioned already. Some people have said ‘offer to watch baby when mum rests etc’. I personally was always happy to hand baby over for cuddles so I could have a cup of tea, shower, eat with two hands and sleep! But some mums don’t like it (my best friend did not), they can feel very anxious about others having their baby, and not feel in control. So if mum declines don’t keep badgering and accept it’s nothing personal to you. But that wouldn’t mean you still don’t get cuddles! O how I miss the smell of brand new babies, there’s no better smell!

Hope baby arrives soon safe and well

...........

Exciting! One of my dearest friends lost her Mum a few years before her children were born. We were chatting about how she missed her Mum would’ve been sewing and knitting for baby. I can sew, so I made some bits and bobs and I followed a tutorial on how to knit a baby blanket I presented it to my friend saying I know it isn’t the same, but I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her loss with her, at the exciting time. Friend was so chuffed.
Wondering if there is anything like that You could do?

This is so nice to read! My DSis abandoned me at my birth because I lost my shot on the phone to get and my mum who left me at the hospital on early labour at 10am "for a few hrs" and hadn't come back at 5pm....

Still haven't forgiven her for it and we no longer speak tbh as it kind of made the relationship show up for what it was.

She's always competed with me I think and there's a lot of jealousy there.

Her Xmas present to me recently was a notebook called the "2018 Master Plan". IE what you are currently doing with your life isn't good enough!!

Phew!!

Get them loads of wine and ready meals