Expecting DC2 and getting "organised" - what do I need to do when?

[champagnesupernova]

It's early days as I'm only 26 weeks.

Someone today was asking me if I have everything I need for DC2. I'm assuming so as I haven't really given anything away but I can't remember what I'm going to need in the first few weeks. Planning to bf as last time so don't need to get bottles etc out (or do I? In case of probs?)

I vaguely remember something about having hosp bag packed from 34 weeks (is that right?)

But I was much more organised last time about everything.

I also want to do some bulk cooking and freeze stuff for DH and me and for DS for those first weeks.

When should I get the bags of 0-3 out the loft?

I'm due mid Nov so I wanna try and break the back of Christmas shopping before I go into labour.

What I'd like is one of those "countdown to baby" things like you would get in a wedding mag. So I can check things off and feel more in control than i actually am.
Thoughts gratefully received.

I too am expecting DC2 in mid-November and am far more laid-back about everything this time. I've already had a look at some of the 0-3 clothes that we saved (and was initially appalled to see the stains on some of them, then shrugged and remembered that DC1 got through about four sleepsuits a day, what with leaky nappies and puking) but we're just going to use the same stuff.

I like your idea of bulk cooking for you, DH and DS - might do the same towards the end of this month. The idea of Christmas shopping, however, fills me with horror. I'm of the opinion that I can get away with not getting much for most people this year!

it's amazing just how unfocused you are on being prepared for your second.

I'm watching this with interest because I just can seem to get my head round it at 28 weeks and I have to move house before it all happens .

Definately get your christmas shopping done DD was born at the end of November and I had pretty much all mine done and wrapped in September and I'm just starting to think about it for this year.

that should be can't get my head round it

Depending on whether you are a working Mum, you might want to 'reserve' a place for DC2 at nursery; ours has only limited places for under 2s and a whole host of mums who were expecting their 2nd child...

Well that's one I don't need to worry about - have a fab mother's help so no probs there.

I would do the clothes now tbh while you have the energy. A few weeks back I sorted out all the clothes 0-18 months as I was starting to get bad hip pain and was worried it was just going to get worse. As it happens, it seems to have got better instead, but I now have all the clothes washed, with 0-3 months in the chest of drawers, 3-6 and 6-12 months in drawers under the spare bed in nursery, and 12-18 months back in the garage! I've also washed all the bedding, nappies, toys, play mat, baby bjorn, car seat, etc. I'm 30 weeks. I am not super organised though, was just easier to wash/dry everything at once. The nursery itself is just a huge pile of all these washed items.

Not sure about Xmas shopping as DS2 is due mid-end October and it just feels too early for shopping! I was thinking of making a list today of all the other bits I need to sort out - disposable nappies, breast pads, hospital bag, sort out nursery, order blinds, clean and assemble cot, etc. I'd like to feel it was all sorted by 35 weeks, so I can put my feet up a bit and concentrate on relaxing a bit before birth, and doing a bit of cooking for the freezer - I think the cooking should be last on the list after everything else is sorted tbh, you could do a big internet shop of ready meals if necessary!

30 weeks & just had a shopping blitz. Been in loft & got some stuff out from last time too. Still have some stuff to get but probably 75% done now which feels much better than this time last week!

OMG have just terrified myself by doing an archive search for what a newborn needs and finding this thread

Am also scared at "do it now while you have the energy' advice from domesticgoddess as I have just spent 2 hours on the sofa while DS kipped. I am waiting for the magic energy boost and it HASNT come yet.

Oh god, 35 weeks and not a hospital bag in sight, far too laid back with this one!!!!

thought I'd just pop on to make you all feel better... I'm 37+4 with dc2 and not at all ready!

DomesticGoddess you have just completely scared the living daylights out of me. As we are moving house this one hasn't even got a bedroom let alone furniture to put clean clothes in

I'm 37+5 with DS2 and we're almost ready for him (he's coming via ELCS next Thursday).

We still need to dig out the carrycot for the pram chassis, the bouncy seat etc but otherwise we're done.

I washed all the clothes with our clothes around week 30, they're currently sitting in a basket in our spare room. Nappies are washed and sat in a bag, and I finally finished packing my hospital bag the weekend just gone.

With DS1 we had all the furniture up in his room before 30 weeks, this time I'm much more relaxed. I still want to get the house sorted before he does come as it's a tip (still waiting on the nesting energy, haven't seen it at all yet, I'm just so tired all the time) and we have my mum flying over on Tuesday!