In Desperate Need of a To Do List

[PhieEl06]

So this is my first week of maternity leave, I am 35+5 & growing increasingly bored. Doesn't help waking up at 5am either but hey ho! I've already got my hospital bag packed, with the only things left to get are nursing bras & food.
I'd like to batch cook but living with my parents still who have told me not to bother, whether this being because they don't want me emptying the contents of the freezer now or because they have said they're happy to cook for us afterwards I'm not entirely sure.
Tried napping lots but then this leads to me waking up at 5am.
I hated work when I was there to the point I actually moved my leave forwards a week as I was struggling, now I don't want to go back but beginning to feel restless & very bored. Anyone have a maternity leave bucket list.....

Things I wish I did before giving birth:
Think of a suitable wardrobe. I was still big, but lost some weight, I was in between sizes and had nothing to wear, ended up in Fat Face dead tired, screaming child etc and bought a pair or men's trousers and a jacket but no tops.
I lived in a fog the first few weeks with unwashed hair scrunched in a ponytail, do book yourself a hairdressers appointment before the birth. I absolutely cringe at the pics DH took the first few weeks.

I was so focused on the baby forgetting life goes on, I had my wedding anniversary, a little wedding and lots of visits, coffee mornings, a job interview,I had nothing to wear. Shopping with a newborn is atrocious.
Get yourself a little bag with file, nail polish, tweezers, mascara, a little mirror and keep it handy for when you sit down and feed the baby, I had no energy to look around the house and every time I remembered, it was too late, the baby was feeding.

If you can, book yourself a manicure and a pedicure, no false nails or gel, something simple.

It's all a bit shallow, really, but I felt a bit inadequate as a new mum, expecting people to suss I am a pretend mother, I looked a mess and I wish I looked after myself a bit better, for myself, not for the others

Something like a wrap up dress, elasticated skirts and crossover tops, sack dresses, a pretty scarf that you can also use to shield when you breasfeed, go to H&M, they have a maternity range.
I also forgot/didn't know about lanoline cream and pads for the bra, I sent my SIL and she came back with tena lady.

Another one here saying please put some time into thinking about yourself and how you'll feel after. Of course if someone had told me to do that 4.5 weeks ago before DD arrived, I would have been a bit stuck to imagine what I would need. Here are some ideas:

Either get a manicure or file, buff and paint your nails yourself. I use a bourjois sparkly varnish that is bulletproof rather than a colour that would chip noticeably. I also did my toenails (hard to believe now, how on earth did I get down there?) If I hadn't done these things I think I'd have claws now.

Get a haircut near your due date and book one for four weeks after, providing your sal

Argh, I was trying to say, book a hair apt providing your hair salon is close to home.

Be prepared for your stomach to shrink dramatically and quite quickly. Be prepared for maternity wear to suddenly look... Wilted, on you, whilst pre pregnancy clothes won't fit, or will, but will emphasise a tummy you may not have had before. I really wish I had bought some nice tunic tops and leggings for this stage, I'm going shopping on Saturday to do just that. And nice accessories too.

Stock up on painkillers, biscuits, tea bags. Do you get milk delivered - if not look at setting this up, it isn't that much more than buying it from a supermarket. We use milk and more, and we can add things to our delivery like a loaf of bread up to 9pm the night before.

Set up your own area in the living room, so your phone or laptop chargers (or both)are plugged in right next to where you will sit. Get used to retaining possession of the tv remote, it's no good if it is left on a neighbouring chair if you have a gently snoring baby fast asleep on you.

Thank you, hadn't really thought about me. Going to book a pedicure today, hair appointments are easy as my best friend is my hair dresser & she comes to my house so no salon visits & food wise I'm going to still be living at home with my parents so they've told me not to worry about food or shopping.

Swim
Cinema

Living this thread, thank you for the top tips ladies. I'd forgotten most of this from last time!

Loving not living, fat fingers typing!

also loving this thread. Great point purrpurr about the clothes - I will have a good rifle through my wardrobe and figure this out, and if not H&M it. Thinking about it - this is the main thing all my friends with tiny ones complained about - feeling like a shrinking ship and having nothing to make themselves feel vaguely human - and most ended up on partners/husbands shirts over jeans etc. I have just made a list of all the bdays and events coming up in the next couple of months that I need cards for, pressies etc and will buy these before hand. I also keep a box of cards for all occasions now, plus a drawer with 'emergency' gifts like box of chocs, wine and small things for little ones in case we forget. It has come in handy heaps of times - something to add to bucket list? Stock up your kindle if you have one xx