The Making of a Daddy

One of my friends told me she thought the baby was coming last Thursday.  All day, Andy asked me how I was “feeling”, and whether the baby was coming.  Well, no such luck (and still none!). 

Surprisingly, he doesn’t really seem nervous.  Last week on the way to my 37-week check-up, he said he wished the baby would just come that day.  He’s just so ready for our little man to be here!

With all the “advice” he’s been getting, I’m surprised he’s anything but dreading the baby getting here.  It seems like every father (and many mothers) have been telling him the same things.  Your life as you know it is over.  You’ll never get any sleep again.  Ready to be put on the back burner?  Your baby won’t seem like a blessing that first year.  You’ll never be able to do anything fun or spontaneous ever again.  Say good-bye to date nights and days golfing with your buddies.  Frankly, to both Andy and I, the negative “advice” is getting old.  I mean, we know all about the hard things about having a baby…can someone please start telling us the good?!

Somehow, though, it all seems vaguely familiar.  Remembering back, it was these same men who told Andy what a burden marriage would be, how he’d never get to do anything fun again, and how a wife would just nag him all the time.  Those comments got old too…and fast.  Ironically, none of those things they predicted came true.  Today, Andy would tell you that we enjoy a wonderful, fulfilling, and fun marriage.  Sure, marriage is a lot of responsibility and hard work…but it’s a much bigger blessing.

Even still, it’s amazing to see how excited he is for Baby B to be here.  It seems like every spare minute he spends fixing or making something, all for the sake of his sweet little boy.  He wants everything ready. 

What he doesn’t see, though, is how his heart is getting ready…and that’s the biggest blessing to me.  It seems like each day that passes, he falls more-and-more in love with the little man we have yet to meet.  I see his heart softening and his perseverance strengthening.  I am so thankful for a man who has no fear of smelly diapers or sleepless nights.  He doesn’t worry about never getting to do anything fun again, or being placed on the “back burner”.  Instead, he is incredibly thankful for this blessing due to arrive any day now. 

Yes, he knows that life will change.  He knows that parenthood will be full of work and frustration.  Yet, he also knows that it will be full of unspeakable blessings that far outweigh the bad.  Just like marriage, parenthood is all in how you see it.  There will always be hard times and trials, but will you choose to dwell on them and make mountains out of mole hills?  Or, will you choose to focus on the good? 

It’s a blessing to watch this transformation of my man into a daddy.  Becoming a daddy isn’t scary to him…because he chooses to embrace the good.

The Waiting Game

Somehow I got it in my head that this baby was coming early.  I’ve had several friends guess that he’d come early, and I just had that feeling.  I know, I know…I’m just suffering from what every new mom suffers from: wishful thinking. 

To be fair, I’ve been having more-and-more contractions the last week or so.  I can tell my body is readying itself for this baby to come.   

Thursday night Andy and I went for a walk at the park, and I started having pretty intense contractions that were coming pretty close together.  We went home to relax on the couch, and see if they slowed down at all.  They didn’t, and we started timing.  They were coming exactly 5 minutes and 40 seconds apart.  Regularly.  We started to freak out a bit.  Just before we got to an hour of timing them, they just…stopped.  It was like they just dropped off the edge of the canyon. 

Honestly, I was a little relieved.  As much as I wanted the baby to come, I didn’t feel quite ready.  Once faced with the prospect of labor and motherhood, I kind of panicked. 

Still, I expected the baby to come in the next few days.  Or at least the next week.  We’ve been walking down at the park almost every single night, trying to get the ball rolling.  I firmly believe that Baby B will come when he was ready.  But it couldn’t hurt to give him a push, could it?   

Yesterday morning I was bound and determined to get baby to come.  I had a doctor’s appointment in the afternoon, and I desperately wanted her to say the blessed “h” word (hospital).  First thing in the morning I went to the park and walked and walked and walked.  And…nothing.  Then I went home and bounced on my exercise ball.  Still nothing. 

I had a few contractions on the way to the doctor’s, but, sadly, no luck.  Not a bit dilated.  My doctor will be gone next week, and she was pretty confident that she’d see me in two weeks time.  Yep, I’ll be 40 weeks and 3 days by then.

I’ve pretty much resolved myself to baby being late.  It really won’t be the end of the world.  I know most babies come late, especially firstborns.  Also, baby coming late means my doctor will be there.  And, like I’ve said before, Baby B will come when he’s good and ready.   

So, anyway, as disappointed as I was, I’ve decided to make the best of it. I’ve working on a little “bucket list” of sorts, of things I want to do in the next few weeks before Baby B makes his appearance.  Top of the list?  Sleep. :)   

Bridging the Divide

I’m sure you’ve all seen and experienced it.  That separation of churches (and within churches) of the generations.  On the one hand are the older folk, who’ve been in church forever.  Since they’ve been children, church has meant hymns and potlucks, choirs and Wednesday night services.  It’s the way it’s always been, and for the most part it works.

Then there’s the other group: the young people.  They prefer their music loud and their churches more edgy.  They question the basic “traditions” of the church, and the way things have “always been done”.  Instead of dresses and suits, they don their usual jeans and t-shirts to attend services on Sunday mornings.  In every way, they are so very different from the “older” crowd.  Because of this, we see many churches almost completely filled with one group or the other, but not both.  Those that mix the two seem to struggle with an almost constant tension over power and how things should be done. 

There’s nothing wrong with having a preference, or reaching out to one group of people or the other.  Yet sometimes I wonder if this segregation is really right.  Is this the way church is really supposed to be?

My husband and I are blessed to be a part of a multi-generational church.  The nursery is full, yet so is the senior choir on Tuesday mornings.  We sing both hymns and contemporary songs.  You’ll see some dressed in nice “church” dresses and some in holey jeans and messy buns.  Our pastor encourages this, and on more than one occasion has rebuked those that put their personal preferences above what God wants…a unified body of Christ.  I appreciate that and respect that more than you can know.


And yet, I still see the tension.  I see it on the strained faces of the seniors when the youth group leads worship with :gasp: a drum set.  I see it in the bored faces of the youth when we sing another hymn on Sunday morning. 

In some ways, it’s natural.  We all have preferences, and it’s easy to feel that our preferences are the right way when they are steeped in tradition.  More-and-more, though, I find myself questioning my own “preferences” and how they affect my view of the church.  I find that a lot of my own opinions are, at best, superficial and unfounded.  Many times, I wonder if I should not be learning about other’s preferences and embracing them just as I would my own. 

I’m not advocating subjectivism.  I firmly believe that truth is objective.  However, there are many things in the modern church that have nothing to do with truth, or what is right and wrong.  Take music worship, for example.  I know as well as anyone that this is an area of heated debate.  And yet, I cannot help but question that.  Some of people’s favorite hymns started out as drinking songs in bars, whereas I’ve seen contemporary worship songs literally bring people to their knees.  On the flip side, there are many contemporary songs that are unfounded in biblical truths, or flippant and best, whereas there are many hymns that speak the truth solidly.  What makes one style better than the other?  Does it not depend on the truth (or untruth) that they contain?  So why do we make it an area of contention, instead of joyfully embracing the good and true songs from every style? 

We waste a lot of energy and time on petty disputes which have no eternal significance.  Surely this must make God sad, to see His church divided so!  I know it makes me sad.

So what are we to do?  My dream is to one day see the body of Christ united across cultures, across generations, and across traditions.  I may not be able to do this all myself, or change how other people feel, think, or act.  However, I can do my own small part.  How many times do I, as a young wife, reach out to those older or younger than me?  How many times do I reach out to those from different cultures or backgrounds?  What about those in different economic classes?  The truth is, not often.  In my lack of doing anything, in my own lack of getting myself out of the “rut” of my preferences, I am only perpetuating the division that is so rampant and that so burdens my heart.

There are men and women working to change this.  I’ve seen them, and experienced their love across barriers…across preferences.  I see it every time our pastor preaches against holding fast to man-made traditions.  I see it every time the older women in the church spend countless hours and dollars to throw a wedding or baby shower for one of the younger women.  I see it every time Andy and I go to pay for our meal at a restaurant, only to find that one of the older couples (I say older, I mean middle-aged…just older than us) has already paid for us.  I see it every time a certain older woman in our church takes the time to rock babies in the nursery, even though her own have long been grown. 

I see it every time the youth joyfully serve lunch the the church.  I see it in how they faithfully thank those that have given time, money, and energy to help them go on a mission trip or to church camp.  I see it when our college students aren’t afraid to spend the day with older men and women.  I see it when the teenagers are quick to help at VBS.  I see it when my Andy serves on the finance committee, when every other member is almost twice his age (or more). 

You see, there is hope.  And yet, we have a long way to go. May it begin with me.  

Peace

I’m now 37 weeks (38 tomorrow!) along in my pregnancy.  It’s hard to believe that, at any time now, our sweet little man could make his entrance.  Each day it seems like there are more signs that my body is preparing for labor.  My Braxton-Hicks are really picking up and intensifying, and I can feel him pressing down farther-and-farther.  My joints seem to get looser by the day.  Monday at my doctor’s appointment, I had started to efface a little, although there was still no dilation.  That night, however, I lost a little bit of my mucous plug. 

It’s easy to get uptight or anxious or impatient for his arrival, especially when you don’t know the exact day he’ll come (or how he’ll come).  I know that most babies from first-time moms don’t come until around 41 weeks.  I know, too, that not too long after that my doctor will be pushing for an induction.  With an induction, a lot of my hopes of as natural a birth as possible go out the window. 

Then there’s the fact that my doctor will be gone the week leading up to (and, in fact on my due date), leaving me to the fate of whatever doctor is on call.  But I guess I’ll be left to a random doctor should this baby choose to come on the weekend, as well.

There’s the possibility of baby coming earlier.  On Sunday one of my friends told me she thought the baby was coming this Thursday.  O_o Honestly, as much as I’m ready for him to come at any time, that does seem a bit early.  Now throw in all the “unknowns” about how labor will happen and progress, or if something will go wrong, and I could easily be a nervous wreck.    

Surprisingly, though, I’m not.  I really feel at peace about everything, even with all the questions and “play-it-by-ear”-ness of the next couple of weeks.  The fact of the matter is, I don’t have control nor can I ever have it.  There’s no way I can know when he’ll come, or how, or what will happen. 

But God knows.  He’s known from the beginning, and all is in His hands.  For the last nine months, He’s taken the tiniest life and formed it, carefully and meticulously, into the precious little man we now eagerly await.  He’s kept him safe for that long, so can’t He be trusted to bring him into this world in His perfect timing and way? 

Yes, the next few weeks are kind of up in the air.  I never know how many meals ahead to plan, or if I should obsess about keeping the floor and sink clean.  I don’t know how to form my to-do lists for the week, or what I should plan on getting done before baby is born.  Yet, two things I do know: First, that at the end of this, sweet Baby Baker will be in my arms.  Second, that God is faithful and good, and that His plan is perfect.

As my sister says, “Every baby should get to choose their own birthday.”  Thankfully, God knows when that birthday is.    

Of Snake Bites and Adoration

Last week was a long week, to say the least.  Andy and I were both exhausted by the end of it.  So, we enjoyed a quiet dinner at the Mexican restaurant, then came home to watch a movie we had been wanting to see.  As you can imagine, our peaceful little evening didn’t last long. 

Out in the yard, one of the dogs yelped, and then both of them started barking incessantly.  I stuck my head out of the door, and it was quickly apparent that there was something on or under the back porch.  Thankfully, it was still light to see that much. 

Andy headed to get a rifle, thinking it might be a possum or something.  As it turned out, it was not a possum, or anything of the sort.  It was a lovely little copperhead, coiled up on our back porch.  The dogs were barking at it, but holding their ground.  Little Elsa, our fearless cat (who, by the way, is a very small little cat), was up right next to it batting it.  Apparently she wanted to show the dogs how it was done. 

Andy was afraid of hitting the dogs or the cat, so he went in got his old BB gun instead.  Thankfully, once he got out there, the dogs and cat decided to let him take care of it.  And so, take care of it he did. :)

Only thing was, it was soon obvious that all was not right with my little beagle, Sam.  She was acting very drowsy and lethargic, and Andy discovered fang marks right on her nose.  Poor girl, she probably didn’t know what hit her.

By now it was nine o’clock, and we had no idea what to do.  We tried to get a hold of someone who could get a hold of the vet, but to no avail.  Andy called an emergency vet clinic in Little Rock, who told him to bring the dog in quickly. 

“Um, ma’am, I really can’t do that.”


“Why not, Sir?”


“My wife is nine-months pregnant and Little Rock is over two hours away.”


In the back of my mind was the thought that I could quite easily go into labor right then, and here was poor little Sam with her snout swelling by the minute. 

My man is a persistent one, though, and he finally found out that he should squirt children’s Benadryl down her throat.  Since we had none, he drove into town to get some.  Then, when we finally did get a hold of the vet, Andy took Sam over to see him at 10 pm.

Thankfully, Sam is doing fine now.  You can’t even tell where she got bit, although she’s definitely a little slower than normal.  The funniest thing has happened, though.  She suddenly adores Andy. 


Now, don’t get me wrong, she always liked him before, but she was never really his dog.  Suddenly, when she sees him her tail starts wagging like crazy and she comes running up eager for a pat on the head.  Apparently he is now her hero.

It got me thinking about how much we are like little Sam.  Our heavenly Father has the ability all along to take care of us and do wondrous things for us, but rarely do we recognize and adore Him until He really does.  Yet, how many times is He working and we just don’t see it?  How many times are we missing out on His goodness and majesty, or forgetting to remember the wondrous things He’s done for us?

May it not take a snake bite on my nose for me to learn to love and worship Him as He deserves.

Maternity Pictures

I mentioned last week that some good friends of ours, Kevin and Laura Thomas, were so kind as to take some maternity pictures for us.  Well, here's some more of them!

If you like Kevin's work, be sure to check him out on Facebook at Kevin Thomas Photography.  He's incredibly talented (and, as I mentioned before, he and his wife make a great team).  If you're looking for a photographer in the Conway/Little Rock area, be sure to check him out!

36 Week Confessions

Baby B is so close to being here…I can hardly believe it!  It’s hard to believe that in a few short weeks (or less…eek!), we’ll be holding our little one in our arms.  Being at 36 weeks, however, I have a few confessions to make:

Confession: I’ve been really lax on my whole “working out and eating good” plan the past few weeks.  I keep blaming Andy for not bringing the elliptical back in (it got relegated to the carport when we put carpet in a few weeks back), but honestly I’ve just been tired.  And very unmotivated.

Confession: I’ve been using my having a hard time gaining weight and measuring small as an excuse to pretty much be a pig.  Not exactly the best way to put on weight, I know.

Confession: I’ve been melting a small amount of dark chocolate, stirring in honey and peanut butter, and then eating it…plain.  Those things are all healthy, right?

Confession: I’ve also been drinking sugary sodas on occasion.  I’m not a big soda or sugar person, so I don’t know where this bad habit came from.  It’s definitely got to stop. 

Confession: I’ve kind of been using being pregnant as an excuse to sleep a tad later during the week.  Hey, it’s a good reason.

Confession: As much as I really do love being pregnant, I’m ready to be done.  I’m ready to stop waddling and be done with rib pain.  I’m ready to be able to hike and be active again.  I’m ready to stop having people tell me I shouldn’t lift a milk jug.  Oh, and I’m so ready for our little man to be here!

Can You Say “Control Freak”?

I’m realizing more and more how much of a control freak I am.  I think I get it from my mom.  She always had a certain way to do anything, from the dishes to chores, and we learned pretty quickly that to make her happy, we had to do them her way. 

I always thought I was more laid back than her, but I’m really not.  One of the reasons I rarely ask Andy for help with cleaning or cooking is that, as much as I hate to admit it, I want the control.  I want to be able to do it my way on my time.  I could say that I’m just being nice or that I like to do everything because he’s so busy.  The truth of the matter, however, is that I just don’t want him to do it anyway other than my way. (Can anyone else relate?) 


Case in point, every time one of my sisters comes to visit I invariably have to tell them how to “do” the dishes or clean something because they just aren’t doing it right.  Completely silly, I know. 

So, as you can imagine, this baby on the way has brought to the surface even more of my controlling tendencies.  The first is at work, and the second is at home.  I’m finding myself having a really hard time handing over my duties at work to someone else.  When I first started at the Ironworks I had to sort through the mess that someone else left behind, organize it, and figure out a new and better system.  Oh, and did I mention that wasn’t my area of expertise?  The closest experience I had to anything related to accounting, accounts payable, customer service, or customer statements was an accounting course I took in college to satisfy a requirement.  And, I got the lowest grade of any college class in that one. 

Anyway, somehow I learned as I went, figured everything out, and then decided to move on to a job in the field I actually studied (elementary ed).  Big mistake.  The gal they hired to replace me, and whom I had spent many hours training, had everything back in a shambles within the course of two weeks.  So, she got fired and I came back to reorganize everything…again.

Since that time, well over a year ago, I’ve been the accounts payable person at the Ironworks, among a myriad of other odd jobs.  Surprisingly, the job I hated in the beginning I soon grew to love.  The hours were flexible, it wasn’t full-time, and I had the accounts payable process down to an art.  A fine art.  Only problem was, I knew that at some point (hint: when baby made his appearance), I’d have to train someone else to do my job and hope that they didn’t mess it up again.  This time, I wasn’t coming back…I was transitioning into being a stay-at-home mom. 

Really, I’ve been blessed.  They ended up hiring a really great gal to replace me.  I’ve been so surprised by how quickly she’s picked everything up.  Honestly, she has it even more organized than I did.  Because of her, I’m learning that I don’t have to control everything for it to run smoothly.  I need to let things go, release the reins, and stop worrying.  Now, if only I could learn that at home! 

One of the only things that’s been worrying me most about this baby coming is what’s going to happen to my house chores.  I know that there will be plenty of people willing to pitch in.  Only, being completely honest here, I don’t want them to.  Why?  Because they won’t “do” everything the way I would, that’s why!  I’m just sure that somebody will use some chemical I’d never use, break my vacuum cleaner, or just “mess up” my “process”. 

Just the other day I told Andy to make sure that nobody put my good knives in the dishwasher.  One time I had a relative run my good bread knife through their dishwasher, and it’s never been the same since.  I told him that, other than that, everything should be fine.  Oh, but not to put my pots and pans in there either.  Or let anything be touching.  Or put soap in my cast iron skillet.  Or…well, you get the picture.  Not that Andy doesn’t already know these “preferences” on my part.  I just want to make sure that he makes sure everyone else does. 

Am I the only woman who feels this way?  How did I live so long without realizing my controlling tendencies?  Am I really that bad? 


If someone knows how to fix this problem of mine, please speak up quickly.  In the back of my mind I’m desperately afraid that everyone is going to suddenly realize me for the controlling weirdo that I am.       

Maternity Pictures Sneak Peek!

This past Saturday our good friends Kevin and Laura Thomas came up from Conway to spend the day with us and do a maternity photo shoot.  Kevin has always been an amazing photographer, but now that he has his beautiful wife they've become an even more amazing team.  Stay tuned for more pictures, but for now here's a sneak peek:

Pregnancy, Weakness, and Pride

The other day I was reading my journal from earlier in this pregnancy.  I laughed as I realized that, way back in January, I was working out in the yard right alongside Andy and hauling rocks.  I’d never be able to do that in my current state.  Right now, even carrying the laundry to the laundry room has become a chore.  I get tired more easily, the excessive heat wears me out like crazy, and I can’t seem to walk anywhere without waddling. 

Can I be honest with you?  This has been very hard for me. 

For some reason I had it in my head that I would be the pregnant woman who broke the mold.  I wouldn’t complain about things, I’d stay active, and I’d work right up until I gave birth to Baby B.  For the most part, that’s a goal I’ve kept.  I tried my very hardest to stay regular with working out, even if it was just 30 minutes on the elliptical.  I did everything I could do, wanting to avoid at all costs using the excuse that “I’m pregnant”.  When the older lady checking me out at Walmart said I shouldn’t lift the bag containing milk in it, I scoffed.  When someone said I needed to sit down for awhile, I smiled and said I was fine.  For the most part, I was.

And then came the past few weeks.  My body just started to slow.  I was tired more, and bending down to pick something up become quite the task.  When I was out working in my garden too long, I started having regular Braxton Hicks.  I had to stay hydrated and stay cool, or else a headache would creep in.  I needed to start slowing down with my body, but I had a hard time admitting it.

It wasn’t until the other day that I realized why it was so hard for me: it had to do with my pride.  I was so prideful about staying active and healthy, so prideful about what my body could do, that I couldn’t let myself slow down. 

I’ve always felt strong.  I’m not very consistent about exercising regularly, but I’ve never had a problem with weight.  I try my best to eat healthy.  I’ve always been able to do anything I put my mind to.  And you know what?  I liked it that way.

And then I suddenly found myself less than able.  I found that I couldn’t do everything I wanted to.  In my pride, I thought that I was becoming weak.  The reality is, however, that I am far from that.  My body is preparing itself for the big task of bringing a child into this world.  It’s slowing because it’s spending the last bit of energy to finish “baking” my little one, and saving up everything extra for birthing him. 

Yes, I may feel less able, and I may be able to do less.  But why fight it?  Why not embrace these last few weeks for all that they are, as I rest and prepare to meet my precious little baby? 

I’m reminded of a scene in Father of the Bride II, where the pregnant mother and daughter are both lying on the couch, late in their pregnancies.  They have the house so cold that the father has to wear a ski parka inside…even though there’s record heat outside.  He’s running back-and-forth like a chicken with its head cut off getting them food, fixing their pillows, and helping them stay comfortable. 

Up until a few weeks ago, I would have thought that scene was a tad ridiculous.  Now, it seems all to real.  And you know what?  That’s okay!  In truth, my only “weakness” is my pride.  These last few days, I’ve been learning to lay my pride aside and find my strength in God, for only in Him does true strength lies.

And so, I’m going to stop fighting my body and let it do the work it was created to do.  I’m going to enjoy these last few weeks of having my baby inside of me, instead of pushing myself so hard that I’m miserable.  After all, it’s only for a season. 

Another Baby Goods Update!

It doesn’t seem possible that I have less than two weeks until I’m considered full term!  I know that most babies from first time moms don’t arrive until 41 weeks on average.  Being the serious planner that I am, however, I want to have as much as possible ready before 37 weeks arrives.
 
A couple of weekends ago was my baby shower, which was a huge blessing.  Not only were my mom and one of my sisters able to come out for it, but we also are pretty much all set now for Baby B to arrive!  Here’s an update based on my original “wants and needs” list:


Needs:

-Crib and mattress-All set up and ready to go!  Of course, Baby B won’t be sleeping in there at first anyway.


-Bedding and blankets-We have had plenty of blankets given to us!  I also bought a pack of receiving blankets the other day, since we hadn’t “received” any…hehe!  I was actually able to get a five pack for $3 that hadn’t been used.  One of the blankets has a slight hole in it, so it was majorly discounted.  Yay!  We still don’t have any fitted sheets, but, again, we can wait on those a bit.


-Rocker or glider-My mother-in-law bought us one back in May!  So far, I’m really happy with it.  I love to sit in it!  Here it is, along with a blanket that Aunt Anna made for Baby Baker:




-Stroller-My mom bought us the jogger we wanted, so we’re all ready to go. 


-Car seat-My mom also bought us the matching car seat.  It’s already installed in my car (yeah, I told you I like to be prepared).


-Clothes and supplies-I think we have a good amount of clothes to start off with now!  I washed and sorted all of the clothes.  I may be slightly OCD about this nesting thing.


One highlight were this really cute bomber jacket from my parents (my dad was a fighter pilot in his younger days, so this has special significance…)

-Some kind of carrier or Moby Wrap-Still waiting on an Ergo, but my mother-in-law got me a Moby Wrap.  I’m so excited!

-A baby gate-We got one for the top of our stairs.  It’s more for our puppy than anything right now though. 


-A few bottles and a pump (for the days when I need to be away from our baby briefly)-I only have a few bottles, and a friend gave me her old pump.  So, I may need more later.  We’ll see.



Wants:
-Play pen-All ready to go!


-Swing-The swing is all set up and ready to go as well!

-Baby bath (this really is almost a need…I’m not comfortable washing our newborn in the kitchen sink!)-We got a few duplicates at the shower, so I was able to exchange them for a few things, this being one of them.

Some things we might want but don’t really “have-to-have”:

-Monitor-We still don’t have one, but I’m very interested in the Angelcare sound and movement monitor!


-Bouncer or walker-I bought a barely-used walker from a friend of mine. 


-Extra toys (I’m sure we’ll get plenty from friends/family, and we’re not into electronic gadgets)-A friend of mine gave me a few toys, so I think we have a start. 




What I’ve Added To Our List:

-Boppy Pillow-I bought one. :)


-Diaper Bag-I used the returns to get a diaper bag too.  Just a plain one that my husband would be comfortable carrying. 


-Bumpo Seat and/or high chair-We got a Bumpo and play tray at the shower.  Still not sure about a high chair!


-Diaper Pail-I plan on buying one in the next few weeks, but I’m still doing my research. 


-Changing Table/Dresser Combo-We bought one that hadn’t been used from someone in town.  Andy’s got to fix one piece, but so far I’m loving it!  We got the baskets for it at Walmart. :)



-Nursing pads, cover, supplies, etc.-I have a few nursing pads, a cover, and a nursing bra. 


-Curtains (or fabric to make them) for the baby’s room-My mom helped me make some, as well as a matching changing pad cover, when she was here for the shower.  I’ll share some pictures of the nursery soon!

So, what do you think?  Any last minute ideas/suggestions?