Priorities

[judecorp]

So we're 36 weeks pregnant. And it's getting seriously down to the wire. And all of the things that I wanted to have done by now, well, lots of them just aren't done.

Little things, like finding a pediatrician. We haven't even MET with any. Little things, like packing the hospital bag. You know, nothing major.

I am so frustrated because Jen has all of these projects that she really wants to do, and they are things like sanding and varnishing this old beat up rocking chair that we took out of my workplace. But really, do we need the chair sanded, or do we need a pediatrician? Do we need the storage cubes set up for the diapers, or are we going to leave them in a laundry basket forever? Maybe this is no big deal, and I'm sure there can be 3 million comments about how I don't have to stress about X or Y or Z, but guess what? TOO LATE!

Someone just get me a pediatrician, okay? Because, umm... yeah. Time is running out!

I have been running around like a crazy person trying to clean and organize everything and I am ready to run out of steam. But there is still so much to DO. Augh!

Comments

[changinglight.livejournal.com]

((((((((((((((((hug)))))))))))))

your midwife can probably refer you to a great pediatrician....

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Hug!

[whuffle.livejournal.com]

I'll second the poster before me; your midwife and OB/GYN etc, should be able to recommend a pediatrician. Make a round of phone calls today, call the pediatricians, set up appointments if you feel you need to meet with them before your kid is born.

I know Jen really wants to refinish this chair. Consider gently asking her to put it off if its causing you this much stress.

It sounds like it might really help if you sat down together and made a joint list of prioritized things that need to get done and who is going to do them. We do this pretty often and then post it somewhere easily reachable, like on the fridge or in our yahoo calender so we can check things off when they get done.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Oh, honey. We have a list. Several, in fact. We had one that was "before June" and umm, yeah, lots of stuff still on that.

I love lists!

[scirocco.livejournal.com]

I'll be available some weekend days for house-fixing things. :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

There's nothing exciting or fun, though. Things like lawnmowing, which I'm sure you do enough of at home. :) The problem is that most of the stuff is "weekday stuff" like trying to interview doctors. Whee!

But thanks! Come visit sometime WITHOUT doing work. What a concept!

[skatured.livejournal.com]

Yeah, let your midwife do the work! And make a day ... weekend? No wait, you are done next Friday, so make that weekend "Baby Preparation Day" and go get those bins, and just set up everything like it was going to happen tomorrow. (Because well, it could).

Who am I kidding? I would be more like Jen.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Every day is "baby preparation day." Seriously. There is not a day that goes by that I don't do some sort of baby-related task, whether it's sorting through Freecycle stuff, washing baby clothes/diapers, organizing the baby's room, sterilizing breastpump parts, etc. etc. It's a full-time job! But there's some stuff that either I can't do or can't do by myself, and that's when I run into problems because I feel like a major nag if I'm all "let's do this" all the time.

Last night we did get the curtains and quilt hung up. That was a nice touch. I think once we get the boxes of stuff we won't use right away (high chair, etc.) into the basement the room will be at least presentable for photos. :)

[estrange.livejournal.com]

I'd get a referral to. WHen I had Devin & Maia the ped had to come in and check on them and do ped things. We use a family doctor. For Devin we chose his ped on Dec 4th and I had him on the 8th so there is still time! As for packing your bag, it's good to get done but when you go into labor you will probably have a lot more time than you think so Jen could get it ready but it's good to have some things together.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm sure that when we go into labor we will be putting last minute things into the bag... but there was stuff we had to buy for the bag, you know, fun things like travel toiletries and big pads and I wanted to get a couple of nursing shirts for convenience. But yes, we will be stuffing things in for the last minutes, I'm sure! :)

Since we won't be choosing a doctor that has admitting privileges in the hospital we'll be giving birth in, I'm sure some random staff pediatrician will come check out our baby while we're in the hospital. We want someone more local than the next county where we're having the baby.

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

*hug*

I am not bored by this at all. I don't have any suggestions that weren't already made.

Well, okay, here's one -- make the joint list together (great idea -- we do that too), and put refinish the chair on it too, since it's important to Jen. Then prioritize together.

I am 1/3 done with a project for you! :-)

[kieron.livejournal.com]

you know I have to say - refinishing the chair is not a priority - it's something I would like to get done because it has sharp bits that need to be sanded down and sanding it down was something that Jude and I agreed on together. Everyone seems to think I want to get this done so much to the exclusion of all else, which is not the case.

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

I actually didn't think that, but I'm very sorry it seemed that way. I wish I lived closer and could be actual help. I'm sure you both have a lot to do.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

We have such a long list, it's not even funny. Looking at the list gives me major anxiety.

I just worry that things aren't prioritized, they just come up. Like, a chair can be refinished anytime (especially since we'd have to buy supplies, which costs money) but there are some things that have to be done before baby comes!

AIE!

[sunshyne72.livejournal.com]

WOW! 36 weeks... it seems like just yesterday it was a little frankenegg. ;)
I know probably not the feeling to you... but... :)
try and have a nice weekend though.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, it's really happening soon. Crazy, right?

[smurfbrother.livejournal.com]

What you really need is a chicken coop.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

And maybe a dead car in the yard on blocks.

[cappucinogrrl.livejournal.com]

Teehee. Icon love.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

And a monkey.

[shanneeluee.livejournal.com]

I can't believe you're going to have your little baby while I'm out of the country! How exciting that you've made it this far! I'm thrilled for you.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

How long will you be in Vietnam? I'm anticipating going late.

[shanneeluee.livejournal.com]

We are officially returning July 7th, unless we finish up early or late. ;-)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Oh, I bet I'll still be pregnant then!

[shanneeluee.livejournal.com]

When are you due? Too many pregnant women on my FL these days, I can't keep everyone straight! ;-)

Whatever is safest for the baby is what I want for you. :-)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'm due July 4 but I am mentally preparing myself for going late. My kid's always measured about a week behind, even from the very beginning.

[shanneeluee.livejournal.com]

Awww...July 4th! That would be a fun day to have a birthday. One of my favorite people celebrates on July 2nd. She'll be 12 this year, and is still convinced that we all go to the beach for a week just for her birthday. ;-)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I would LOVE to go to the beach for a week for my birthday! She has the right idea!

[artemis44.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd love to be all "don't worry, you have plenty of time," but, well, my bean came at 36.5 weeks, so yeah, anything could happen! (don't mean to alarm you, though clearly it's too late for that anyways!)

I do think finding a ped - even if it's not the ped you'll use forever - is a super big priority, because they have to come check on the babe at the hospital in order for you to leave (at least that's how it was at our hospital), and you have to have someone to call at 2 in the morning the first night you're at home alone with the baby. That said, I agree that your midwife will likely be able to point you the right way - just show her your list of insurance-approved peds, and she can tell you who she likes, then call and see who's taking babies! Worst case scenario you spend the first month or two looking for another one if you don't "click" right away.

You probably already know this, but some things to ask about in the beginning - policy on vacc (especially first-day shots/eye goop, and 1 month shots), office and phone hours, appointment availability, can you stop in for a weight check, and what breastfeeding support is available (if you're going that route) Those are the huge things for the first month - really, you don't care what his stance on the MMR is yet, cuz that's not for a year or more... but you've got to have someone who's responsive and available, and if you'renursing, then bf support is vital.

hope that helps, and don't forget to breathe! (easy to say when I don't have a babe pressing on my diaphragm!)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, the vaccines and things are at the top of my list. For sure. It's the part that makes me nervous because I'm not a very "confrontational" person. Heh, I'm such a whackjob.

Most of the places around here have breastfeeding support, which is a nice touch. We ended up getting a really good recommendation from someone at our birth class, and of course the office is closed for vacation for a week!

Why is this my life?

[oppendonnell.livejournal.com]

a) I would definitely ask your midwives (specifically the One You Love) for referrals. that's what we plan to do.

b) You might check the pediatrician issue at your hospital -- I know that at the hospital we plan to use, they have hospital peds who discharge your baby, and that's separate from the doctor you choose.

c) I have a list of "Questions to Ask Pediatricians" in my handy-dandy pregnancy planner that I can forward to you if you're interested.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Yeah, we'll use a staff ped in the hospital for sure, since we'll be out of county and all of that.

I'd love the list if you want to pass it on. judecorp at gmail should work just fine (but you know that).

[angelhsent.livejournal.com]

about the ped I would ask for a referral too. Not that it is much help but I did my bag packing at the last minute. I am sure the chair will get done. and dont worry I love hearing about you guys and the baby. I can't believe we will soon have a baby in the picture eeeekkk how exciting I have been reading you since before you got pregnant and was praying and hoping that you would get pregnant.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

That's a really pretty picture of you!

I can't believe it's almost here also. It's so crazy! I'm not worried about the actual PACKING of the bag (there is always time when you're in labor) but making sure you have the stuff to go IN the bag. The last thing I want to do in labor is run to CVS to buy toothpaste or something, you know?

[sassywoman.livejournal.com]

PACK YOUR BAG MOMMA! YOUR WATER COULD BREAK ANY DAY NOW.
Yes, I'm jokingly trying to stress you out a little ...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Ha, you're a turd. ;)

[riggeronfire.livejournal.com]

seriously, put me to work! i'm off of work @ 6pm. will work for food, particularily eggplant and asparagus.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

That reminds me, I need to get some local asparagus ASAP. Mmmm, asparagus. (I don't like eggplant, though.)

You should come over for food sometime, but you don't have to do any work! I promise! When do you want to come over for dinner, and what do you like to eat?

[riggeronfire.livejournal.com]

i'm just a good eater in general. no restrictionsm and i typically eat for PCOS symptoms. so, that be known...

i'm down for whenever. let me know what is good for you. i have poker night thursday, but that could be moved if necessary. not really other plans just yet. tomorrow is VERY free...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Tomorrow being today? (Wednesday) I wish the weather was nice enough to BBQ. Maybe if it clears up?

What does Friday look like for you? Do you run around the town like the young whippersnapper you are?

[riggeronfire.livejournal.com]

i could potentially do friday, but i have a friend coming into town and we have not set up plans yet. i'll have to get back to you on this one.

[riggeronfire.livejournal.com]

alright, so the news is..... I AM FREE TOMORROW. Sorry to be so last minute, but I just had things settled with my roommates and friend coming in from out of town. I would love to do something tomorrow if you're available. Let me know. If you facebook stalk me, you can even get my digits...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I sent you e-mail. Because I suck.

http://twomomsarebetterthanone.wordpress.com/

[(Anonymous)]

jude- i am not working any more and will be around these parts for the rest of the month, so once you are done work call me up and we can do things together!!!! i will NEED to get out of the house!

Re: http://twomomsarebetterthanone.wordpress.com/

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You are too busy napping. Napping is your full time job! :)

[evewasframed.livejournal.com]

what town do you live in?

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Easthampton, MA

[kseptember44.livejournal.com]

Pull everything together at least and leave it in a draw. This way it is in one area and ready to go.

I had the same issue with the pediatrician. I called the hospital asked them who they used and I ended up using one of them. I figured if I did not like them I could always change down the road but at least I had one in the beginning.
Are you nesting yet??? I was cleaning out the garage a day before I went into labor. I was insane... And wait till after the baby is born, you think your hormones are crazy now.

It is very exciting though, enjoy every bit of it !

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness we don't have a garage to clean. I actually get really disgusted by the condition of parts of our house (floors, etc.) but don't have the drive to clean them. Instead I just get frantically anxious about the condition of the baby's room and the fact that I haven't taken photos yet! Heh.

We got a couple of leads on pediatricians, so I guess I will be waddling my way into their offices in the next week or so.

xo