Ideas for bonding/spending time with DD before baby arrives?

[norasmommy]

Hi everyone,

I am about 34 weeks pg. with baby #2 and have a 3 year old daughter. We have been discussing the baby arriving and she obviously notices my growing belly, etc. She seems to be someone excited about the idea of a sibling, although I'm not sure how much she really understands. In the past few weeks the pregnancy has been feeling more real to me, knowing a baby will likely be here quite soon and it has got me thinking more realistically about how things with change, especially with my DD once the baby is here. I feel so happy and excited for this new baby, but at the same time I think I may "miss" my daughter in some ways, just because I know things will be different (in a good way I am sure). I am wondering if any of you have any ideas for some special bonding activities, etc. my husband and I or myself alone could do with my daughter in these final few weeks to make the transition easier?

I would love to have as many special mommy & Nora moments and maybe to squeeze in some fun activities that may be more difficult to do once we have a newborn as well.

Thanks for your advice!

-Katie

[welsh]

I don't have any special ideas but I have been doing lots of cooking and baking with DS. Also crafty activities. Things that I won't have the energy for in the early days with baby. Also swimming which feels so good when you're pg!
Now the weather is improving, we're spending lots of time outdoors; feeding ducks, just walking around and talking.
I'm going to miss it being just us!

[rparker]

[briome]

Originally Posted by norasmommy

I think I may "miss" my daughter in some ways, just because I know things will be different (in a good way I am sure). I am wondering if any of you have any ideas for some special bonding activities, etc. my husband and I or myself alone could do with my daughter in these final few weeks to make the transition easier?

My son was three was 3 when I had my second and I was also concerned about that.

I don't know how good you feel but if you feel alright do ANYTHING fun that you will be less likely to do after the baby comes. Museums, little day trips etc..... take pictures and make a little photo book as you go along. I did that a little and my son really enjoyed looking at it with me as I nursed the newborn. In addition, just simple things like having a totally child led day to going out to eat or visting parks etc...... Doing complicated activities at home too, like dyeing eggs, making bread etc. Thease are complicated to me at this point because I am 36wks with a 2 and a 5yr old now!

I did mourn some loss of closeness with my first son after I had the second, primarily because of all the help family gave with him. That was great, but I really missed talking and cuddling with him as much as I did before. It also seemed like such an abrupt change..me and him together MOst of the time to a few weeks where I rarely got much quality time with him. Make sure any helpers (including your hubby) understand that you need some together time with your eldest everyday, even if it is just cuddling together on the couch or in bed while you look at books together. I think that helps the oldest transisiton too, knowing Mommy is still avaliable!
Good luck!

[MaerynPearl]

DD and I are growing flowers

its an odd way of doing so but it is allowing me to help her understand how the baby grows from something teeny tiny into something really big and at the same time we are bonding over OUR babies

This morning we got up and had a couple dozen sprouts popping up complete with leaves and she was so excited she started dancing.

[artemis33]

We are going through this now as I am very close now (due this month - eep!).

DD is on spring break from preschool this week so we've been able to hang at home a lot. She has enjoyed helping me go through totes of her old baby clothes and tiny cloth diapers that she used to wear as I prepare them for her baby sister. We talk about how tiny she used to be and she loves hearing stories about when she used to wear those jammies or play with that toy.

We've been baking a lot too and tomorrow or saturday we're going to make some roll out spring themed cut out cookies, something I only do a couple times a year. She got to choose all of the shapes and is excited to do this together.

The past several weeks we've been spending the nicer days outside and she has helped me get the spring garden planted.

Oh and we'll color eggs together this weekend as well.

Mostly I am just trying to spend lots of time cuddling with her and listening to her carefully - giving her my full attention.

I am a little worried about how we'll adjust to this. As much as I am excited about having another baby, part of me is a little sad that my time will be divided and I won't be able to give her my all like I have been able to for the past 4+ years.

[norasmommy]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions and stories, I really appreciate it. I've been trying hard just to spend cuddle time with my daughter and do things alone together (even taking naps!) I know it will be very different soon, but I think we will all adjust with time.

I love the ideas of planting seeds together and doing crafts, etc. Thanks again for sharing