Last minute stage fright

[Sanguine]

Now that we know Teddy will be heading down the runway Monday at the latest, I'm suddenly flipping out about being a mother! I've been so focused on getting to and getting through labor, I've been distracted from the idea that I will soon be TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for a little teeny person! I'm excited, but terrified! Just knowing that there are, at most, two whole days and an afternoon left of my pre-baby life... what's the smiley for hyperventilating?

Any other first-timers out there feeling like this? or any experienced mamas who've been there and lived to tell the tale?

[maciascl]

I was like that after DS was born. I realized that I was so caught up in having the pregnacny & birth I wanted I didn't think much about having a newborn. Then DS was very needy, fussy baby & it (along with several other things) put me into PPD. But I did live through it. There are things I would certinly have done diffrent looking back on it now.

If at all possible make some time for just you over the weekend. Go get a pedicure, go shopping, get a haircut (difficult to do with a newborn!!!) do something you enjoy & helps you relax all by yourself. Also go on a date w/ your DP. Also if you don't have it already go buy The Baby Book by Dr Sears. It was/is my fav book about parenting with a little one. I give it to anyone I think is even possibly open to attachment parenting as a baby shower gift.

[quinbearzmama]

I second the PP- treat yourself to something special this weekend; find some pampering time just for you. And know that although there may be some challenging times as a new mother, it will change your life for the better in so many ways. Being a mama is the best thing ever!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

[crazyeight]

nak

i felt like i just fell into the parenting roll and all the sudden i had this baby to take care of. it doesn't 'help' that you know when hes coming....the labor really surprises u usually and then u don't have time to think.

btw my ds is still alive so i guess we'r doing good!! ds wasn't planned so it was certainly not like we were trying/prepared/ready etc

[Sanguine]

Thanks, everyone!
We went out for dinner, probably for the last time pre-baby (!!!), and even though there are some cleaning projects that really need to get done tomorrow, we are going to focus on just being quiet together this weekend... I love the pampering suggestions. Husband Jeremy is a massage therapist, so I am DEFINITELY getting him to work on me Sunday.

Teddy wasn't unplanned but he was very spontaneous. I'd been on the fence about ever having a baby for years... I guess I was having a suggestible moment at my annual in Dec, because when the mw asked (as every mw has asked for several years now) 'so, thinking about a baby?' instead of yelling 'hell no are you nuts?' I went home and said, 'gee... uh... whaddya think?' Assuming it might take us a year, we decided to go for it, before I had a chance to change my mind... my mw sounded like she had whiplash when I called later that month to tell her I was pregnant!

So--no preparation here either. If I thought about it, I would probably have felt ready and started to TTC when I was 85! So I'm feeling excited, but pretty bewildered. I guess the upside of not really planning is that when Teddy arrives, I'll just have to roll with whoever he is instead of having my heart set on everything working out as I'd always dreamed. (I guess I'd always dreamed of being an aunt! )

Glad to see it all works out, somehow. Thanks!

[Jetka]

Just wanted to say goodluck! I will be in that same boat come Monday when I hit 42 weeks.

[time4another]

Well, this is my 3rd time and yes, I am freaking still...

I have made plans this weekend though. I'm trying to look at things like this could be the last time we do this, as just the 4 of us or without the baby...so this weekend, we're taking the girls fishing and hanging out making a fire in the outdoor fireplace. I'll probably tend to my roses some and just take in these last few days of "just us".

Heather