[Doula Gina]

I was at Michael's today and I picked up some things for the bigger children to do when I'm in labor - I got a book with laces for my 3-yo DS to play with - he is totally into taking shoelaces out and relacing them 'creatively', so he should like this; a book of projects that comes with 4 small rolls of narrow masking tape that shows how to use the tape as art medium for my 6-yo DS, and a new dinosaur Melissa and Doug puzzle (they have played with their US map one sometime for literally 4 hours at a time. They REALLY like these.). We're picking up a cake mix and the stuff to make a cake with a "0" candle as well. Or I'll send them with their aunt and grandma to pick up the cake stuff when I'm in labor. I don't know <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">. We'll see when the next time I remember is, now, during labor, or sometime long after. I don't think my 6-yo will let anyone forget that he's supposed to be able to make a cake while the baby's being born! The only other thing we've got to do is buy a bottle of champagne - we're really all done!

 

[Synchro246]

Cool stuff! I got Seamus some Cars movie cars (he's going to freak when he sees them), some little dinosaurs, and sidewalk chalk. I thought about hiding all the cars in the house until I'm in labor, but that might just be cruel. It would work though! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
I wanna make a cake with a 0 candle. That's cool.

 

[toemizan]

Oh my goodness, I hadn't even thought of this! I have been listing out art/craft projects, games, and other fun things to do for anyone helping with the kids postpartum, with stuff we have on hand, and if we are able to have a homebirth, those would work then, but I need to put together something for the birthcenter. I'm also working on recording myself reading a bunch of their books on an mp3 recorder to put on my Ipod, so I can make playlists of stories, but again was thinking more of needing that postpartum.<br><br>
I love the little craft kit ideas...will have to go find some of those!

 

[veganbaby]

I haven't thought of this either. I will definetly be watching this thread for ideas.

 

[ewins24]

Since I'm having a hospital birth I didn't think to get the girls a craft to do while in labor but I did get them each a gift from the baby. My girlfriend who is going to take DD #2 while we are in labor is going to take her to do something for the baby and our older DD will be with us but she'll have her mp3 player in case it gets too much for her.

 

[emiLy]

My friend is putting together a box for my daughter - stuff to do while I'm busy nursing the baby. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I'll let y'all know what's in it when I see it!<br><br>
I have cake stuff ready with a 0 candle for my daughter and husband to do while I'm in labor (or thereabouts).<br><br>
If/when we go to the hospital, she's coming with us so we're bringing my laptop and some DVDs for her to watch. I don't plan on needing my husband much, so I figure they can hang out while I labor. I actually think my daughter is going to be more interested and possibly more helpful than my husband. It's her job to count fingers and toes and POSSIBLY help tie the cord, depending on how calm the cord cutting turns out. She's kind of obsessed with umbilical cords - taped a piece of paper to a doll's stomach tonight and colored it purple and then tied it off! LOL She also wants to put a towel down under me "when I hear you yelling because the baby is coming out." ROFL When we looked at the hospital room the nurse showing us around said something about the baby coming out "just like magic" and today Delia repeated that and I was like "Uh, not exactly. It's hard work." She has been asking if "they're going to take the baby out." and I've been saying it will just come when it's ready, it's all very complicated! So confusing for a 3 yo!