[hildare]

<p>anybody getting one?  what sort of things do you do? </p>
<p>how are your other kids getting ready for baby? </p>
<p> </p>
<p>dd has been requesting to watch videos of "babies crying."  i'm glad she's ok with that part of it... she likes to kiss my belly and blow raspberries on it.  she thinks it's hilarious that she's making farty noises on the baby.  and   the other day in the grocery store a baby in a (sigh) carseat in a basket was crying and she told everyone who could hear her to PICK BABY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Take baby OUT!!!!  she was quite concerned. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>don't know about a sibling gift, i am having a hard enough time thinking of anything for holiday presents...</p>

 

[parsley]

<p>So I haven't even broken the news to DD that I'll have to stay in the hospital 1-2 nights.  We've never spent a night apart and it's going to  be brutally hard on everyone.  I have been thinking that I want to tell her about 2 months before the baby is due so that she and I can make a really good plan for how she's going to deal with spending the time away from me.  It might involve buying her an enormous stuffed tiger that we see in the museum gift shop and refer to as the mommy tiger to her baby tiger that she's recently become attached to.  It also might include me telling her that she can stay up as long as she wants watching Backyardigan videos...  or camping in the living room, etc...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Beyond that major elephant in the room, DD is really looking forward to the baby coming.  She's getting a little impatient that it's still three more months but she's on board with sharing her room, excited about being a big sister, etc...  We've spent a lot of time recently  playing this game where she and I are friends that are meeting for coffee or going out (odd as I rarely spend time with friends these days outside of playdates) and she brings her doll.  She complains about how badly her baby sleeps at night and we order coffee and cupcakes.  I think she's trying to transition into being a bigger kid who can also be my friend and helper rather than my baby.  Dolly does seem to travel everywhere with us as well these days...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A few months ago, DH told DD that it would be her job to make sure that we remembered to pack the baby's toys in the diaper bag.  She's been totally focused on being in charge of rattles.  I think I will take her to a store in a few weeks and let her pick out a few soft rattles that she can give the baby as her birthday present.  I might invite her to pick something out for herself as well at that point.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am feeling pretty stressed about all of this though...  How are others doing?  Thanks for starting the thread, Hildare.</p>

 

[stephr_k]

<p>Our son is 2 1/2 and will be just one month shy of 3 when this little one arrives.  We are thinking of a duplex set or some other quite toy for him as a new baby gift.  So, he will be able have his special toy when she is napping (cross my fingers).  Since it's so close to his birthday I don't want to get anything to big.  For him to give her as a birthday gift I may just let him give her a birthday cake and let him help us eat it .</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm not sure if he really understands what's coming or not.  He feels her moving and I talk to him about her but not sure he will really understand until she is here.</p>

 

[1blueheron]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>hildare</strong> <a href="/community/t/1336371/sibling-gift-are-your-other-kids-ready#post_16750370"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p>the other day in the grocery store a baby in a (sigh) carseat in a basket was crying and she told everyone who could hear her to PICK BABY UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Take baby OUT!!!!  she was quite concerned. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
<p>Love it.  DD does this too - sometimes she will try to drag ME over to some random crying baby so that I can pick the baby up.  </p>
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>parsley</strong> <a href="/community/t/1336371/sibling-gift-are-your-other-kids-ready#post_16750433"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br><p>We've spent a lot of time recently  playing this game where she and I are friends that are meeting for coffee or going out (odd as I rarely spend time with friends these days outside of playdates) and she brings her doll.  She complains about how badly her baby sleeps at night and we order coffee and cupcakes. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><span>This really cracked me up!!!  <img alt="ROTFLMAO.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_8_1321489335114_162" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/ROTFLMAO.gif"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>I am also concerned about spending a night away from DD.  She'll just be 2 years old when the baby comes.  My mom will (hopefully) be here, and I know my mom will sit up with her all night if she needs her, and DD loves my mom, so that is some comfort to me.  My very kind neighbor just told me that she wants to spend more time with DD in case the baby comes early and we need someone to watch DD in pinch, which I thought was incredibly sweet of her.  (She had a daughter whose babies all came early so I think that sort of thing is on her mind.)  </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span>I have no idea how I'm going to explain all this to DD, though.  I'm sort of hoping for an uncomplicated birth and a very short stay in the hospital.</span></p>
<p> </p>

 

[mrskatiekuj]

<p>My son is really ready, not seeming anxious yet but I he is definitely really excited. Going to wait and see what he gets for Christmas, and maybe get him something that he didn't receive but wanted. Especially something we could sit and do together while baby is nursing, maybe some kind of building material or game.</p>
<p>My daughter who will be two in December talks about the baby and really LOVES playing with her dolls - but not sure how much she really understands about the baby coming. I am thinking of getting her a doll Ergo to use since I'm hoping it will help her when I have to carry the baby all day ("go get your doll and you can carry her in the ergo too"...etc) or some other baby care item for her dolls.</p>

 

[Adaline'sMama]

DD is just 20 months and will probably be around 22 months when DS comes, but she seems to know what is going on. We look at pictures and videos of babies online and the playgroup we go to has some little babies there. She squeals with delight when she sees pictures of them. If one looks upset or we see a baby cry IRL she will say , "you ok? ok? ok baby?" We've watched videos of mamas nursing newborns and newborns crying and she seems okay with it. She saw me naked yesterday and went for the nipple (she has been weaned for around 3 months) and then laughed hysterically and said "no. no. nanas for babies!" (nanas was her word for nurse). She has bitten my nipples a couple of times when she was testing me to see if I would let her nurse. She just thinks its too funny.<br><br>
If you ask her if she wants to have a new baby she will always shake her head yes (and most everything is a "no" these days, so its surprising). She wants to name him "dancing."<br><br>
We've gotten out the boppy, the infant carseat, the bouncy chair, and the playpen (which I use as a cosleeper) and she has played with all of it. His clothes are in the drawer below hers, and she has gotten them all out and tried to put them on and knows they are too small. She has sat in the carseat like a chair and lounged on the boppy, but mostly she just reminds me that they are for the baby. She knows that my belly is "baby" but Im not sure she understands that a baby is going to come out and live with us. I think she just knows things are changing.<br><br>
Im not sure about a gift, but I was thinking I might get her a moby wrap for kids for her to wear a doll in. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMoby-Mini-Wrap-Childs-Carrier%2Fdp%2FB0010R08SQ%2Fref%3Dcm_cr_pr_pb_t" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Mini-Wrap-Childs-Carrier/dp/B0010R08SQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t</a>

 

[hildare]

<p>that was a great idea about the doll carrier, she's been pretending to wear her dolls anyway.  i just got her a doll ergo from amazon pretty cheap, and some bamboobies pads for myself... has anybody tried those?  i was a heavy leaker last time. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>any new sibling book recommendations?</p>

 

[parsley]

<p>Thanks for this link, Adaline'sMama.  DH and I were just talking this morning about getting a carrier for DD to use with Dolly.  I was admiring a VERY expensive one in the Nova Toys catalog.  This is MUCH more manageable.  Though I don't love the big brand name in the pic.  Figure I can just put it on her inside out. <br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Adaline'sMama</strong> <a href="/community/t/1336371/sibling-gift-are-your-other-kids-ready#post_16751446"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Im not sure about a gift, but I was thinking I might get her a moby wrap for kids for her to wear a doll in. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=motheringhud-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMoby-Mini-Wrap-Childs-Carrier%2Fdp%2FB0010R08SQ%2Fref%3Dcm_cr_pr_pb_t" rel="norewrite" target="_blank">http://www.amazon.com/Moby-Mini-Wrap-Childs-Carrier/dp/B0010R08SQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t</a></div>
</div>
<p><br>
As for books, I loved the Frances books as a kid and have been reading them to DD for awhile now.  I'm planning to buy her _A Baby Sister for Frances_.  I'd love to hear other reccs.  Do you have any, Hildare?</p>
<p> </p>

 

[nannybutterfly]

<p>DS is only 18 months, I really don't think he gets it at all. He does point to my belly and say baby, and will give my belly kisses, but I'm not sure he really understands that there's a real baby in there.  He loves babies he sees out and about, adores our friends baby who is 11 months, but other than that I'm not sure how to prepare him.  I do want to get him some sort of gift, but not sure what yet.  I'm adding that to my list...<span id="user_yui_3_4_1_22_1321553748642_14"><img alt="thumb.gif" id="user_yui_3_4_1_8_1321553748642_151" src="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="width:23px;height:18px;"></span></p>

 

[bluedaisy]

<p>I am also getting concerned about DD's readiness for the baby.  She is in SUCH a clingy/mama phase/separation anxiety.  I was really hoping she would wean herself and she is just not ready - I am not thrilled about the idea of tandem and might try to encourage weaning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm delivering at a birth center so hopefully shouldn't have to spend a night away from her - but we're not sure what we are going to do with DD until my mom gets here especially if I go into labor in the middle of the night.  My mom and sister had really fast second labors so maybe it's just wishful thinking but I think this labor might be fast.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I would also love some suggestions for books about a new baby.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I used to have an etsy shop and made mini diaper bag sets with mini diapers, wipes, bibs, and a wipe case.  I gave those to a few friends as big sibling gifts.  My dd already has one and loves it - I might make a few more baby accessories or something, I'm not sure what I will do.  I also made her a baby carrier for her dolls so maybe I'll make some outfits.  Her birthday is this month and then Christmas so I probably won't give her anything big since she'll be getting so many things for her birthday and Christmas<a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/809365/width/524/height/700/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="Pinkbag3.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="41805" data-type="61" src="http://www.mothering.com/community/content/type/61/id/41805/width/524/height/699" style="; width: 524px; height: 699px"></a></p>

 

[parsley]

<p>Oh my gosh!  That is so cute Bluedaisy!  My DD would love that for "Dolly".  In fact, she was talking about her imaginary diaper bag yesterday.</p>

 

[jaimeemiaj]

Bluedaisy, That is amazing! Are you going to sell these on Etsy again?

 

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

<p>When we brought DD home she "gave" DS a Cars play set. It had every single Disney Cars toy and was from his sister. He loved that and it made for good play time. I think this time we will get DD something she will use to take care of her babies...not sure what yet, and I have no idea for DS, but I definitely think the sibling gift is a good idea.</p>

 

[Gunter]

<p>my girls are so excited about this babe.  My oldest is especially into labor, birth and breastfeeding so she's really excited to be there for me during labor.  I had a lot of Braxton Hicks the other night so got into a warm tub- she brought me a water bottle and said, "mama, if dada is asleep, I will come be with you later."  so precious.  She's been to a few births with me and loved being there when her sis was born. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The little sis will be a week or so away from turning 4 when this babe comes.  I think she'll be great and interested in it.  But she has never been to a birth like her big sister has and she's not as interested.  We talk a lot about her own birth and how her sis was at it.  We look at pics of it with her, too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My girls will have a support person just for them to take them to get food and read them stories, etc so DH and I can focus on Labor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Yes, there will be some sort of sibling gifts that come but I have not figured out what, yet!  I like your suggestions of it being something baby related so they can practice on their babes what their lil newborn sibling is up to. </p>