Stuff? We don't need no stinkin' stuff.

 

Last week, my midwife casually asked me if I was ready for the baby and I honestly had no idea what she meant at first.

Ready? Uh, sure. S/he’ll probably be here in 10ish weeks. I know that.

“No, I mean, do you have all the stuff you need? Are you having a shower or anything?”

Oh. That kind of ready.

Is it weird that it hadn’t even crossed my mind until that point?

This is the luxury of being a second timer.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I, like many women pregnant for the first time, had no idea what I was getting myself into. I made lists, I did meticulous online research, I talked to friends and family, and I stressed. And this all started practically the minute I got the positive pregnancy test.

How do I know I have everything I need? What if I get the wrong stroller? What if I don’t have enough onesies? What if I regret buying cloth diapers? Do I need the breast pump ahead of time? What about a car seat? I don’t have a car, but aren’t you SUPPOSED TO have a car seat?

Aye-yai-yai. If I could go back and tell myself one thing it would be simply, “Relax. Newborns don’t actually need a whole lot other than you, your boobs, and a warm place to sleep.” But even if I had the ability to time travel, I’m sure I wouldn’t have listened to myself. All the other voices were telling me the exact opposite.

We can live without an electronic wipe warmer, right? RIGHT?!

This time around, “stuff” hasn’t even crossed my mind.

We have onesies from Poppy’s early days. We have newborn-sized cloth diapers in a box in the closet. I have functioning boobs. And we have a large bed with enough room for a small babe.

Done and done. Bring it, baby.­­­

Did you find the pre-baby shopping and preparation easy, stressful, or otherwise? In the end, what were the most useful items you had on hand? And what did you wish you'd never bothered buying?

-----

Follow Jo on Twitter at @outtajo or visit her personal blog, Outta Jo, Onto You.