Steph’s DOs and DON’Ts of Pregnancy #2

As I’m nearing the end of Pregnancy #2 I’ve recently forced myself to really consider what I’ve learned (and even NOT learned) during this season of life.

Oftentimes it seems as if life just goes so quickly that it slips out of our hands and we look back thinking to ourselves “WOW!  What in the world just happened?!”

I’d simply hate for such a a precious time as this to go unnoticed because of the busyness of our lives.

So without further ado… here is

Steph’s DOs and DON’Ts of Pregnancy #2

• DO drink that cup of coffee you didn’t drink during Pregnancy #1. 🙂  I’m no doctor but I’m pretty sure a 1/2 cup here and there won’t hurt! Plus a little caffeine will come in handy when chasing around a toddler.  Trust me… I know from experience.
• DON’T forget to spend some quality time with your first born.  From the little things like giving our little Nora lots of extra hugs and kisses, to the bigger things like attending Sesame Street Live, we’ve tried to be very deliberate in being sure Nora knows she can find a secure love in both her parents – regardless of what she may be tempted to feel come the baby’s arrival.
• DO try and prepare your first born (as much as you can) for the huge change that will be coming into their lives.  I purchased I’m a Big Sister by Joanna Cole and have been reading it to Nora every day (sometimes multiple times a day – it has become her favorite book) just to help her little brain prepare for the arrival of baby sister in the coming days.
• DON’T forget to spend some extra time with your hubby.  In the weeks leading up to our due date we’ve gotten out on a number of occasions as we know that our date-nights will be fewer come baby #2.  Check out my various Friday Night Date Night idea’s if you’re looking for new places to check out.
• DO consider donating your cord blood.  After Jenny’s guest post on SMB in January I immediately started looking into donating our cord blood this time around.  Don’t worry… I will certainly post more about the “how-to’s of donating your cord blood” in the coming months – for those interested of course.
• DON’T underestimate the value of a “Mom’s Night Out.”  A Mom’s Night Out is a sure way to fill up my energy and emotional tank.  And ladies – there are lots of days that I need some refilling.  Am I right or am I right?!
• DO treat baby #2 to a few fun newborn “accessories.”  🙂  I recommend shopping around on Etsy for a fun hat for her/his newborn pics or even a cute little pair of booties.  Just something that is solely theirs.  I also HIGHLY recommend getting a RubyLove Baby Book.  I’ve done so for both Nora and _____ 😉 and think they are well worth the extra $$.
• DO purchase a little something for the big sister/brother to receive as a gift from the new baby upon their arrival. I’ve read a number of things about this “exchange” but most noteworthy for me was that the gift does not need to be expensive but something VERY exciting for your firstborn.  In our case I actually buckled down and bought a 12″ Stuffed Barney.  Nora already had a baby so that really wasn’t an option but she’s literally obsessed with the big purple guy 🙂
• And finally DON’T forget to treat yourself.  This can mean a number of things…the occasional night of carry-out food because you just don’t have the energy to cook…a pedicure the last few weeks of your pregnancy…or even a sip of red wine (yes – I did just say that) every once in awhile…treating yourself is a MUST especially with baby #2.

So that’s all I’ve got!!

We’re hoping to meet our little girl #2 here in the next week, so stay tuned for her birth announcement on Facebook or even better yet by subscribing to our blog via email or RSS feed (it’s free!).

Until then… please share your DOs and DON’Ts of Pregnancy #2 (and #3, 4, 5…. for that matter).  Comment below.

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Steph is the Co-founder of Scottsdale Moms Blog and Social Media Director for Family Matters. She is mamma to Nora (July 2009) and baby girl #2 (due May 2011) and wife of Alan.  She loves shopping for great deals, wearing funky jewery and spending loads of time with friends.  Steph gets a kick out of multitasking and loves nothing more than throwing a good party. You are always welcome to e-mail Steph at [email protected].