Just trying to stay ahead of the game...

I have been preparing for this baby in many ways the past week and more and it seems like there is always just one more thing I want to get done or do before I head to the hospital. Chip can tell you about what a great patient I make. I have gotten better with each pregnancy, but still I am not the kind of person who likes hospitals or extended stays of any kind. If I had my way, I would have the baby, take a shower, eat a meal and make sure the baby is fine {and bathed!} =) and be ready to head home if it was allowed.
But I have learned to be patient and this time around I am so experienced that I know there is a lot to do just to be prepared to come home to a family of 5 kids- who are just getting into the swing of a new school schedule. I am stocked up on food for packing lunches and stocked up on diapers and have just been trying to make the most of this 'easy time' in my life. The reality has hit me full force that these 4 kids I have (ages 4 1/2 to 9) will seem like a breeze compared to adding in the needs and demands of a newborn very soon.
I made extra efforts this week to take them to the park, and we went out as a family to the local Whippi Dip for ice cream just before bath/bedtime the other night. There has been more cleaning and organizing and I have come to believe I will never be on top of all of that! The kids definitely have the upper hand at mess-making around our home.
I let them 'help' me make a mess as we all scrapped and made baby thank-you cards for the shower gifts we received last week. I have tried to make them feel a part of the process and changes that are to come. and I think they are fairly prepared for what is to come.
Not "fully prepared", but at least "fairly prepared". =)
Ava and Bella are pictured here cooling off from the heat of the final days of summer today as they watched a video together. I am so glad at the frinedship they have shared all summer, but at the same time I just know that Ava is going to miss Bella very much. So maybe it is perfect timing for her to have to become a big sister. I know it will all work out and I have to admit, I am actually beginning to feel anxious about all the transitions that will come about.
And I am beginning to wonder if "Labor Day" is going to take on new meaning for our family this September. I doubt it...but at least we're prepared if it does!
Happy last day of August to all of you...and a Happy Labor Day tomorrow too!