Meeting Our Babies Needs

This week makes 30 weeks. I'm rather excited about this number. It's 10 weeks from my due date which means probably 11 or 12 weeks until we finally get to meet the alien that makes my belly jiggle. Besides nesting like crazy I've been trying to plan for when we finally go to the birth center.

I started to make a packing list of what to take with us. It's kind of difficult to plan on what to bring to an event you've never experienced before. Especially when most people have a much different experience when they go to a hospital. I got quite a few things written down that I'm sure will be essential like receiving blankets and diapers. I was going to start assembling things when I realized I don't have a diaper bag to put things in...or diapers. This had me realizing just how many things we still need.

I've had anxieties about baby stuff before like with the baby carrier and the crib. How were we going to get the kid home? Where was she going to sleep? Luckily we were able to buy these items so I don't have to be worried about them anymore. Now it's the little things that have me nervous.

It has been my experience that mothers at their baby showers are typically showered with stuff that is fun to buy when you're not having a baby yourself. This ends up being mainly clothes and blankets.

While clothes and blankets are useful, they are only a small part of the many things that we'll need when Charlotte makes her debut. I can't pump breast-milk into a receiving blanket and I can't bathe my kid with a pretty pink dress.

Better potty train extra early!

The reality of my working situation come summer has me worried as well. It's really nice that I'll be able to just be home without worrying about losing a job. The school year will be over so I can sub less, and my voice students know that I'll need at least a month off if not two. The problem is that this means no income on my part, and we haven't really been in a position to save for the rainy day we'll be experiencing. This makes us that much less capable of buying what we need for our baby. Sure I'll be home with her, but what good does it do me if I end up holding her over the toilet because I can't afford diapers anymore?

This has me feeling a combination of guilt and worry. We really do need help with the things that aren't so glamorous to buy. Things like diaper covers or breast feeding accessories. I feel like a jerk for wanting things our baby needs rather than what givers would prefer to buy for her. It's like wanting tires for your birthday. Everyone hates buying tires! But if you don't get them you're kind of screwed if you can't afford them yourself. I'm worried about going broke buying what we need after the baby shower. This has me feeling more guilty. The thought goes something like, "what business did you have getting pregnant if you couldn't afford all the crap you need to take care of your baby?! gifts are a blessing and you're lucky if you get anything at all!"

At least with our bridal registry it wasn't like we were being neglected if someone didn't buy us a le creuset pot or a dyson vacuum. Obviously we've survived. I just hope this turns out the same.