Counting down to T-Day: The Checklist

With only 1 month (29 days) until Turner arrives, here are few of the tasks that we have to complete this month.  This is just a starting list – I’m sure we’re forgetting something.  Feel free to remind us in the comments section.

• Study up on newborn vaccines and find out what Turner needs and the schedule of visits
• Talk to our doctor about Turner’s position and our birth plan
• Pick out our baby announcements and send out the thank you notes for all the great gifts!!
• Buy a baby sling or baby carrier – DONE (Thanks Ama!)
• Get smart about Tori's contractions and learn to recognize the differences between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor
• Prepare for labor and delivery by trying to remember things from the preparation classes
• Wash and put away your baby's new clothes (Thank you Aunt Christine!)
• Prepare for the weeks after Tori gives birth -- taking time off from work and having family in town. 
• Relax and enjoy the last days as a couple before Turner arrives and we become a family of three --- five if you count our two dogs

Preparing Turner’s Room

Turner’s room will be decorated with a jungle / safari theme.  Before adding furniture to Turner’s room, Tori wanted me to repaint it.  We’re keeping one wall chocolate brown and the other 3 walls were painted a tan color.  Luckily I was able to get that done quickly because the crib arrived shortly after.  Tori and I were both excited about the arrival of the crib because (1) we were worried that the delivery would take several weeks [it only took 2 for our crib] and (2) we had never seen the crib in person and wanted to make sure we were happy with the color.  We selected an espresso colored crib but espresso from one manufacturer is not the same as it is for another manufacturer.  Luckily, we like the color of this crib.  

After unpacking all of the materials and getting the packaging out of the room, it was time to assembly.  My friend Thad offered to come by after work and help me but our schedules were both hectic.  Luckily, putting the crib together wasn’t challenging.  It took me about 30 to 40 minutes.  I had to adjust the height of the frame once because we felt it was too high but even with that change, the installation / setup was quick. 

 

We are going to pick-up the rest of the furniture from IKEA.  We’re getting the dresser and rocking chair there.  According to the Baby Bargins Book, IKEA furniture ranks well.  We will be getting the changing table from Amazon.  We’re also ordering the animals for decoration – a stuffed tiger, giraffe, ape, and maybe a parrot.  I wanted more but we don’t have enough room for all the animals. 

Packing Tori's hospital bag

Here are a few of the items we’ll be packing to bring to the hospital.  Are we missing anything?

• A picture or some object for Tori to focus on during contractions, a water bottle, and massager -- pretty much anything that might provide relief from pain during labor
• Our iPod dock and iPod with a ‘baby playlist’
• Our digital camera, digital SLR and Flip video camera
• Snacks, 5hr energy drinks, and Powerade for me J
• My notebook to note down contractions and time them (I also have an iPod app)
• Nightgowns with button or snap fronts will help during feeding
• Our cellphones with our list of phone numbers of friends and family that we will inform immediately after the arrival of Turner.  The hospital is also wireless so I might be able to send an email out.
• Hospital floors can be cold so we’re packing Tori’s warm socks and slippers
• A bathrobe
• Basics like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap and hand wash and other toiletries.
• Loose and comfortable clothing and two sets of newborn clothes and a blanket for Turner to wear when we are returning back home with him

Car seats and coupes

Audi is the truth in engineering.  My Audi A5 is a voluptuous and decadent four-seat grand tourer - ask MotorTrend.  Ask my coworkers and close friends and they will tell you, I love my car.  As I write this post, I’m thinking about taking my car in for detailing so that it’s ready for the winter season. I also want to impress my son with a nice ride.  I need to stay focused; this post is about car seats.   Tori did the research and while Britax really does seem like the best of the best, we went with the Chico KeyFit because it was (1) also highly rated and (2) matches my car – he too will ride in style.   

Installing a car seat in my Audi was surprisingly easy.   The latch system in my car was exposed - more exposed than most cars I’ve seen.  After reading the instructions, I was able to install the base of the car seat that my Fraternity Brother Quincy purchased for us.  It took about 15 minutes.  I wasn’t happen with the first install and removed it and tried again.  The second attempt was more secure.  Unfortunately, the car seat didn’t fit properly behind the passenger seat.  I installed it between the rear seats and it fit perfectly. 

The outcome of this adventure in car seats was realizing I don’t have to trade my car in yet.  On the bright side, when it is time to fit an infant seat and toddler seat in a car I will be doing so with my Audi A7. 

Baby Shower Pt. 1

Two of our friends, Kelly and Jennifer recently threw us a baby shower. Kelly hosted the event at her home. Some of our closest friends and family drove over to Kelly house to help us celebrate the coming of Turner.   Jennifer and Kelly organized several games for us to play which involved everyone guessing Tori’s circumference.  I was close but our friend Stephanie was exactly right.  We also played ‘Guess the baby food’.  I enjoyed most of the baby food and can see myself finishing any leftovers from my son.   The vegetables were terrible though.  He’s on his own with those.  Our guests also tried to guess the date that Turner would be born.  I won’t name names, but someone selected ‘January 16^th’ as a potential date.   Tori will not be happy with that but both my father and one of my sister’s were born in January, so that wouldn’t be too bad.  We have the calendar up on our fridge and will email everyone with the news / winner.

After some of the games, we started to open gifts and we were really amazed at the generosity of our friends.  We received many of the gifts off of our registry including the car seat and base.  There will be a separate post on installing the car seat.  To all of our friends, thank you thank you thank you for your generosity.  We really appreciate it.   There are a few pictures here but most are linked to on my Facebook profile. 

Kelly and Jennifer provided all of the guests with enough food, drinks and entertainment that everyone left happy and full.  Thank you Jennifer and Kelly for everything you did that day.  You’re great friends and we’re lucky to have you in our lives.  Turner can’t wait to meet his two aunts.

Say Hello to Alakai!

As you know, I recently attended my younger sister Wendy’s baby shower in Orlando, FL.  It was a great time.  I have great news.  My sister had her son, Alakai Alexander Anthony Simeina on November 11^th around 6:30pm – she texted me around 7pm to tell me.   Baby Alakai and his mom are doing fine.  I can’t be down there to meet him in person but Wendy sends me pictures from time to time.  I’m hoping the two boys can link up soon.  I’m sure they’re grow up being close friends.