It’s been over three years since there has been a new baby in the house. In a little over three months, baby #3 will born! I would be lying if I didn’t say that I’m nervous to bring a tiny human into our home again. We’ll be starting all over — breastfeeding, cloth diapers, baby wearing. Literally everything. But the thing I’m actually most worried about is how the girls will take to this new family member. Aubrey was only 18 months old when her sister arrived, so it didn’t really change anything. We weren’t into a groove or anything yet for her life to come crashing down because of a new baby. We currently have a routine that we live every day, but we all know that when you throw a newborn into the mix, your routine is shot. Here’s my plan to (hopefully) make this transition easier for all of us! 

Nursery Prep: We’re not a long-term co-sleeping family. Baby will sleep in our room for the first few months and then start transitioning to his room during naps and then eventually overnight. For this reason, I want to make sure the nursery is completely put together before he gets here. I plan to have the girls help me get all of his things ready. They love helping with laundry (weird, right?) so I’m sure they’ll want to fold it and put his clothes away. They’ll also help decide where to hang artwork, place toys, etc.  Who knows, the girls may even get to help daddy put together some of the big stuff like the crib! (By handing him simple tools, of course!)

Hospital Visit: We already have the girls “scheduled” to go to grandma’s house when I go into labor. Depending on the time that I actually give birth, they’ll be visiting within a few hours. They’ve been so excited to meet this new bundle of joy, possibly as much as I am, so I don’t want to hold them back from meeting their little brother. I doubt they’ll stay too long, but we’ll make sure they get to hold him, help change a diaper (cloth, of course!) and sing a little lullaby or two before they leave. We’ll be pushing to be home as soon as possible so we can start adjusting to life as a family of five. They’ll also actually come to the hospital when we’re discharged so we can make the trip home together.

Gift from Baby: I always think this is adorable — the new baby brought you a gift! I’m sure my almost five-year-old will realize the baby didn’t actually bring her gift, but she likes receiving new things anyway. Who doesn’t? My plan is to fill a goodie bag with busy activities like artist journals and puzzles, so the girls can do their own thing while I’m busy tending to the baby. I may just toss in a new movie for my own sanity 😉

Freezer Meals: I think this is more for my husband than it is for the kids. They wouldn’t mind if a meal is thrown together or if it’s take out. But unfortunately, my husband just won’t have that! I’m planning on having A LOT of freezer meals prepped and ready to go. I know for a fact that I won’t want to cook after a long day with the kids and I know my husband isn’t going to want to cook either. At least this way, I know we’ll be eating some good food and my bank account will also thank me in the long run.

I’m hoping the transition from being a family a family of a four to a family of five isn’t too overwhelming! But I’m sure it will be worth it! 😉 What are some of your tips to introducing a new baby into the home?