What to do???

[grub17]

hi there,

I'm hoping some of you may be able to help me out with some suggestions.

the situation is I'm 31 weeks pregnant with our first child and DH has had to go away for 7 weeks (defence force thing) and I'm home alone. We have no close friends or relatives etc down here. (all are about 2 plane trips away)

I work part-time (was full-time but getting too much for me) but finish up on Oct 30. So basically have a month of maternity leave while DH is away (he's back 2 weeks before EDD eeekk)

My mother is coming to stay for a few days oct 28 to nov 2 and my sister will be here nov 12-20. Otherwise it's just me and the fur baby.

So to keep myself occupied i'm going to:
* set up the nursery - we have most of the stuff just piled in the room
* wash all bub's clothes/blankets/nappies etc
* oraganise my hospy bag
* cook some freezer meals
* do a scrapbooking class
* try and go for a swim every day
* see a movie
* tidy/clean the house (probably one room at a time)
* afternoon nap every day
* doc appointments

While that looks like a bit to keep me busy, some of that stuff will only take a day or two at most.

Does any have any other suggestions or ideas for this time alone? I'll need to keep busy or i'll get quite lonely but I also can't do too much as i get so tired.

Is there anything you've done/are doing that is time consuming/fun?

Remember i'm pretty big at this stage, so it's going to get bigger! and not very agile anymore lol.

thanks for reading ox

*moderators, you may wish to move this to a more suitable thread??? ta

[NaeNae]

I am just over 35 weeks and I will tell you I have a lot less energy now then I did at 31 weeks. I am also feeling a lot more like a recluse and I really don't like being around anyone (not even DH) as I feel I get aggitated very easily.

I know you want to do things to keep you from going mental but seriously I would suggest what you have is more than enough. Take your time doing things spend a week setting up the nursery if you have too.

My ankles and feet have only just hit the swelling time and bubs head is way down in the pelvis and keeps pressing on nerves which is quite painful. When These things happen all I want to do is sit.

I don't even have the energy to pull a vac over the carpet or to stand for 10 min to wash the dishes (well thats my excuse if DH asks ) But this past week I have done 13 loads of washing including all the baby stuff, bed sheets you name it.

Maybe get a few books or dvd series as well. Try your hand at cross stitch you can get some lovely baby pattern things and they are not hard to do, if I can do them ANYONE can.

Nae x

[Nai]

You will probably find that you do start to have less energy as the weeks go by and that you can only get a few things done and probably less than you had thought you would.

Try to read some books that you have been meaning to read, rent some dvds for the days you don't feel like going out, start your baby album and start your thank you cards for baby gifts (names and addresses of people you know will send you things is a good start).

[grub17]

okay, I completely hadn't thought I could get MORE exhausted! lol.

thanks for the feedback. I will get a start on the thank yous, that's a great idea nai. and yep, that's what the scrapbooking day is planned for... the pregnancy and ultrasound pics been trying to get my album up to date so i can do the 'fun' stuff lol.

naenae - it sounds like DH may be thanking his lucky stars being away lol. I'm really trying to approach the seperation as a bit of a babymoon for us both. and if your experience is anything to go by, I might actually appreciate the time apart a lot more than i am expecting.

After just one night, I have discovered the joy of having the bed to myself (and my 10,000 pillows) lol.

thanks for replying ladies. ox

[nattyfred]

Hi Grub,

Where are you? I am in Defence and so is hubby and Im going on mat leave on 30 Oct. Id be happy to catch up if you want as I am in the same boat with the not knowing too many ppl. We are in Penrith, hubby is working at Liverpool and Me at Richmond if that helps...I am freaking that Im going to be a dribbling mess by the time I go back to work in a years time...

[NaeNae]

After just one night, I have discovered the joy of having the bed to myself (and my 10,000 pillows) lol.

oh yeah and being able to search the ENTIRE bed for a cool spot!!!

sssshhhhhh don't tell anyone but my snoring has got really bad and DH often sleeps on the couch, nothing better than a King size bed to sprawl out in

[sloane]

my DP wasn't away but i read lots of books, had lots of afternoon naps & i had an overwhelming urge to bake i also watched loads of sports on tv (heaven for me!)...stayed up really late & slept in pretty much every day

i'm so glad i did all those things because there seems to be very little time for most of them now - esp the sleeping!!

[LionsandBears]

Can't relate to your situation, but some low energy things to kill time include:
* sorting through old photos and putting into albums/scrapbooks
* researching your family tree- most can be done via internet/post
* learn a language using audio tools.
* knitting - seems to be making a come-back

Enjoy your last few weeks.

[grub17]

oh naenae that's funny - your secret is safe here lol.

thanks for the suggestions girls... sounds like i should stop being such a control freak, and kick back a bit and just enjoy my alone time while i can. lol.

[Macca79]

Rest, rest, rest. you will find the closer you get the less energy you will have for big things. you might find that a simple trip to the shop in the morning wears you out for the entire day. Pamper yourself, lunch with friends, read a book, get a peddi etc. Do all the things you enjoy and just relax.

As for hospy bags etc it can be a good idea to have them done sooner rather then later just in case.

But most of all use this time to enjoy yourself.

[Daytona's Mummy]

You could also spend a bit of time on making a CD of all your fave relaxing songs to play while in labour (or ipod if you can't play CD's) then you can also use it after your bub is born for his/her/your relaxation.???

[Becs_bubs]

Wow! How lucky are you. I can't imagine anymore what that might be like - weeks of not having to do anything and absolute silence in the house....how cool is that! Enjoy it while it lasts - it will probably be the last time until your kids are grown and out of the house that this opportunity will ever happen. Have lots of long soaks in the bath. And read lots. And SLEEP lots...your body will thank you for it. And yep...you will more than likely get a whole lot more tired yet. With only a week left now I feel like I'm a grandmother...my poor joints and all the aches and pains...and so TIRED all the time!

Good luck with it all

[Sagres]

It won't take up much time but get a hair cut - it's much easier now and you just never know when you will be reliable enough time wise to keep an appointment (with feeding and the like).

[didispunk]

Pedicure, Manicure.. massage..

[Murph01]

Grub,
to highlight the idea of tiredness, I can manage one thing at a time per day and between everything I do, I have to sleeeep! I seriously wake up now in the morning, eat my porridge and prune juice and I'm so exhausted I go back to bed. It's a joke with DH and I, but it's the stage I'm at and overnight sleeping is often so disturbed, i just have to burn out before sleep catches me anyway. I do have that luxury as I'm not working and my iron levels are low and trying to catch up,... just ...need.... sleeeeeep. Oh and you know all about my evil reflux.

Leave some of those things til the last minute, like setting up the nursery and you will barely have the energy to get it done in a week, let alone a day. I tried some dusting yesterday and besides getting sidetracked that many times by the pull of the bed, I didn't get even two cabinets done. Yay...you have all that to look forward to, so Miss I'm 31 weeks and still full of energy, let's just see how you feel in a few more weeks hey before you brag about being out of ideas to keep you buzzing. Kidding I'm thinking of you honey, being alone does really suck, but enjoy that bed space bliss.

[grub17]

thanks daytona's mum - that's a great suggestion i hadn't thought of,

same for the haircut sagres - i definitely have a bushman look atm and my hairdresser does the best head massages!

and becs bub i hadn't looked at if from the 'lucky' perspective but i can see your point.

murph- its 32 weeks now... ddeeerrrr. but seriously, i am just now getting the all night dancing so can't imagine what it'll be like when i'm further along!

thanks girls for all your replies greatly appreciated.

ox

[Jas]

Paint your nails,
Read books
get a pregnancy massage
hire a tv series you like