[Happywife]

I'm looking for suggestions. My dh and I are going to apply to "our" agency (we've already interviewed and chosen one) in April.

What should we do in the next 5 months? What things should we do as a couple before we officially begin this journey? What should we do around the house?

Keep in mind, we are on a STRICT budget and would not have much money to spend, but would be open to any suggestions.

Looking back, is there anything you wish you would have done during this time OR is there anything you did that you were thankful that you did?

(Is this making any sense? LOL)

[Stormster]

Enjoy your husband, your sleep and your freedom!

[Beth.]

Here is my canned response to this age old question -- Get into shape! We a-moms didn't have the 9-months of getting used to lugging around extra weight. For the first time in 7.5 months, my back doesn't hurt. You wouldn't think that 8 or 9 pounds is a big deal, but it really is when you aren't used to it.

[Wisdom]

I don't know if you'll be a stay at home mom or not, but if so, I'd look for a mom group and playgroups to be part of for the future. I guess you don't have to be a stay at home mom to be part of those groups, but if you're home during the week with your little one it would be great to have one.

[mommamarci]

Well, my advice is not very family, friendly, if you get my drift!

Take advantage now because you won't have the time or energy once baby comes home...

[mandirenee]

Take naps, enjoying eating your food and not having to share, Clean out your closets and storage (babies bring lot's of stuff), enjoy watching and listening to whatever you want on the tv/radio instead of the kids cd over and over and over, Catch up on things like organizing pictures and/or scrapbooks, take naps, interview and choose a peditrician, catch up on any repairs around the house (you never get to these after the baby comes), enjoy each other....nocutrnal activities , did I mention take a nap.

Best of luck during your wait.

[Shadowfaerie]

Sleep in.

[finallyamom0310]

Sleep and distract yourself with yourself and your husband.

[nee18]

SLEEP!!! Also, I second Mommamarci's suggestion-definitely harder to find time and energy for with a new baby in the house. Getting in shape was also a great suggestion-wish I would have done that. Try to enjoy some "adult" drinks too. Once our son was home, I was so sleep deprived that if I so much as smelled an alcoholic beverage, I fell asleep .

[devildogwife]

Defenitely wish I would have slept more. I am glad that we took trips together. Such great memories! We went to Mexico and Disney World together and had lots of fun. Sleep as much as you can!

[Fran27]

We didn't really have much time to get ready before we signed up, but a lot afterwards... I found it hard though, even if a part of you thinks you should enjoy it while it lasts, for me it didn't work, I wanted a baby NOW.

But pretty much I just continued living my life as I always had. Sleeping in, taking naps when I felt like it, watching movies, going out some. I wish I could say we traveled etc, but we were tight on money also so apart from netflix and online game we didn't really spend much money at all.

[jules17]

You know what I would do? Beyond what has already been mentioned, which are awesome suggestions.

I would get every address that you plan to send things to for the next few years organized (like ready to do a mail merge and print labels). Because this takes time, and trust me, with a little one, you don't have the time!! And then when you are ready to send out announcements or whatever, you're good to go.