[spidermanteache]

For those of you who are still in the process and your baby is over 15 months old or have already brought your baby home at this age, what are some things that you are doing/have done to prepare for the homecoming?

We have the nursery ready, I've bought lots of clothes (that's how I cope! LOL), and have several toys. I am just wondering what else I should be doing to prepare for a baby this age.

Any ideas will be appreciated!

[JuliannaTeresa]

Go out to dinner and a Movie!

Take a weekend vacation just the two of you!!

[Waiting4Skip]

Don't forget the carseat! Took us a month to decide on "just the right one"

[tinaedmond]

Steph and Rod

One thing we are doing is learning some common spanish words and phrases, to help ease her transition. Our foster mother only speaks spanish, and while her oldest son knows English he does not use it in the house so much - except when I call to say hi!

I have also registered for quite a few baby safety items (door latches, gates, etc.!)

Tina
waiting for Alexandra, born 11/18/02

[becky]

Get down on the floor and crawl around...viewing your entire house from their eye-level...then safety proof everything. 15 month olds are notorious for touching, grabbing, tasting, and pulling everything in site.

Start lifting weights...you are gonna have a heavy load to carry...when you start out with an infant you gain strength over time as they gain weight...when you bring a 20 pounder home you can't believe how heavy that seems after only a short time.

Buys lots of board books, children's CDs and Tapes, sippy cups, and definitely get a Gymboree Blanket (an absolute 'must have' for anyone with children!!!)

Have fun!!!

[spidermanteache]

Thanks Guys!

It is kind of funny, but the things you're suggesting, we're doing most of them! Going on a week long vacation in March to the Florida Keys, lifting weights and trying to keep in shape, we go to the movies and out to eat all of the time!!, I'm a teacher so I have lots of board books, cd's, ed. toys, etc., and I teach ESL students so I know quite a bit of Spanish and hear the language all of the time!

The one thing I haven't done is register for the car seat. We did buy the mini van, though. It has the floor hooks and all of the safety features. So, which car seat do you suggest? I know that I've done some research and have heard great things about the Britax. Any other good ones out there?

Becky, haven't gotten on the floor to look around, but I do have a great niece that is 11 days younger than Parker and do know where our house needs help in the baby proofing department.

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[Quinnie]

Definitely lift those weights and strenghthen those legs and lower back if you are bringing a 12-month or older child home. I'm starting to toughen up, but my body was aching when we went down to bring our daughter home. Get physically fit BEFORE you may have to constantly hold a toddler for four days in a row and walk them and rock back and forth using those hip muscles.

I feel great now, but my body was not in shape. Another blessing this little bundle of joy has given me ... physical endurance!

[szumbiel]

Join a YMCA or somewhere with a pool for year round use. Our little one came home a month ago at 13 months. He transitioned well but sleeping was the most uncomfortable moments for him. He would get very uptight and this is where we noticed him almost mourning his loss most. It was very difficult to deal with especially because when he does not sleep, we do not sleep. We have found a good evening swim helps wear him out and bedtime is easier on these nights. Take those jammies to the pool and come home ready to rock and sleep.

And do get down on that floor! We spent last night at the ER seeing if our little guy had a screw somewhere between his throat and, well, you know! He somehow pulled a plastic covering plate that covers an old cable line off the wall and when noticed, we could only find one of the two screws! Guess where our first guess could have been after the floor? You got it. So, after two long hours in the ER and x-rays, still no screw. Thank goodness it was not there, but we still have not found it.

Moral of the story: We thought his room was baby proofed and he proved us wrong. Amazingly our daughter was in that room also as a baby and never once touched that plate that I don't even think I had ever really noticed since we moved in. Boys do keep you hopping!

Sonya, mom to Marty