I've made a list of things that have helped keep me busy so far, but I think I'm going to have run out of stuff to do at the end of 3 weeks so I thought we could make a thread of ideas to help keep me (and anyone else whose board to death) entertained

1. Find out about: Childrens Trust Fund and where is the best place to stick em - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/sav...-fund-vouchers
   
2. Find out about: Child care tax credits and vouchers for when you go back to work -http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health/childcare-costs
   
3. Check your benefits (the first link talks about benefits in general and the second link is to a really quick way to see if your entiled to benefits your not getting, literally takes 5 minutes) -http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/protect/benefits-checkhttp://entitledto.co.uk/
   
4. See if you can save money on nappies -http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheap-nappies
   
5. Watch a good video on breast feeding (my midwife gave me this on DVD but you can log in and watch it here too) -http://www.bestbeginnings.info/bump-to-breastfeeding/
   
6. Write your birth plan (there are loads of websites that offer advice for this) -http://www.babyexpert.com/Birth/How-...-birth-plan/v1
   
7. Freeze some meals now so that when things are hectic in the first few weeks after baby gets here you can just bung one of your ready meals in the oven and eat well -http://allrecipes.co.uk/default.aspx
   
8. Sort out the nursery/baby stuff (like washing all the baby clothes).
   
9. Babyproof the home (because you know it wont be long till the little’n is rooting through your kitchen cupboards) -http://www.thebabyregistry.co.uk/Run...SP%5CPg127.asp
   
10. Pack your hospital bag -Hospital Bag - What To Packhttp://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnanc...th/whattopack/
    
11. Charge your camera/video camera batteries and make sure you have plenty of memory cards!
    
12. ‘Encourage’ the baby to make an appearance - i.e. Sex, curries, long walks, nipple stimulation, pineapple etc etc
    
13. Take plenty of ‘me’ time - Relax and enjoy yourself and perhaps think about going and getting your hair cut because god knows when you’ll next get the chance!
    
14. Clean/nest (I've been doing A LOT of this!) - http://www.tellmehowto.net/cleaning/
    
15. Watch videos about colic, baby health and feeding - http://www.videojug.com/tag/babies-children-and-teens

...and lastly - Practice your hynobirth breathing!

Sounds like you got it covered!!
Have fun, I cant wait to finish!! xx

Sounds like you are well organized. I will not be bored lol I am sooooooooooo looking forward to not working. I have a high demand job and looooooong hours so I am going to just putt around. I love your list of things I should do though.

I think sleep should be added to the list, I will be doing alot of that!

Nap as often as you can.

Also, spend some quality time with OH

WOW!! you are much busier than I plan to be!!
i have done most of my "extra" cleaning, I plan to use the last 2 weeks to have friends round for lunch and sleep!!! I can't wait to have nothing to do just for a few days!!! I can't remember the last time I could make a cup of tea and sit and watch This Morning with Phil and Fern!!!

That's hugely organised!!! Haven't done most of that list - have eaten lots and rested lots though - it's been nice

x

I will definitely have to do some of those things.. I have 10 weeks to find things to do!!! And I can only cook and clean so much before there won't be anything left to do!!!

Peoples' advice to me has been:

Precook meals or stock up on foods you can just throw in the oven.. even if you make yourself a batch of muffins or something and freeze them.

Pick up thank you cards so you have them on hand for when people give you gifts.

Pedicure~ you get a nice little foot/leg massage with it usually, and it'd be nice to have pretty toes up in those stirrups and get pampered one last time!

Stock up on shampoo, pads, conditioner, hair elastics, face washes, soaps, toothpaste & any other 'essentials' you need for the first couple weeks. HAIR ELASTICS = MUST for long hair I've been told - even before they start grabbing at your hair they can spit up in it, etc.

Go through all baby items & make sure you have EVERYTHING you need immediately after the arrival.. if you don't have something, go get it.

Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers for your fridge - cab company, doctor's office, poison control, relatives, close friends, a pizza shop to order from lol..

Read a book, watch the movies you've wanted to rent, go out to lunch with your girlfriends, and anything else you do 'normally' that you won't have time for whenever you feel like after the baby arrives.

See about getting infant or child first aid/CPR training & prepare a first aid kit for your home!! (Some places offer pricing per couple if your OH is interested or a grandma-to-be, etc.)

Practice setting up playpen, car seat, stroller, etc. so you're familiar with it all ahead of time.

Think about the sort of routine you'd like to have- ie: walk in the morning, bath baby before bed.. but don't be upset if things don't go exactly as planned when baby arrives!

Research, and if need be, register for parent/baby swimming classes ahead of time! (I'm really excited for this lol)

I would prepare things for a week of relaxing in bed and on the couch once your baby arrives...i know with my other two i needed to rest etc especially the second but I ended up sitting bored with nothing to do. newborn babies are cute to cuddle but actually dont entertain you for hours on end lol. so this time i have prepared some films and a new computer game!, the moses basket in our bedroom and I have some paracetamol in the bed side table for afterpains!

sophie