Hi ladies! I'm due to give birth December 29th. For Christmas, several of my boyfriend's family members are staying with us for 5 days. We don't live near family and since I couldn't travel, they're coming to us from Florida.
I'm not worried about having too much of a burden because I'm close to the family and they will take care of everything, especially the food! (I'm no Martha Stewart or even Rachel Ray.) But I want to contribute, since we invited them.
I'm sure I'll be a tad tired at 9 months pregnant. Does anyone have ideas of things I can or should do? I just don't want to let my houseguests (among them his mom, grandma and sister) do everything a hostess would normally do, without pulling my weight. (I don't want to get in the way in my small kitchen either.)
Any ideas of any kind would help. I don't know much about entertaining, other than the basics. Among them will be grandparents, his mom, a couple of folks our age(20s), my toddler and another toddler.
It seems crazy to have so many houseguests at that time, but they're such a close family and it's wonderful of them to make the drive. Really looking forward to it, just not sure what should be expected of me 4 days before giving birth! I will have a week vacation time to at least prepare before they arrive.
Thanks everyone! Good ideas on getting prepared and helping them feel special, while not overdoing it. Happy Holiday Season!
Take advantage of it, and let them do everything. This is the one time in your life to sit back, relax, and eat anything without having to feel guilty. You'll soon enough be waiting hand and foot on someone else (you precious baby), so enjoy the pampering while you can!!
I agree with everyone else.
I want to tell you my story. I set back and laugh at it now.
I had my 2nd child on 12/29/02 and it was crazy because of the Holidays and my Husbands Birthday is January 3. I just keep with my normal stuff and relaxed when I could. With all 3 of my boys I had c-sections. The 1st one was the worst I thought I was going to die. (lol) It was crazy because I was discharged from the hospital on 12/31/02 and the roads were iced over and my mom came to pick me up because my husband was at work. I sat in the car when my mom went into the store to get some formula and it seem like it took hours. All I wanted to do we lay down.
REST now, you are 9 months pregnant. Just make it look like you did everything just for them, and when the family gets there it will be there time to cook and clean for YOU.
Mom of 3 boys!!!
I agree that you should let the others handle it, but I live in the same world you do, I would also feel like I had to do something! What about things that you could make ahead of time and freeze that would be fun like home made rolls, or even cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast? Also, how about trying to have a nice, but simple, table decorated that you could help set the day of. I think you should try to find some nice paper products so that clean up is easy for all of you. Keeping the other meals through out the week simple is a big help too, even eating out a time or two wont hurt. Hmmm..what else, ah maybe some kind of make ahead gift of gratitude, a little basket of toiletries to use while there and then take home (it adds kind of a vacation get away feel to it) The best thing is to be able to show how grateful you are for their visit, and help at this time! I think it is great that you will have everyone around to love on and spoil your first little one just before baby sister arrives! Happy Holidays to all of you!
Unless you have a planned c-section or inducement (is that even a word??) I probably wouldn't count on being there to do any things that a hostess would do. Use that week you have to do what you can ahead of time. While they are there let them know that you appricate what they are doing for you, and keep in mind that they probably won't let you help with anything other than setting the table that close to you due date.
Since you'll likely be compelled to clean anyway, use your week off beforehand to very slowly clean the house. Limit yourself to one room per day, then reward yourself with a nap after each room is clean. That way, when they arrive they will have a "clean slate" for whatever holiday preparations they want to do. If there's a menu to consider, maybe you could make a grocery run, but be careful - In the last month of my 2nd pregnancy I practically went into labor every time I set foot in Walmart. You might also see who wants to stay over to help when you have the baby. Bringing a baby home with a toddler in residence is pretty stressful. You'll need all the help you can get! And, unless you've got a scheduled C-section, be prepared for the idea of already having a newborn by the time guests arrive. :-) Good luck!
I agree. Let them help you out as much as they want/can. It won't be too long until you are waking up every few hours to feed a newborn, be so tired your hair hurts...ha/ha. Let them help. It makes them feel good too!
C.
PS My boys were 23 months apart so I can feel what your going through.
Agree with previous posters. The only thing I'd add, though, is that if it's something you can do, get with one of the dinner make-ahead places and order some meals to have in the freezer during that time so anyone can just heat and eat. I know the SuperSuppers here in Coppell will let you buy their already-packed-up meals for the same price as if you'd stood in their kitchen and put them together yourself. AND, the end of the month is coming up, when SuperSuppers, at least, discounts their already-packed-up meals because they're trying to clear their prep areas for the next month. Sale starts on the last day of every month and goes until everything's sold. For me, it would be totally worth it to buy as many meals as sounded good, at the end of Nov and Dec too, to have on hand while you deal with a newborn and a toddler. :-) Good luck!
