Preparing

I have been thinking a lot lately about the things I'll need for after the baby is born, and I always try to do the minimum. Every list I have ever seen, you know the ones..the 'essentials'..I haven't needed half of the things on it. So I remember what I used in the past and go from there. But it is so much fun looking at baby things. I always WANT to get more more more. I don't need four wipes boxes, or three bags of newborn diapers, or seven diaper bags. I don't even NEED any clothes at all, Ragno and May Lynn were spoiled enough to last through all the rest of the babies we will be blessed to have.
I also have been reading the after baby stuff, like sleep when the baby sleeps, don't do any laundry, don't worry if the beds aren't made, dishes aren't as important as your health. But every time I read those things I think, 'well, I feel better when the beds are made.' And if the whole day is just chaos, like I know it will be for a little while, then at least one thing will have gotten done. And I can't even sleep when we are all asleep, let alone take a nap while the kids are awake, so even though I know the advice is well intended (like all advice is) I think I will just toss it all out and do what works for me. And that includes dishes.