Free Printable Baby Shower Planning Checklist

This would have been really helpful when I was planning my friend's baby shower and even when I was planning my own baby shower.

Check out this FREE printable Baby Shower planning checklist from Unoriginal Mom

Free Printable Baby Shower Planning Checklist - unOriginal Mom

Daily Routine

A few weeks ago, I bought the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle and as part of the bundle, the getting started section contained the 4 Simple Steps to Stress-Free Homemaking mini-course as an introduction to the bundle. This course is 

There are 4 short videos each of which talks about how to solve common problems in homemaking and how  to integrate those solutions into your daily routine. I came up with a simple daily routine to start implementing these steps. 

The 4 steps are fairly simple but really important:

1. Fold and put away one load of laundry before starting another
2. Start dishwasher in the night and unload dishwasher first thing in the morning so you can start loading dishes throughout the day
3. Once a week, have a meeting with yourself. Check on what are plans for week and see how many meals need to be made. Decide on what those meals are going to be and make a grocery list.
4. Nighttime routine:
• 5 mins to do quick cleanup
• 5 mins to check calendar for next day
• 5 mins to prepare for next day - clothes, lunch, anything that needs to go out the door

With these steps in mind and with some other ideas, I've planned my daily routine:

Morning

1. Wake up and shower
2. Make up your bed
3. Unload dishwasher
4. Write down To-Do list (5-7) for day
5. Pack lunch for AGirl and me
6. Switch laundry from washer to dryer

Evening

1. Load the dishwasher and start it. Wash any vessels remaining by hand.
2. Fold and put away the load of laundry you washed and dried in the morning.
3. 5 minute cleanup of kitchen, dining room table and family room
4. 2 minute preview - look at calendar for next day
5. 5 minute Prep - clothes, lunch for next day, what needs to be taken out the door
6. Put AGirl to sleep
7. Take 5-15 minutes to do something you love.
8. Put a load of laundry for next day with timer set for morning 4 AM

Once a week, write down meal plan for AGirl for the next one week.

I'm not working on the meal planning for the my husband and me yet but I'm going to start with meal planning for my daughter.

I will give an update on how this routine works in a few days.

Preparing for baby checklist

One of my friends is pregnant and I made this list for her based on lists which my sister and best friend sent with a few changes.

Essentials for baby:

1. Infant car seat and stroller (available as combo at stores) or convertible Car Seat
2. Crib
3. Changing Table (not essential but helps your back!)
4. Crib Mattress
5. Changing table pads
6. Mattress cover for crib (3 at least)
7. Changing station pad covers (3 at least)
8. Boppy (nursing pillow) and a slipcover (this doubles as baby support later)
9. Diaper bag
10. Bath tub and cushion that goes in tub for babies
11. Diaper disposal system

Layette essentials:

1. Onesies (0-3 months) - at least 3  & (3-6 months) - 3 or more  (baby grows very fast in the first few months, so it is wise to buy more in the 3 to 6 months range)
2. Sleeper suits with foot covered - at least 3
3. Button down sweater or hooded fleece siuts (for cold season babies) - at least one
4. SwaddleMe with the velcro for swaddling baby
5. Socks/booties/mittens/caps - babies need to keep head, hands and feet covered for the first couple of months since they can't regulate their body temperature yet.. also, their nails tend to scratch their faces.. (socks can work as mittens too)
6. Bibs/burp cloths - several
7. Wash cloths - helps when bathing baby
8. Towels - at least 3 (hooded ones are nicer)
9. Receiving blankets - at least 4 to 6 (bigger ones to swaddle baby)
10. Thick blankets - at least 2 if baby is born during cold season
11. Diaper holder/ organizer - to keep diapers/lotion/oil/wipes etc. handy for diaper and dress changes
12. Diapers - I prefer Pampers swaddlers sensitive brand coz they were the best for my daughter and most leak proof for her - (babies need at least 7 or 8 diaper changes every day in the first few weeks)
13. Diaper wipes - the ones that are not perfumed are better for new babies. Sensitive ones are not perfumed, for the most part
14. Mattress protector sheets (u get these for crib mattress just like the regular ones) - they are waterproof so it is good to have at least one for the mattress)
15. Dreft laundry detergent (wash baby clothes before use the first time and always separately in baby detergent)
16. For mom - nursing pads (disposable ones are better)

Bathing and other essentials:

1. Baby wash (head-to-toe) Aveeno or Burt's Bees is what I used for my daughter
2. Baby nail cutter (I prefer Safety 1st brand - still use it for the kids)
3. Nasal aspirator (it is also called nasal bulb) - need to remove stuff from nose
4. Brush/comb - needed if baby has lots of hair :)
5. Baby lotion
6. Petroleum jelly or diaper rash ointment
7. Temporal thermometer
8. Regular thermometer (non-mercury - think you get it from the New Baby class)
9. Baby tylenol (infant drops)
10. Mylicon gas reliever (check doctor before use - good for gassy babies)

Other extras that are optional:

1. Glider/ottoman (This was a huge plus for me - saved my life. I still use it to rock my daughter)
2. Baby sling or carrier - try out several brands to find the right one to work for you.
3. Baby monitor (needed if u live in 2-level houses) - go with video monitor if baby's sleeping separately at any point.
4. Bouncer seat (for times when baby is bored of looking up at the ceiling and even for colicky babies)
5. Swing (helpful in calming baby or swinging baby to sleep) - was very useful for my daughter - she slept in it for a few months.
6. Play yard (again for 2 level houses since it serves as a crib and diaper changing area)
7. Bottle feeding supplies (Bottles, nipples, bottle sterilizer, bottle warmer, bottle brush cleaner)
8. Breast pump & accessories
9. Nursing cover
10. Portable Changing pad