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Prepping for Lucas Emilio, Ana's Little Brother
So I've painted Ana' s old room a hue of blue as we wait for her little brother to arrive. Lucas Emilio is going in there and we moved Ana into the "big girl room," formerly the guest bedroom.
This week, the doctor scheduled my wife, Carrie Ann, for her C-section. So we have a deadline of April 29 now to get everything ... and everyone ready.
I still need to insulate, put up drywall on the ceiling and paint the converted Florida room. That's going to be where our guests stay now that we don't have a guest bedroom anymore. We also have to buy a pullout couch. All that is the easy part, if you ask me.
Coordinating grandparents and friends visits without hurting feelings seems to be the bigger challenge. They're all coming from New York, New Jersey and Maryland. And they all want to come around the baby's birthday.
We want them all to visit. But we don't have a large house to fit everyone at the same time. Sometimes we feel like we're playing traffic cops.
So what do you think is the best way to handle our influx of well-meaning visitors who want to celebrate Lucas' arrival?
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Comments
Easy answer for coordinating visits--give them a list of hotels that are close to the house and then have set times that people can come visit. Too many people around Baby Lucas can possibly make him sick and cranky. Plus I'm sure your wife won't want to be playing "the hostess with the mostest" right after having a c-section.
Posted by: Kristy | February 7, 2008 3:50 PM
Kristy,
That's the real tricky part. We've done that with some family in the past. And I'm afraid there are some hurt feelings because of it. In addition, not everyone can afford to stay at a hotel.
Trust me, drywall is much easier to deal with. :)
Posted by: Luis Perez | February 7, 2008 4:02 PM
Well, I think that if your family doesn't to/isn't able to spring for a hotel, then they may want to delay their visit to when you handle guests. It is they who are imposing on you by asking you to have guests when you've got a new baby! I understand they want to be here for the birth, but they can't also expect you to put them up. I'd make it clear up front to my family that you love them but it's just not a possibility right now for them to stay with you. It is also partly their responsibility to find lodging for themselves. If they want to be here so badly, they can share hotel rooms or stay with other friends and relatives in the area. There are plenty of Courtyard Marriotts around....I'm having a c-section on April 15th with my 2nd child. I wish you the best. I'm also lucky that my family lives in town. But I still plan to welcome and LIMIT my visitors. I know it's hard - good luck!
Posted by: Amy | February 8, 2008 6:30 PM
Congrats Amy on the addition to your family. It is an exciting time. We'll muddle our way through. Of that, I'm sure. Thanks for the suggestions.
Posted by: Luis Perez | February 8, 2008 8:00 PM