Normal Life after birth

I tried to think what else to call this topic but normal life was the best I could come up with.

We don't have kids yet but its definately coming pretty soon and DH and I have talked about various things but wanted some ideas from people who already have kids (as we dont know many). We are big talkers and its the best way to be prepared for things like this I think.

What have you ladies done to ensure that you still get time alone or time with your DH without the kids? I think both of these are really important so does DH. We are lucky in the fact that when we do it will be the first grandchild on both sides so we will have clucky granparents offering all the time to babysit. But do you girls have a set time or anything where you make sure you go away for an afternoon or anything to make sure that it happens. Because we were thinking we would do that, have a set time (whether it be once a week or month, who knows, we are both naive with this stuff) that way we know we will get time for "us" and the kid(s) can spend some time with nana and grandad hehe or various clucky friends that I have! lol

We try and have a date night or lunch escape once a week or so where we have grown-up time. It usually involves coffee and pancakes at Cafe Mini-Me down the road, but has gone so far as pub quizes and movies...

We also have a date nite once a week... as our kids are a little older, we usually put them to bed and stay in... but its our special night to spend together.

Nat makes sure he doesn't do any work that night (he's a teacher) and we snuggle up together to watch a movie, or we play cards, or a board game or something like that. I get whatever snackfood or special dessert we feel like on the day, and we both enjoy our night. Sometimes the kids get toasted sandwiches or 2 min noodles for dinner, and Nat and I have a special meal after they are in bed... our opportunity for a romantic meal while saving on babysitting!

I'm on the shore....sounds like I best track down these pancakes!!

Mmmmmmmmmm.... pancakes...

Ah ! I know what you mean, Crepes ! They're thinner / floppier than pancakes and can be folded up with all sorts of good stuff inside...

even though Rhiannon is only 6 wks old, on the weekends we drop her off at one or other of the grandparents for about 2 hours and we go and have lunch together and just walk around the shops etc holding hands, being all lovely dovey.

When she is a little bit older then she will start staying overnight at the grandparents every couple of weeks so we can go out etc.

we still go out with friends etc, for example, next saturday night we are going out to dinner with friends and Rhiannon is being left at the grandparents, and after dinner we are all going back to grandparents for a coffee.

I took Kiya with me whenever I went out to someone's house for the evening, from when she was about 4 weeks old... I would take the portacot once she was too big to stay in the capsule, and tuck her down in a bedroom. Once she got a bit bigger again, I'd tuck her down in someone's bed (organised beforehand - prior warning is always a good idea!)... now, she'll go to sleep pretty much anywhere because she's used to it.

Edited by becca.l

PANCAKES/CREPES - hehe guys, I forgot to check up on the comments here.
Cafe Mini-Me in the Mairangi Bay shops on Beach Rd do amazing Crepes. It's a big, thin pancake/crepe all wrapped up with whatever goodies you want and smothered in whatever sauce you want. They do yummy savoury crepes too - my favourite is the Chicken Sweety - grilled smoked chicken with cranberry sauce.... Oh, and the chocolate one - chocolate sauce, powdered chocolate, vanilla ice cream and cream....mmmmm - oh and the banana and maple syrup ones....or the fruit cocktail.... *sigh* I think I've just talked myself into going there for lunch!

I thought your hubby was coming home for lunch?