Fall always signals the time of year I begin to evaluate everything from our school schedule to what our holidays are going to look like. Preparing for a new baby has made this even more imperative.
One resource I have used for years to help me plan is the 12 Week Holiday Planner.
The reason this planner is so important to me (especially when I’m pregnant) is that it provides guidance and structure through a season I do not want to ever feel stressed over. So many people talk about being stressed out during the holidays. I just do not feel that way, and I cannot help but think it is due in part to having a plan.
I pulled out my 12 Week Holiday Planner yesterday because it starts in October and I wanted to re-familiarize myself with all the sections. I was also in the midst of Fall Decorating, so that put me in the mood to get started planning my way through my favorite 2 seasons…Autumn & Christmas!
I have all my planner pages in clear page protectors inside my green Holiday Binder. I use a wet erase marker to keep track of everything rather than print off new pages every year. This planner includes everything I need for the season like Gift Making & Buying lists, Menus, Advent ideas, and the biggie for this pregnant mama – Freezer Meal Making lists and ideas.
Can you tell how much I love this planner? Honestly, I would be lost without it and I am so glad I purchased it all those years ago.
Also, check out Sheri’s Holiday Combo Set!
*I was out in public quite a bit this past week, and yes, the comments were endless. But, I didn’t really care. And besides, my husband gets quite a kick out of telling people I have until January and I’m not carrying twins. He thinks my baby belly is awesome…and frankly, he’s the only one who really matters.
*This is one quiet baby…so far. Ty has yet to actually feel baby moving because this baby is rather laid back and not much for pushing Mommy around. However, we have a way to go, so that could all change!
*I am so ready for long-sleeved maternity wear. My long-sleeved shirts seem to be nicer than my short-sleeved shirts. Not sure if that is because I haven’t worn them as much or if my last pregnancy being through such a hot, rough summer makes me recall the short-sleeved wear with very little fondness.
*I’m still struggling with my blood sugars. I have to be very careful what I eat and when I eat it. I’ve had a couple of pregnancies like this. I’ve never had gestational diabetes, but I always wonder if I’m one step away. So far, I have never even been close to the cut off or had to take the 3 hr test. I’d like to keep it that way!
*I somehow avoided the sore throat and cold that went through the house! I thought for a nanosecond that I might be getting it, but that was short lived and I am so thankful! The kids really struggled with the sore throat and I know very well what that feels like. It isn’t real conducive to Mommy being Mommy. So, praise the Lord!
Lara Freeman says
Totally understand the blood sugar issues. I did have GD with my last 2 pgs. Both times I failed all the tests by just a hair. With my 2nd, it was diagnosed so late that I didn’t have to do much at all. Then with my 3rd, I did have to test my sugar 4 times a day, but nothing else. I was aware that it could pose an issue so I was proactive about it. I also suffered through the 3 hour test both times. If I ever am pg again, I will just assume that I have it, decline testing, and just monitor it from the get go. The finger pricking was so much scarier until I actually had to do it and it was a breeze. Lots of protein and watch carbs and sugar intake. My #s were always so good that my dr. told me to have a giant slice of cake at my baby shower. Would you believe that I forgot to even eat a piece? lol
Amy says
LOL! Cute story. 😉
Jennifer G says
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one. We don’t have a HUGE holiday here, but in my home growing up, our tradition was to put up our Christmas decorations on Thanksgiving night. And it was always so great for me as a child, that I have continued it into our married home. We also move relatively often, so I have tried for the last 5 years or so to have our Christmas cards ready to mail out by Thanksgiving too, so that our friends and family would get our change of address early in the season so they could update their lists 🙂
This year, we are expecting our 2nd baby boy at Thankgiving. So I am pushing up some of my normal holiday stuff to be ready early. My goal is to have most of our cards ready to mail (but not actually send them) by Halloween. We have a lot of children (about 25) in our combined families to buy for, we stopped buying for the parents when my cousins and I all had our babies within about 4 months of each other, and I usually get them each a small gift. But this year, everyone is getting cash mailed in their parents’ Christmas cards. I already have all the cash saved up and labeled for each child with a Christmas themed post-it note.
Our little one is calm like yours. My hubby has only gotten to feel him move twice, maybe 3 times. And my older son was wild in my belly. He would play with me and kick back if I would poke at my belly. This one stops moving when I poke, and doesn’t “fight” back. And I’ve noticed that if he’s poking me with a knee or elbow and I put my hand on it, he just calmly moves out of the way. Seemingly a very different personality from his big brother. I have about 2 months to go, so we will see if he changes as he begins running out of space 🙂
Amy says
We always put the tree up the Saturday or Sunday after Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite days. 🙂
mtn mom says
I love the 12-week Holiday Planner as well! I’ve been trying to get myself in the mood to get it out and get going on thinking holidays, but have yet to succeed. I think it is because we have a vacation coming before the holidays so I’m focused on that. But really, that is all the more reason to get planning because when we get back the holidays will be almost on top of us.
Thanks for the post, maybe it will give me the motivation I need. 🙂
Amy says
Yay! You can do it! 😉 How long have you had yours?
Mama Mirage says
Question: Does this “holliday planner” include halloween? I’d rather NOT have one that does and all the ones I’ve seen on the net thus far do. Thus I have never downloaded or purchased any holliday planner. I am very strongly against halloween.
Amy says
No…no mention of Halloween at all. 🙂
Mama Mirage says
Thank you! I hope my DH is home in time from work and says yes I can get it! 😀
Mama Mirage says
Yay he was and he did and I’ve got it! 😀
Amy says
Yay!!! I know you are going to love it! It has just made so many things so much easier for me. 🙂
Jana says
You might be insulin resistant. That happens before you ever get diabetes. You could go with taking you blood glucose readings an hour after meals to see if you’re getting too much sugar. Eat real food, less fruit, lots of veggies, no starch, lots of protein (you’re building a baby), and healthy fats (like coconut oil, olive oil, etc). Eating the real food is often the hardest part (I love sugar – sadly way over processed). Good luck! Love your posts.
Amy says
Thanks for the info!
Erin says
Thank you for this post and the post about the upcoming webinar. I ordered the book and am hoping and praying if makes our holiday season LESS STRESSFUL so we can focus on what’s really important and making good memories together. I love LOVE your website and look forward to what you have to share.
Andrea says
Can you download it on a memory stick and then take it and have it printed? We do not have a color printer right now. Do you print out the entire thing?? Thanks! Even if people missed the sale, it is worth noting that the entire bundle regular price is only $15.95. Still a good deal!
Amy says
Definitely you could take it somewhere to be printed. I think I did print out the entire original version, but this time since I know it so much better, I only printed what I really needed and wanted to have updated. I’m also a paper kind of person, so I do better with things that are not digital. 😉