My Hospital Bag - Re-visited!

When packing my hospital bag before Christian was born, I had a feeling that I was overpacking, but at the same time, felt more comfortable being overpacked instead of under packed.

Now that I've lived through the hospital and birth experience, here is what I would change to my original list!

I've crossed out the items I didn't need or use and included explanations. 

For Me

1. Labor outfit - Black skirt, black tank top and black sports bra (I'm going to wear this instead of the hospital gown...unless I change my mind)

I ended up wearing the hospital gown! Once I was there and was being induced, I just decided the hospital gown was easiest and actually pretty comfortable. The nurses actually recommended I just free boob it and not even wear my sports bra so it would be extra easy to try breastfeeding right after baby boy was born. And yes, it was nice to be able to get dirty and leave the dirty gown there at the hospital. 

I did end up wearing the skirt to bed the night Christian was born, though! The nurses still were checking my bottom and this was a comfy option with a nursing tank so I would probably still pack the skirt. 

2. Robe
I did wear this once while walking the halls at the hospital during labor. 

3. Slippers
Same with these. Wore them while walking the halls during labor. 

4. Bobby pins to pin my hair out of my face
Actually never used these! But my hair was pretty short. 

5. 2 Nursing tanks
I wore both of these! To bed and to go home. 

6. 2 Pairs of yoga pants
I only wore one pair and that was to go home. I would have wore both pairs but I ended up wearing the dress I wore to the hospital on the day we had visitors. 

7. 2 zip up hoodies
I wore one of these as well. We could control the temp of the room but I still was a little chilly one night. 

8. A black strapless cloth sundress (I'm going to wear this instead of a gown while we are at the hospital and after baby is born) 
I ended up wearing the dress I wore to the hospital instead. But if I hadn't this would have been a great option for visitors! 

9. Meds 

Apparently you aren't supposed to pack your own meds! The hospital has to give them to you! 

10. 2 Bath Towels (1 for me and 1 for hubby)
We definitely used these, but didn't need to because the hospital had towels, but it was still nice having our own. 

11. Facewash
Used it!

12. Breast Cream
The hospital gave me this too! And it was way better than what I had brought (and heard was good). 
My new recommendation: Motherlove Nipple Cream 

13. Granny panties
I can't remember if I ended up wearing these or not? I think I wore one pair on the day we went home? Otherwise I wore the hospital's awesome panties! Still have a pair! They really work well with your massive pad! 

14. 2 pairs of socks
I think I only used one pair. 

15. Chapstick
Used it!

16. Glasses 

Used them every day! 

17. Hard candy 
No need for this

18. Water Bottle
The hospital kept us stocked with a pitcher of water and glasses but it was really nice having my own water bottle, especially one with a straw, that I could easily sip from while nursing. 

19. Make up Bag
Used it of course!

20. Pillow
The hospital pillows weren't really all that terrible, but it was nice having our own

21. Toothbrush/toothpaste
Used it!

22. Shampoo
Used it! Once we moved to post partum they actually brought us some pretty decent shampoo, but for my shower in labor and delivery the morning after induction had started, I was glad to have my own.

23. Earrings (I heard this is nice to feel more pulled together for pictures)
I ended up forgetting to put them on/didn't bring a pair that matched the necklace/outfit I wore in our hospital pictures but if I had planned better this would have been really nice!

24. Hairdryer? Might not get used but I can be hopeful, right? :)
I definitely did not have time to use this! 

For Hubby: 
Pretty sure he used everything we packed! 

1. Water Bottle 

2. Drink mixes for his water

3. Snacks (Granola bars, jar of peanut butter) 

4. Razors 

5. Shaving Cream 

6. Glasses/contacts 

7. Pillow 

8. Boxers

9. Socks

10. 2 t-shirts

11. Hoodie

12. iPad 

For Baby Christian: 

I put all of his stuff in a gallon size ziplock bag. 

1. Car Seat

2. Hat 

3. Blanket

4. Going Home Outfit size newborn AND size 0-3 months
I would add that no matter what the season, babies can't regulate their temperature and hospitals are cold! On the day we went home it was in the 70s and the nurse encouraged us to keep him in his pants and hat cover him with a blanket. He was also wearing a onesie. So plan on the warmer side for clothes I think. 

5. Burp Cloth
The hospital had cloth diapers that I used instead. 

6. Socks 

A few pairs! 

7. Nail clippers 

8. Boppy

I would actually add to this list: 
9. Long sleeve onesies to wear at the hospital while wrapped in a blanket (or other cute/warm outfits). While we didn't really NEED this, we wanted him to look cute when we had visitors and to be warm. The nurses also were like "go ahead and get him dressed in whatever you packed" and I was like "Shoot. We didn't pack anything!" 

Other Items: 

1. Card Games
If we wouldn't have had so many visitors, these would have been REALLY nice! We would have gotten pretty bored otherwise, I'm sure! 

2. Magazines
Same with these! However, since I went in the night before to start the induction process, we may have used these a bit waiting for things to get started. 

3. My purse with insurance card and driver's license
We never had to use these, but they are something that just are always with me anyway. 

4. Baby Book
Got his little foot prints! :) 

5. Hand Sanitizer
We may have forgotten to have visitors use this :( And some visitors just used it on their way through the door since the hospital had some attached to the wall! :)

6. Camera and extra batteries 
We honestly didn't take a single picture with our actual camera....we just used our phones!

7. Chargers (Cell/ipad)
Got lots and lots of use!

8. Childbirth Book 
Didn't use this either...

I would still add these things last minute:

1. Pillows x2

2. Make up bag

3. iPad and charger

4. Cell chargers

5. Magazines

6. Hair brush 

7. Hair dryer 

There you have it! Now...to remember this for next time! :)

 

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Induction Scheduled!

If you are following along, you have probably already read in my 40 Week Bumpdate that we have scheduled our induction. Here are the details: 

On Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30pm we are to call Labor and Delivery and get the go ahead to come in that night at 7:30pm. They will then begin putting gel (prostaglandins) on my cervix to get it to start to ripen. The gel will be applied every 4 hours, so we will stay the night at the hospital. 

The gel alone may start contractions. If it doesn't, the next morning (Tuesday, May 29th) around 7:30/8am, they will start pitocin to get contractions going. 

HOPEFULLY we will then have a baby by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, if not sooner!! 

The doctor also stripped my membranes at my appointment today, so we will see if that gets anything going.

You can read more about the process of induction on BabyCenter.

If I do get induced, I'll just be chilling at the hospital waiting for things to get started, so watch my facebook blog page and twitter for updates! If baby comes before our induction date, I'll try to keep you all updated via facebook and twitter too! Don't worry...I'll let you all know when he is here...no need to text...I'll text YOU! :) 

For family and friends that are wanting to come visit, we will let you know when we are ready for visitors :) 

 

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Belly Progression Pics

Here it is! My ever growing belly! And a few tips for the next time I do these pics for a baby #2!

8 weeks

12 weeks

16 weeks

20 weeks

24 weeks

 28 weeks

 32 weeks

36 weeks

 37 weeks

38 weeks

39 weeks

40 weeks

A few tips: 

1. DO wear the same shirt for every picture...even if its a pain in the butt! Probably something in a solid color would be best

2. DO face the same direction in every picture 

3.  Take the photo in the same location each time 

4. Get a clear picture so you can easily read the belly sticker...or use an app to add the weekly stamp to the pic later 

5. Always smile! :)

 

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40 Week Bumpdate!

40 Weeks, 1 Day 

Size of Baby::: About the size of a pumpkin! 19 to 22 inches long and about 6 to 9 pounds. The doctor is estimating he will be between 7.5-8 pounds. 

Symptoms/Signs of Labor:::

• Still only 1 cm dilated. Never got a number for how effaced. Cervix is still up pretty high. 
• Constant cramping/pressure. Kept waking me up last night.
• Trips to the potty about every 2 hours all night long 
• Have been getting a lot of headaches this week, but no protein in my urine and my blood pressure is still good 
• Just plain uncomfortable now

Cravings::: Maple Nut ice cream and reese's peanut butter cups!

Something I Miss::: Sleeping on my stomach! and energy...

Stretch Marks::: No changes...still just the tiny ones around my belly button

Wedding Ring::: Off...but can't wait to get it back on!!! 

Belly Button::: Slightly flat but still poking out a little

Milestones:::

• Not much left for the little guy to do! Just needs to get out!! 

40 Week Surprise::: A bag full of goodies! Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, starbursts, maple nut candies, and andes mints (for hubby ha ha). Seriously, hubby is half the reason for my weight gain! 

Looking Forward to::: Holding Christian!!! He will be here FOR SURE in less than a week!!! Doctor ordered an induction for next Tuesday, May 28th if there is no baby yet! Come on baby Christian! Oh and also looking forward to sleeping on my belly!!!! 

 

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A Kid's View on Pregnancy

Kids Say the Darndest Things

Over the last 40 weeks, I have come in contact with several children...all who have had their own take on my ever growing belly! 

Check out some of the cute things they have said and asked! 

"It looks like you have a baby in there!" 

~Random little girl out for a bike ride while I was out for a walk  (7-8 years old)

"The baby is getting soooooo big!!!" 

~Zoe (little girl I used to nanny) as she rubbed my belly (6 years old)

That's right...its the BABY! :) 

"Why is your belly so big??"

~Little girl at church (4-5 years old) 

"Why is your belly so big??"

~Same little girl at church a few weeks later... 

"How much do you weigh? You must weigh like a thousand pounds with that big belly! Come on! Just tell me!" 

~Little boy at church (4-5 years old)

"My tummy is so full! I think maybe there's a baby in my belly!" 

~Jaden (little boy I used to nanny) as we were trying to get him to finish his lunch (4 years old)

"Are you going to have a baby?"
Me: "Yes I am...very soon!"
"I thought so because I saw some legs in your belly!"
~Little girl who wanted to pet Baxter while we were out for a walk (6-7 years old)

More funny things kids have said: 

"Baby, the doctors will get you out!" 

~Little boy to his mommy's belly (4 years old)

"I'm mad at Auntie ShanShan...because she ate Baby Wyatt!!"

~3 year old boy to his mom

A mom was throwing up in the bathroom when her daughter comes in and asks: 

"Why are you throwing up?" 

Mom: "It happens when you're pregnant because of the hormones from the baby"

"Oh"....*silence*..."I like my body and I'm too pretty. I don't ever want to be pregnant" 

What have your kids said? Or what have other kids said to you? 

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Music Monday -You're Gonna Miss This

As of today, Monday, May 20th...I am 39 weeks, 6 days pregnant! Tomorrow I will be FULL Full term! 40 weeks and it will be my estimated due date! Hopefully it won't come and go, but it probably will! 

Either way, I heard this song the other day and it made me think about these last few weeks and days of pregnancy.

You're Gonna Miss This

By Trace Adkins

Don't get me wrong...I CANNOT WAIT until my baby boy is here and I am holding him in my arms, but pregnancy has honestly flown by! And from what I am told, it only goes faster once they are here. 

I remember being that girl in high school just wanting to be done and get to college. Then just wanting to be done with college and start adult life and get married and start a family. At the time it felt like those things would never happen and time was dragging by. 

Now, as I think about where I am, time really flew!! Especially from graduating college to meeting my husband, getting married and starting a family! I was just talking with hubby yesterday about how I have lived my life with this life that we have as my goal. What do I do now that I've reached it?? I keep trying to think of what my new goal should be. Where do I want to be in 5 years, 10 years? 

I'm realizing now that maybe its time to step back from accomplishments. I've lived my life striving to obtain and accomplish things and I've been successful. But did I ever really slow down and just soak in and enjoy the blessing of each season? Maybe a little, but not enough. I miss those seasons. 

I love my life and feel so blessed to be where I am today. But I don't want to wish this away to get to the next thing. I want to learn to soak it in and just ENJOY! 

In just a few short days (a week or so at the most) and our baby boy will enter this world and our lives will forever change. He will never again be in my tummy where I can fully protect him and feel his every move. It will be a long awaited blessing and a fun change...but it will be different and I will miss pregnancy (at least that's what I'm told...right now it's hard to imagine :) ) 

So today I'm enjoy THIS season. I'm not going to rush it. God's timing is perfect and we will get to meet Christian on the day that God has already planned! 

What season are you in and what are you doing to enjoy it and not rush it by? 

 

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Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: Rain, rain go away, come again another day! Over the next 10 days, rain is forecasted for 6 of those days! Boo! Slightly cooler temps too ranging for the mid 60s-mid 70s. This super preggo lady can deal with that! I've decided that if I were to ever be super preggo in the middle of summer, I may need to live naked! Between the heat and humidity I'm just roasting hot! 

{What's Cooking?}::: 

• Chicken kabobs
• Steaks and sweet potatoes 
• Turkey Burgers

Not a real extensive menu this week! With baby due any day now, I don't want to stock up on ingredients for meals that I won't be cooking for awhile. Going for the fast and easy options now. 

{My To-Do List}::: REST AND RELAXATION! Baby could be here any day so I'm going to enjoy these last few days to just rest and get ready for sleepless nights and long days. However, I DID get everything on my pregnancy check list completed!!!!! :) Except for finishing our wedding photo book. I should really work on that as it does not take much energy, but for some reason its just too overwhelming of a project right now lol 

Goal for the week: HAVE A BABY!! Walk, walk, walk! And do a lot of reading...about baby and labor! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!! 

Hopefully I'll be updating you with a baby pic soon!!!!! :) :) :) 

My due date is technically TOMORROW!

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39 Week Bumpdate!

39 Weeks, 2 Days

Don't mind my droopy eyes...allergies are getting the best of me this week...Boo. 

Need to get this baby out so I can take some allergy meds! 

Size of Baby::: Still about 19 to 22 inches and between 6 and 9 pounds. He has probably reached his birth weight by now. At our ultrasound last week, he was 7 pounds 3 oz and his femur bones were measuring about 2 weeks behind....he is going to have short legs like his daddy :) If he isn't out by next week, he is going to turn into a pumpkin! 

Symptoms::: 

• Still swelling, although I think it has gone down a little
• Lots of trips to the potty
• Back ache
• Constant cramping and some mild contractions

Signs of Labor::: Was still only 1 cm dilated at my appointment on Monday, but a lot more effaced! The doctor didn't give me a number, though. Also, starting to have some contractions! 

Cravings::: Pecan Sandies cookies! And ice cream! Not good...

Something I Miss::: Wearing my wedding ring and sleeping on my belly

Stretch Marks::: Unfortunately, I think some have appeared...Lots of little light purple marks around my belly button :( Thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones! Come to think of it, I think I stopped lotioning my belly...shoot! That's probably why! BOO! 

Wedding Ring::: Off

Belly Button::: Poking out 

Milestones:::

• Baby continues to build layers of fat  
• The outer layers of skin that have been protecting him in the amniotic fluid are starting to come off
• Not much else is happening...baby has also started to move less as he settles in getting ready to enter the world!
• Still 1 cm dilated but more effaced! 

39 Week Surprise::: My hubby!! He took the day off work to spend with me in case it was our last day to just hang out together! And we also spent the day trying to make me go into labor! ha ha Lots of spicy food, long walks, bouncing on the yoga ball, working out at the gymdoing squats and swimming, foot rubs in the inducing spots, sex...nothing worked. It was a fun day, though! 

Looking Forward To::: Seeing Christian's face!  

Dr. Update::: On Wednesday night, I realized that I hadn't really been feeling Christian move much that day...and hadn't really felt him much the day before either! We have a fetal doppler that we are renting and can listen to his heart beat at home, so whenever this has happened before, we just listen in to the little guy and make sure his heart beat is around where it normally is...130s-140s. Well, on Wednesday night it was 160s-170s and I wasn't feeling him move so we thought that was strange and got a little worried. Finally we decided to call the hospital and get some advice. The on call doctor advised us to come in and get monitored....soooo at midnight we made our way to labor and delivery. Everyone at the hospital was telling us "Congratulations", etc thinking that we were in labor! It was slightly embarrassing! After we got checked in, we got a room and I was hooked up to the monitor. It took a bit, but eventually baby boy started to move and his heart rate fluctuated which was a good sign! They also checked my urine for protein, which there was none, so that was good! And they monitored my uterine activity! The cramping I have been having has actually been contractions! Who knew! ha ha After a few hours at the hospital, we were sent home and told everything was fine but that we should see the doctor on Friday for a follow up. We also learned that apparently our doctor is on vacation!!!! He is gone until the 20th! The day before my due date! He never mentioned this to us so it was news! So we are meeting with his back up doctor today at 3:15pm...at least we can meet the guy who might deliver Christian if he comes early! The doctor really only comes in to catch the baby, so it's not a huge deal...just more of a surprise! So now we know that and I'm feeling more comfortable with heading to the hospital when I do go in to labor now that I know the process and all. Plus the nurses were super nice!