Packing My Hospital Bag

It's almost time!! Time for Christian to get here that is! I will be 38 weeks tomorrow so he could be here really any time! Or...we could be still waiting for as long as 3 weeks. My doctor induces me 1 week past my due date if baby isn't here yet. 

Hubby and I are planners and our hospital bags are packed and the car is loaded! We took a childbirth class that was 3 weeks long starting when I was about 28 weeks. Hubby decided I needed to get my bags packed ASAP after that! So I did! I have probably been packed since about 32 weeks or so. 

In my 3rd Edition of my 'New Mama Questions' post, I got some great feedback via comments and facebook messages for what to pack! Thanks to all of you who responded! 

Since our bags are all packed and the car is loaded....I kinda missed getting pictures of what I packed. But here is my list: (I probably overpacked...but that's just how I am...)

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) 

2. Robe 

3. Slippers 

4. Bobby pins to pin my hair out of my face 

5. 2 Nursing tanks 

6. 2 Pairs of yoga pants 

7. 2 zip up hoodies 

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) 

9. Meds 

10. 2 Bath Towels (1 for me and 1 for hubby) 

11. Facewash 

12. Breast Cream

13. Granny panties 

14. 2 pairs of socks 

15. Chapstick 

16. Glasses 

17. Hard candy 

18. Water Bottle 

19. Make up Bag

20. Pillow 

21. Toothbrush/toothpaste

22. Shampoo 

23. Earrings (I heard this is nice to feel more pulled together for pictures) 

24. Hairdryer? Might not get used but I can be hopeful, right? :) 

For Hubby: 

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 

5. Burp Cloth

6. Socks 

7. Nail clippers 

8. Boppy 

Other Items: 

1. Card Games 

2. Magazines

3. My purse with insurance card and driver's license

4. Baby Book 

5. Hand Sanitizer 

6. Camera and extra batteries 

7. Chargers (Cell/ipad) 

8. Childbirth Book 

Everything is basically packed but some of these items are on a list to be added 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...just to use it! 

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Monday Madness

{The Weather}::: BEAUTIFUL!!! Now...let's just hope it's finally here to stay! Sitting outside as I write this...Highs in the 60s all week! Some rain expected but trying to remember this will get the grass nice and green!

{What's Cooking}::: To be honest, I only have 2 meals planned for this week...

• Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa and Chicken 
• Turkey Breast Tenderloin...which I need to figure out how I want to cook this still

Will hopefully be doing a lot of grilling with the great weather! 

{My To-Do List}::: YAY! Got everything done last week! Now to see how productive I can be this week :)

• STILL working on our wedding photo book...Might I admit that I have barely started it? :/ I'm starting to think this may 1) not be finished before Christian gets here...or 2) plain just never get finished....
• Sweep out the garage
• Get a haircut
• Shampoo the carpets...I have been looking forward to this for a LONG while!!! :) 
• Go for lots of walks and enjoy this weather! 

 

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May is for Moms - An interview with myself

May is my month! Baby Christian will be born THIS month! So crazy! It has went soooo fast! 

May is also the month for Mother's Day! I'm linking up with All My Happy Endings for the May is for Moms linkup! 

This is a three part linkup that will take place the first 3 Sundays in May. Ooops...my first post is a day late...

For the first linkup, it's an interview with ME! 

1. Before you ever had children, how did you feel about being a mother? 

For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamed of being a mommy. I would struggle to answer the "what do you want to be when you grow up?" question because I just wanted to be a mommy...a stay at home mommy...and that wasn't your typical "answer" to this question. Being a mommy was the most fulfilling and exciting thought I had about my future!

2. Since becoming a mother, what is something that has happened that you never thought would?

Well, since I'm still just pregnant, I can only answer this based on pregnancy...But since becoming pregnant, one that that has happened that I never thought would is that pregnancy is not fun. At least not for me! The whole "enjoying your round belly and not feeling fat and just soaking in your 'glow'" thing has yet to happen to me... 

3. Is being a mother less difficult, more difficult, or exactly how difficult you imagined? 

Again, based on my experience of pregnancy, it has been more difficult than I imagined. However, I have also been blessed with the opportunity to just focus on being pregnant and having a healthy baby, so I can't complain too much!

4. What is your fondest memory of being a mother (so far)? 

I would have to say seeing my little boy on the ultrasound screen at our gender reveal scan in New York City! It was so precious getting to see him suck his thumb and move around in my belly. This was the first time that I felt like a "mom" and not just a fat lady! I also would add seeing him in 3D was a pretty fond memory and all of his little kicks and jabs! Can't wait to make memories with him in my arms real soon! 

5. If your children only learn one life lesson from you, what do you hope it is?

I hope they learn that Jesus loves them. He loves them for who they are and who He made them to be, NOT for what they can do. I hope they learn that Jesus is their Savior and following Him will never steer them wrong.  

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Thankful Thursday - FINALLY Spring!?????

Spring is FINALLY here!! Sort of??

Yes, we did get dumped with SNOW AGAIN!!! 

I can could sit outside and enjoy the sunshine...or like this week is now bringing, April Showers/Snow! 

However, April is now over...so we SHOULD just be getting May Flowers...

I'm still thankful, though, for changing seasons. While winter was, and continues to be, a long season, the past few seasons of life have flown by! 

Dating...led to...

Marriage...led to...

Pregnancy...and soon will lead to...

BABY! 

Right now I'm trying to enjoy each "season" for what it is...whether it be snowy days in April, or rainy/snowy days in May...I know that God is in control and "for everything there is a season". 

And as much as I'm ready to have this baby, I'm just trying to "enjoy" the last few weeks of having a baby bump and feeing his sweet little kicks in my belly before he starts walking around the world! 

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37 Week Bumpdate- FULL TERM!!!

37 Weeks, 2 Days

Size of Baby::: I think watermelon is as big as it gets...so staying there! Between 19-22 inches long and 6.5 - 7 pounds!

Symptoms:::

• Frequent trips to the potty...both day and night! Sometimes I will go to the bathroom and then 2 minutes later I'll say to hubby "did I go to the bathroom yet??" and he will say yes and I will of course need to go again anyway
• I've been sleeping a lot more soundly and waking up less this week
• Had some massive swelling lately...mainly in my left ankle/leg and recently in my right wrist/hand 

Pretty nasty!! Can't wait for this to be done. 

• Still some minor cramping in my back and lower belly but no "real" sign of contractions yet
• Had a scare of some spotty vision, dizziness and a headache on Friday...all potentially signs of pre-eclampsia. The doctor had me come in and get my blood pressure checked and everything was fine...up a little for me but was still normal...

Cravings::: Summery drinks! 

Something I Miss::: Wine! I can't wait to have a glass! That and a Mike's Hard Lemonade! The Raspberry variety :) Yum! These warm temps are making me want summery drinks! Oh and wearing my wedding ring...I wasn't even able to get it over my knuckle to wear it for our maternity pics over the weekend :( Boo. 

Stretch Marks::: Nope! Keeping my fingers crossed!! 

Wedding Ring::: Off :( Hopefully it will be able to go back on very shortly after baby Christian is here! Don't even wear my fake any more because it just doesn't feel comfortable. 

Belly Button::: Poking out but not popped. 

Milestones:::

• Baby is considered full term now! Although, my doctor said they are trying to change that to be 38-39 weeks instead because mortality increases the closer baby is to due date
• Baby's lungs will likely be mature enough to adjust to life outside the womb if born now
• Baby boy's testes have descended into the scrotum
• Baby continues to practice breathing, moving around, sucking his thumb, and blinking
• Most babies will have a full head of hair by now 
• Boys generally weigh more by now and at birth
• Doctor appointments are now weekly and I am checked for dilation and effacement at each appointment...1 cm dilated and 50% effaced this week...

37 Week Surprise::: A Coupon Book of fun things to be used now or after baby! Coupons include trips to Nelson's in Stillwater for Ice Cream, 10 minute back rubs, a full day of diaper duty by daddy, a home cooked romantic dinner, etc. Can't wait to start using some of these! :) 

Looking Forward To::: Getting to see our maternity pics that we took over the weekend with Brittany from Beautiful Era Photography!! And finally getting to meet and hold Christian!!!!

Here are some shots hubby took of the photography taking my pics. I'll be sure to show the final product once we get the photos back :)

Posing for a silhouette  photo.

And a few sneak peaks!! 

3 Weeks!! 

Or...

20 days!!!! 

Almost in the teens and then its single digits! 

Sure has went FAST!

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Kick Counts - Do you do them?

Feeling Christian move has been my favorite part of pregnancy! Well, honestly, its been the only part of pregnancy that I have not hated. 

I felt my first "flutters" probably around 15 weeks and hubby started to feel baby move sometime between 17 and 19 weeks. It probably wasn't until late 2nd trimester that I started feeling baby move regularly and every day. 

Around this time, my nurse consultant suggested I start doing "kick counts." This meant counting how many times I would feel baby move during his most active time of the day. The goal is to get 10 kicks by the end of a two hour period. 

At first, it was something exciting and something for me to do, so I did it! I could usually get 10 movements within at least 10-20 minutes.  My little guy is pretty active! 

There are plenty of free 'kick counters' out there that you can get right on your smart phone! My two favorites are: 

BabyBump

My Pregnancy Today (through Baby Center)

Both of the above apps are free and have a ton of other valuable information for expecting moms. 

There is supposed to be a lot of benefit to counting your baby's kicks. Knowing that your baby is moving regularly helps you (and your doctor) to know that baby is healthy. If baby is moving less, this could be a sign of treatable problems and telling your doctor about the decreased movement could save your baby. 

While these benefits are great, I have actually stopped with kick counts. 

I'm "with" my baby 24/7 and I know his patterns. I know how often he usually moves every day and what is normal for him. Of course, on days that I don't just feel him moving throughout the day, especially if he is moving less than usual, then I will break out my phone and track some kicks. But in general, sitting and "waiting" for kicks to track makes me nervous! 

I know my baby and I know when he moves and when is enough. And I know when I need to start counting because something seems not right. It probably also helps that my baby is a mover :) 

If you have a sleeper, you may need to work harder to get your little one moving each day to be sure things are going well. Drink some cold water or orange juice, lay down and wait for those sweet little jabs! 

So do you do kick counts? Or is your baby a mover and you have you developed a sense of normal and rely on that? 

PS Don't forget to check out my Family Reunion Post and vote for us! 

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KTIS Family Reunion Finalists!

If you are from Minnesota and listen to Christian radio, you are probably familiar with KTIS.  Every spring, this radio station holds a contest for a "Family Reunion" to take place at their Joyful Noise Family Fest in June. 

Families submit entries about themselves and what a family reunion would mean to them. The entries are then narrowed down to the radio station's top 5 families. This year, my hubby entered our family and we are now one of the top 5! 

Our story aired on KTIS last week. Now this week, voting has begun. Listeners can go to myktis.com and vote for the family that they would like to see win the family reunion. 

Here is what is included in the prize: 

20 round trip domestic flights 

10 hotel rooms 

50 tickets to Joyful Noise on Saturday, June 8th

A tent with a catered meal at Joyful Noise

I may have mentioned this before, but hubby is from upstate New York and all of his family is still there. He is very close to his family and talks to them often. However, we don't get to see them as often. Now, with a baby on the way, it has been even harder to create a connection for Baby Christian to his family in New York. 

Because we go to a big church, baptisms are only done every couple of months and they are large group baptisms, not individual. Knowing that we wanted to baptize Christian right away, we scheduled his baptism far in advance and already know that he will be baptized the morning of Saturday, June 8th...the same day as the family reunion! 

It would mean so much to my hubby and me (and Christian too!) for our New York Family (and some of my out of state extended family) to be able to meet Christian soon after his birth and be able to share in his baptism. This Family Reunion is not only a once in a life time opportunity but so is Christian's baptism and he will only be a baby for so long. 

Please feel free to share this with your family and friends! Help us win the family reunion and be able to share Christian's baptism with our whole family! 

Please visit KTIS online to read more about our story, listen to our interview, and vote for us (The Foote Family)! Winners will be chosen by the end of the week, so please vote now! 

Thank you so much for your time and your vote!!! 

VOTE NOW