Preparing for baby ~

This is what I am thinking so far...

1.) What items are you planning on having in your hospital bag

*Outfit for Evan to come home in
*Toothbrushes and paste for DH and I
*My glasses (just in case) and contact solution
*Make-up
*Lotions and toiletries
*Clothes to come home in
*Slipper socks
*Phone charger
*Brush & hair ties
*Pajamas maybe?

The last time I was in the hospital for 4 days and I didn't mind the hospital gowns. Think this time I'll bring at least one set of jammies from home



2.) What other preparations do you hope to accomplish before baby

*"spring clean" my house. My house is pretty organized at this point but I think sometime next month I will get all of the windows and things like that done
*Get my dog groomed really well (to wean off some shedding for a little while)
*Detail my car
*Get as much done of my cross stitch as possible, lol
*I wish I could say his nursery will be done but I doubt it. As long as I have some place to put his clothes and his bassinet, that will do. But if I can get his nursery done, that would be amazing. An amazing MIRACLE!
*I'm not sure if I am going to worry about prepping a lot of meals. I don't really have freezer space
*Installing car seat base

I can't think of anything else.

You see, I would have forgotten underpants lmbo!

I never packed a hospital bag with DS, but this time I feel a little more prepared so I'm planning to. What I plan to put in it is:

1. Going home outfit for LO.
2. Going home outfit for me!
3. Underpants.
4. My own pillow.
5. Robe
6. Lotions and oils with relaxing smells.
7. A manual hand massager.
8. Eye contact solution/holder and my glasses.
9. Hairbrush.
10. Hygeine products
11. Toothbrush's and paste for DH and I.
12. Books and magazines to try and distract me.
13. Camera
14. Cell phone/charger
15. snacks for hubby/ and money for him to go to the vending machine.
16. Little candies for me like Jolly ranchers.
17.Slippers
18. Dipars
19. Blankets
20. Bottles
21. And of course carseat

What I still need to do: Practice installing the carseat and make sure we have it right! And we still gotta get the crib set up and built!

Vital item for the hospital bag: chapstick. Hospitals are very dry places with lots of air movement (not to mention we may be doing some heavy breathing!!

When I go on mat leave in a few weeks, I have a whole list of things that I want to do:
- spring clean!
- make birth announcements (as much as I can do without the stats!)
- put a few meals in the freezer
- conquer the mending pile
- organize the front hall closet
- I have a bunch of leftover flannel from various projects, so I'm going to make some reusable breast pads
- Get a pedicure and waxing done
- Make a labour playlist on my ipod.
There are other things, but honestly I don't know if I'll even get these done!!

1.) What items are you planning on having in your hospital bag

Besides all the basics mentioned already (toiletteries, clothes):
* Chapstick (I agree with you Nangirl)
* Old pair of flip flops & old pair of slippers (I plan on laboring on my feet as much as possible and I want to be comfy, but gross things could get on them and they may not make it home with me)
* Kindle (in case I actually have time to use it)
* Laptop (no, I don't have an iphone)
* Camera

2.) What other preparations do you hope to accomplish before baby

* Buy DD a new bed and move her into empty bedroom
* Move crib matress level back up to highest spot
* Set up pack 'n play
* Pull out baby swing from attic, clean and set up
* Pull out car seat from attic, clean and install
* Pull out all gender neutral baby clothes, wash and put away
* Pack DD an overnight bag so she can go stay with my parents for a few days once baby is born

1.) What items are you planning on having in your hospital bag
This is my running list
*glasses w/case
*pads
take home and pic outfit and blanket
*toiletries
*clothes for mebras socks loose pants, nursing tanks
*mints
*snacks and change for vending machines
*camera and charger
*pillows
*laptop and charger
*Boppy
*diaper bag with baby stuff diapers etc
*empty bag to bring home extra stuff
*phone chargers
*magazine or crossword book
*PN vitas
*lanolin
*baby book


2.) What other preparations do you hope to accomplish before baby

Where to begin?
-get a dresser and wash all clothes and put away
-set up bassinet, wash sheets etc.
-get diapers and baby care stuff like shampoo, diaper cream etc
-Organize DD's room and clothes and get her a dresser too
-bookshelf for kids room
-freezer meals...is this ever going to happen?
-interview pediatricians
-pack hospital bag

Good to know. Last time I delivered at a birthing center and we had to bring everything.

1.) What items are you planning on having in your hospital bag
Don't have alot of things planned but my running list is:
Boppy
nursing bra
pjs
an outfit for Joey
underwear
hair clip
chapstick
fuzzy socks
flip flops
a blanket that I bought for Joey, I got one when I was a baby so I bought the same one for Joey just in a different color


2.) What other preparations do you hope to accomplish before baby
-get car seat in car after we get it at our baby shower, we were already told we were getting it
-dog groomed, he is scheduled for wed and I'm wondering if we will have to do it again
-getting the house a little more organized, mom and dad are coming this weekend!
-figuring out space for Joey since our house is cramped...
-talking to our room mate about watching riley while we are in the hospital

My packing list generally looks like everyone else's! We can plug our ipod in at the hospital so I do have to make sure and make a few L&D playlists...I want one that is calming, and one that can pump me up! Nothing says "push out this baby" like Don't Stop Believin', or Hangin' Tough. Or maybe that's just me? And we're bringing a Bruins rally towel to take a picture with. Yes, we're THOSE people.

Things to get done pre-baby:

* Schedule several cleanings - one for 35 weeks, one for 40 weeks, and a few extras in the first few post-partum months when I'm not going to want to do it myself. Besides, my cleaning guy also loves to take the dog for a walk when he stops by, so that will be a lifesaver!
* Finish nursery - if we don't get our changing table/dresser at our shower, we'll be purchasing it this week and setting it up while on vacation. I still have to mat and frame a few photos to hang as well, and finish the "Baby's First Bruins Game" shadowbox.
* Wash all bottles and organize all other feeding needs.
* Make a big calendar with all DH's 'away times' for the next six months. He's got Army drill days, plus he is getting sent for a week to become a firearms trainer, and possibly motorcycle school. All AWESOME opportunities, but I want everything written out so I can make sure I make extra arrangements for help during those times!
* Considering whether or not to change the top on the Jeep pre-baby. It's kind of a hassle, and I'm not sure how much help I'll be now...OR after baby. So that's a discussion that needs to happen.
* Completely re-organize closets and pantry. We've been letting them become "stuffing grounds" for far too long!
* Thank you notes from showers!
* Schedule dog grooming as well as 1-2 days per week of doggy day care when baby arrives. Usually we just drop off as needed, but I think a schedule will be really helpful for him, AND me!
* Map out some good run/walk routes for training for summer 5/10K's - we live in a new neighborhood and I don't have enough different routes.
* Finish pediatrician interviews and select one.
* Find someone to open the Cape house...sure as heck not going to want to do it myself this year!
* Stock up on pantry-food that is easy and quick!

And oh so much else that I'm sure I'm forgetting!

I won't put my whole list but the MW's gave me a homebirth list and a hospital birth list. I want a) but b) is a reality so mightaswell be prepared!

This Friday I took work off to go shopping for both lists (which overlap) homebirth is just longer.

Here are the things on hospital birth list I picked up:

1) Digital thermometer (already had).
2) Sanitary napkins regular and overnight (I haven't worn a pad since I was like ....13 other than in desperatrion). I got kotex which is apparently dryweave free.
3) Small icepack for perenium (I got OJ boxes which in my L&D class apparently fit perfectly lol).
4) Gravol (anti-nausseant Canada)
5) Tylenol 500mg
6) Small squeeze bottle for perenial care after birth.
7) Small bottle olive oil for perineal massage.

I am not picking food items up until closer to. Maybe 37 weeks. I am stocking up the freezer for the MW's and DH and doula if I get my homebirth they can eat those. I have allergies so I'll make some stuff up for me later too. Or send DH out for food I can actually eat.

My feet were sore after alll the shopping I did on Friday and I needed a nap - but glad to get it done before I am any bigger.