All packed up?

I've been working on my hospital bag packing list and figured I should share it with you ladies in case anyone else hasn't started to think about this yet. I am planning on having my initial bag for the L&D room, John will have his small bag with the things he needs. Then when we are getting moved into the post-partum room, John or my dad or someone will go to the car to get the 2nd bag with the more long-term things I need (since I've heard space is limited in the L&D room). I also read it's a good idea to bring a diaper bag with a few things (and lots of empty space to put all the goodies from the hospital!) Then I made a note of miscellaneous things that I don't want to forget. Hope this helps! Let me know if you think of anything I'm missing -

The L&D Bag:

• Driver license, insurance card, paperwork, birth plan in a file folder/large envelope. We'll use this folder to add paperwork from the hospital to keep it all in one place.
• TENS unit
• Rice sock
• Hair ties
• Slippers/socks with grip
• Lip balm
• Snacks, smart water/Gatorade, sugar-free hard candy
• Sports bra (for laboring in the tub)
• Pillow
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Make-up
• Cheap flip-flops for shower

 

The Daddy Bag:Toiletries

• iPad, charger, laptop?
• Camera, batteries
• John change of clothes (2), possibly bathing suit and t-shirt for laboring in tub
• Money/change for parking/vending machines

 

The Post-partum Bag:Open front pajamas (I didn't find any I liked, so I am bringing a few nursing tank tops and a zip-up hoodie)

• Bathrobe (short sleeves for easy blood pressure checks)
• Shampoo, conditioner, brush, hairdryer, flat iron
• Lotion, deodorant, extra large soft towel
• My clothes (loose pants, easy access tops, zip-up hoodie, flips flops)
• Cheap, comfy underwear and overnight pads (the hospital provides some mesh panties and jumbo pads, but I've heard not everyone is a fan of them. I plan to bring my own, just in case)
• Nursing bra, pads, lanolin
• Boppy nursing pillow
• Eye mask (for sleep)
• Journal & pen
• Baby book? (I don't have one yet, but they say it's nice to have to document things right away and get their footprints put in a book)

 

The Diaper Bag:

• Baby clothes (newborn & 0-3 mo because some babies are born too big for NB clothes)
• Hat, socks, mittens (for scratching)
• Couple of diapers, small box wipes, swaddle blanket, paci, nail clippers

 

Miscellaneous Stuff:

• Car seat and head support
• Towel and/or garbage bag to sit on for the ride to the hospital

Mommy List

I think it's safe to say we all want to be great mothers. We have smiled at those little flutters in our bellies that have now become full-blown kung-fu sessions. We have made arrangements to prepare for their impending arrival...we have prepared a precious, special space for them...freshly washed linens, the mattress that had to be "just right", murals on the wall, everything in it's place. We have all probably gotten weepy over some random reminder that we will soon have our own sweet, precious child in our arms. We are preparing ourselves to bring them into this world safely with as much calmness and peace as we can muster. We (or at least I know I) have tried not to panic as we have seen our bodies changing, reminding us that we will never again have the same youthful body we once celebrated, but instead we will be women, mothers, from this point forward...we will have new things to love about our bodies because those reminders bear witness to the most amazing thing we will ever have the privilege to do.

I remember watching an episode of the TV show "Private Practice" before I was pregnant, but I definitely wanted to be. Addison says, "Every day I deliver a baby, and every day I see that moment of change - that moment when every cell in a woman's body is transformed. And whatever happens, whether the baby is sick or happy, unhealthy or healthy, lives or dies - whatever happens, that woman will never be just a woman again. She will always be a mother."  And I wept because I knew it was true.
I said all that to say this. I know that being a mother only just begins when my baby boy takes his first breath, and I know that labor is just the tiny first taste of the hard work that is to come. Having the primary responsibility of shaping and molding a human life from birth into childhood, then into becoming a productive and beautiful-hearted adult is a huge undertaking and a bit (or more than a bit) scary. Too many things in my life have been started with the best of intentions, but I never saw them to fruition...that is not an option. So I have started a small list of the types of things I want to do with my child that will hopefully show him he is loved, he is special, he is wonderful...and he will learn to be kind to others and show them through his life and his actions that they are special, they are wonderful and they are loved. That is my hope for my child and any future children I may be blessed with. So check out my blog post for my list...I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas and memories that shaped you that you want to share with your child.

And smile, because you will never just be a woman again...you will always be a mother.

Care to Rendezvous?

BW Team -

I imagine that, as our due dates approach, we are each growing increasingly busy with attending baby showers, decorating the nursery, and reading every baby care book on the shelf. (Okay, that last one might be my own issue...)

Thought it might be fun to meet up -

Since I'm new to the Tar Heel State I won't even venture a guess as to where we could rendezvous. I have absolutely no understanding of distances between cities or towns - most days I'm happy that I don't miss the driveway leading home or that I can find the CVS without my GPS.

Hope that you are each feeling well...

Rundown

I know we all introduced ourselves with some of this information on the first day, but I don't remember!  Can we do a rundown of the following info for everyone:

-Due date
-baby girl, baby boy or did not find out
-name (if known)
-where you are delivering
-who is your Dr., Midwife or practice
-anything else you want to share!

How to create a new post:

-Click on the blogger icon in the top left corner (a white “B”on an orange background)

-Next the BW Class Page, you will see an orange icon with a pencil, click on that

-This next screen is sort of like an email.  The top bar is used for the title of your blog post, and the big box is for your post.  You can also use any of the formatting tools such as font color or size.   A great tool is the “insert image” tool next to the “link” tool.  That allows you to add pictures!

-After you have completed your post, use the buttons at the top to save, preview (if you would like) and then, publish. 

That’s it!  I am sure there are a lot of tricks to this site that I myself have not figured out, so feel free to share anything you discover.  

Welcome!

Hi everyone!

I wanted to create a space where we could all keep in touch, ask questions, send advice, update each other and even vent if needed.

This blog is very easy to use and works very similarly to Microsoft Word.

You should be able to create new posts and/or comment on others' posts.  If you need help using the site, let me know.  I am not an expert, but I have the basics down.

Speaking of which, please feel free to check out my personal blog at http://mama-intraining.blogspot.com/.

I hope everyone is doing well!  I am glad we can keep in touch :o)

Toni