Hospital Packing List!

When I was preparing to pack for the hospital, I wondered what I would need to bring, my sister did a great post about what to bring to the hospital on her website, Baby Specialist that was very helpful for me! I’m going to do one as well from a little different angle, hopefully they will both help!

1. Your husband/and or labor partner: make sure they are well slept and prepared so they can be of utmost use to you!

2. Yourself and your ginormous belly, don’t worry it will be deflated soon. Unfortunately it won’t go away completely for a while though… big bummer I know.

3. Your purse with your cell, lip gloss, gum and whatever else you might like handy at all times. We all know you want a little mirror with some powder, a hair brush, etc. (what woman doesn’t want to at least ATTEMPT to look decent during this most indecent moment?). Oh and don’t forget your insurance card, make sure your hubby can handle all of the hospital paperwork so you don’t have to deal with it.

4. Whatever you happen to be wearing at the time, it really doesn’t matter, you’ll be in a gown pretty quickly once you get there. If you are getting induced, you might as well just wear some of your comfy jammies that you plan to wear at the hospital, then you have to pack less.

5. The diaper bag you plan to use: 1-because it’s fun and you know you’re excited to use it. 2- so you can have things for your baby of course. 3- so you can have as many things as possible to stuff all those diapers in you’re going to steal from the hospital!

6. The car seat and warm blankets for baby.

7. Your overnight bag with the following things packed:

-Treats for your hubby, you can’t eat but he will need to so he can be able to focus on your needs. Bring treats for you for after in case you don’t like what the hospital has or in case they take a while to feed you.

-Make sure you have a Diet Coke (or whichever drink you prefer) on hand for after, either have someone bring some for you or bring it yourself, this is a must!

-A book, magazine or movies to entertain, for both you and your hubby.

-Your cute new jammies you bought just for post labor (after you’re showered of course)! Buy a bigger size than you think, I know this is tricky because you can’t really try them on and get an exact idea of how they’ll fit without the baby belly, but at least try on the bottoms because your bum is bigger than you think now… sorry but it’s true! It is recommended to get a button down top if you’re breastfeeding, however, I went for just a cute soft t-shirt style instead and never had a problem, you’ve got to get used to that at some point, why not sooner rather than later!

-Cash for vending machines, or maybe even to tip a nurse to hook you up with free stuff if they are unwilling.

-Robe and or slippers.

-A going home out fit for you and baby.

-Maxi pads! The hospital will give you some, take as many as you can, it’s insane how many you’ll need.

-If you’re breastfeeding, breastfeeding pads.

-Regular hygiene and shower items (for you and your hubby if he is staying overnight).

-Your own pillows if you prefer them, use them for your head, use the hospital ones anywhere they might get dirty…

-A blanket for your hubby, the hospital has some but they aren’t very comfy or warm.

-Anything that inspires you or will comfort you while delivering; a picture, music, etc.

-Massage lotions and oils so you’re hubby can help you relax.

-Be prepared with anything that might help if going naturally (and if your epidural doesn’t work!). I’d recommend a birthing class especially if going natural, they will teach you techniques that will help you get through it.

-Your camera! With extra batteries!

Other tips I found useful:

Take advantage of everyone that is there to help you, you might just automatically say you’re fine and don’t need anything but the nurses are paid to help and your friends and family want to help and be involved, you’ll get used to accepting things after a while!

Enjoy the quiet time with your hubby while in labor (much easier if you’re getting an epidural!). Don’t freak out on him if he isn’t reading your mind, tell him what you need and want and most husbands are more than happy to help. Let him know in advance that your mood/wants might change instantly and to understand if something you wanted a second before you don’t want a second later (like cuddling, or distance).

Relax! Don’t try to do too much after, let your body heal, there will be time to do everything when you feel up to it. Let others take care of things when they volunteer. Hopefully you were able to leave your house somewhat in order when you left but if not, oh well!

DON’T try on any of your pre-pregnancy clothes for at least a month after (the longer the better). Don’t be surprised if nothing fits, sweats are completely acceptable for quite a while after having a baby!

Don’t stress about the “oppenness” of delivering a baby, it really isn’t a big deal once you get used to it. Be prepared to feel like a toddler again and having no privacy (especially after).

Be mentally prepared for any surprises; a C-section, a NICU baby, etc.

Make sure to empty out the cart of all diapers and wipes when it comes from the nursery to your room, hook yourself up! When checking out, don’t be afraid to have your hubby flirt with the nurse a little to get some more free stuff, they have free diaper bags (with formula, etc.) and they can always get you more diapers and wipes, you’ll need them!

Good luck, remember to read my post about Post Pregnancy Bliss so you don’t expect too much normalcy after…

Post Pregnancy BLISS

You’ve just had a baby; you feel a sense of euphoria, you love the way it has changed you and you have accepted your new body and well life is just perfect! …..yeah right! Like Megan mentioned in a comment before, the period after you have a baby isn’t really talked about and guess what, it’s hard and it just plain sucks sometimes! So I want to talk about it! I think there is this idea out there that once your baby is here, everything is supposed to be wonderful, and why wouldn’t it be? You have a sweet, innocent bundle of joy that many people, who maybe aren’t as lucky, envy you for. Babies are a great blessing but there’s a little bad mixed in with all that good. Plus everyone is always telling you to enjoy these times because they GROW SO FAST, which is true, but that doesn’t mean it is all smiles and giggles. There’s a lot of poo, pee and spit up to deal with, let alone feeling like you’re completely CRAZY because your emotions are worse than when you were pregnant, you might have a hard time breast feeding or choose not to and there’s guilt with that because BREAST FEEDING IS BEST and then every time you turn around you feel like someone is JUDGING your parenting skills and evaluating what kind of a parent you will be. Oh and you’ve just realized those 30 to 60 pounds you’ve gained WASN’T all baby weight! You can’t fit into any clothes, you feel too young to be a mom and even if you can find something to wear to go out and maybe even get a babysitter, well you just might not want to, either you’re too tired or you just plain feel DEPRESSED and want to sit at home and do NOTHING (where’s the spontanaeity?). Yes, I said DEPRESSED! Even if you don’t have to deal with full on post-partum depression, I think every woman feels parts of it after having a baby. It could just be because youre down because you’re frustrated or all of the hormones; nothing you do makes you feel any better and you find yourself staring at a blank wall for who knows how long and getting extremely frustrated every time your sweet baby cries or fusses. You’re supposed to be this SUPER MOM you’ve always imagined right? But really most days you don’t even want to get dressed, let alone shower… (or work on losing all that baby weight). Most of this has nothing to do with your baby, yes they can be frustrating sometimes, especially if you have a fussy baby but most of it is because you had the baby and even though the best thing you’ll ever have came out of that and yeah it’s WORTH IT, it’s hard and it takes a while to feel normal and like yourself again. Also, I don’t think I have gained back the 15% of brain cells I lost when I was pregnant… When does that come back? Or does it…?

Thanks for listening! Sorry I’m a little CRAZY right now!

You Know You’re a Mom When…

• It’s normal to look for your keys in the freezer.
• You try burping your computer and typing your baby (for working moms, yes I’ve done that).
• You debate on an outfit change for you or your baby if it’s just pee.
• Its normal for you to go two or more days without a shower.
• You have been lulled to sleep by a baby Einstein movie.
• You’re tempted to blog about the size and/or amount of poo that comes out of such a small person.
• You have a favorite baby food.
• You feel like you accomplished a great task when you successfully unclog your babies nose with a booger snuffer.
• You walk around with a burp cloth on your shoulder without realizing it.
• You accidentally squirt breast milk across the room, then do it on purpose to see how far you could get it.
• Then brought your husband in to show him.
• You’re a pro when it comes to Disney movies.
• You’ve started talking to adults through your baby, sometimes cooeing at them.
• You’ve almost checked your husbands pants when it stinks,
• And your husband always blames it on the kid.
• You want to get a limo just for the privacy screen (a sound proof one).
• You don’t know how you ever ran into a store quickly to grab something.
• It takes you an hour or two to prepare to leave the house.
• Then you wonder why you ever wanted to leave in the first place.
• A smile makes your world.
• Being able to work with no interruptions is relaxing.
• 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep feels like sleeping in.
• Getting peed on is an everyday thing, your just glad it wasn’t poo again.
• You pick your kids nose with your fingers.
• You want to try the booger snuffer out on yourself, and do.
• You’re arm falls asleep from a sleeping baby.

And you wouldn’t change a thing…

I don’t need a hubby or a baby…

I was watching The Tyra Banks Show the other day, which I don’t do often because she kind of bugs me but this one caught my eye. It was all about being single vs. being married. There was a panel of single women and a panel of married women. The single women were saying they don’t need a husband or a baby to feel fulfilled and they enjoy being independent, which they think women lose once they get married. The married women were saying being single is selfish and you’re not truly fulfilled until you find the love of your life and have a baby. So which attitude do you think is right, if any?

I think both views were a little prejudice and stereotypical but I’m curious to see what others think… I think all of the controversy is very interesting and “singleism” as they worded it can be discriminated against, as can the family life. I am obviously married and just had my first baby but I don’t feel like there is anything wrong with being single, whether its by choice or chance. Part of me always wanted to be single forever and have a big career but I knew, for me, that wasn’t what was best. I never craved the married life though, it just happened and even though I love it and wouldn’t trade my husband or my son for anything, I miss parts of the single life still. I know many single women get a lot of pressure to get married, whether they are interested or not. I hate it when people are prejudice against people that are single, one of my best friends is single and it works just fine even if we don’t hang out quite the same as we used to. I also don’t understand single people that are desperate to be married, I guess because I loved it when I was single and I love being married now that I am. I think if you live up the single life and enjoy it without worrying about getting married, youll be happy where you’re at and if marriage is in the cards, it may just work out for you quicker than if you wait around for it… I actually feel more prejudism towards married people from single people. Most my married friends will always invite our single friends to things but some of our single friends are anti “the marrieds” as they call them, they just write anyone off who gets married, which makes them really frustrated because more and more of them are getting married. I can see how that would be frustrating but if you are thriving in the single world and mature about it, you’re not going to feel like you have no friends. Are some of these prejudisms because of envy of the “other side” and used as a cover-up?

For the love of the belly

My hubby loves my belly and says he never wants it to go away, I told him to be careful what he wishes for because he just might get his wish…

This doesn’t make sense…

The whole cause of pregnancy is from one sexy night right? Why is all of the pregnancy and post pregnanc y a long, steep downhill journey getting unsexier and unsexier… ? Answer me that…

Seconds

I have developed a bad habit of “seconds”… Wherever I go to eat, I don’t even hesitate to get seconds, sometimes thirds. The bad thing is I have no shame because let’s face it, I’m not in a position to lose weight… Once I ordered the regular 3 cheese enchilada meal and another enchilada on the side, didn’t embarrass me for a minute! I hope I start having more shame post baby… Is this normal or is there a pregnant woman out there who isn’t embarrassed to eat her fill..? Please comment if that’s you, I want tips!

Doc called me skinny because I only gained 2 pounds in a week…

That’s depressing…

Maternity clothes are so overpriced!

Months ago I looked at Ross Dress For Less for a maternity section, never found one and  so I’ve only bought 2 shirts my whole pregnancy and mooched off my sisters for my maternity wardrobe… I’m a bit of a cheap skate and can barely justify $20 on a regular shirt, let alone a maternity one (they are all way overepriced and most are too mommyish looking!). Well fortunately enough, I finally found a maternity section at the ross at Fort Union, Utah, a week before my due date! Seriously? What good does that do me? Of course they had lots of hott preggo shirts under 10 bucks, I only bought one though! Anyways, go to Ross if your in the whole selective weight gain program like me…  (Oh wait, selective would only be my belly, what happened to my butt?!)

Working from home

I started working from home about two weeks ago, when I was 38 weeks along. I’m one of those people who thrive on stress and I was worried I would get bored working from home and go crazy… but so far its been great! Almost too busy, I don’t know how I’m going to throw a baby into this mix in a few weeks! I know there will be days I wish I could just go into the office to relax so I may need some reminders on how lucky I am to work from home…