Hospital Bag - what the heck goes in it?

I really had no idea what to put in my hospital bag, and I probably have a lot of stuff I do not need and am missing stuff I will desperately need. But I did my best. I even watched YouTube videos on the topic.

The one on the left is my food bag and the one on the right is everything else.

All the stuff:

Let's start with the food bag, because that doesn't have too much. My midwife said I'll be allowed to eat, although who knows if I'll feel like eating.

Here's what I'm bringing:

• Peanut butter crackers
• Golden berries 
• Dried cranberries
• Freeze dried strawberries
• Apples
• 2 mason jars filled with fresh coconut water (currently in my freezer)

As you can see I'm bringing mostly easy to digest food, with the exception of the peanut butter crackers. I also plan to hopefully have a last meal at the house before I head to the hospital.

The hospital bag contains:

• Moltex nappies (natural eco-disposable - and hopefully they work)
• Gaia bamboo wipes (bio-degradable)
• Earth Mama Angel baby butt cream
• Lanisoh nipple cream
• Hydrogel shields for the boobies
• Nipple pads
• Maternity pads
• Organic lotions (for the Hubs to massage my lower back!)
• 4 baby outfits in different sizes
• 1 pair of mittens
• 1 hat
• 3 receiving blankets
• 3 pairs of undies
• 1 bra
• 1 breast feeding tank
• 1 cardigan
• 1 maxi dress
• 1 pair of undies for the Hubs
• 1 paid of running shorts for the Hubs (he may get in the tub with me) 

The other things we'll be bringing are:

•  computer (for music)
• fancy camera (for video and pictures)
• phones
• snoogle (for comfort - if you're pregnant definitely buy one NOW)
• ball (in case they don't have one)
• wallets

I hope I'm not forgetting anything too important, but I think when it comes down to it we'll make do with what we have. If not, we'll ask family to bring us whatever we're missing. If all goes well they said I should be out of the hospital within 6-12hrs after labour. Our midwife program does extensive follow-up at home, which is why there is a shorter hospital stay.

Off to stare at the clock until the baby comes,

B

40 weeks pregnant - Due Date Edition!

It's 5pm Melbourne time and I'm beginning to think that my little one may not have gotten the memo that today is my due date! You know that date that your baby is supposed to be born. The one you've been looking forward to for, well, 9 months. Instead of giving birth today I went to the post office and bought some nipple pads - thrilling, I know. I also finally packed my hospital bag (seriously baby that is your cue that all systems are go!). Tomorrow I'll share what's in my bag (err, bags).

Other than that I've been bouncing on my ball and telling myself that I should be cleaning.

Weight gained: 40 pounds (holy crap-o-lee!)

Workouts:walking into town and 2 sessions with the dumbbells

Labor Signs: none - seriously not even a teeny, tiny one

Symptoms: just general "ugh-ness" but overall can't complain

Movement: he's still poking out random body parts and has gotten the hiccups a few times (so cute)

Food Aversions: none

Food Cravings: tomato and mayo sandwiches have been happening a lot

Sleep: interrupted but I'm also taking daily naps (glorious, wonderful naps)

Stretch marks? I might have a few tiny ones on my left side but I'm not losing any sleep over it

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my stomach, not feeling like a stuffed veggie sausage, and being able to walk fast

Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: nothing thrilling on this end

Belly Button in or out? flat

Wedding rings on or off? off

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy most of the time, but definitely have my grouchy moments

New Baby Items: none, but we still need a swing!

I better not still be waddling around this time next week!

Off to evict the baby,

B

T-Minus 4 Days

I have 4 days until my due date, and I can't help but wishfully think the bub may make an appearance early (although statistically he's more likely to be late). I worked up until 39 weeks, but decided to stop to rest before the baby's here (okay the family *may* have said I was crazy to work any longer).
My lovely co-workers gave me some adorable baby gifts and lovely flowers, which was a wonderful send off. I still can't believe I'm entering "stay-at-home mom land".

I'm bored already. I wish I loved housework, but sadly I don't. Thus the house is still not tidy. I have been resting a lot though and getting plenty of naps. I've noticed a significant difference in the swelling in my feet too (but now they look wrinkly since the fluid isn't there ...I'm hoping it goes away . . .  haha).

We picked up the glider, which we didn't know would come in pieces.

The Aussie put it together but didn't realise it had to be locked into an incline and when he tested it out he almost fell through the window!

The nursery is almost done, aside from some decorating and putting doors on the closet. 

One of my favourite parts of the room is the bookcase (although the Aussie says I can't refer to it as a bookcase because it isn't one. To me, if it's holding books then it's a bookcase. I'll let you decide for yourself).

I'll take your silence as an agreement that it is in fact a bookcase.

Hopefully my next update will be about the new addition!

Off to avoid cleaning,

B

Shopping aka nesting

This week has been filled with shopping (and surprisingly not of the internet variety which has been my preggo go-to). I waddled my butt through Toys R Us and IKEA to score some solid baby finds.

Don't mind the 1980s lace - the plantation shutters are on their way (apparently). The lamp sets a really nice glow, and I'll put our new glider on the left. I really wanted the Mercedes of gliders (Hello, $1200 winged back glider. You will always have my heart), but my bank account bullied me into getting el'cheapo which has foresaken style for comfort (hmm ... I hope that isn't what motherhood brings because I have so very little style to begin with).

  source

We pick-up the glider this Thursday.

The work week was filled with lunch dates and some tasty meals. I know I spend far too much money on lunches, but honestly I feel like I deserve it since I'm 36 weeks preggo and still working full-time. Granted, I didn't have this excuse a few months ago, but ummm I like eating out. Maybe maternity leave will bring kitchen adventures.

Some lunches this week:

A rice ball the size of my head and tons of salad.

 

My go-to Indian - mixed veggie curry, spicy lentil dahl, saffron rice and lots of coriander/cilantro chutney.

 

In other news, I found a new-to-me product.

You only need water and they clean windows and silverware! I haven't tried them yet, but I am hopeful that they will be awesome (fingers crossed). 

Off to hunt down some dinner,

B

Spring is in the air

This weekend should have been filled with lots of painting by the Hubs, but instead we did some vegging. Even when you have a ton of things you *should* be doing, sometimes the best thing you can do is simply enjoy the company of someone you love. Plus it meant I wasn't trapped in the guestroom while he painted!

We decided to celebrate some lovely spring weather that we're having with an impromptu BBQ.

I absolutely love fried onion on burgers (ours were a new-to-us veggie burger called Fry's Family).

I died from cuteness while doing baby laundry today.

You can't tell from the picture, but baby clothes are small - really, really small. It's hard to imagine anyone fitting into them. I actually have a fear that are tub-o-baby will have a booty that is too big for the super cute, but ridiculously small, clothes his Aunt picked out for him.

We can also now see both our dining room table and the floor in the back living room since we did a big clean. With all the painting, door removing, and general laziness going on it was starting to get very cluttered. I eventually got to a point where I couldn't handle it.

We (really just the Hubs) put together the bassinet and the changing table, which made the nursery look more like a nursery. We also took the baby's ride for a spin.

I rounded off the weekend with a walk, movie and a nap, and I'm about to make us some roasted veggies for dinner.

All-in-all it was a perfectly relaxing weekend, and at almost 36 weeks pregnant "relaxing" exactly what you need.

Off to start dinner,

B

Week 35

We're getting *so* close, but we're still so far away. At least that's how this preggo wife feels. We're 35 days away from d-day, but with my luck (and the high statistically likelihood) this baby boy will probably celebrate his due date right where he is. Don't get me wrong, I want him to be fully baked, and it's really for his own good that I hope he doesn't over bake. It has absolutely nothing to do with wanting to sleep on my stomach. **sheepish grin**

The belly is a focal point these days, and I can never seem to remember just how big it is and often have difficulty with doors and sharp corners. 

Weight gained:35 pounds (say what?!?!) I swear I'm not eating 24/7.

Workouts:hoping to make my last bodypump class tomorrow. I did buy weights to continue to do something over the next few weeks and for after the baby popping

Labor Signs: none

Symptoms: swollen doesn't even begin to describe it - my wrists, my feet, my ankles, my calves, my knees. My hands are so bad that I'm starting to get carpal tunnel and couldn't even scoop melon the other day!

Movement: plenty. I am trying to capture some of it on camera but he's a sneaky little devil

Food Aversions: nothing really

Food Cravings: none, but I did die a little when I found (okay, the Aussie found) veggie breakfast sausage.

Sleep: not too bad, but it involves lots of flipping, multiple times of waking up to numb fingers, and plenty of bathroom breaks. in other words, soooo relaxing. the hubs loves it (not)

Stretch marks? none yet (shocking considering the size of the beasty belly)

Miss Anything? sleeping on my stomach, a cold cider and having my body back to myself

Fun and/or Interesting Things from the Week: our living room is finally back in order after the painting.

Belly Button in or out? flat - with a high probability of poppage

Wedding rings on or off? been off for a long time but still very happily married

Happy or moody most of the time: happy, so stinkin' happy

New Baby Items: changing table, bath tub, rubber ducky, carry cot and other random things

What I've been up to

Aside from waddling around, I've been getting up to a random assortment of activities -

Baking (for the MIL's bday) . . .

Enjoy the weather . . .

Rocking out at bodypump . . .

And of course, spending lot of time at work. Today is day 1 of week 32 and I was hit with the tired bug. I hope it was just a one off, but time shall tell. I did manage to (finally) try prenatal yoga, and I realised how absolutely un-flexible I have become. It was completely self-induced because I stopped stretching. Shame on me! I'm hoping to find a bit of flexibility in the next two months.

In other news, I've adopted a new approach to dinner - half the plate is full of steamed veggies. I have been tracking fruits and veggies for a bit, and I wasn't completely satisfied with how many I was eating. This is an easy boast. Tonight I did a combo of broccoli, peas, corn, and string beans. Hello, nutrients! It also makes thinking about dinner a bit easier. Win, win.

Off to catch some zzzs,

B