This weeks marks #34 on the pregnancy calendar! Hard to believe I’ll be considered full term in 4 weeks. I’m hoping our little bundle arrives right on time though, which would allow me to be on maternity leave up to Christmas. That leaves 6 more weeks to go until my due date (Oct. 25th). Still, I realize that at this point, anything can happen and over the weekend I realized I really need to kick it in gear with preparations. We still haven’t bought any newborn diapers (save for a small bag my neighbor Jayme just brought over…thankfully). I still haven’t sorted through the baby boy clothing, and I only have one sleeper set to go so far. I know I still have time, but it will be a several-hour long project to divide the closet and dressers between our little guy and Karolina. They will share a room, eventually.
The other thing I need to get squared away is the all-important hospital bag. Since it’s been over 5 years since I’ve done it last, I decided to Google “must-haves.” I ran across a website called: Hospitalbag.org with a printable list. Some good suggestions, but mostly common sense. Although, I was surprised to see “ear plugs” listed to tune out crying babies. Seriously? Sheesh. My own list is pretty basic:
Tech. items (camera, iPad, cell phone, Flip)
Rosary for praying during labor
Bible, and a good book to read
Birthing ball
PJ’s (I usually get a new pair to wear in the hospital after baby comes, just as a pick-me-up)
Slippers, robe
Nursing bra
Boppy
Bathroom items, toiletries
Going-home-from-the-hospital outfit for our little guy
I downloaded an iPad app called “Labor Mate” that times contractions. I also just installed the Babycenter Birth Class. It’s a virtual birth class on preparing for labor and delivery. So neat! These are some of the top apps for pregnancy and beyond. I’m going to download the “Milk Maid” app for nursing moms next. I’m telling you, the iPad was one of the best investments we’ve made in recent memory. I use it for everything. Daily scripture readings, recipes, listening to our radio station (95.5The Fish) and as a GPS. Technology can be a great thing (if I could just figure it out half the time). 🙂
In addition, I’ve been trying to collect tips and suggestions for labor that will help and print them out so they are handy when I’m in agony. Ha. One of them is compiling a list of scriptures to help draw strength from. This website has some good ones.
So, as you can tell, things have been busy here! It’s Gabriel’s birthday on Wednesday too, our baby is going to turn double digits! The big 1-0. 🙂 Enjoy the beautiful weather and warm temps while they last!:)
Your little boy will be here before you know it. I am so excited for you. We have said the same thing about our iPad, it is the best thing we have purchased in a long time. We bought ours just before our first trip to Poland.
Hi Brooke – Congrats on hitting week 34! Someone on Twitter told me that you and Len mentioned my guest post on From Dates to Diapers, "50 Rules for Dads of Daughters" on your radio show in Cleveland this morning and I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!! Living in Oklahoma City myself, I just can't get my mind around how far that post has gone in just a little over a week and a half. Anyway… I just wanted to say thanks for sharing some of the rules with your listeners. I hope it was a blessing to someone that needed it today. If can ever return the favor to you in any way, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected] and congratulations once again on hitting the home stretch of your pregnancy.
-Michael
Add to your hospital bag – a wonderful scent from Philosophy of the 3 in one shower gel, shampoo, and bubble bath. 🙂