I've got everything packed in one huge suitcase to go to the hospital. I was glad to get everything to fit in one bag, so that it won't take as long to carry everything in. Well, everything except for the car seat, and the box of snacks that has a lunch box size cooler in it waiting to be filled with ice, and perishable foods (grapes, yogurt, etc).
I have packed for our Newborn Son, Mommy and Daddy, and Big Sis.
- 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 2 washcloths (just in case we need them in the car!)
- Postpartum Bath Herbs to use as a warm compress for perineal support during pushing and immediately after birth from Earth Mama Angel Baby's Postpartum Support Kit
- Binsi Birth Skirt, my favorite flip flops, Pinkbench Headband, and the shirt I made, a Maternity Wrap Top that opens in the front similarly to a robe - perfect for immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth - it is sleeveless. This is what I plan to wear for the birth!
- An extra change of clothes for Daddy, a set of pajamas
- Big Sis has some surprises waiting for her! A tote bag filled with books, crayons, stickers, a new truck, and a pull-along duck toy, all wrapped in tissue paper to prolong the fun, as well as a new dolly! I made a moses basket for the doll and accessories, he's got a blue hat and a diaper on under the swaddling blanket, 2 outfits, a spare diaper, a soft blanket, a "nursing" pillow, and a toddler sized wrap-style carrier. Most of the doll gear was handmade by Mommy, and it matches things made for little brother. I also decorated a couple of white Tshirts for her with iron-on transfers - they say "I'm the Big Sis!"
- For Baby there is a footed sleeper, a blue sweater that Matt's grandma knitted, a hat, several blankets (a soft knit, a swaddle blanket, and a fleecy blanket for over the car seat), 2 kimono shirts with foldover hands, a pair of BabyLegs, socks, and his Baby Book.
- A nursing pillow (similar to a Boppy, but it's a Nurture Nest pillow form, and I sewed up a super soft cover for it)
- Mommy has a pair of yoga pants, a Comfy K nursing tank top, my favorite pair of sweatpants, an old navy nursing tank, a nursing bra, 2 sets of Bravado pads, extra socks, Aimee nursing gown, and a fleece zip up jacket.
That is everything we are packing! I'll also mention that I'm bringing juice boxes, and a lot of easily-digested snacks, since a big part of my birth plan is to continue eating and drinking as long as I'm still interested. Likely once labor begins in full swing, I won't want to eat, but until then, labor and delivery is hard work - I'll need my nourishment! Plus, Daddy and Big Sis might get hungry, too! I have a list taped to the door that reminds us to grab toiletries, the suitcase, the car seat, and the food basket on the way out the door.
So, I am as ready as I will ever be to have this baby! All there is now is to wait!
There has been so much prayer and thought about how we should best prepare for this child's birth, we have done all we know to do to get ready for baby's arrival. We've gone over different scenarios: if it happens at night, this is what we'll do, if it's during the day, then this plan - we didn't do that the first time around, but with a toddler to consider, it adds another dimension to the planning part!
I am very much at peace with the way God chooses to have the birth unfold. I didn't feel that way a week ago - I wanted to be in charge! But God, our good, loving Heavenly Father, has plans to prosper and not to harm us, and I am trusting him to make it so. This weekend, both our new doctor, and our doula are planning on being out of town - one to Ohio, one to Michigan, and while it does make me a tiny bit nervous, I know that if baby does come this weekend, God will still care for us and everything will turn out fine. It's not too likely that the birth will be early, but starting at 37 weeks, baby was considered to be "full term" and had I gone into labor, no one would have tried to stop it. So, I'm glad to be prepared, just in case!
