Birth Plans and Hospital Bags

I'm getting to the point where I should be getting things in order for "the big day." Less that 5 weeks until her due date, and all we have is the car seat in the car. I don't have a single bag packed, for myself or for the baby. I had lists made up, in fact, I had the list made up about a month ago, but that was about it. Here is what I have for my list:

Packing for the Baby:

• Swaddle blankets/baby blanket
• Going home outfit
• Mittens
• Nail clippers
• Vaseline
• 3 outfits (newborn and 0-3 months)
• Wipes
• Nasal aspirator
• Newborn Diapers
• Socks
• Hat

That's the list I've come up with for baby girl's bag. After our hospital tour, I've come up with a new list. The items I've crossed off are the ones that the hospital said they provided. They also provide diapers, mittens, and socks, but I decided to bring those anyway. *Baby girl's bag is officially packed and ready to go!*

Packing for Mom:

• Robe
• Slippers/flip flops
• Non-skid socks
• Camera/Camera charger
• Boppy
• Shampoo/toothbrush/toothpaste/deodorant (travel size)
• iPhone/iPhone charger
• Chapstick
• Nursing tank tops/outfits
• Snacks for Daddy
• Going home outfit
• Towels
• Pillow
• Lanolin cream
• Chocolate
• Granny panties
• Sports bras/nursing bras
• Baggy pajamas
• Tennis ball
• Laptop (maybe)
• Change for vending machines
• Pads
• Additional tote for freebies
• Cookies for nurses

This is the list for me. Too much? Probably. But as the Boy Scout saying goes: "Always be prepared." Plus, my husband is a big fan of over packing. I just think that I'd rather have everything there with me, so that I have it just in case. My bag is not packed though, nor is it close to being packed. I need to get on that though...I've been cramping a lot today, which just means we're one step closer to her being here!

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Speaking of her getting here, people have constantly asked me about my birthing plan. All the websites and books say to make one and write it down. To "be specific" about what you want and then to have multiple copies so that everyone dealing with your delivery will know and honor your birthing plan. I've put a lot of prayer and thought into my own personal birthing plan. In the end, this is what I came up with:

Birthing Plan

•  Have a healthy baby

That's it. That's the extent of my birth plan. I would like to be able to have a natural childbirth, but seeing as I've never had a child before, I don't know how my body is going to react. I have faith that God created and equipped my body for childbirth, and that's what I'm relying on. But I'm not set on having a drug-free labor and delivery. If it's better for me and the baby, then I will have the drugs. I just want my baby here and healthy. Like I said, I would love to have a natural childbirth, and for now that is the plan...but I will do whatever it takes to get my baby here safe and sound.

35 Weeks! Getting down to the wire!

How far along: 35 weeks! Only 5 more to go! (Hyperventilating now)

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Honeydew melon - over 18 inches long and most likely tipping the scales at 6 lbs by now!

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: I want a Chik-Fil-A peppermint milkshake and Arby's curly fries please and thank you.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got our stroller! Is that sad that I'm super excited about it? We got a City Mini GT by Baby Jogger and I'm already in love with it!

What I'm looking forward to: I'm starting those weekly doctor's visits! That means we're really getting close! Also, Christmas is just 2 weeks away! And I'll be officially full term the week of Christmas! So much craziness!

Truer Words

were never spoken...

There are so many times that I just don't feel well. I'm tired, I'm sore, I feel like a beached whale. But despite all of that, I've never been happier. I do love being pregnant. And even though I may complain, as of right now, I'd gladly do it all over again! Of course, we'll see how I feel after labor and delivery ;) but I have a feeling that won't change my feelings on the matter. 

Due dates

Well, praise the Lord, my due date hasn't changed! We went in for our measurement ultrasound this morning to see how big my little girl is growing. I was nervous that they would change her due date or say that she needed to come earlier than we had already "planned" on (I used the word "planned" lightly as I know baby girl can come anytime from now until two weeks after her scheduled due date). But I have my heart set on her coming later than scheduled (it has to do with when and for how long I have to go back to work before summer break). So for now she's still predicted to come January 14th. 

So the hubs and I get to the appointment early this morning and head right back with the ultrasound tech. She got us set up and started looking at our little girl. Immediately we find that she is head down and in position for whenever the time may be that she decides to come to the world (YAY! Such a relief!). Then she went to measuring her. First, we discover that she has short legs...Sounds a lot like her mommy! I'm only about 5'0" maybe 5'1" and the women on my side of the family aren't much taller. So, short legs run in the family :) Then we took a look at her belly. Well, she's got a big belly. It just made me chuckle. I'm definitely okay with a chubby belly. Chubby babies are the cutest! Lastly, we looked at her head and it looks like she has a big head too! So big belly and big head (and cute chubby cheeks!). Ouch is all I could think the moment when we were told about her head measurements. The ultrasound tech continued to take measurements and then calculated everything together and everything looks great! She's measuring just a little big, about a week early, but nothing out of the ordinary! As of now she's somewhere between 5 lbs and 5 lbs 8 oz. 

This is a complete answer to prayers. I still have no idea when she'll get here, I'm just thankful that it won't be scheduled early and that she will be allowed to come when she's ready. Of course, things could always change, but for now I choose to dwell on the positive and for now...she's right on track!

33 Weeks!

I know I'm multiple weeks behind on this pregnancy update. Things have just been crazy around here. I can't really put my finger on all that's exactly gone on, I just know things have been crazy. Ever get that feeling?

How far along: 33 weeks! Only 7 more to go!

Trimester: Third and final trimester!!!!!

Baby size: Pineapple - somewhere over 17 inches and between 4 and 5 pounds, we have an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday to see a more "accurate" reading on how big she is

Toes: What toes? I have toes?!

Gender: BABY GIRL!

Movement: This girl still loves to move! Especially when music is playing! It makes me smile. I can't wait to sign her up for her first ballet class!

Cravings: Food. Please. Food. I just need food! My sweet tooth has picked up, though it could be because there are so many yummy sweet treats that are fall-iscious. Right now I want a milkshake.

Aversions: I tried chicken again...I nearly threw up. It was horrible. No thank you.

Nausea/Morning sickness: No more! Just tired now, and constantly out of breath. Round ligament pain, itchy and stretchy skin, heartburn, acid re-flux, some slight dizziness, and hip and back pain, but nothing to complain about :) Also, I'm beginning to experience Braxton Hicks contractions.

Maternity clothes: Yes yes and yes. I love them. I'm definitely one of those women who is proud to wear my maternity pants. They're just too comfortable to pass up.

Best moment of the week: We got our Christmas tree and Christmas decorations up this week! All I could think about is how  different the next holiday season will be. I'm so excited to share all the joy and excitement with our little girl!

What I'm looking forward to: Seeing her again in just a couple of days. We have a scheduled ultrasound because I'm measuring big. I've been saying she'll be a big girl, so I'm anxious to see just how big she is!

Also, there's a new poll! People have been telling my all sorts of things about when this little girl will come. What do y'all think? Will she be early? Will she be late? Will she be right on time?

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our growing family to yours...I hope your day has been wonderful and full of family and tradition.

Off Grid

These past few weeks have been kinda chaotic. I don't really know what all has been going on, I just know that they've been crazy. So I've fallen off the wagon. Here are a few pictures and updates from instagram (you can follow me @ awood009) 

We got the car seat installed! I know I'm only 32 weeks and this might be a little too early to get things done, but I'd rather have it ready in case anything happens!

Impromptu 32 week photo session (we were taking pictures for our thank you cards)

My car seat canopy came in the mail! I got a GREAT deal on this and couldn't be more thrilled with the way it turned out!

We started off our vacation with waffles!

My 31 week bump!

Going through clothes for my baby girl :)

A gift from wonderful friends! I love the sock monkey bottom and booties!

My best friend threw me the best baby shower ever! I'm so lucky to have all these wonderful people in my life and they already love our little girl so so much! Also, me at 30 weeks!

Hopefully I'll get into the swing of things once things settle down. Of course, with the holidays coming up there's not telling what could happen. All I know is that this week is a week for the hubs and I to nest and decorate and spend time together.