The Pregnancy Diaries: I'm Nesting

Posted by Ali | Tuesday July 19, 201117 comments
They say that when you're close to delivering you get this unexpected surge of energy. If that means an uncontrollable urge to clean the windows, polish the floors and bake some cookies, I'm so there.

I've spent the last couple of weeks washing all of my teeny tiny baby clothes, buying diapers, dusting the house from top to bottom and arranging the nursery. 

Here it is. Do you like it?
Apparently the only thing I'm missing is a bumper for the crib (as I was informed by my Mother in Law).  I wasn't going to get one because they are controversial, and for the most ridiculous reason: that air can't get into the crib.  Because as we all know, oxygen stops short when it comes into contact with an object, right?  Particularly something made of 100% breathable cotton with little sheep on it.

But, when babies are born at the hospital they spend their first nights in a plastic box on wheels.  So if that doesn't cause a problem I don't see why this sweet little lambie bumper would.

The last part of my prep is packing the hospital bag.  Since you never know how long your visit might be, it's hard for a girl like me not to over-pack.  I'm the sort that needs a large suitcase for a weekend getaway.  At this point I think I have enough in my suitcase for two weeks in Europe.  Even baby will have a lot of gear at the hospital.  See?
Dear Experienced Moms, am I forgetting anything?  What did you do when nesting?
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16 Comments

on July 19, 2011  Ali de Bold  STAFF said:

Thanks so much for the tips, Takoda and Mamaluv! Glad you guys all like the nursery :) Housecoat and slippers are two things I keep meaning to add but forgetting. Also pillows! Hospital pillows are the worst.

on July 19, 2011  mamaluv  STAFF said:

Takoda makes some great points about not knowing exactly what the hospital will provide. In my case, they provided cloth diapers during our stay and huge sanitary napkins for mom. If you have a vaginal birth, you'll need these for the first 48 hours or so - even the largest Always/Kotex probably won't cut it for you. However, if you have a C-section, your bleeding will be comparable to a heavy period. Do not bring tampons - big no no!

Here is my list of what I think you should bring:
*pajamas for yourself (they will prob have those hospital gowns available but your butt will play peekaboo) - these should be maternity pjs because your belly will still be quite large.
*housecoat & slippers
*your own bath & body products (they may supply hotel-sized shampoo/conditioner), makeup, etc (obviously)
*nursing bra
*going-home outfit for baby (obv)
*clothes for baby while in hospital (optional - they will have teeny little gowns and I found them easier to take on and off when changing diapers in the first few days. I would not personally recommend you bother with your own clothes while you're still in the hospital)
*going-home outfit for you (obv, but make sure it's maternity clothes from your 3rd trimester. I brought 2nd trimester clothes with me the last time and that was a bad decision)
*iPod, magazines, books, etc. you probably won't get around to much reading because you'll be sleeping quite a bit, but just in case...
*diapers for going home - mostly Size N (newborn) but also several Size 1s just in case.
*nipple cream (if you're planning to nurse)
*unscented body lotion - baby might not share your love of 'lily of the valley'

Above all, just don't overpack. Trust that you will pretty much stay in your jammies all day and keep your beauty routine very basic. You will probably have a very small closet and not much space so whatever you can't cram in there you'll be living out of your suitcase. There may not be much floor area and the nurses/docs will need room to walk around your bed easily. If necessary, there's no reason your hubby can't bring a few extra things during his next visit if you run low.

Love your nursery, so clean and sweet! Crib bumpers are also supposedly a choking hazard because they are only tied on in intervals and baby can get his/her head underneath and it might put pressure on the windpipe. I'd just not bother at all.

on July 19, 2011  Becky  13,128 said:

Beautiful nursery! Love the tan colours and the uncluttered feel. :-) I think it's perfect and serene for you and baby once he/she is here. Wish I could tell you what to take with you, but you know, I can't. I am bookmarking these pages so I can refer back to them when and if ever it's my time! :)

on July 19, 2011  takoda  28,648 said:

Ali this is what I meant by nesting just before you are ready to have
your baby when I mentioned it a few weeks back. Congratulation you are
now officially there!! You will also feel like you have a ball between
your legs possibly the night before you go into labor and if not then
the day that you do go into labor. I really noticed when my first son
dropped because we were out for my birthday and my pants kept feeling
like they were falling off, witch they hadn't felt like that in six
months and I felt like I had a basketball between my legs the hole
night. As for you bag, make sure you have your camera, extra batteries
for it and of coarse the film for it. You don't want to go to take a pic
and find out your batteries are dead, now that would suck!! Bring your
own pads because the hospitals suck. Some comfy slippers that you can
wear out side because if you do end up being there for awhile, like I
was you'll want to go outside for some fresh air. I was there so long
for my first that I just wore sweat pants and a light top, but you'll
want to bring a light housecoat for walking the halls, or going out side
in if you just have a nightgown with you. You might think that you'll
want to bring a book along, but I never had time to even pick mine up.
If I wasn't doing something with the baby, someone was there visiting,
or I was sleeping, so you really won't need that. Pick out what you want
to bring the baby home in and pack that along with what you want to go
home in, but make sure its something that you'll be comfortable in, your
not going to want to be in jeans. Bring all you bathroom needs because
the hospital stuff sucks to and include some really good hand cream.
Ounce you start changing bums you'll fine washing your hands more often
will dry them right out. They don't even give you tissues at the
hospital any more, so pack a little one that you would carry in your
purse. The hospitals use to supply all the babies needs for you, but I
don't know if they still do that. So you might want to give them a call
and find out if you have to supply your own diapers, whips and things
like that. Unless you have a really long drive home, I wouldn't even
bother bring the babies diaper bag along, it's just more junk to carry.
Have Alex put the car seat in the car now because they will not let you
leave the hospital until they see that its in the car and its in right.
He won't want to be playing around with that ounce the baby gets hear.
That's about all I can think of for now, but if I think of more I'll let
you know. You have to remember its bin 15 years since I had my last
baby, so my mind is a little slow in that department. Oh and you're not
going to believe this, but I have the same chair that you have in your
babies room. Ours is wore out now, but we just can seem to toss it out. I
love the way you pick the colors for the room too, its prefect for
either a girl, or a boy, but you've always had great taste! Let us know
if you need any help with anything else, or just have some questions.
All of us mommy's are happy to help in any way we can. You have me so
excited now, I can't wait to hear all about the new baby and possibly
even the newest ChickAdvisor!! Big hugs to the both of you!!!

on July 19, 2011  TammyK  1,073 said:

I'm loving the baby room. It's so nice! Hope you're able to keep it this tidy when the baby arrives :)

on July 19, 2011  AlexJC  50 said:

Wow Ali! Can't believe that you are this far along! What a beautiful nursery too!

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