What's in my hospital bag?

I packed my hospital bag around 34 weeks, just to be safe! I asked around to friends and did some research to see what I actually needed to bring. I feel like I ALWAYS overpack, so I wanted to try to keep it simple. I also only live about 10 minutes from the hospital I will be delivering at, so if needed someone could always go grab something for me! I've heard from a lot of people that the hospital provides a lot of things like mesh underwear, pads, diapers and more disposable things, so I didn't really bring any of those. First, I used my diaper bag as my hospital bag for me and the baby. I'll link which one I have below, but it's super functional and actually holds a lot! Plus, it's a backpack, which I always find so easy to grab and go. It's the SkipHop Chelsea bag in black with gold hardware.

For me: I picked up a plain, waffle jersey-knit light-weight black robe to wear (I have a really nice white Hotel Collection one Chris got me for Mother's Day, but I thought white might be a little risky at the hospital). I picked it up from Wal-Mart for $12 and I think it will be perfect because I can just tie it up and don't really have to be wearing anything else if I don't want to. Plus, I know I'll use it all the time after! I also picked up two comfy nursing bras from Wal-Mart. For pants I just did my Lululemon Align leggings and a pair of jersey-knit pajama pants from Old Navy. It's going to be super hot I'm assuming so I just brought two loose tank tops to go with them and I guess I'll just wear one of those combos home. Like I said, it takes like 10 minutes to get there so I didn't really put a lot of thought into a "going-home outfit" or anything like that. I also packed my Adidas slides as my sole pair of shoes. They have good enough traction on the bottom for walking around and I could wear them in the shower too since they are waterproof. I packed a washcloth and a travel size face wash I already had (I figured it would be easiest to just do travel sizes of things instead of grabbing all of my regular sized things that I will be using up until I go into labor), a washcloth, face wipes, dry shampoo (my hair is such a pain to wash/dry), a pack of elastics for braids (I think braids will be my go-to to keep my hair out of my face and not have to deal with washing/drying my hair at the hospital), a comb, a travel toothbrush and toothpaste set, floss, a razor (we will see how much I end up caring lol) and then I will just grab my makeup bag on the way out the door. I keep deodorant in my purse so that will be included as well. The most exciting thing for me to pack was a couple of snacks haha! I haven't been able to eat many carbs or any candy or anything from my Gestational Diabetes, so I stocked up on some protein bars (figured they would be more beneficial than just a candy bar) and my favorite Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears to eat as soon as I pop that baby out! Chris has the phone chargers in his bag too. I think I will pick up a pack of gum/mints too to throw in there for when I have visitors hah. That's pretty much it though.

For baby: I really didn't pack much. I packed two outfits (cross your fingers he can fit into newborn sizes lol). If you have seen any of the clothes I have bought him you know I really only like white, black, gray and blue, so the outfits are super neutral. I also packed two cute little newborn beanies and a muslin swaddle blanket. Also, our carseat is on it's way to our house (see last post to read what happened there), but obviously I will be packing that as well. That's really it for him. Let me know if you feel like I am missing out on anything!

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 34-37

Sorry for the lack of updates over the past few weeks! I have been super busy and SUPER tired. I have been taking naps every day when I get home from work, and have been enjoying every second of them while I can :) At week 34 I had another doctor's appointment, which was quick and easy. Then, I went back to the Dr. at week 36 for my final 2 week appointment. At that appointment I had the Strep B test (google it if you don't know what it is lol). He also checked to see if I had dilated at all for the first time. I wasn't at all. After that appointment he said he wants to see me every week until the baby comes, which I think makes the time fly so much faster, the fact that I get to go in every week now and hear/check on the baby. I can't believe he's coming in 3 weeks or less! I think I told you guys a while ago that because I had gestational diabetes he had said at my diagnosis that he would likely not let me go past my due date for that reason. I am not sure if that still stands, I'll have to ask him when I go back in! The only reason why I am wondering is because I have been managing my diet so well and haven't had to do anything extra or any kind of stress tests or anything like that for the GD, which I know isn't always the case. My blood sugar has been great! Honestly, its really hard! But, I am the kind of person that when you tell me instructions on how to do something, I follow it to a T! As hard as it is to stay away from carbs, my health/the baby's health is so much more important to me. Plus, I already packed my hospital bag and put in some of the foods that I have been craving for after I have him! Kind of like a little celebration :) Speaking of hospital bag, I packed mine at around 34 weeks and so did Chris. I think I'll do a next post on what is in my hospital bag and then after I have him maybe I will go back and let you know what I actually used!

I actually got into a minor car accident this past week on my lunch break at work. Someone rear-ended me, but it was honestly such a low impact she pretty much just tapped my car. It freaked me out thought because it could have been really bad. I called my Dr. to let them know and they said it is protocol that you have to come in after a car accident, especially since I was 36.5 weeks at the time. The good thing was that I got to do a practice run of going to Labor and Delivery haha! I could still feel the baby moving around and stuff after the accident, but I wasn't sure if the tightening of the seat-belt did anything or if it hit my stomach against the steering wheel. I went to L&D and they hooked up one of those band things around my belly to monitor everything. They said my blood pressure was fine and the baby seemed fine too, but wanted me to stay around for a couple of hours to make sure nothing changed. She also told me I was having contractions, which I had no idea I don't even notice. They sent me home after a few hours and told me to just keep my normal appointment for the next morning with my Dr. I definitely feel extremely blessed that no damage was done during the car accident!

Symptoms: Just feeling huge! My stomach actually hurts towards the front because it is stretching and I can feel the baby pushing on it. No stretch marks so far, so hopefully I am in the clear! I feel like I am kind of waddling now and my feet/ankles are feeling worn out from the extra weight I am carrying around. I don't think it helps that I don't wear the most supportive shoes most of the time when I am at home. I have also been waking up with really bad charlie horses in my legs and luckily if I flex my foot they go away after a few seconds, but they seriously hurt so bad!! I think I have been nesting like a crazy person too, which I don't know if it is a "symptom", but I thought I would include it anyways. Over Memorial Day Weekend my husband and I deep cleaned the house and changed out the air filter, finished painting, cleaned out all of the vents, all of the drawers and cabinets. It felt really good! Now we just have to keep it clean until the baby comes! I also washed all of his clothes and blankets. I put together his bouncer seat and organized all of his drawers. We ordered his stroller  and carseat over a month ago and just got an email this week saying they cancelled our order because it is no longer available. That was annoying! Luckily I found the same deal somewhere else and it shipped the next day, so I need to at least hold onto this baby until June 14th because I don't have a car seat lol. We ordered a basinet that I put together and set it up in our room! Chris picked it out, which was really cute :) It's super easy to assemble and comes with a carry-bag so you can bring it with you if you travel so I'll link it below in case anyone is interested! Also, we have a name picked out, and most of our friends already know, but I will wait to announce it when he is born!

Cravings: Basically everything that I can't eat! Any kind of sweets and tons of fruit! Unfortunately, when I have too much fruit my blood sugar is too high, so I usually stick to one or two Halo oranges a day or half of an apple. Peanut butter has been my savior! I can eat as much peanut butter as I want without my blood sugar spiking. I have sadly gone through 2 giant Adam's Crunchy all natural peanut butter from Costco over the past few weeks (I'm pretty sure they have like 60 servings per container hah!!). I try to stay away from things that are "sugar-free" because I know the artificial sweeteners are not the greatest for you, but my one "bad" thing that I eat is the Danon Light and Fit yogurts (I think they are made with sucralose or something). They have 12g of protein and help cure my sweet tooth, so I figure if that's the one thing I splurge on this pregnancy, who cares! Another thing that I like to have now that its getting super hot out is sparkling waters. My new favorite is the Cascade Ice Organic Sparkling Water in Pomegranate Mango. It's sooo good when it's ice cold.

That's pretty much it as far as an update goes. Here are the bouncy seat, basinet and travel system that we got. I obviously have never used them before, so I don't know how they are going to work for our baby, but they are all really good quality and decent prices. It's so easy to spend sooo much money on baby, especially being a first time mom. But, I have been trying to find good deals on decent quality things. Hope you enjoy!