hospital bag

i literally searched high and low on the world wide web for a GOOD hospital bag list... I didn't find the "perfect" one, but i found various ones which i put together to create my own perfect little one.

hope this helps you preggo mommas out there!

ps. i'm kind of a heavy packer, but i always like to be prepared.  plus, i'd rather pack too much, than send my hubby or somebody out to get something.   also, keep in mind because i am having a c-section, i'll be in the hospital for 4 days straight.  i had a c-section with Aislynn, however, it was very much unplanned, and Jr was back and forth between our home and the hospital the entire time, unfortunately.  the only thing i want him leaving the hospital for is possibly some Banana Pudding from Buc-ee's. =P

Mommy's Bag:

-  insurance card
- per-registration forms ( i turned these in when i first found out i was preggo.)

- folder to place paperwork

- boppy pillow

- make up

- deodorant

- lotion

- shampoo + conditioner

- dry shampoo

- face cleanser

- facial cleanser wipes

- tooth paste/brush

- dental floss

- hair brush

- maternity clothes to leave hospital

- loofah

- body wash/soap

- sandals or crocs (for shower)

- nursing bras (2)

- nursing cream

- nursing pads

- nursing cover

- glasses or contacts

- parachute undies 

- extra sanitary pads  (size large. ha!)

- q-tips

- slippers w/tread

- baby book (to stamp the little footsies)

- camera (2)

- perfume/body spray

- robe

- comfy hospital gown/top

- hair clip/tie

- bandana (because i always wear them to keep my bangs out of my face)

- chapstick

-  sleeping mask (because y'all convinced me)

Bella's Bag:

- Infant car seat and infant head support- You will not be allowed to leave the hospital without one; make sure you bring the instructions.

- car seat cover

- Going-home outfit

- hospital stay outfits- again, i'll be staying for 4 days, and i want Little Miss to look fab, so packed some extra cute onesies. (make sure they have the bottom snaps for easy diaper/clothing changes)

- Hat- Babies lose the vast majority of their body heat through their heads.

- Booties/socks

- Receiving blankets- Newborns love to be swaddled, and these blankets are perfect for swaddling. For the summer months, i registered for these snazzy things, and oh my! they are wonderful, and i haven't even used them yet! http://www.target.com/p/aden-anais-for-target-jillaroo-swaddle-wraps-4pk/-/A-11219608#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink

- Newborn diapers- If they do not have the umbilical cord area cut out, make sure you fold them down.

- Wipes- Begin with the wipes that are designed for newborns or sensitive skin. my hospital, personally, does not carry actual wipes, but rather some type of towelettes that you are supposed to wash and use... yeah, no. WIPES and lots of them!

- Butt Paste -- this stuff is ah-mazing for diaper rash!

- Mittens - Many newborns will have longer nails, so they can easily scratch their face and other parts of their bodies.

- Pacifiers

 Daddy's Bag:

- 4 changes of clothes
- pajamas
- toiletries
- shoes/ slippers (for comfort)
- pillow
-blanket
- glasses/contacts/solution
- cash/quarters for vending machines
- phone charger
- (list of people to contact once baby makes his/her debut. as well as hospital address and room number.)

Aislynn's Bag/Sibling Bag:

-  5 changes of clothes
- toiletries
- stuffed animal
- blanket
- entertainment bag (so she doesn't drive LaLa and grandpa crazy. ha!)
^^ books, movies, puzzles, coloring books^^
- extra cash for whatever

(ignore the 20 year old stickers... too lazy to take them off. lol)


andddd, there ya have it! the Ayala's are rollin' deep, BUT i'm sure they have seen worse... at least that's what i keep telling myself. ha!

faith & love, 

casey

37 weeks.

i.am.tired.
tired of being pregnant.
and i feel like complaining... well, there's more to come of it, unfortunately.
ha!

my abdomen is super hard and achy all.day.long.
and when she moves, i wanna puke what very little i have eaten.
my back is killing me.
and contractions are getting stronger... today, i've had more than i normally have in an entire week... or so it seems. they are pretty consistent for about an hour, and then they stop... of course, right?  and then... a couple of hours later, they start up again... like now, for instance.  its teasing me, but this week would be the perfect week for her to come... my dad is in town, and next week, he won't be, unfortunately. =(  plus, her nursery is pretty much ready minus minor decorative goodies. =]

although i've read/heard most 2nd (and on) babies do NOT drop, i can tell she's further engaged into my pelvis. the pressure down below is errr uncomfortable, but when she gets to moving, i become paralyzed. sometimes, it even hurts to walk, and lots of the times, i wonder how on earth i made it to the restroom accident free.

-- speaking of... i'm in the restroom, now, about twice an hour... it would probably be more frequent, however mama is very determined to get some kind of rest before Bella Boo arrives, so i hold it until i dream of myself actually taking a tinkle...  we've all had that dream, no?  =P


now, for positive polly!

my 2nd glucose test came back... ahhhh... NORMAL! PRAISE GOD!  i was a worried mess.  it was a hard hard 3 days.  i've had an amazing pregnancy health wise, and have worked very hard to maintain a below 20lb weight gain (which, btw. i'm at 19, now. lol).  it would have killed me to have had any other test results, and then would have killed me to have to wait until they tested her.  but God is great, and i was literally in tears when i heard the good news!  now, i pray for a healthy ride out of Preggersville, and a healthy delivery!

my very last doctor's appointment is next Wednesday!  cuh-razy!  never thought i'd see the day!
then the following friday, i'm off for pre-op blood work, AND if Bella Boo hangs on long enough, she'll be here Monday July 2, no later than 2pm. <3<3<3 

EEEEK!!!! 


so aside from my "normal" preggo complaints... i can't really describe how i feel, right now.  so anxious, so thankful, so humbled, SO SO much LOVE just waiting to be shared!

37 Weeks:

How far along? 37 weeks & 5 days
Maternity clothes? proud to say i'm wearing the exact same clothes i wore 5-6 months ago. =]

Stretch marks? YES! I have 2 that have multiplied to 4 which are about 1/4 of a inch long. =(

Sleep: i nap during the day... thank you, God!

Best moment this week: a normal glucose read!

Miss Anything? yeah, my smaller waist. ha!

Movement: very much... i'm actually beginning to think she has bruised my top rib. =(

Food cravings: i just want apple juice... all day, everyday.

Anything making you queasy or sick: lots... i feel nauseated about 85% of the day.

 Have you started to show yet: that ship has sailed. i can't imagine my stomach getting any bigger. i really can't.

Gender: Princess
Labor Signs: Geez... yes! 
Belly Button in or out?  umm... unfortunately, its about half and half at this point. yuck. lol
Wedding rings on or off? very much on... and no struggle to remove it, either! happy camper, i am!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! EXCITED!!

Looking forward to: the end of this chapter. =P

Size of Baby: That is yet to be determined.... worried she won't fit into her cute newborn clothes that i worked sooo hard to pick out. we'll see!

ps. hospital bag post will be up, tomorrow! =D

pps. this will be my 2nd to last PREGGO post. 

Weeee!

faith & love, 

casey

36 weeks

as of Sunday, I am FINALLY  full term... therefore able to breathe just a tiny bit... figuratively, of course. ha! this week has been tough... the toughest yet.

i'm exhausted. literally drained. i know a lot of it has to do with this crazy Houston heat, and the major loss of appetite, but i can honestly say, all i want to do is sleep, and then sleep some more.  i feel like a big fat grizzly bear confused by the season.  i don't feel up to doing anything.  anything. 

i've been feeling lots of pressure down below, however my last doctor's appointment on Wednesday revealed that i am zero percent dilated and have not thinned.  although, anxious for her to come, that was sort of a relief, simply because we still have a few things to get things done around the house.  nothing crazy major, but we would like to be able to sit and relax and fully enjoy our time with her once she gets here without worrying about walking around boxes, or the house not being clean, or the clothes not being washed.  we still have to organize Aislynn's room, and then clear out the clutter in ours to make room for the cradle and various other odds and in's. other than the clothes being washed and done, everything else is being left to finish tomorrow, after breakfast and a movie for the hubby, which i really hope i am up for.  we're super late and all that jazz, but The Avengers is on the itinerary. =P

all of her clothes/blankets/bibs and so forth have been washed, hung up, folded, and her bag is fully packed.  Aislynn's bag is packed, and mine is packed minus the few "last minute" emergency items such as my make-up and possibly my shampoo (because i know the hospital doesn't have shampoo made specifically for bleached hair, and those little travel sized bottles last me literally 2 washes because i have so much hair).  i'm REALLY hoping to do a hospital bag post, because although i searched high and low for the "perfect" list, there were still quite a few things i thought could have been added.  i also made a "daddy list" as well. so, hoping to share that with you guys, this upcoming week.

i think partly to being so drained, i'm probably more sad than anything.  i've been pregnant for what seems like forever, and if she decides to wait, on Monday, exactly 2 weeks from then, we will see her beautiful little face.  its so surreal, and we are beyond excited, however, there is that sense of, "i will never be THIS close to her ever again", and that breaks my heart a little.  we've had such an amazing experience together, and we've bonded the most we'll ever bond.  then, i think of Aislynn, and much and how fast she has grown, and i can't wait to experience the same with Bella.  i can't wait for Aislynn to experience the "big sister" role.  and i can't wait for Jr to experience the overload of hormones. ha!

its gonna be epic.

36 Weeks:

no picture.
i am horrible, i know.

faith & love,
casey