What Was in Our Hospital Bag

I remember vividly being 30-something weeks pregnant and anxious at the thought of packing our hospital bags.  Don't get me wrong- I was beyond excited.  I was worried about knowing what to pack and being without something once we were there  (never mind that we live 11 minutes from the hospital!), so I stalked list upon list upon list of labor bag items.  I think we did a pretty good job packing, and I had meant to blog our packing list.  Well, that never happened.  But, actually, this works better-now that we are on the other side, I can tell you what we took, used, and never needed.

Keep in mind that every hospital is different, and that yours may provide items that ours did not or vice versa.  We took the birthing and breastfeeding classes at our hospital, as well as the hospital tour, to get a better idea of what we needed. To read my birth story, click here.  I did not attempt a natural birth.  I like drugs.

First things first-I wrote down every single thing we were packing so that I could check it off as it went into the bag.  Also, there were some things we couldn't grab until the last minute because, lets face it-I wasn't going any length of time without curled hair or makeup, canIgetanAmen.

• Toiletries- we traveled quite a bit this year between vacations, family visits, and business trips, so I keep our travel toiletries ready to go all the time.  Saves a lot of time!  Daniel has his own man bag.
• 3 Ironed Shirts- You are going to take pictures and these pictures will be in your kids wedding slideshow one day.  Don't shlep.
• 3 pairs underwear, socks, undershirts
• Extra Jeans (assuming he would have a pair on when we went to the hospital)

I loved what I planned to wear in the days following Lillie Kate's birth while we were hanging out at the hospital.  I wanted out of that gown as soon as she was out and I never looked back.

•  All of your important stuff, aka whatever is in your wallet.  We pre-registered at the hospital, so I never needed it, but it was nice to have it in case.
• 2 nursing tanks
• 1-2 sleep nursing bras (no underwire, I found mine at Walmart)
• 2 robes (this was awesome and made nursing so much friendlier!)
• 2 pajama pants or sweat pants (big size.  I got XXL Old Navy sweats and love them still!)
• 1 regular nursing bra
• Toiletries (shampoo, etc)
• Maxi Pads- Did not use (I preferred the jumbo hospital ones and the newborn dipe filled with ice on my crotch)
• Sports Bra- Did not use (was for laboring in the tub, which I did not do) (and I need to use a bra because I haven't worn a bikini since I was a toddler when chubby bellies were cute)
• 3 pairs socks
• Slippers- Did not use
• 3 pairs Granny Panties- Did not use (Again, I preferred the hospital ones! Held the pads better)
• Nipple cream and nursing pads- Did not use either
• Zip Hoodie- Did not use (those hormones are going to make you wake up in a pile of sweat at 2am. Robe was plenty!)
• Coming Home Outfit- Again, pictures.  Look cute.  You can ditch it all as soon as you get home. Just make sure it FITS your pregnant belly because you will still look it.

(all of her items were in my diaper bag so I knew where they were)

•  Going Home Outfit- Pictures.  Make it cute.
• Nail File- Did not use.  Most hospitals won't give you nail clippers and you always hear about babies scratching themselves.  Their nails are like paper, not matter how long they are.  Bite them if you have to but otherwise, you probably don't need to touch them.
• 2 Cloth diapers (Only used one coming home)
• Wetbag- for dirty dipes, didn't use
• 3 Headbands with bows-yes, used them all!
• 2 hats- didn't use. Used the hospital "just born" one and then shoved a headband on her
• Socks- didn't use.  She was swaddled 24/7
• Scratch Mittens- Didn't use, swaddled 24/7.  Our lactation consultant said not to use them because babies need to root and want their hands.
• 2 Newborn Outfits- we brought onesies with leggings
• Burp Cloths- still don't use them
• 2 receiving blankets- cuter than the hospital ones
• Muslin Swaddles- are the best.
• Nursing Cover- never used.  When you don't have visitors, let em jangle and if you do have visitors, kick them out.

• Boppy- never used.  The nurses hooked me up with 5000 pillows.  It didn't fit around my waist anyway.
• Pillows for Mom and Dad with colored pillow cases- the hospitals are plastic, no joke. Colored cases so they don't get confused with the white ones from the hospital.
• Hard Candy, for labor- my breath was awful
• Vending machine quarters- mostly for Dad, Mom gets hospital food (which was phenom).  Our hospital also had snacks for moms and dads 24/7 like pudding and graham crackers and pop.  We brought $5 and it wasn't enough for Daniel to get the soda he wanted every day! Bring $10.
•  Hand Sanitizer- Um, it's a hospital.  It's everywhere. Didn't use it. I mean, we used it, just not our own!
• Tic tacs- Daniel loves them
• Video Camera- can you believe we never used it!  We used our phones.
• File folder (you know, the kind with the little rubberband at the bottom) for all the paperwork they give you for baby and to hold your birth plan-which we never really pulled out despite being told in the class that we needed one.
• Notebook-for keeping track of notes during labor and memories
• Thank you cards- for nurses and people who bring you gifts (ya, we got one gift don't bank on it).
• Laptop with labor music- we totally forgot, didn't use
• Exercise ball to labor on- no way in heck I was getting back on it after back labor.  We brought it in the house after being sent home the first time and never put it back in the car.

Keep this list by the door or on your hallway entry table so you don't forget it all!

• Makeup (I am so vain, I know)
• Hair Dryer-Actually, I didn't take mine because I saw they had them in the bathrooms like a hotel.  Wish I would have taken it, because I felt like someone was blowing on my hair with their mouth it was so weak.
• Curling Iron
• Camera
• Chargers for phones and cameras
• Gifts for nurses- I baked cookies ahead of time and left them in the freezer
• Sparkling grape juice and cups to celebrate!

Honestly, we were so busy with all of the "new baby" things (like lactation consultants, etc), that we really didn't have a lot of time for anything extra.  I don't even really remember watching TV that much.  We didn't have very many visitors, and I still felt like we had 1000.  Let people visit later when you are home, other than your family of course.  Nurse, nurse, nurse, and love every minute of your new family.

I asked my husband for any advice- all he said was "Mo money".

My tip- take anything not bolted down and ask for extras of everything- even peri bottles.  I know, I sound like total trash.  But, you're paying for it.  Take the newborn dipes, even if you are going to cloth diaper. Ask for extra tuck pads, mesh panties, and hemorrhoid cream. Take the newborn kimono shirts that magically start piling up in your room from the nursery when they come get your baby at 1am every night to weigh them (don't worry, they come right back).

Good luck if you're almost there, and shout out to Amy Jo @ Not too Comfortable for the request!  Praying for you girl!

One Month Update

You are currently closer to being two months than one, so I had better get this up, eh?

 

Weight:  9lbs 14oz

Length:  21.5 inches

You love:

• Taking Baths
• Nursing
• Cuddling
• Swaddles
• Your hands by your face, just like when you were inside Mommy
• Having your head rubbed
• Holding your head up (you have freakishly amazing neck control)
• Sleeping (you have always been such a great sleeper! You get up every 3 hours to nurse and go right back to sleep, sometimes on your own)
• Your Daddy.  Wow, do you love your Daddy!  Sometimes I think you love Daddy more than Mommy!
• Smiling (you did it for the first time between 3 and 4 weeks at your Daddy and he cried.  And no matter what anyone says, yes, it was real and no, it wasn't gas.  You've been smiling every since!) 
• Farting!  Your farts are so loud.  Louder than Daddy's (but not Mommy's!).  You threw me under the bus at the OB's office and waited to toot until I was bending over and everyone in the waiting room thought it was me.  And I did the whole, "Oh my gosh, I swear that was my baby".  And they did the whole "mmmhmm". Thanks for that.

You Hate:

• Your car seat
• Socks and Blankets covering your feet
•  Hats
• Being wet or dirty
• Slow milk.  You like to yell at Mommy's yayas if it's not coming out fast enough.

We think you are a pretty good mix of the two of us.  Daddy's eyes, feet, ears, and skin, and Mommy's nose, lips, hands, and hair.  We can't wait to hear you talk and see your personality more.  I think you are a sweet, sweet little girl.  We know you are so smart- you watch us and imitate us all the time!  Mommy's prayer is that you are humble.

We brought you home in cloth diapers and we love it more than we could have ever imagined!  It is so fun that sometimes your Daddy and I fight over who gets to change you.  He even likes to help stuff diapers, but I don't like it when he helps.  I like to do it!  You fit into your newborn prefolds until you were 4 weeks old, and we finally decided to pack them away when your Daddy yelled "these don't contain her thighs anymore!".  Now you fit into your one size pockets, but we still use some bigger prefolds.  I think it's an emotional thing.  (I will do a diaper update later).

We spent a lot of time texting and calling Nurse Kathy, aka Nana, to see if what you were doing was normal and okay.  We worry all the time!  But you are perfect, and know exactly how to grow. 

You and I, dear one, battled yeast the last 2 weeks of the month, but we have finally kicked it and have been smooth sailing ever since.  We were at appointments with either your doctor or mine every week, but it was worth it.

You have had lots of visitors and everyone absolutely loves you!  Your cousin is obsessed with you and can't wait to play with you when you get older.  Nana and Pop came to visit and made you your first Halloween costume.  You were a pea pod and Mommy and Daddy were farmers!  We ate your candy.  Sorry.  Not sorry.

For your one month birthday, we had a little party and I made the 3 of us chocolate chip cupcakes. You I blew out a candle.  You fell asleep from all the excitement and had your cupcake the next day... via milk.  Don't worry, you will have many many parties and lots of candles to blow out one day.  Mommy and Daddy are already planning your first real birthday so we can make it extra special!

This has been the best month of our lives, Lillie Girl.  You have made us laugh and cry tears of joy every single day.  You make us wonder how people can say this is the hardest month- you are such a lovely girl.  We know every baby is different and are thankful we hit the jackpot with you!  We love you more than you know and are so unbelievably grateful that you are the one we wake up to each morning.  You are our treasure, sweet girl!

Lillian's Birth Story

The Friday night before Lillian was born we were up pretty late.  We had been over at my in-laws for dinner and chatting because my husband's best friend and his wife were in town for their baby shower.  We got home around midnight, but we didn't get to bed until around 2am because I had raging heartburn and our dog had been home alone for hours and needed some play time.

I woke up at 3am with strong contractions.  Up until this point, I hadn't had contractions since week 38ish.  The last two weeks of my pregnancy were pretty uneventful and I kept thinking she was never going to come-almost like a lost package in the mail.  Somehow my hormones prevented me from realizing that was obviously not true and she would, indeed, come out.  I started to time my contractions, but I figured this wasn't it.  They had scheduled me for an induction the following Monday, and while that certainly was never my first choice of how she was going to come into this world, I had accepted it and moved on and was excited to finally meet my girl on Monday.
Come 4 am, I had had contractions for a solid hour, 5 minutes apart, lasting at least 1 minute.  Hello, first time baby = we don't know any better-that means go time!  We took the birthing class at the hospital we delivered at, and that's what our instructor said to do. So, I got up, showered, shaved my legs, curled my hair and put on some makeup through contractions (I know, ridiculous).  I had vacuumed Friday because I was certain "no baby of mine was coming home to a house without carpet lines", so Daniel did some light clean up so that we weren't coming home from the hospital with a newborn to a messy house.

We got to the hospital right at shift change, about 6:45.  We were put in triage and I was "checked"- 90% effaced and 2 cm.  I has been 2cm and 80% at my doctor's appointment that week. I had an hour to make cervical change and if so, we'd be admitted.  After an hour, I had made it to a 3 and was fully effaced, so the nurse exclaimed, "we are having a baby today" and that she was going to let the OB on call know and prep our room.
I was in tears from excitement.  I couldn't believe the day had come and was so grateful my body decided to do this without having to be induced.  I called my Mom and let her know her grandbaby was coming today and that we'd call back later with updates.
The nurse quickly returned, obviously frustrated.  The OB wanted me to make more progress than what I had done and then she'd decide after if it was time to admit us.  I had another hour to make cervical progress.  We walked the halls for a good hour and a half and my contractions got far more intense (so I thought at the time, how ignorant I was!) and were 4 minutes apart.  We went back in to the room to be rechecked, and I thought surely things had moved along.  No. No change.  We had to go home.  We got in the car and I called my mom in tears.  All of my excitement had turned into fear, because I didn't know when we were supposed to come back if my contractions were already 4 minutes apart.  In my hormonal state I completely took us being sent home as personal, so I started crying even harder because I thought the people at the hospital just didn't like me and didn't want to help me.  I mean, what?  Am I too ugly?  Too fat?  You think my baby is going to be ugly? 

By this time it was about 11:30 and we went and ate some Planet Sub for lunch.  We returned home, having decided we would return to the hospital at 3pm for another check (as our nurse suggested) as long as my contractions didn't stop.  I did everything they told me- relaxed, changed positions often, walked, got on my exercise ball, etc.  My contractions stayed at 4 minutes, with a 3-minute one peppered in every once in a while.  They were getting more intense, so off the hospital we went at 3.
Triage.  No change.

We were assigned an -ahem- rather inexperienced nurse who couldn't attach my monitors to find Lillie Kate's heartbeat or my contractions.  She seemed to also be rather confused as to the anatomy of my nether regions, because she was stabbing my crotch in the wrong places trying to find "where to check me" if you catch my drift.  She said I was still where I was this morning and had an hour to make cervical change again.
So, off we go through the halls.  By this time, my contractions were 3 minutes apart and I couldn't walk, talk, or do anything through them.  Sounds good, right?
No.  We get back to be checked again before shift change at 6:45 and I was apparently "less dilated and effaced" than I had been that morning and at my doctor's appointment that week. I didn't know that was possible, but whatever.  Because they couldn't get the monitor to pick up my contractions, neither her or the night nurse coming on believed me when I was having contractions and they sent us home again.  They gave me some pill that was supposed to "calm down my uterus so that I could get some sleep", which I didn't want to take but by that time, if I could really sleep, I didn't care.  I could deal with what the next day brought when it came.  Contractions kept coming closer and closer together, and by the time we were home at 9pm, they were 2 minutes apart, growing constant with no breaks, and I was in back labor.

Okay, I always thought back labor sounded easier than having normal labor pains up front.
Wrong.
There are no words to describe back labor.  None.  I had no breaks in between contractions, just constant pain.  I tried all of the things they told me to do to cope with the pain, but I felt like someone had sledge-hammered my entire pelvis and any time I moved it, it was breaking all over again.  I showered, completely over having makeup or curled hair for my baby girl.

I remember being at my lowest point, sitting on the toilet because I couldn't figure out what else to do, bawling, begging Daniel to just help me.  I felt like destitute.  I felt like I was in need and no one wanted to help and my poor husband was almost in tears from helplessness.  Finally Daniel called the OB, and she called back saying we were welcome to come back in but if I didn't make more change in an hour she'd be sending us back home.  This is getting personal and if she delivers my baby, she is getting pooped on.  I will make it happen.

So, we made it back to the hospital and there is some freak woman in triage who was throwing a fit because she was 20 weeks, had an ear infection, her baby was completely fine and she wanted to be admitted so she could get IV pain meds.
For an ear infection, people.
Obviously this is not going to happen for her.  So, she requested to see every single nurse, charge nurse, the on call OB-evvvvveryone- to chew them out and call them names I won't repeat (okay, so I may have liked her calling the OB xyz since this doctor obviously hated us and wouldn't let us stay.  I'm human, get over it).  Since she was doing this, no nurses were available to hook me up and check to see if my cervix was on board.

So, imagine this lady yelling over an ear ache, whilst Daniel and I are on the other side of the curtain moaning, crying, breathing, and making noises I didn't know I could make from pain.  Finally, someone came in for us.  I remember telling the nurse that she'd have to hook these monitors up on me while I was standing because I couldn't move my pelvis enough to get in the bed.  I looked up once she was done and my contractions were constant.  No waves.  Me:  Wow!  This baby must be coming asap!  Because, you know, I always hear babies come when your contractions are that close together.

I somehow made it into the bed to get checked and I was barely a 4.  As in, maybe 3.5.
That's it.  Throw me down the stairs and kill me because I am done with life.  I just knew we were on our way back home again. Then, some blessed, blessed woman took pity on us, said we had had enough and she was sneaking us into a room so I could get some Demerol and rest.  Every time a nurse came into my room, she had to tell them not to tell the OB I was there so that I didn't get kicked out.  I didn't think the Demerol did anything, but I think I was in and out of it.  I had been in the room for maybe 20 minutes and, at 11:30, my water broke.  Hallelujah!  Can't send me home now, suckas.

The pain got slightly worse, but I think I was in so much pain at that point that I couldn't distinguish a difference.  My epidural was in by 12 and working by 12:15 and Helloooooo sweet relief.  I must have had the most perfect epidural of all time, because I could move everything, lift my legs and butt, but felt no pain.  The relief was so great that I was super loopy (or maybe it was the Demerol)- doing the "hump day" Geico commercial, telling Daniel his sister was swimming with sharks and we needed to save her, quoting Cinderella and begging my nurse to curl my hair.  I was terrified of the catheter and kept bugging the nurse to ask if she had taped it "real gooood" to my leg or if it had been ripped out.  I am still scrubbing tape residue off my leg 4 weeks later.

We got some rest for about an hour or so, but Daniel's snoring woke me up and I remember thinking, if I am not sleeping, neither is he.  I tried yelling to wake him up for 10 minutes, but it didn't work and I finally had to get my nurse to come in and wake him up for me.  He jumped up to my side, concerned the baby was coming.
I need you to get me my makeup and hold up my compact so I can put it on.
At 2:45 am.
Despite my begging for someone to curl my hair, it didn't happen.  We hung out until about 7 when shift change happened and I was rechecked and at 9cm.  The monitor was only picking up contractions every 7-8 minutes and they were very weak, so they were concerned I'd need some pitocin.  I didn't- somehow everything was doing what it needed to be doing.  The OB kept saying she just didn't understand what my body was doing.  Me neither, lady, but get ready to get pooped on (Actually, I really liked her and she was super sweet during delivery) (and I didn't poop or fart during delivery.  Three cheers for me).
The nurse prepped everything around 7:45 for me to "practice" push while she stretched out my perineum, and Lillian was crowning after 2 pushes.  The OB and some other nurses rushed to set everything up, and I only had to push through 2 more contractions, but since they were so far apart we had to wait for them.

And then it happened.  Sunday, October 20th, at 8:23 in the morning. She was born, and we saw her.

 

Her hair, her face, her arms, tummy, and legs.  She cried right away, and stopped as soon as she was on my chest.  She was perfect.  We held her and we bawled our eyes out, and I thought My Lord, sweet Savior.  He has redeemed our brokenness and walked us through it all.  He used our trials to teach us so much, and we finally were able to see, touch, smell the dream of our daughter.  He watched and formed this little girl for all this time, gave her Daniel's eyes and my nose and lips. He provided for her and protected her from so much already.  So undeserving, I thought, of such joy and love for this little girl, to get to be her Mommy and enjoy all the ups and downs of parenting.  To get to wake up in the middle of the night to feed her, to lose sleeping worrying about her skinned knee or her knowledge of Christ and His Resurrection.  To get to see parts of ourselves in her and know she is ours for always.

Lillie Kate, our sweet girl, you are a dream.  Such a sweet baby you are.  We are absolutely in love with you and are so grateful you are ours.  We pray for you every single day that you will grow up healthy and happy, that we will be a close family, and that above all you will find your identity in Christ.  Life will be hard for you, no doubt in that, but we will be there for you every step of the way.
We love you, sweet girl!

Sweet Baby

Lillian Kathleen Gibson

Born October 20, 2013, 8:23 am

7lbs 14oz, 20.5 in long

We are in love!

Updates coming soon!

39 Weeks

Today we are 40 weeks along and have hit the due date-and I completely forgot to post our 39 week update yesterday!

Our 40-week OB appointment was actually at 39 weeks and 6 days.  Everyone was so surprised to see us!  Our doctors were sure I'd not make it this far.  They aren't sure how much lower the baby could get without falling out!  She must be holding on for dear life in there.  I am 2 cm dilated (still) and 75% effaced (still) and "super soft", whatever that means.  My mucus plug started to come out Sunday afternoon and is completely gone now.  When the doctor checked me, she said she could feel the baby's hair!  I clearly know I am having a child and will be caring for a little baby girl any day now.  But all the ultrasounds, the kicks-it's all like a dream to me.  I still feel completely normal and comfortable, almost forgetting I am pregnant sometimes, so maybe that's part of it.  But when she said she could feel hair, I had to physically stop myself from saying, "Um, there is a BABY IN THERE?!!?"  I still can't believe this is happening to us.  We deserve so little and yet are blessed not because of what we deserve but because our Lord is so gracious and good.  It blows my mind.

I haven't been having a lot of contractions since 38 weeks.  I had quite a few yesterday and thought maybe if they could stick around, it may have been the Big Day.  They fizzled out.  I walked way too much yesterday trying to get her out, and all it got me was feeling like my pelvis was broken in half and needing help to roll all of this acreage over in bed.  We have an induction scheduled for Monday the 21st if she doesn't come before then, which is fine by me.  I hear there is a full moon this weekend, so hoping old wives tales work in my favor and she is here by the end of it.

This week I kind of hit a new emotional level regarding parenting and being a mother.  I can tell my hormones are in high gear and making me emotional, but there was just this sense of arrival I had over the weekend.  We started a new series in Ephesians at church recently, and it is so, so good.  With this baby coming, and really understanding (but not really-I mean no one will until we are face to face with Jesus!) and hearing of the assurance we have in Christ and the inheritance we are as his people-I don't know.  It hit me hard.  I think of this little girl, how much we already treasure her so.  I can think of nothing I wouldn't do for her, to protect her, to teach her, to make her know my love for her and make her understand one day how much we wanted her for so long-all of those emotions, I know the Lord has for his children and he has for me and for her.  I so often tell myself I am not worthy of being loved that way, but then I think of her and how much I love her already, and I start to see a glimpse of what that love is like.  To know Christ as the Lord's Son, to know he traded Him for me in Christ's death, as an inheritance, just leaves me in a place I am unfamiliar with.  Knowing parenting will be the hardest thing we will do, but also knowing it will teach us these kinds of lessons brings me to tears.  I cannot wait for this little girl to be here.

Nursery Tour

The nursery is finally done and we are anxiously waiting for baby!  It took us a few months, but we wanted so save some money by making things ourselves or refurbing other items.  We wanted the nursery to be elegant and simple and a happy place for us all to be.  I am thrilled by how it came together!

 

 Dresser-Craigslist Refurb $50

Shelf-Sonoma Entryway Shelf

Bulletin Board (for art, pictures, whatev):  Thrift Refurb $4

Baskets (one has bows, one swaddles)- Walmart, $5

Wire Basket (Cloth Wipe supplies/Diaper cream)- Goodwill $2

 

Contoured Changing Pad Cover- Tutorial

 

Window- Thrifted, painted white (it was brown) $20

Wreath- Goodwill $2

Bedding- I made them from these tutorials:

Bumper-Directions on package (Joann Fabric sells a bumper kit, by the foam pads)

Crib Sheet

Bed Skirt

Quilt

Fabrics from Walmart (Bows), Etsy, and Fabric.com

 

Bookshelf-Nebraska Furniture Mart (It was damaged so we got it discounted)

Frames:  TJ Maxx, various

Mirror- Had it, spray painted (was brown)

Vase-TJ Maxx $4

Flower-Hobby Lobby $3

Frame/Print- Michaels, $4 (I made the print and glittered the frame)

Mercury Lamp- TJ Maxx $20 Clearance

Frame- Michaels $10, spray painted silver (for coming home outfit)

Chair-Nebraska Furniture Mart

Ottoman- Thrifted and reupholstered $38 (including upholstery fabric)

Sign- $12, Tutorial Here

White bins, top- Aldi, $5 for two

Brown basket-Goodwill $3

Tan Bins (center)- Target, ITSO Medium Fabric Drawer, $6 each

Clothing Dividers-$1 Hobby Lobby (O's painted with silver spray paint from the mirror/frame)

Wainscoting around room-Tutorial here

The only thing missing is our little Girl!  

Comment with any questions and I will do my best to get back with a reply.

38 Weeks

I vowed to get this up on time.  Yes!  Very surreal getting to the point where she might be here before I can get a weekly picture or blog post done.  Great motivation!

Week 38 was a game changer!  We had our weekly appointment on day 1 of week 38 and the doctor said I was at a 1 and close to a 2, 50% effaced.  I have a "beautiful cervix"- well, thanks!  That's a new one for me.  Apparently it's softer than most first time moms'?  I don't know this game.  Never played before.  I asked about how "late" I would be allowed to go if Little Miss didn't decide to come on time because I had to change doctors mid pregnancy and wasn't sure if this was a doctor preference or office/hospital policy.

Answer:  You would be induced between 40 and 41 weeks after a NST and biophysical profile.  I doubt you will make it to 40 weeks.

WHHAAAT?!

I have been pretty prepared all pregnancy to work diligently and get things ready, knowing I am not guaranteed 40 weeks of prep time.  I know more first time moms that went early than late, and while I don't know when she will come nor do I care if she is early (at this point) or late, hearing it from the doctor is a little shocking!!

Contractions are still happening almost every night and getting more intense.  It doesn't really help with the whole sleep issue, but I honestly love feeling them.  I know we are both working hard in there to get ready for the big day and it is such a relief.  I was telling Daniel last week that sometimes I just wish she would come out because I don't trust that my body can do what it's supposed to do and take care of her.  After that past 2 years, it's been hard to have faith in my body and trust it (which is silly, but whatever).  I often think she would just be safer out at this point than in (again, silly, I know)!  But, I know the Lord will care for us and will work for our good and she will come out when she is ready.  Even though we are having contractions at night, I feel completely normal.  I am hardly uncomfortable and still feel my belly to make sure I am indeed pregnant because I feel so great.  Wanting this baby out has nothing to do with my comfort and everything to do with meeting her!  The anticipation is killing us!

This week we packed the car with the hospital gear and I worked on some sewing projects to pass the time-nothing that needs to be done now or before she comes (or even in the weeks after she is here!).  I picked up some sparkling grape juice to celebrate her after she comes and baked our nurses some chocolate chip cookies (they are in the freezer and ready to go!).  We made a little "Its a Girl" banner for the mantle for when she comes home (and yes, it's already up!) and decorated our front steps with a Daddy, Momma, and baby pumpkin =).  I also did some lesson planning for church so that Daniel and the other people that help with Bible Quiz would have the crafts and materials ready to go. I find myself doing things that I understand "she will not remember", and I know that.  But one day, she will know.  She will know how much we wanted her, how long we waited for her, how much we prayed for her, and how excited we were to bring her home and make her ours.  She will know the joy we have always had for her and the ways we rejoiced over her-and I cannot wait for the day when I can share it all with her.

Week 39 in just 2 days!  Hoping for more progress down there and a little one soon!

Nursery Tour and hospital bag packing lists this week-stay tuned!

36 and 37 Weeks

A look back at 36 and 37 weeks....

These weeks have been a total change physically.  I have noticed that both my pelvis and feet really take a beating during the day and I have a hard time getting comfortable at night and while I "sleep"/coma induce myself with Tylenol PM.  My pelvic floor is sore and sometimes I think I am going to poop that baby out.  Even when things are sore or achy, I love them.  I love being able to see and feel the differences in my body as she grows and her little home in there adapts.  It is so fun!  I have had this random thought throughout my entire pregnancy- every time I go to the bathroom and -ehem- wipe something, I have a mental image of her arm reaching out and grabbing my hand.  It's terrifying and plays in my mind literally every time I go to the bathroom, but I assure you it has yet to happen.  I have never had a problem with swelling this pregnancy (well, except for when we flew to Europe at 20 weeks, but walking fixed it in a day), but if I spend a lot of time on my feet even doing housework or running errands to hoard soap and food for post baby (which happens a lot!), I end the day with chubby toes and wake up in the morning feeling like I have Flintstone feet (the bottoms hurt!).
I wouldn't say that my hands look swollen, but my wedding ring is officially off and not going back on.  I feel like people look at me like I am 16 and pregger, but sorry.  It's too tight!
I have been crazy nesting (like, vacuuming the walls again and wiping down all the doors and baseboards in the house with a Magic Eraser- Oh, and vacuuming out the freezers nobigdeel).  I have been having a ball with it!  I am still feeling sad that this pregnancy is almost over for me, but definitely feeling increasingly excited to finally hold and mother this girl, see the love of my life be a Dad.  I have still been needy emotionally with Daniel, which I am sure he is sick of.  I read in a book sometime ago that women want to be coddled and loved on right before and after they give birth.  I thought that was kind of silly, but it is totally true for me!  He of course has been doing a very good job =)
A new thing for me these weeks has been a little anxiety.  As I have realized how close we are to the birth, I am feeling some fear about actually giving birth.  I know what is going to happen (well, to a point... you know what I mean!) and what the books and blogs tell me to expect.  I think having never done it before and knowing it is going to hurt scares me just a little.  I am sure I will be in good hands and Daniel will be hovering, so it will be okay.  Just can't wait for that gooey baby to get put on my chest and cry our eyes out.  I have had times of almost panic realizing that these are our final days as a twosome.  I know we are about to experience blessings and joy that are completely amazing and that we have been waiting and praying for for years, but knowing such a big change is on the horizon is both exciting and a little terrifying.  I worry I won't be a good Mom, that I will forget to feed her, and that I will leave her somewhere.  No one tells you those pre-wedding nightmares one day turn into pre-baby nightmares!

We completely finished the nursery during week 37 and it feels so wonderful.  I love how it came together and the happiness I feel being in there.  It's just a sweet room. Honestly, I thought I would have had everything done earlier than I did, but it worked out well and kept me busy during these last few weeks. Once I vacuumed it for the final time, I told Daniel I was a little sad I was done and he said "NO.  NO MORE PROJECTS!"  Can't keep a girl from her sewing machine I will tell you that!  We have no bibs, so I bought some fabric for that and I wanted to start on making some Christmas presents for her.  That should help pass the time.
The car seat is installed (with a mirror for me to see her and a shade, of course!) and our hospital bags are packed, minus the "last minute grab items" like my makeup and curling iron (yes, I am vain and will fix myself before pictures!  Judge me #idontcare).  I am working on a hospital bag post now so I will share it soon.

My Group B Strep came back negative (woohoo!) and I am having more and more contractions at night.  They are pretty constant, not rhythmic, so not really timing them yet.  I am going to miss her in my belly, but to see her face- can't help but cry just thinking of it.  Can't wait for this baby girl!

Things to work on during week 38-

• Actually post a time-accurate weekly update (faillll)
• Load hospital bags in the car
• Finish our labor music play list
• Stay on top of laundry and iron all of Daniel's shirts (he really doesn't wear anything besides button up shirts anymore!  sohot)
• Sew some bibs/Christmas Dolls to keep busy
• Fill out (what we can) of Baby Book
• Blog nursery and hospital bag

It's almost time!

DIY Wall Art with Transfer Lettering

 

When we found out we were having a girl, my husband and I decided we wanted to decorate the nursery with hymns.  My husband absolutely loves hymns and is usually either singing or humming one throughout the day.  I wasn't sure how I wanted to actually implement the whole hymns-themed-nursery because I am not a fan of vinyl wall decals and I wanted the room to be elegant (not that vinyl isn't-that's not that I meant.  I just don't like committing to it going directly on the wall!).  I ditched the effort and started doing other things in the room, hoping I would figure out what in the world I wanted to do.

We I finally realized I couldn't put it off anymore and decided I wanted something dimensional in the room that I could personalize. We live in a town that is full of antique stores and malls, and I found this fence remnant for $12.50-

It was in great shape!  I scrubbed off what was left of some bird poop and stained the wood with some stain the previous owners of our house left in the garage (I also used it here).  It took 2 coats-that wood was thirsty! 

After it was soaked in and dried, I sprayed it down with Rustoleum Clear Matte Finish (which smells like coconut!) so that the stain wouldn't bleed through the lettering paint and the nursery wouldn't smell like stain.  I think it retails $3.50 at Home Depot but I had store credit.

 This is what the fence looked like after being stained and sealed:

We picked out "Before the Throne of God Above" as the hymn because it's our all time favorite.  My husband picked out the section if the hymn he wanted me to paint and I printed them off of my computer in pretty fonts, making sure they would fit in each space of wood (which took a few prints).  I used Bodoni in all caps and Janda Stylist Script (they are free downloads).

I cut the words apart and rubbed the back with some sidewalk chalk I had from an end of summer clearance sale a few years ago.  I think I paid a quarter for the whole pack and intended on using them to teach.  Fail.  I guess it works for this, too.  You can buy fancy transfer paper for dark surfaces that works like carbon paper (except it transfers in white instead of black), but I am cheap and I had the chalk.

I taped the words to the wood, making sure they were straight and used a pen to "color in" all of the letters and transfer the chalk etchings to the wood.

I did one section at a time so that my hand didn't rub any chalk off the wood of subsequent words.  I used a tiny angled paint brush and painted over all of the chalk with white trim paint we had leftover from wainscoting and house touch ups.

And done!

My nursing nook =)

 I used fabric from other nursery projects for the bow- it's cotton linen so I spritzed it with a little spray starch and shot it with some steam from my iron.

My biggest concern with this sign was the lettering- I wanted it to look nice, not necessarily hand drawn or written by myself in my handwriting.  I didn't want it to look like a wannabe art project.  I wasn't sure how the chalk transferring would work, but it worked wonderfully!  I used white chalk and white paint, so it wasn't a big deal for the two to mix if I encountered a chalk chunk.  I wouldn't recommend using a colored chalk with white paint- I think it would tint the paint.  Once the paint was dry, I wiped it down with a damp cloth to get rid of any chalk shadowing.

My boob leaked the entire time I painted, my foot fell asleep several times, and there were moments that I couldn't manage to get up off the floor without grunting and using and couch for help, but I think it was worth it.  Waiting for you, baby girl!