That means Dexter could arrive at any time!
I'm so excited! I am so not ready yet! I was thinking I had a few weeks left but it sounds like Dexter is going to meet us earlier than the due date! Oh my goodness, what a kick in the butt to get things ready!
I guess first thing is to put together a hospital bag. I need to wash some baby clothes so they smell more like mom & dad. What to pack? I found a couple of super helpful lists online from Parents.com & a blog: Life With My Littles (along with some other helpful ideas to prep for baby!) I also got a list from my doctor. Here's my list of what I decided to bring:
Basics:
- Picture ID
- Insurance Card
- Advanced Directive
- Birth Plan
- Vitamin list (& vitamins)
- Call list
- Chargers (phone, nook)
For baby:
- Diapers & wipes
- Car seat & blanket
- Bottomless gowns
- Burp rags
- Receiving blankets (though the hospital may have some too)
- Baby beanies
- A picture out fit
- Socks
For mom:
- Toiletries: toothbrush, hair brush, deodorant, hair ties, lip balm, emery board
- Sweatshirt
- Slippers / socks
- Gifts / thank yous for doctors & nurses
- Entertainment devices (nook)
- Snacks & gum
- Nursing bra / shirt / tank top
- Nursing pillow
- Nursing pads?
- Pump
- Extra fabric bag for things acquired at the hospital (gifts / hand outs)
- Flip flops
- Baby's memory book
- A pillow from home
- "Baby folder" for the papers from the hospital
- A laundry bag
- Music device (with music!)
For dad:
- Toiletries: toothbrush, hair brush, deodorant
- Snacks & gum
- A couple of changes of clothes
Oh, next I should really write out that birth plan so it can be packed and on hand! I got a birth plan check list from WIC & I found this blog, Earth Mama, that has a whole bunch of points to check and then a pdf file can be downloaded for free! Just Mommies also has a similar birth plan creator that makes it easy to simply select what you want & print it out.
Find a pediatrician.... WIC sent me a letter saying that they had picked out a doctor for us. I don't really like that. I want a say in where I take my child. My doctors gave me a list of pediatricians that work with the hospital I'm going to deliver my son at. I have to make some calls, but I hope to be switching to one of their offices.
I still need to pick up the things Dexter still needs! Oh my gosh! I still need some things: bed covers, nursing gear, a baby sling, diaper gear... I'm sure I'm forgetting other things too...
What about birth announcements? Should I pick those out now?
What the hell am I supposed to expect for the labor process? I've never done this before! This is all brand spankin new to me! I've been avoiding really looking into it because I'm scared that it's 'the most painful pain that I'll ever be in, in my whole life.' I want to see and read more birth experiences first, before I dive into it my self! Wait, Dexter, I'm not ready yet!
Calm down. Breath. Be excited! :)
We're going to get to meet little Dexter soon & everything is going to be great!
