what’s in a bag.

ETA: Hi Ladies! Sorry about not answering the comments, as I've been on a bit of a blog break. The grey colored back is from Skip*Hop and the black polka dot bag is from one of those home purse parties, and I cannot for the life of me think of the name and Google has failed me. Thanks for the sweet comments! 

After my experience with Grey (water breaking, very un-expectedly and hastily packing a hospital bag at 4 in the morning) I learned my lesson, be prepared, pack ahead and take some pictures too!

So, want to know what’s in my bag?

Well, I’m going to tell you…

First of all, I pack VERY, VERY light when I have my babies. I have two bags, 1 for baby and 1 for me. They are both average size and filled with only essentials.

First up, the little mans bag.

All those yummy little baby things tucked away neatly into little pockets… I am getting SO excited to meet this little guy!

Lets take a closer look shall we.

The hospital will provide diapers and wipes, baby shampoo etc. But I have my own things that I prefer to use. (don’t worry, of course I’ll load up on the free diapers when we leave)

The little knit cap was the same one both Hunter and Grey wore, so it’s really special to me. The hospital will give this little guy his own hat too, but I love the idea of my boys all wearing the same one.

The hand sanitizer is for quick wash ups after the millions of diaper changes a newborn baby goes through, and of course a quick spritz of their hands when the kids come to visit their new brother.

2 different kinds of soothers. I think we went through about 5 different brands before we found one Grey would take.

The blanket on the bottom (blue with boats) is another receiving blanket that I’m bringing.

It was so hard to choose only 4 outfits to bring, especially since we have no idea how big he’s going to be. (gestational diabetes baby's are usually bigger) But finally after some careful consideration, these are the four I picked.

I am so excited about my baby wipes/washcloths that I made. I hate using cold wet wipes on my new baby. (they usually hate it too… LOL)  I would buy a package of face cloths and just use those for the first 4-6 weeks or so; wet with warm water and wash. But this time around I figured why not make my own. They are double thickness and the exact same size as a wipe, so they fit in a wipes container perfectly. I sewed a simple border all the way around the edges. I know they’re going to fray once they get washed a couple times, but who cares, they wipe up poop for goodness sakes. Anyways, I got to pick adorable fleece fabric prints and they worked out costing the same as the store bought face cloths.

My must haves for a new baby. Nail clippers, comb, Vaseline and a nasal aspirator. (Which actually is an ear aspirator, but the nasal ones suck, no pun intended… this is the BEST baby item you could EVER invest in. I honestly believe it saved Lily’s life… but that’s a whole ‘nuther story)

The Vaseline is perfect to just cover the baby’s bum with after diaper changes, then when they have those nasty meconuim, black tar poops, it just wipes right off, so easy and simple. I love it!

The nasal aspirator is perfect for getting those tiny little boogers out of their tiny little nostrils. Stuffy noses are a thing of the past. Plus sometimes they just don’t suction all that gook and stuff out good enough after delivery (which was Lily’s case, who stopped breathing at 6 days old, luckily we had this aspirator, and we sucked mucous out of her like crazy, thank goodness we had it)

Comb and nail clippers… self explanatory.

Last but not least diapers and undershirts. I packed a handful of newborn diapers, since the hospital uses size 1’s and again, not knowing how big he’s going to be, sometimes the size 1’s are HUGE. So it’s nice to have a couple of smaller diapers on hand. I’m not much of an undershirt Momma, but it could be quite cold here (well, as cold as Sarnia gets in September… haha) so I packed a couple just in case the room is chilly or for coming home.

So that’s baby’s bag. Other than throwing in a plastic bag to bring home the dirty, soiled clothes that’s it. Does it seem like too much to you, or are you going crazy thinking I didn’t pack nearly enough?

Think you can stand another bag tour?

This time it’s mine.

Before I un-pack this and show the world my stuff… might I remind you, there’s gonna be girly stuff in there. I will say bra, there will be maxi pads and guess what, I have no shame in showing you these things. Should I?

So, warned.

Alright, lets start with, quite frankly the best part of my bag tour.

Flip flops for the shower and for walking the halls, or even just chillin’ in my room. Easy to slip on and off. The socks were a gift from my Mom, they are infused with lotion and all sorts of yummy smelling stuff.

The chocolate!!! The Mars bar came all the way from England and is patiently waiting to be consumed by yours truly the second the cord is cut. (that literally is when the diabetes will disappear) Snacks for Daddy if he gets hungry. Also I forgot to take a picture, but I have a zip lock baggie of coins for the vending machine for Darren in case he gets hungry or thirsty.

Okay, no need to explain this stuff, but the reason for the sports bra is for when I get into the birthing tub, so I can at least keep some of my dignity.

My going home outfit is a really, really comfy pair of stretch pants (just in case I end up with a c-section, I don’t want anything pressing against my incision) and a long flowy top. Comfort is key, right.

My after delivery outfit is some fresh new lemon pj’s and a really big white shirt that will make breastfeeding easy.

I’m a germ phobic, so the wipes will help to make sure things are clean and sanitary. (bed rails, phone etc.)

Gum is a MUST during labor and delivery. For you, your hubby and even the nurses. (right Nic!)

Our list of phone number of family and friends who will be looking after our children. So we can call once the little guy gets here.

Pretty basic stuff. Love the travel sized bottles. They take up so much less room and can be easily discarded after. I forgot my toothbrush last time, so I bought a new one this time, while I continue to use my current one. ☺

Last but not least, I have a list that is sitting on my fridge of the few last minute things to grab. They are things I use everyday, so I can’t let them just sit in a bag waiting.

I will keep adding to the list as I remember things.. such as my camera. goof.

And that’s it. Everything you wanted to know about me and more. Whatever right. I’m not the first woman to give birth, and definitely won’t be the last.

I have one other bag packed too, but I’ll spare you those pictures. It has the hospital outfits for the children (they have adorable matching shirts…) Okay, one picture…

Hunter and Grey’s

And Ava and Lily’s

Can’t WAIT to see them wearing these and take pictures of our new family together.

4 more days until BABY!!!

Comments

[Mama (Karen) Carmody]

I would add a couple board books to read to the baby. Yes, I started reading to my children in the hosptital..we actually while they were sitll in the womb but I did take books to the hospital. I wanted my children to love books and reading so I started right away. It was fun too.

[Rebecca]

Great tips! Can you please, please, please tell me who makes the baby's diaper bag and tell me where you got it? It is soooo cute!

[Brittany]

What brand is your diaper bag and your bag!? They are too cute!

[Jill]

So glad I came across your blog! I'm due with #3 in five weeks and really need to get going with my hospital bag - and I love the idea of a bag for baby boy, too. Thanks for sharing!!

[Malauney]

Hey Amy, hope everything went well. Congrats and welcome to baby Finn!!!

[Diana]

Thank you so much for this post. I'm due in less than 6 weeks and I needed advice on what to actually pack. I always overpack and didn't want to take too much.

Best wishes to you! I hope everything goes smoothly!

[Holly]

You are more prepared for this fellow then I have been with all mine combined! I know you'll be great as always!

[Vanessa Paris]

Just sending some good luck wishes and thanks for all the inspiration you give us Mums xx (Mum of 5..GBBBG, first 4 natural, no.5 c-section)

Can't wait to see photos:)

[andrea]

did you make the t-shirts, they're great!!

[amanda]

Exciting!!! Good luck :)

[Julie]

I'm agree with your mum.....how organised you are!! Just love those t-shirts, they're so cute, you've thought of everything.

Hope all goes well, and it wont be too long before you're holding precious baby #5.
Very best wishes to you all.

From a mum of 4 in England

P.S. love following your blog, you truly are an inspiration to those of us who have little to no imagination for all things creative. Thanks once again for sharing. :)

[Mom]

Holy cow....talk about prepared!! I can't think of one single thing you have forgotten, except maybe the kitchen sink....
you will be the best dressed, well fed, satisfied family in the whole hospital. Looking forward to pictures of everyone, including Master ?????