Favorite Things - 2/3 - getSNAZZY.com

Hospital Bag! What did I forget? @babycenter #maternity #baby #hospital

I packed my hospital bag(s)! Less than a month until baby boy arrives!

What did I forget? Leave a comment.

Also, check out my most popular post ever – My Unsolicited New Baby Advice #maternity #baby

Car

Car seat (already installed)

Box to carry any gifts home when you leave

Backpack

Insurance Card and Driver’s License + Hospital Registration Paperwork

Cord Blood Banking Kit (if applicable)

Camera (with video or a separate video camera too)

Phone

Chargers (small extension cord with extra plugs might be helpful)

Socks

Chapstick

Glasses and Contacts with Solution

Music (with iPod or something to play it on)

Smell good lotion or calming scent and focal point object

Pillow or at least pillow case (bright color so it doesn’t get washed with the hospital laundry)

Small Suitcase (the room gets crowded quick! Leave it in the car until after delivery)

Toiletries bag with deodorant, lotion, more chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste, hair brush and hair ties, shampoo, make up/face wipes to stay fresh when you can’t shower, extra contacts and solution

Hand sanitizer

Loose clothing – I packed a couple of button down sleep shirts that are great for nursing and made me feel better than the hospital gown.

Gaucho pants and extra large silk pj pants/shorts were great too.

Flip flops (or slippers if you’d rather)

Socks

Nursing bras and big undies (I didn’t ever buy special maternity underwear, I just bought some cheap ones in a few sizes larger) The hospital usually provides fancy mesh undies, you might use them instead.

Nursing cover (I didn’t pack a nursing pillow, but you might want one)

Baby book or scrapbook page for guests to sign! I made this one for my daughter and add the birth announcement later. I will make you one too – visit http://livinglifedesigns.com/designs/and send me a message!

Thank you notes and a pen or two

Small gift for the nurses (My friend that’s a nurse said food is a nice treat! Just baked goods or a fruit basket and don’t forget to designate one for the night shift and day shift)

Going home outfit (I wore what I wore to the hospital when I had my daughter- you will still need maternity clothes) A dress or something loose will be especially important if you have a C-Section.

Baby (I put these things in a big Ziploc inside my bag so they wouldn’t get lost)

Going home outfit with socks and a hat. Scratch mittens are a plus. The hospital usually provides diapers and a pacifier. Baby doesn’t need much.

Dad Bag

Clothes, comfy shoes, socks, toiletries, Tylenol (the hospital chair/guest bed isn’t too comfy), playing cards or other entertainment, a few favorite snacks

Happy Baby Birth Day!

If all else fails bring the car seat!

p.s. If you have other kiddos make plans for them early and pack their bag now! It will be too crazy the day of delivery to worry about them too!

Here are some great tips from some of my friends… Thanks Ladies!

What did I forget? What are MUST HAVE things in your hospital bag?

Check out my most popular post ever – My Unsolicited New Baby Advice #maternity #baby

Filed Under: Favorite Things, style

World Breastfeeding Week – Favorites #WBW2011 #Breastfeeding

In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, check out my post from earlier this year about breastfeeding favorites.

http://www.getsnazzy.com/2011/03/breastfeeding-favorites/

8 months without breastfeeding, about to start again…. I’m really glad I was able to nurse our daughter for a year, but it sure was nice to have a break. September and baby boy will be here soon!

Filed Under: Favorite Things, mom life

Favorite: Help kiddo sleep through STORMS! Sound Conditioner Sound Screen SleepMate Electro-Mechanical White Noise Machine

We had some wild storms in Texas last night. After bath time the weather started looking pretty ominous, so we got the flashlight, radio, snacks and pillows and piled back into the bathtub. C was so confused why we got in the bathtub with the ducks, no water and our clothes on. Finally the tornado sirens stopped and we were spared any damage. Scary for a bit.

It was getting late and past her bedtime, but still more storms, just no more tornado warnings. I put her in her crib and turned the SleepMate on high. She slept through LOUD thunder, crazy winds and another round of wild storms.

We recently bought the Sound Conditioner Sound Screen SleepMate Electro-Mechanical White Noise Machine for when the new baby arrives since their rooms share a wall. Seems promising that she will continue to sleep well then!

p.s. I also saw it in Sky Mall after we had already ordered it. I always love the random, yet useful things they feature!

p.s.s. When C was a newborn I used to turn on a hair dryer or static on the radio to lull her to sleep. This would have worked so much better. Live and learn.

Update - Fall 2012 – We still LOVE the SleepMate! We have 2 and even take them when we travel. I am thankful for 2 great sleepers!

Pic from Amazon: SleepMate

Stay safe in the storms and sleep soundly!

Filed Under: Favorite Things, mom life

Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator: Infant/Toddler Favorite (MUST HAVE)

Nosefrida The Snotsucker Nasal Aspirator: Infant/Toddler Favorite (MUST HAVE)

C was a bit under the weather last week and once again we used the FABULOUS Nosefrida.

It is a MUST have for all parents. It’s only $15 on Amazon.com (359- five star reviews)

It WORKS so much better than those blue bulbs. Be warned, it’s a little bit gross looking, but totally worth it. http://www.nosefrida.com/

Image from Amazon.com

These are just my opinions, I wasn’t paid for my thoughts. I just really love the Nosefrida.

Filed Under: Favorite Things, mom life

Favorites- Baby/Toddler Bath Time

14 months (446 days) into mommyhood = a lot of baths!

Here are some of my favorite things. Note to new moms- do you really need these things? No, but I have enjoyed the peace of mind, convenience and fun. These are just my opinions, I was not paid for my thoughts. But if you want to give me a penny for my thoughts next time, let me know. ha.

Cleanwater Bathtub w/ Thermometer

It looks like a regular plastic tub that goes in the kitchen sink, but it has a few added features. It has 2 drains, so clean water can circulate and the dirty water can drain during the bath. It also has a built in digital thermometer (very easy to read- the temp is displayed and the back lighting changes between blue, green and red if it gets too hot. Again, it might be a little fancy, but as a first time mom it was great. We registered for ours at Buy Buy Baby. The company also has a website – www.4moms.com/

Digital Thermometer - Courtesy 4moms.com

Munchkin Inflatable Duck Bathtub

Probably the best $11.59 I have ever spent! C was getting to big for the infant tub, but not ready for the big bath because she was still getting used to sitting. This was perfect! Order online from Target.com or visit your local store. Favorite things- it QUACKS, it is inflatable so it has soft edges so I didn’t have to worry about her toppling over and hitting her head, it’s cute and didn’t cost much. I would highly recommend this to every mom. It is also a great solution if you only have a shower or are traveling. We used it from about 6 months to about a year.

Reaching for more toys

Right after this picture we switched to the big bath tub! She was reaching for another favorite- caterpillar stacking bath cups.

Caterpillar Spillers Stacking Bath Cups

These stacking cups have slits in the bottom so the water drains in fun patterns. C loves nesting them, pouring water and swimming after them! They are Munchkin brand (from Target, I think), but they are also on Amazon.com. Great birthday present- thanks Holly!