I’ve been here before starting the final chapter before this amazing little nugget enters my life but I am trying to reflect and devise the best plans for the next couple of months to be as prepared as possible for this new chapter of our lives. That includes getting organized, rearranging the house, buying and collecting all the things a newborn will need (that we don’t still have) and starting the plan for the hospital…

I made this graphic to help me pack the all important hospital bag
(since my mother keeps reminding me I have no control over when the baby will come and to be prepared starting now)

Most everything I packed last time too – though I had a birthing ball and ice packs and things that are readily available at the hospital that I just didn’t need in my bag – I honestly didn’t even need fuzzy socks last time because labor was so quick and after birth I was burning up and constantly asking for ice packs… but I still have them on my list for just incase because I remember the hospital is either freezing or burning up there is little middle ground and every baby and every birth is different.

I felt really glad I packed snacks for my hubby last time and a wide array of beverages because post labor and starting nursing I was always thirsty and it was nice to not have to ask every 5 minutes.

One thing I forgot from my graphic that I used last time and loved was flameless candles… I loved these because hospital lighting is the absolute worst its super bright and cold and while in labor you want a peaceful relaxing environment. I had a set of 4 large flameless candles I got at Bed Bath and Beyond and I was shocked how much I used them in the days post partum at the hospital too… because at night when you are up to get blood drawn, use the bathroom, or feed the baby or you are awake and your partner is fast asleep on a cot you don’t want to have to turn on the lights and wake everyone up… these are great lil nightlights that give just enough light to see what you are doing but not harsh or jarring.

The only thing that’s really new on my list is a present from the new baby to Lulu to help ease the transition of becoming a big sister – so, on her first trip to the hospital we can celebrate the baby’s birthday as a family and give Lulu a cupcake, sing happy birthday to the baby and she even gets a present. (Hey, bribery for love never hurt anyone… right?)

I’m also trying hard to reflect back and reteach myself what I learned from the first time around – like to really stick to my guns –

I didn’t want an IV and I was given one anyway and it caused my bladder to be super full which turned out to be a major issue when Lulu was on her way out – she got stuck on it – and I was so uncomfortable because I had to pee and didn’t have enough time between my contractions to go to the bathroom so for about an hour or so was just miserable until they figured out that was the problem and gave me a catheter (which bruised me and was one of the most painful parts of recovery) after my bladder was emptied Lulu came right out… within minutes…

My contractions were very close together (which it’s hard to function or speak or move during a contractions) so, once I laid down and was in a position on the bed I couldn’t change positions for quite some time because it took all my energy (we are talking like 30 min to an hour to move). So, my advice to myself is to stay standing as long as possible – it was easier to lean or brace my partner during a contraction than it was when I was laying down. I had zero help from gravity with Lulu cause I was laying down and I would like to imagine it might have been slightly easier if I had been squatting, kneeling, or standing.

I enjoyed trying all the natural induction techniques people suggested, they were fun and I truly believed they helped make my labor quicker and easier… the best things we did though were the homeopathics, the evening primrose, and eating inflammatory foods (GARLIC) the video I made of all the things I did can be seen here…

That’s all I can think of now in my prep – we are just trying to get my gestational diabetes in a good place right now – because even with changing my diet my glucose levels have been a little high though the baby is doing extremely well – perfect size.

I’m also prepping for Lulu’s 2nd birthday which will include an adorable ‘Where The Wild Things Are’ Birthday Party and a family trip to Disneyland so she can meet all her favorite characters.

We are also having a baby shower / sprinkle while my mom is in town for Lulu’s birthday which is a Royal-Tea Party Theme (this baby has a Fantasy / Woodland theme… Lulu had a Harry Potter Shower theme and was Space and Science themed… since gender is a surprise we like to choose a nursery / clothing theme for the babes)

So, with these upcoming events going on in our lives in the next month or so I have a lot of planning to do before hopefully heading to the hospital to bring this sweet little prince or princess home.

Do you have any advice for me or other moms on what to pack for the hospital, how to introduce your toddler to a new baby, how to help with gestational diabetes, what you learned between baby 1 and baby 2? Let me know in the comments below.