Hospital Bag: Older and Wiser

There are a lot of things you do differently the second time around as a parent.  I remember packing my hospital bag when I was pregnant with MK at roughly 30 weeks, and cramming it full of a bunch of crap that never got used. 

This time is pretty different.  For starters, I'm having this baby in five days or less, and I just packed the majority of my things earlier this afternoon.  I remember what I did and did not use last time, and what I wish I'd had. 

I'm no great photographer, plus it was storming today when I took these photos, so natural light was nonexistent, but here's a quick run-down of things I'll be taking with me this time around:

The pathetic attempt at an overhead shot:

 

So here's the basic overview, keeping in mind that I know I'll be having a c-section and will be in the hospital for four nights:

-nursing tanks, nursing bras, t-shirt, and regular tank top

-yoga pants

-nursing cover

-nursing pads (disposable and reusable) and lanolin

-Kindle, Flip Video and phone charger

-blow dryer, hair straightener

-toiletries bags

-Boppy pillow with this cover

-Bamboo post-partum wrap

-Baby's going home outfit

Here's a much better shot at the baby's coming home outfit that I found on eBay.  It's from Carter's but is no longer sold online.

 

Once I realized how horrible the photos I was attempting to take in my room were going to turn out, I decided to skip trying to take photos of the items in my toiletries bags.  I have a bigger bag of things I'll need in the shower and once I get out, and then I have my smaller make-up bag, which I'll grab in the morning on the way to the hospital.  Here's a grouping of the items in my big bag.  

 

Tresemme <span>Lightweight Conditioner</span>
Olay <span>Face Anti-Aging</span>

 

I have travel sized versions of most of these products in my bag, but here's the general idea:
-shampoo and conditioner
-body wash
-hair products, comb, and brush
-facial wash and moisturizer
-make-up removing wipes
-night cream and serum
-regular deodorant
-aerosol deodorant- With a C-section, I won't be able to get out of bed for a day or possibly two.  Also, once you have a baby, the night sweats come at you like nobody's business, so by the time Thursday morning will roll around, I'm sure I'll be a little stanky.  Spray deodorant will help.
-toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrush
-Not Your Mother's dry shampoo- I am planning on only washing my hair once or twice during my hospital stay.  This will help me ward off the grease and dirty hair smell
-Shave gel (I know I'll have a hard time attempting to shave my legs, but I absolutely cannot stand unshaven pits, amiright?)
-Spray lotion and hand crème- my skin gets DRY

A few other things I'll be bringing that I haven't pictured are our good camera, some flip flops, cozy socks, a cardigan or robe or something like that, slippers, some snacks, and a book and trashy magazines.

Ken's going back to work for the days immediately following baby's arrival so he can use his full paternity leave when I'm back at home.  During the days, it's just going to be me, baby, the nurses, and the occasional visitor.  That's why I'm bringing reading material.  Ooh... maybe I should throw some Harry Potter DVDs in the bag, too, for good measure :)

Am I forgetting anything here?  I think that's enough!

Toddler Favorites- Bath Time

Life with a toddler seems to move at a crazy pace.  We're always up and moving, chugging along, and trying to keep up with this busy life.  This typically results in MK ending up sticky, dirty, covered in food, and me occasionally asking, "what iiiiiiiiiiisssssss that?" While attacking her face with a Boogie Wipe.

Luckily, homegirl LOVES bath time.  Not only is bathing essential to overall hygiene, it's turned into a great way for her to mellow out before bedtime each night.  I just love reading her a bedtime story with her hair all clean, and her skin smelling like lavender. 

I always like to read about things other parents are using with their kids, so I thought I'd put together my own little list of bath time favorites.

Aveeno <span>Kids Bath &amp; Body</span>
Walgreens <span>Bath Toys</span>

We love the Boon Frog Pod as our toy storage system.  It mounts to the wall and the front portion is a big scoop with tons of holes for drainage. 

These Sassy Bath Toys are so cute and fun.  I like that they're just a little bit different from the typical bath squirters.

This towel is so great!  It's the perfect size for a toddler.  MK has outgrown pretty much all of the "baby" hooded towels that we got at our baby shower, but this one is bigger, and a heavier material, so it's perfect for her.  I may go back and get the giraffe one, too!

MK is a big fan of the cling letters.  They're a spongy foam, and she likes to name the colors as we stick them to the sides of the tub.  I name the letter, she says the color, and I feel like I'm sneaking in a bit of education with our bath time. 

I had bathtub crayons just like these when I was a kid.  They were some of my favorite things, and I think MK loves them just as much as I do did. 

For our favorite personal products during bath time, I absolutely love Aveeno baby.  I've been buying Aveeno products for myself for years because I find them to be gentle and hydrating to my dry, irritable skin, and the baby line does not disappoint.  I also love the coupons and price point! 

I am also proud to announce that MK's hair is finally long enough to *really* need a good combing after her bath, so I pulled out another classic from my childhood.  The Suave Kids Double Dutch Apple De-tangler spray is just as effective on her curly locks as they were on mine 30 years ago.


So those are our bath time favorites.  They're not too exciting, but they work for us!  Are there any other exciting products out there we should be trying?