Let's just say that between a c-section, having a lot more recovery time then anticipated, a small stint in the NICU and then acclimating a newborn, a toddler, and sleep deprived parents keeps one from staying up to date on their blog. Yes, my hospital bag was packed and primarily everything that I packed was used in one way or another. A toiletry bag may seem like a waste when you are on meds and the desire to brush your hair is hard to muster, it will become essential around the end of the second start of the third day. And yes, by the picture below you will see that I packed minimal makeup. Although not necessary, we will get how I used it momentarily.
The only thing I forgot to take a picture of was the present that Baby D got EV when he was born. I follow this amazing YouTuber Kendra Atkins who experienced a similar pregnancy to my own and her twins are about the age of EV. She gives great tips on everything from grocery shopping, shopping/grocery hauls, meal prep for kiddos as well as healthy snack options that taste good, family activities, etc. Anyway, she showed the present that the baby got for the twins and I thought it was a magical idea and that is what we did for EV too and man oh man did she adore it. There was something special about the present Baby D got her that we weren't sure she would understand, but she genuinely loved it and was so excited. We got her THIS "I'm a big sister" book and THIS "you're getting a a baby brother" book from Amazon as well as THIS explorer Tangled bag from Target. She loves Rapunzel, purses and putting things in bags, so it was a perfect trifecta and she hasn't been without it since we got home. I recently had to hide the big sister book because she makes me read it multiple times in a row and by multiple, I mean more than three so don't get judgy about me giving up on this book. :)
Other than one of those hard suitcases that I use when we travel to Disney or on a cruise, I am a firm believer in everything Vera Bradley. I will buy the weekender and then all the matching travel pieces that go with it. The practicality, cuteness, sustainability and how it makes packing organized and light (weight wise) is necessary when you are barely five feet and want to pack everything, but the kitchen sink and want it to weigh nothing as well. I knew people would be visiting us at the hospital and bringing us things there as well, so I wanted a bag that could hold everything and that I could throw everything into when we were leaving as well. I realize the print is "retired", however, you can often get these prints at the outlet stores.
I brought socks to pad around the hospital with and other than wearing them to the NICU, I NEVER wore them as I was always as hot as a thousand burning suns. The cheap flip-flops were a must for the room as well I was when I went into the bathroom (I didn't care how clean those floors were and they were spotless). I bought an incredibly comfy bra from the line Auden at Target (is it just me or is their intimates department hitting it out of the ballpark) that was soft as a t-shirt, supportive as a bra and was comfortable to sleep in. Unfortunately, I am not finding the exact one online, but THIS one is incredibly close. I felt more like me wearing something like this once we started receiving guests and going to the NICU more. I feel it important to note, that both my kiddos were put on soy formula when in the NICU, so I did not need a nursing bra. I did not nurse Ellie either, no I do not feel guilty, I do not feel as though I am missing out on some bonding moment, she has a great appetite, is quite healthy and can now take milk protein now.
I also brought a comfy maxi dress from Target, again, the amazing Kendra reminded me that I am not going to want anything resting against my tummy when I was released from the hospital, so a pretty comfy maxi was a must. The particular one above is not linked, since 1. It is seasons old and it would be pointless, 2. It is from the children's section of Target (size large if you are curious). I am super petite and am lucky that I still can fit into children's sizes (yay for being able to match my mini with Cat&Jack). I ended up not caring about the pretty part of the maxi-dress since Baby D was still in NICU, the not resting on my stomach part was heaven sent as I was still in a good amount of pain when I was discharged.
Cloud Island Sleepers (honestly the zippers are a pain in the patootie for the midnight feedings). The fox outfit (also Cloud Island and again, no longer online) is what we took him home in. Living in Florida, we wanted something toasty, but not too warm that he would be overheated in the car seat back to the house. It ended up being perfect and looked adorable in pictures.
Stars Above Pajamas and Always Intimate Underwear. Honestly and truly these things saved my life in the hospital and gave me some sort of normalcy. For any women that has had a c-section and is having another or is having one, these "period panties" are a MUST. They are comfortable, fit like real underwear (soft, comfy, and light), go easily over the scar or the staples, and most importantly do not need to be readjusted or leak. There is a slight smell (a very light powder smell) to them, but it is not obnoxious and I am highly sensitive and it didn't bother me at all or break me out anywhere I should have been nervous about (TMI?).
The PJ's from Target (much like everything there) were awesome. They are super soft, lightweight, and could pose as clothes if you have to do an interview from your hospital bed via Skype. I will get into this when I start talking about my toiletry bag. I especially liked that you could mix and match the patterns and again, they adjusted well where my staples were, so I felt comfortable wearing them during the day and sleeping at night. I had several different variations of tops, tanks, shorts and crop pants as well as a robe to wear when we went to visit Baby D in NICU.
I probably should go to meetings for it, but I am OBSESSED with the Dollar Spot, I do not think I have ever gone by and not picked up something for this section or multiple things (let's be honest, more multiple than not). My three favorite times of year to really stock up in this section is Halloween, Christmas and Back to School (there are so many cool organizational things here in fun colors for the kiddos). I have never met chalkboard items that I didn't like and label everything with the chalkboard labels that I pick up in droves from this section. But really, an entire blog post, possible several could be dedicated to this discussion.
During the Summer (they might still have it now) they had a baby section where we picked up mini blow-up baby balloons for our announcements, a blanket where you can do the how old is my baby now and a chalkboard announcement that I thought we were going to be able to use in the hospital, but ended up using it when we got home. I use either metallic sharpies on these (if I do not plan to use them again) or chalkboard pens.
I admit that I have a major guilty pleasure for "whats in my bag" videos, so before I packed my hospital tolietry bag, I binged major episodes to see what other women packed, although super fun, seemed really excessive and since I was having another c-section, knew I was going to be uncomfortable and on major medication, I knew although fun to pack, a majority of it was going to be a major waste and would have to be unpacked (the most unpleasant of the process #Ihateunpackingwithablindfuryofapassion).
I hadn't intended to bring the makeup palette that I did, but the explanation comes with a small story. I had applied for a position at my place of employment and I had moved on to the second interview. The hiring committee was kind enough to allow me to complete the interview via Skype even though it was planned to be in-person. I had hoped to be home the day of the interview, but my recovery process took a left turn at Albuquerque and I was still in the hospital, so basically I did my interview from the hospital bed. I wish I was kidding about this. Thank goodness I knew the hiring committee well and it was just another Dear Diary moment in the world of Dana. Here is where my toiletry bag came into play (again, a lot of recommendations from Kendra's YouTube video).
This would not have been what I would have packed to go to Disney or an overnight somewhere else (I admit that I am a little more extra and excessive in this situation), but for a hospital stay, it ended being everything that I needed. God bless travel-sized moisture-surge Clinique products that were light on my skin and kept my skin looking refreshed as I knew getting up and washing my face was going to be few and far between (I also bought face wipes for this reason as well). I order Sephora's Playbox which is a monthly subscription that I love and I rarely have disliked anything that has been included. They are perfect high-end travel size items that I can throw in a bag and the products will perform well. I ended up bringing a Dy Shampoo (probably the most critical thing I packed other than my toothbrush), a mini shampoo and conditioner (totally useless hence the dry shampoo) and a small bronzer (what was I thinking?). I wouldn't say the Lorac Pro to Go is my favorite travel palette (Too Faced Natural Matte is, but that is in my travel makeup bag that I use for getaways and not hospital stays #seewhatIdidthere ), but it is super compact, has a highlight, bronzer, blush and multiple eyeshadows that were perfect to create a quick pay no attention to the girl in the hospital doing an interview in her pajamas look. Obviously the palette was used strictly for the interview and since we didn't take a lot of family photos in the hospital with Baby D being in the NICU, I couldn't have cared less what I looked like when I was discharged, so other than the interview, it was never used.
It was nice being able to pack my hospital bag like a normal pregnant person (NICU and all) and I ended up using everything I brought with me. I had even packed secret snacks like Twizzlers and fruit snacks which much like the dry shampoo ended up being more vital than I ever thought possible. Late night sweet snack cravings were real and a girl can only consume so much Ginger Ale. I highly suggest packing multiple comfortable pajamas that you can feel normal and pretty in. Friends and family will just start showing up unannounced and once the nurse starts forcing you to walk up and down the hall, you will not have to worry about your fanny being on display for everyone to see #noonelooksorfeelsgoodinhospitalrobes #yourewelcome. If you can watch Kendra Atkins I would, even if you are having you are going to be new to the motherhood game. I also suggest watching what to pack in your hospital bag videos, if anything, they are great background noise or will help you remember items that you forgot about packing and will not have to send someone back to the house for. For instance, I remembered last minute not only about a "take home" outfit, but about sleepers. I also remembered the Boppy last minute, I have thin small arms so cradling the babe for what could be a longer period of time if he is a slow eater would require a lot of upper body strength and the Boppy just allows me to rest my arm as well as most of him comfortably so that he can be fed for however long it takes. I also packed things for when EV came to visit as well, such as; books that I could read to her, coloring books if she got bored and her Kindle if she really had a breakdown that only Moana could fix #thanksLinManuel #thestruggleisreal. Honestly without having watched other videos, these things would never have crossed my mind (especially the stuff for EV)
Hope this helps some of you mama's too, whether you are new to the mothering world or welcoming another little to your clan...or if your guilty pleasures are 'what's in your bag." #notjudging #totallythatgirltoo.