Firstly, just about a week or two after the last belly pic I posted, I had an insane belly growth spurt! Have a look see at my 9 month belly:
I feel amazing, and have had insane energy bursts throughout the month, which have allowed me to get a ton of things done. My belly itches a lot more often, and I've noticed that it's gotten redder, but it's been no cause for concern with the nurses and doctor at the clinic or my ob-gyn, so I'm not worried. My only hiccup has been with the blood count as I stated in the last post, and I'm working on that round the clock these days. Bending down with the bigger belly hurts more and is more uncomfortable, and adds to the bone pain as well, so I try to avoid that as much as possible. I either still have the cold I got from my grandmother/thieving liar (too tired to make that ranting post about her I said would be coming) or it's turned into some kind of virus as I've been exhausted and drowsy for the past couple of days with a slight fever and normal cold symptoms. That's just been annoying as I want to get everything done ASAP. There has been a lot more upper back pain and insane rib pain (possibly from an injury I sustained before leaving NY), which is probably because I've gone back to wearing my old bras 24/7 to help with the weight of my boobs, so it's a choice between the lesser of two evils. I've had to give up the granny bras because the chafing led to rashes which spread to everywhere a seam on any of my clothes touched my body until I tried going without said granny bras and the problem eased up. I've also given up Taurus Man's boxers in exchange for some granny panties, mainly so that I can comfortably wear panty liners again (the importance of this cannot be stressed enough!). Heartburn is back, but I keep it under control by avoiding onions, garlic, and oily foods. Also, I don't hold back with Tums, as not only does it help with the heartburn, but the added calcium helps ease the bone pain if I take a couple every day (as I was advised to do by the nurse in the clinic). I've also been getting cervical pain for about a week now, every night from 11pm-2am for the first few days, then until 4am, and then not only through the night but through the day as well, and since yesterday, with a feeling of pressure pushing down as well. I'm grateful for it as I'm guessing this means my body is preparing for labor (thank you GOD!!!!!!), but at the same time, I would love to get some sleep. An hour long nap is not sleep, people. That's supposed to be after the baby comes, not now. I think it's safe to say that I've rarely been subjected to hormones throughout this pregnancy. Before this month, I probably had three angry crying episodes total and realized it was most likely hormones shortly after thinking things through. This month though, I've been super cry-y. I'm sure it's hormones because I usually keep my emotions to myself and I absolutely despise me and crying in the same sentence. My boobs are also itchier and I actually accidentally squirted milk out of my left boob last month while lathering myself in coconut oil (I was craving the smell of it and thought, why not? Apparently that's why not lol). My feet still hurt and I think my calves and thighs got bulkier and more muscle-y than before. I'm not sure if I've mentioned frequent urination kicking in before, but I can't get more than two straight hours of sleep because of the scheming plots hatched between Superbaby's dance moves and my bladder. Speaking of which, I'll be back in just a minute. *waddles off quickly*
Secondly, I made a new list of the baby things Taurus Man and I still need to get and categorized the list for better understanding and less clutter. Yes, I am aware I need to see list-makers anonymous and go to list-making rehab and take anti-list-making medication. Whatevs. You see that complicated looking "baby essentials checklist" on the last post about the baby and hospital lists? This new list is that list without the things that are crossed out and now put into categories instead of having things listed at random. Isn't that easier? *searches for excuses* I also intend to use this new format to update the final list of baby essentials that I will judge for myself when Superbaby gets here, and of course, share with all of you lovely darlings.
BABY
ESSENTIALS
FEEDING
- … Sterilizing tablets/electric sterilizer [Avent]
- … Bottle warmer
- … Bottle brush
- … Bottle drying tray
- … Hot water thermos
- … Insulated bottle case
- … Breast pump
- … Breast milk storage containers
- … Burp cloths
- … Pacifier
- … Pacifier case/holder
- … Nursing bra
- … Nipple cream
- … Nursing pads
- … Medicine dispenser (dropper)
- … Bulb syringe
- … Formula (small can for emergency if exclusively breastfeeding)
- … Gripe water (Little Tummy’s)
- … Digital thermometer
- … Kettle (electric preferably)
HYGIENE
- … Bathtub (infant-to-toddler stage) w/safety feature [Fisherprice]
- … Hooded towels
- … Diaper pins
- … Humidifier
- … Hair brush & comb
- … Diaper pail/small garbage bin
- … Wash basket/laundry hamper (exclusively for baby)
- … Baby laundry detergent [Dreft/Lanher]
- … Contoured changing pad
- … Bucket for cloth diapers
BABY
ROOM/NURSERY
- … Crib sheets
- … Crib mosquito net
- … Crib bumper
- … Pillow case
- … Pillow (to position baby)
- … Baby monitor [Motorola]
- … Musical crib mobile
- … Night light
- … Flannel cotton (for diaper liners, crib sheets, burp cloths, etc.)
- … Pants
- … Sleepers/all in one snap button outfits
EXTRA
ITEMS
- … Postpartum support belt/belly band
- … Extra maternity pads/adult diapers
- … Washtub
- … Scrubbing board
- … Real coconut oil
- … Witch hazel
- … Aloe vera
- … Vitamin C supplement [Emergen-C]
- … Stool softener/fiber supplement [Benefiber]
- … Calcium supplement [Caltrate]
- … Pregnancy/lactation safe painkiller [Tylenol]
- … Extra prenatal meds [Natele, Astyfer, Becoplex w/iron]
- … Extra wipes
- … Extra disposable diapers
- … Extra supply of bottled water [8 liter containers]
So, what do you think? :D I also crossed everything off my hospital lists and I'm totally ready to grab my bags and head on over to pushing territory. I've also written out checklists of the items in my hospital bag as well as Superbaby's hospital bag and included these lists with my contact info and Taurus Man's info (in case of some weird emergency only I would think up in my head where all my documents are lost and I can't provide the info myself) in each bag and tagged my name all over the outside of both bags, and included labels of my name and phone number on the inside of each bag as well as on easily misplaced items such as the bottles of medical mumbo jumbo and wipes case. Here are said lists:
Mother's Hospital Bag Checklist
- 2 nightgowns (front buttoning)
- 1 pack of maternity pads
- 1 face towel
- toiletries package (soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, small skin cream, blistex, comb)
- 1 Limacol
- 1 Salve antiseptic
- 1 Fleet enema
- 1 pair of socks
- 1 going home outfit (dress, bra, underwear)
- 1 towel
- 2 washrags
Baby's Hospital Bag Checklist
- 4 baby vests
- 3 casacks
- 2 nighties
- 2 pairs of socks
- 2 hats
- 2 wash cloths
- 1 hooded towel
- 2 blankets
- 1 portable wipes case w/wipes
- 1 petroleum jelly
- 1 methylated spirit
- 1 head-to-toe baby wash
- 10 disposable diapers
- 1 package of jumbo sized cotton balls
I think everything there is self explanatory. I'd just like to explain that by packages, what I mean are basically little baggies. Do you know those clear plastic packages baby things like onesies and blankets come in? I've actually found them to be the perfect size to store things like Q-tips, tampons, pads, etc. I used one to put some cotton balls in (even though it's not on the list, I figure they would need it since you have to bring everything else), which will be placed in the changing station once the baby comes home, and a larger one to put my toiletries for the hospital in. I think it's super handy and the material is way stronger than the ziploc bags I was using before.
By the way, "casacks" are the things on the left, and baby nighties are the things on the right. I think they're hideous and I don't like them at all, but that's what the hospital wants, so that's what the hospital gets.
There will be a final list for what exactly has gone into my packed back-up bag as well. Taurus Man is currently working on painting the crib (it's 3AM), so it should be ready for me to start organizing after I get some sleep and actually wake up during daylight hours. By organizing, what I mean is that there are three parts to the crib Taurus Man built: the actual crib, a changing station, and a closet. Once the paint has dried and Taurus Man has put in the shelf liners and installed the rod for the closet, I can start packing our baby things in there.
It is now 5AM and I am so exhausted I honestly can't remember anything I intended to write or did write. Good morning and ciao until next time!
No comments:
Post a Comment