Raising Roberts

What’s in my hospital bag for baby #6

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We are just a few weeks away (hopefully!) from meeting our little one! I just started packing my hospital bag for baby number six (instead of waiting until I’m in labor…again!) and thought I would put together a post to share what I will be bringing with me this sixth time around. I know there are already tons of packing lists all over the internet–and who really needs another one? But I’m hoping this will be helpful to at least someone out there!

I should probably just come out and say that I probably pack things that a lot of people would call “non-essentials.” I do realize that. I’m an overpacker, even with this being the sixth time. But I’ll explain why I’m bringing each item and you can decide for yourself if you find them to be essentials or not.

And yes, I’m using a suitcase. But I’ll also have my husband’s stuff in there as well! (He won’t pack much–just make sure that whoever is with you brings a jacket because they will probably get cold! And their own pillow if they want it.) I’ll also be taking my Lily Jade diaper bag. I didn’t originally plan to take it but it’s a good option to bring my wallet, snacks, camera, and any other items I will want during or right after labor and delivery. The suitcase will stay in the car and have everything else I need once we get settled into a room.

The Essentials:

First of all, I’d say that these are probably the most essential:

carseat–you can’t leave with your baby without one!
camera–even if all you have is your phone…you need to document those first moments!
toothbrush/toothpaste
phone charger–I ordered this 6 foot iphone cord from Amazon because the standard 3 foot cord never seems to reach the bed.
going home outfit for mom and baby–yoga pants and a tshirt definitely count 😉
nursing bra–I recommend something comfortable! I’m trying this one for the hospital.
hairbrush
deodorant

And Then, Here’s What I’m Packing:

If you’re a minimalist, you could get away with packing these items and nothing else. The hospital provides pretty much anything else you and the baby would need. However, I’m not a minimalist. So here are some other things going in my bag!

makeup/mirror–some people don’t care about wearing makeup, I do! So for me, it’s an essential.
makeup wipes–to quickly take off my makeup before I get the chance to actually wash my face.
face wash/moisturizer
body wash
shampoo/conditioner–I just collect samples for the shower stuff and toothpaste or buy travel size containers
comb/hairspray–like I said, not everyone cares about this stuff. I do!
glasses/contact case/contact solution–not needed for everyone but don’t forget these items if you need them!
snacks and money–right after I give birth, I want food and I want it right away! The cafeteria never seems to be open when I give birth so I will absolutely make sure I bring snacks in the room with me to eat right after I have the baby. The money is for vending machines or any food you need outside of scheduled meal times.
robe–I bought this robe from PinkBlush for this time around. Something pretty to wear after baby is born. It’s so soft and comfortable and will be beautiful in pictures! (though I totally should have ironed it before photographing it!)

soft robe from pinkblush maternity

nursing salve–The hospital will give you some if you need it but I’m going to be bringing my own nursing salve from Tubby Todd. (I’ve heard that it helps to start using it a couple of weeks before you’re due–I guess I’ll find out soon!)
freshening spray–speaking of Tubby Todd, I have been obsessed with their freshening spray–it’s like a deodorizing body spray. I already use it daily so I will absolutely have it with me to help me feel fresh until I can shower!
lotion–I promise, I have not been asked by anyone to share any products on this post. But I’m a big fan of Tubby Todd. My babies have all had flaky skin after birth. The hospital has given me some Johnson’s lotion but the smell is overwhelming to me. I’m bringing some Tubby Todd lotion with me this time. The lavender smell is A-MAZ-ING!

tubby todd review

flip flops/socks–not to be worn together…unless that’s your style 😉 Flip flops are great for the shower. And either can be worn so you don’t have to walk on the hospital floor barefoot. Something about that just grosses me out haha.
pillow–if you’re picky like me, bring your own pillow!
ponytail holder–a big necessity while in labor and delivery!! (for me, at least!)
chapstick–a lot of women tend to get dried out lips during delivery. I use a tinted chapstick because I like a bit of color for pictures.

I also prefer to change out of the hospital gown as soon as I can. You don’t have to! But I bought these leggings to wear. I won a pair of their maternity leggings at the beginning of my pregnancy and I love them so much that I bought a pair for after I deliver. They are pretty pricey but the quality has been amazing and I think I’ll get my money’s worth with how much I’ll be wearing them. I used their facebook code (FB25off) to get 25% off!

blanqi postpartum leggings

I’m excited to try out this pocket shirt from Nuroo to be able to do skin to skin while still feeling like I can be dressed. But I’ll also be bringing another shirt or two so I can decide what I feel comfortable wearing during the day. (I seriously don’t even stay the two nights that they give you–but I am so indecisive so I like to bring a few different choices!)

nuroo pocket shirt

I’ll also be bringing some comfy clothes for sleeping.

For baby

You really only need the carseat and going home outfit, but if you’re going to do pictures (or if you’re on your 6th baby and you don’t get many visitors so you know you’ll be taking lots of pictures) you can bring a few things that you’d like in pictures. Here are a few of the things I’m bringing for baby girl!

newborn baby hospital bag checklist

Some of the items pictured: bonnet//cocoon swaddle and headband//daisy headband//bracelets//blanket

**a cute little story about the bracelets–I bought these months ago, the day we found out we were having a girl. Ever since then, Evangeline has been asking when her baby sister will be born so she can put the bracelets on her. So I’m packing them along for her to put them on her sister when they meet for the first time.

Thinking about moments like that have me so anxious to meet this precious baby girl. But in the meantime, I’m cherishing every bit of this pregnancy, the good and the bad. I’m so very blessed to carry this precious life! If you have any more suggestions to add, be sure to leave them in the comments! I know different people have different preferences (like music during labor) so maybe your comment will be helpful to someone else! Whew–that was a lot to take in! Hope you made it to the end!

September 15, 2016

All Videos, Blog, kids, new house, product review, Videos

Kids’ Room Makeovers Part 1 (Featuring Beddy’s)

It’s been a busy month as we’ve been preparing to add a new addition. As soon as I check something off my to-do list, I add about 5 more things. So I’m not sure that why, after living in our house for a year, I decided it was an urgent matter to fix up the kids’ rooms before the baby is born. But when a pregnant woman (or any woman) sets her mind to something, you’re probably not going to talk her out of it 😉

A few months ago, we had painted Evangeline’s room a pale pink (it was originally a very dark purple.) But besides that, their rooms were pretty much the same as the day we moved in. I had spent the past year scouring the stores and internet for bedding for their beds. In the meantime, they had mismatched sheets and blankets that made their room look sloppy. It’s almost too embarrassing to share–but I will, just so you can see the difference!

It was bad, right? That’s when I came across Beddy’s and I was immediately fascinated! I reached out to them about reviewing their product and was beyond excited when they agreed to send me one. I had already done a lot of research and knew that this would be such a sanity saving thing for us (and they were kind enough to offer a discount) that I went ahead and ordered two more for the other two beds.

Disclaimer!

I am not being compensated for this review–all these thoughts are very much my own! I always have and always will share my honest opinion here–I only want to share about products we truly love and I know that I always rely very much on others’ reviews when researching products! (Also, I posted a short little video with our Beddy’s that you can check out at the bottom of this post!)

little girl reading books on bed

beddys bedding

Beddy’s is an all in one, full zip up bedding set. It fits on the bed like a fitted sheet, with the comforter attached with a zipper. That means that those difficult-to-make bunk beds and beds against the wall could now be easily made with a simple zip! I am very OCD about making beds (just ask my husband–sometimes I start making the bed before he even gets out of it haha) because I feel like the look of a made bed instantly takes away stress, even if the rest of the room is a mess.

kids zipper bedding

And What Do The Kids Think?

What I don’t enjoy is making everybody’s beds every day. The best part about Beddy’s is that the kids are all able to make their own beds every morning. Actually, that’s not the best part. The BEST part is that they enjoy doing it!! We’ve had the bedding for about a month now and they all still wake up and zip their beds before coming down for breakfast. Evangeline (3) is still learning to remember to do it, but I can’t even complain because I just walk in her room and quickly zip up the sides.

little girl zipping up bed sheets

beddys reviews

Now I know that some of you will click over to their site and be shocked at the pricing. I understand! I had the same initial thought. But I considered a couple of things that make the price totally worth it. First of all, it’s a full zip up bedding set. It’s the sheet, comforter, pillow case(s) and sham(s). You could probably find sets in the store that would be a cheaper option.

But to me, what really makes the price worth it is the time/sanity it’s saving me. Instead of sloppy beds or comforters that come untucked (has anyone ever attempted to put bedding on the top bunk before?!) the kids are able to make their beds all on their own and it actually looks nice! That alone is worth so much! And these are sure to last them for many, many years.

beddys zipper bedding

boys reading books in bed

Totally their idea for the posed “fake sleeping picture.”

A few other things:

The underside of the comforter is lined with a minky material (pictured below)– the kids love how soft it is!
They wash easily–I can just throw the twin set in the machine as one piece. With the full size, I unzip the comforter first but wash it all together, per the website’s recommendations.
When the bed is made, you can’t see the zipper
The zipper moves smoothly–making it easy for young children to zip up (this also makes it a great option for those with disabilities or the elderly!)

Evangeline has the Chic White set– so simple and beautiful for a little girl’s room. The boys have the Game On Gray. The modern striped pattern is exactly what I had envisioned for their room (and the colors don’t bleed in the wash!) They also just released this Goldie Dots set that I’m dying over! Follow them on instagram for discounts and giveaways!

Here’s the video we made! Stayed tuned for the rest of the room makeovers in the next few days with before and after pictures (I couldn’t fit it all in one post!) Thanks for reading!

September 12, 2016

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