Nursery Tour

Is this nesting? In my 28 years I have never displayed even the smallest inclination toward either the domestic or the highly organised yet at 8 months pregnant these have both become my highest priority! Maybe it is nesting though I am more inclined to think it has a logical root. I am acutely aware that I will soon be spending a lot of time at home without a clue of what I'm doing, with the grateful receipt of this burden I decided to eliminate another; the need to look for/step over/clean around the majority of the items I use on a daily basis! Removing liquid faeces from a tiny wiggling bum has got to be easier when you can put your hand straight on the necessary weapons of ablution? Baby blues must be at least eased by a clear, calm environment? Life really does actually look like it does on Pinterest? No? None of these assumptions are true? I don't know how parenthood works? Shit. Anyway, on with the 'tour' (*shudder I'm such a Mommy Blogger cliche sorry!*)

First up, the changing unit! This was the first area that Fred and I set up, we wanted everything within easy reach but we didn't want anything to be cluttered. We have; nappies, spare cotton balls, nappy bags, wipes, talcum powder, more cotton wool in a grab jar, his grooming products in a basket and spare muslins for slipping under his booty to avoid skid marks on the mat. This drawer works from left to right in order of the urgency I expect to feel in trying to procure the item. This means that my more dexterous right hand can keep Prawn from shimmying into his own poo while my left can easily grab the most urgently required item from the left side of the drawer. Simples!

In the second drawer we put his baby grows and sleep suits. Are these under clothes? I imagine you put t-shirts and adorable itty bitty trousers on over them but the truth is I'm not sure you do! Anyway we organised these right to left with his First Size on the far right and his 0-3 Month moving left before finishing with two grab jars, one bibs, the other socks etc. The reasoning behind this (yes - completely over thinking) was that holding Prawn was now the less pressing issue since poo as a risk factor had been eliminated thus it could be managed by left hand leaving right hand to grab what's needed. It's just simple ergonomics (and the first signs of mental derailment).

In the last drawer is spare wipes and nappies etc. I bought 187 Size 1 nappies "just in case". Just in case he's an elephant? You may suspect that I have a slight nervous preoccupation with the baby's bowel movements, you would be correct. I've never actually changed a nappy but I have watched enough YouTube videos to know how horrific the experience can be. In my defence they say babies use 10-12 a day in the first while. 187 nappies / 12 nappies a day = 15.5 days worth of nappies. Not excessive. What is excessive is how many times I've said nappies in this post. 

I know you're just dying to know what's in his grooming basket! Here it is! For bath time I thought it would be handy to have everything in a lift out container to take to the bathroom with us but also to leave in his changing unit for top and tailing/emergency spills. In here we have a few nappies and bags, assorted sponges, rash cream, body wash, baby oil, hand sanitiser (because I had some spare and needed to put it somewhere) cotton balls, hair brushes, nail clippers and wash clothes. 

On to his wardrobe which (shockingly) has his clothes, towels and a few items he's not ready to use yet. His clothes are grouped according to size, I'm looking for wardrobe dividers but so far no joy! Beside his wardrobe is his first bed! We bought a Chicco Next2Me so naturally we will move this into his own room when he arrives. Eventually his crib will be here but hopefully we will have moved house long before we have to build the crib! In his Chicco is his swaddling blanket and his Bump to Birthday record which I HIGHLY recommend as a keepsake.

Lastly his pram and nappy bag. We got a Bugaboo Chameleon 3 because so many people recommended them. Bugaboo never reduce the price of their products but we just happened to be passing a Mamas and Papas at opening time on the very day that this one was marked as Shop Soiled and reduced by £300! Win! There was some stiff competition from other Mommies and a slight amount of stalking around the store from a particularly determined pair but we made it to the till unscathed! His nappy bag is just from Mothercare - we went for the cheapest one we could find! Why are they so expensive? £70+ for a hideous satchel??? Get a grip! This one is only marginally less hideous but significantly less expensive at £35. 

And that's all! I expect this level of military organisation will last approximately 18 seconds once he's born!

Maternity Hospital Bag

EDIT: Baby was born and the bag was used! During my short stay in hospital I was so grateful for this bag! Having fresh, full toiletries was a lovely treat, I've honestly never felt cleaner or had a better shower than I did immediately post birth! Likewise the extra PJs for the next morning, it was just what I needed to feel 'normal' again. As for baby having his first outfit and nappy in a clearly labelled bag was SO handy, as it was the midwife who ended up dressing him (hello diamorphine Mommy!) The midwives advised against the witch-hazel 'padsicles' that are all over Pinterest and called them a "bacterias' paradise". Yikes! Glad I didn't track them down now. In short this was EVERYTHING I needed.  

Have a little peak at what I'll be bringing in my maternity bag! I found preparing the hospital bag to be a really relaxing activity, to me labour felt a bit daunting so being super organised ahead of time allowed me to feel calm and much more in control. Before settling on this kit I read dozens of maternity bag checklists on Pinterest, blogs and baby support groups so there's nothing in here that's new or surprising, especially for those who've given birth before. I also like to travel light and figured I'd have enough to do helping a human exit my body than root through a pile of unnecessary crap so I've kept this minimal! As a disclaimer I'll just say that I haven't used a maternity hospital bag before so have no idea if this is in anyway adequate, I will report back when with news from the field!

For me I packed two pairs of labour pyjamas, loose and dark for obvious reasons! I chose shorts and a vest, a knee length nightgown and light robe because I have been reliably informed that the maternity wards are roasting. I also packed some fluffy memory foam slippers for my enormous, throbbing feet! I've also got two extra pairs of navy bottoms for the morning after.

Motherhood is a wonderful time, and when it's not it a messy time! With that in mind here are the necessaries! Maternity pads which I've sprayed with witch hazel ointment (quote from BFF "there are not enough of them IN THE WORLD"), breast pads and two packets of the ugliest pants I've ever seen.

I'm not sure why I've packed make up seeing as I don't really wear it but I thought a little might make me feel human after all that exhaustion and exertion. I've got bronzer and brush, BB cream, mascara and lip colour...fancy! I've also packed a fan for aforementioned tropical ward!

Another humanising kit! Hairbrush, lip balm (all that deep breathing will be chapping no?), shower gel, the strongest deodorant available, toothpaste and mouthwash if brushing sounds too challenging!

Shampoo and conditioner, moisturiser, cleanser, tone and toothbrush There's also shower caps and coconut oil for the nipples (yay can't wait). I don't intend to stay in the hospital long enough to need these things but figured I'd be better off to have them!




Not pictured is my 'visitor' pyjamas for the next day or my going home outfit which I've packed in a separate bag and left in the car, Fred can bring it up when its needed. I'd LOVE to be able to get some cooling Perineal Pads but I can't find them for sale in the UK. If I locate them I'll add them too!

 For baby I packed a mix of baby grows and sleep suits, most lists seemed to recommend 3 of each so that's what I went with. If we're in longer than a day Fred will bring more from home but I think we're covered.




In addition to those outfits he's also got his 'First Outfit'. This is SO plain, a white onesie and baby grow, white hat, white gloves and a nappy. Elegant it is not but I'm sure his first fashion statement can wait! I packed this kit in a little bag all of its own so that when he's finally here clothing him will take zero brain power - who knows how tired we will be. Anything that makes it easier is welcome in the bag!

We've packed him two going home outfits, one for the planned birth and one for the unexpected eventuality of delivering him in the Arctic Circle...because we live in Ireland and our weather may play 'Guess the Climate' even in July!

As for nappies we packed all those in a separate bag. This tote has 24 nappies (because I don't know how much a baby poos) Water Wipes (which I've heard are useless but the midwives judge you if you don't bring them), industrial amounts of cotton wool, muslin clothes (x4), coins to feed the parking meter, snacks for me and Fred, oh and my maternity record which i heard is kinda a big deal!


And that's all! I'm going to chuck in a change of t-shirt for Fred and maybe some shorts in case he wan't to join me in the birthing bath but other than that we are GOOD TO GO!