Hi! My name is Emily and I'm a writer, a wife to Nick and mother to two very sweet little girls named Daisy and Ella. We live in a quaint little town outside Philadelphia, PA, with our two black lab sisters.
I started this blog as a way to stay connected with friends and family after Daisy was born and it has now become a home for musings on everything from our favorite family recipes, books, travel destinations and, ultimately, my quest to balance work, life, self-care and family - all while staying grateful. Happy reading!
Search By Tag:
There is something really wonderful about being able to prepare for this birth in ways I couldn’t with Daisy. One of the luxuries I have this time around is being able to pack a bag of things to make our stay more comfortable. I did lots of research and talked to other moms about what they brought (and wished they’d brought!) for their own birth and hospital stays. Here are the lists I came up with - for some of you first-time moms, hopefully these are helpful:
For Me:
The bag I'm using is the Lululemon Large Fundamental Tote - durable, washable, lots of room! (This is a great carry-on for long international airplane rides too.)
My Birth plan & notes for my care team
A birth ball for stretching in positions that help baby descend
Tiny white lights for the bathroom (see earlier post with best advice from our doula!)
Materials from our birth class for Nick and I to reference
A couple of black jersey dresses that will hide stains and are easy for nursing, including this one
This loose shirt dress for moving around in the hospital room comfortably
My oil diffuser and lavender and eucalyptus oils for diffusing and massage during labor
Lip balm and lotion for dry lips and skin
Kind bars, sports drinks and a reusable Nalgene bottle for all that amazing hospital ice
Books, magazines & iPad loaded with entertainment, namely Modern Family (to make me laugh) and Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten is the ultimate calming presence) and our birth playlist
Hairbands and clips for keeping hair away from my sweaty face
My favorite firm pillow (I will not be bringing my beloved Slip silk pillowcase – last time I was in the hospital it was taken out with the used linens by housekeeping and I never saw it again!)
This mister spray bottle to keep cool during labor
A long, loose, breathable dress for going home (like this or this)
Nursing bras and breast pads
Toiletries, towels, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste
Big old undies
For Nick
Our DSLR camera with fully-charged battery
Comfortable shoes for pacing the hospital corridors
A change of clothes
Deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss
Phone charger
For Ella
A sleep suit
A few onesies
Socks & hats to keep her feet and head warm, mitts to keep her from scratching her face
Her baby blanket
Wubanub
Muslin blankets/burb cloths – I absolutely love these
Baby car seat - some hospitals won't let you leave by car without one!
Veteran moms, what have we missed with these lists? Send me your ideas!