Countdown

Pregnancy Update: Tomorrow we are officially at 37 weeks! Full term :-). I've been having ridiculous braxton hicks/ irritable uterus contraction for about a month now. They hurt. And make it hard to walk. Or eat. Or function much at all. My Dr has set the date around September 20th. We will most likely do an induction so we can be sure to get my epidural in time. There is a tiny chance we could do that on the 16th. As of right now we are only 1 cm dilated, but the baby has dropped some. I knew this because of the sharp stabbing pains I'm having. :-).  To make myself feel better I've been finishing my shopping list.

Here are a few items I remembered at the last minute that I am so glad I've learned about along the way.
*swaddle blankets :  Big ones, not receiving blankets (although those are handy too). BIG swaddle blankets like Aden and Anais or Swaddle designs. A BIG swaddle blanket makes life so much easier. (you can swaddle with regular receiving blankets but baby will outgrow them fast.) Targit now sells A & A for less than 30$ for four of them. GOOD DEAL. A friend recently said on her blog that no one had mentioned swaddling to her before her baby was born. I was sad for her. Like really really sad. Learn to swaddle. Teddy bears make good practice dummies :-). You could always enlist the help of a friend with a serger and make your own! I recommend at least two.
*Baby gowns: even if having a boy they make night time so much easier! You dont have to undo buttons or snaps to get at the millions of diapers newborns produce. Look for long ones so they don't "ride up." I bought one from Janie and Jack on clearance for 11.99 :-). I drool over it and its organic cottony softness. These are not the same as sleep sacks. Sleep sacks are intended for warmth, not quick access when you are delirious from caring for a newborn. I recommend three. One to wear, one to be in the wash and one ready to go.
*Ipod app for keeping track of feedings. Genius. I swear this stupid piece of technology that I resisted for so long has changed my human experience. No more having to write down on slips of paper when you nursed and what side. Just tap your phone. I got one called Baby Scheduler. Its free.
*Cetaphil: My sister introduced me to this when I had Eagle. Made for sensitive skin, it is a cleanser/skin conditioner that requires NO WATER. You can use it on baby until they are ready for a tub bath and it keeps their skin soft and sweet and clean. With no cold washcloths required. I buy the store brand because it is a little pricey.
*Nursing tank top: Targit again has come through. They have lots of options and price comparatively to Motherhood.... but ACCEPT returns. With a receipt of course. I plan on taking mine, my comfy pajama bottoms and a zip up hoodie for my post partum regalia.

*Coming home outfit: this was only last minute for me because I've gone back and forth on what I wanted to do. Eagle and Mudbug wore the same cardigan and pants to come home in. I wanted something different for Sprout, but was not finding anything. Have you been to Gymboree lately? BIG giant awesome sales. Plus they have expanded their newborn lines. Today we went in and found this outfit.

Again, I drool.

It perfectly matches a sweet hat and booty set my sister's mother in law made for us. I can not wait to bring him home in it!

And with that I am done spending money:-). For now anyway. Now where is my ice pad?