If you have been reading along then you already know this is my first time being pregnant and first time even having to think about what to pack in my birth center bag and Claire's going home from the birth center bag. It has been pretty cute reading through so many blogs, looking at all the adorable outfits and finding a diaper bag that not only would do its job but look cute too!

Now that I have my bag I guess I should start trying to figure out everything that goes into it - I have three lists: one for me, one for Ryan&me and one for baby Claire Olive.

My bag
1. Comfy maternity top - I am not going to pretend that I will be losing tons of baby weight right after she comes out.
2. Only the sexiest maternity underwear.
3. Leggings, I am not usually a leggings as pants wearer but this day I might make an exception. I might end up in Ryan's basketball shorts. Who knows.
4. Dermoplast - pain relieving spray, it has been an amazing friend for the last few months and I hear I will only be leaning on it more after the birth.
5. Socks, I am gonna want to be comfy.
6. Nursing bra
7. Hair ties and a brush
8. Slippers, I will probably go home in sandals though but we will see what the feet swelling is like.
9. Nipple cream, I just keep hearing that I will need it and thankfully I have been gifted some, so that is going in the bag.
10. Pads. Lets take it on back to jr. high.
11. Chapstick, any brand will do but I do love me some Burt's Bees
12. Make up bag, I am gonna need to freshen up for all of these photos.

Our bag.
1. Camera and charger, we have not decided what kind of photos we will be wanting. Crowning or not. But I know I will want a lot taken. Thanks in advance mom :)
2. iPhone and ear buds. I might also need to buy an iDock if I want everyone in the room to hear my affirmations and my birth play lists [I need to make these by the way]
3. Charger, if my friends are like me they will be blowing up my phone for news, we will need to charge our phones.
4. Bathing suit for Ryan in case he decided to get in the birthing tub with me.
5. Toothbrush and toothpaste, we will be practicing hugs before drugs so I don't want my breath to scare him away.
6. Traveling cooler, we will need this to bring my placenta home for the encapsulation. 

Claire's bag.
1. Newborn car seat. She should come home with us I think.
2. Boppie or My Breast Friend - I haven't figured out which one would be better to bring for her. Opinions welcome.
3. Little mittens for her little hands & socks for her little feets
4. Aden + Anais swaddle blankets, they are so cute and I have heard the best things about these blankets, we have gotten so many adorable ones. I am looking forward to practicing with them
5. Going home outfit, this will be tough we have been given the cutest baby clothes I have ever seen. I will take a look at the newborn sizes and see what would be just perfect.
6. Diapers and wipes, for her first little bowel movements.

Now this list isn't perfect - maybe it is too much or not enough and I would love any thoughts and suggestions. Just wanted to get it all written out for us so we can feel a lot more prepared.

Have a great day
xo
Nikol

Wow! Only 10 weeks to go until our birthing time! Not only is time flying by on its own but then my girlfriend Eva has her baby 4 weeks early! Oh my gosh could Claire come early too!? Of course I had thought of this before but now I am ready to pack my "Birth Day Bag" I will probably be doing a lot of stuff that Brittany suggests in her blog but I think I will keep poking around online to see what else I will be needing the day of. I start maternity leave on July 1st and I really would enjoy a few weeks at home, not working, to prepare lots of frozen meals for us and to deep clean everything on my huge list haha. I know we still have a good amount of time but this does feel like the home stretch and I want to be as ready as I can be.

The pictures below really made my day yesterday, having a migraine was such a downer so a few laughs were very very needed. This book is called HATCHED: The Big Push From Pregnancy To Motherhood and it was super super cute! I know I will need to get this for my next pregnant friend haha.

Speaking of books I want my girlfriends [and their sig others to read]
Ina May's Guide To Childbirth is a must buy and must give to your friends once you are done reading. I am so thankful that my friend Vicky who just had her daughter suggested it and Ina's breastfeeding book, I will be reading that soon.

The reason I loved it so much is hard to put into words. The first half of the book are testimonials of people who have given birth with a midwife and on The Farm, each one is touching and even if some seem hard they seem worth it and never scary. I will be rereading this book very soon.

This past week and weekend were full of good time with friends. Erica Hagaman will soon be Mrs. Brenes and we all could not be more excited for her. So 11 of us piled into her family cabin and began to celebrate this soon to be union! Katie & Maureen did an amazing job planning the weekend, I am sure getting 11 women into a cabin and have them all get their timing together, to get along and to all drink just enough to be a blast has to be a tough task and they took it on beautifully. Erica is surrounded by many women who I adore and am looking forward to partying with at the shower and at the wedding!
Congrats Hags!

Instagram photo dump. Lots of belly as per usual and Erica's bachelorette party!

Happy 30th week Claire Olive!
You are so beautiful and I love watching you roll around in my stomach - I want to know what you are thinking about in there. Are you moving around to get cozy or do you just move to move? I have noticed that lately you still love the bath tub but something new that you are doing is PLAYING WITH ME if I tap my belly you tap back! Or when I can feel your little booty pushing up against me I am able to cup it and move it up and down and you just go crazy, I love it! Little girl  you are making each day more wonderful and I can only imagine how you will do that when you are actually here. Your daddy loves talking to you and reading to you and he is helping me get ready for your arrival. This morning we watched A Baby Story and it was a homebirth where they had a daughter and we both cried over our quiche in excitement to meet you. This weekend is another weekend full or love and fun! Friday we get to see you in 3D again and this time your aunt Melissa will be able to join us, we are hoping that you will show us some more of your face because I already just want to bite your little nose. Then on Saturday your grandma is throwing you your very first baby shower!! I know, how exciting. We will be surrounded by friends and La Cocina what else could we possible ask for?!? Oh I know, a birthday party! Your grandpa is turning 60 and we are having a huge bash on Sunday and then followed by a family bbq on Monday. This will probably be a tiring weekend for us but believe me it'll be worth it
xo
I love you Claire!