He Has Arrived!

With humbled hearts and outstretched arms we introduce our son, Bryson, born Thursday May 16th, at 11:36pm, weighing 8 lbs 0 ounces and 21 inches long. Both Alli and Bryson are doing well. Birth story is coming soon!

Toddler Activities: 21 Months Old

One of the challenges of being a stay at home mom is finding activities for your little one to keep them entertained throughout the day. These are a few of our current favorite activities:

Throwing Practice: Since I'm technically overdue at this point, we've been finding activities for Emma to do that aren't too strenuous for 9+ months pregnant Mommy as well. Throwing practice is a great activity that Emma can do - with very little set up and clean up! - that I can either get down on the floor and play with her, or simply cheer her on depending on how I'm feeling. All this requires is a ball and a masking tape circle on the floor. You could also do this outside with a chalk circle. Simply set up your circle and let your little one throw!

Car Ramp: This is another great activity that requires very little set up and clean up and is fairly active for Emma, but isn't too much for me. All I do is set up a ramp against the couch using a 2x4, or a piece of cardboard. Then Emma sends her cars and trucks down the ramp, then runs after them and send them down again.

And, of course...

Read: Reading is one of the best activities you can do with your child at any age!

A few of Emma's current favorites are:

• Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?  by Dr. Seuss
• The Going-To-Bed Book by Sandra Boynton
• Eating the Alphabet: Fruits & Vegetables from A to Z by Lois Ehlert 

My 3 good things for today are:

1. All my bags are packed and checked...and double checked!
2. I've had a few extra days to get the house nice and clean.
3. We're finally having real spring weather, and can enjoy trips to the park.

All My Bags Are Packed...

...I'm ready to go! Or, at least, as ready as you can be! We are certainly ready to meet this precious baby boy.

As I get down to the final days, I find myself racing around the house trying to get everything as organized and prepared. I think it’s a combination of nesting and panic that I won’t have time for anything with two little ones in the house!

I figure I'd better start getting stuff together for the hospital. This time, I should be a pro at packing but I still find myself scratching my head remembering what I wished I had last time. So I made a list for myself, and everyone else out there, of my top hospital bag items.

The hospital provides onesies, hats, swaddle blankets, diapers, wipes, and pacifiers for baby, and well as a hospital gown, disposable panties, and sanitary pads for you, and a hospital sheet and pillow for Dad. But it is nice to have some of your own items at the hospital - especially if you are planning to do pictures or have a lot of visitors.

We have a big sister gift bag ready to go for Emma, with a new BIG SISTER shirt, coloring books, stickers, bubbles, a few board books, a soft ball, and a few snacks and "quiet time" activities for her to do at the hospital. I know Emma will love having something little to take home after a visit in the hospital…and at least it’ll make me feel a little bit better about sending her home without me.

Hospital Bag Checklists

Mom

• Wallet with ID and insurance card as well as any other hospital paperwork
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, lotion, chapstick, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, soap, hair tie, brush, dryer
• Essential makeup: whatever you need for new baby photos and visitors
• 2 sets of comfy nursing pajamas
• Robe
• Nursing bra and nursing pads
• Granny panties (or use hospital disposable ones)
• Maternity sanitary pads (hospital will also have some)
• Nipple cream
• Slippers or cozy socks
• Comfy (maternity) clothes to go home in - you will still have a bump!
• Phone and charger

Dad

• Toiletries: most men can survive with a toothbrush and a bar of soap
• Change of clothes
• Swim trunks if you are planning to labor in a tub or shower
• Snacks
• Blanket and pillow
• Phone and charger

Baby

• Comfy hospital outfits (onesies, sleep sack)
• Baby hats and mitts
• Burp cloths 
• Going home outfit and hospital photo outfit
• Receiving blanket
• Infant car seat (installed)
• Gift for big sister(s)/brother(s)

Good to have

• Birth plan
• Nursing pillow
• Camera and charger/batteries
• Bible: take a moment to thank God
• Entertainment: magazines, book, music
• Notebook and pen to record nursing and diapers, nurses names, and anything else you'd like to remember
• Thank you note/gift for nurses
• Money for parking and vending

I’m sure I’m forgetting things…what are your top hospital bag items?