Extreme Nesting

Turns out I'm shit at blogging. I believe it's been around a year since I last checked in. 

So straight back into it, I'm about 35 weeks preggo at the mo with no.2 and this is a photodump of everything I've prepared for wee man's arrival. Hold onto your butts. 

Where do we begin? With the hospital bags I guess. 

The baby's things

While we know we're having a boy, I just love monochrome/neutral clothing for newborns! I've got 2 different sizes going on here: prem and Newborn. First time round, our boy was swimming in his newborn clothes for a good week or so and me being the nitpicker that I am, I found myself twitching at the sight of the folded legs/arms and the baggy fit... I want to blame it on hormones but I know it's just my usual flavour of crazy :) 

My DIY-ed burp cloths (tutorial here) that I made last time are making another appearance - they were barely used last time cos the wee man never spat up. There's one of the Aden & Anais bamboo swaddles as well as an organic cotton one from John n Tree. And yes, the lovie is a tiny Jellycat Bashful Bunny !!!!

Close-up of the baby's toiletries: just some pawpaw ointment for potential nappy rash (also makes for a good nipple cream), baby brush, nail files and baby lotion - it all fits into the wee Kikki.K leather pouch

Oh my! Tiny mittens, tiny socks, tiny booties <3

All fits into a Kathmandu medium packing cell

In one of the many pockets of the baby bag

Some newborn nappies, organic cotton cloth wipes from John n Tree, Water Wipes, poopoo bags - side note: yes, we have a dog, but these doggy poo bags that you can buy from any bargain dollar store are the best things for also throwing away baby nappies (or snack wrappers/tissues etc.). I have a roll in every single handbag, car, drawer... they litter my house :) 

My going-home outfit. Nothing fancy; just a loose fitting and 'easy-access' maxi dress from ASOS and a denim jacket

Glass newborn bottle from Evenflo in case we have BF-ing issues again

The bottles they provide at the hospital have bottle teats that flow wayyyyy too fast for a newborn. These have an appropriate teat on them and they also heat faster and evenly cos they're made of glass. Cheap as chips from Baby Factory but I think they've discontinued now :( 

Snacks

Not for me; for the hubsy should this take longer than anticipated. He hated what was on offer from the vending machines and the cafeteria only had sausage rolls and pies... Really, all he wanted was a sandwich but ya know. It's all about me buddy.

Coins for parking and/or the vending machine plus some headphones

The headphones are for the hubsy should his not be working on the day or he forgets his or whatever... He's been instructed to be quiet while I'm labouring so he's going to watch movies on his phone. We are likening this to a long-haul flight for him: do not disturb the wifey. 

All of the above fits into the hot pink Marc Jacobs baby bag - it's looking a little worse for wear now that it's about 4 years old and it's been through Europe and a baby/toddler... but it's still functional. Hurrah for a million pockets!

In the leather weekender we have all my boring stuff:

For (en)during labour

There's a bikini top and home-made modesty wrap (should I be lucky enough to water birth), hot/cold compress, shower cap (if I'm drenching myself in the shower), hair ties/hair clips, lip balm, jandals and the merino hat I'd like my boy to wear once he's out... last time they chucked on this weird-coloured one (yay hospital freebie). I mean, I framed it and all cos it was the first hat he ever wore but... just kinda wish it looked a bit nicer. Not hormonal, just crazy :) 

Microfibre towel, wet bag for dirty laundry, unmentionables (!!), washable nursing pads in carry bag that has wet/dry compartments, cosmetics bag and separate toiletries bag

In the toiletries bag

There's my toothbrush, toothpaste, mini razor, mini tweezers, coconut oil (to use as make up remover), body lotion, mini comb, mini Moroccanoil, mini shampoo, shower gel/cleanser/moisturiser samples (that way I can throw out when I'm leaving) and a ridiculous body mitt for the shower. 

For prettifying  

There's dry shampoo, BB cream, concealer, highlighter (be gone, eyebags!), mascara, brown eyeshadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, curler, lip balm and eyeshadow brush. It's all in a separate bag so I can keep it next to the hospital bed in case we have guests popping in and I need to quickly hide my eye bags. So you know, super crucial stuff.

Another packing cell 

It's got a couple of robes (easy access!), nursing poncho for if I need to BF in front of guests, nursing cami's, grundies (high waisted and black - you can buy a cheap 3 pack of these from Kmart), black (MUST BE BLACK) yoga pants, bed socks with non-slip grippy things on the soles and a Solly wrap, naturally.

The luxury item

The sweetest hand-knitted 8-ply merino wool baby shawl. My mum made this specifically for wee man no.2. It took her forever to make, it's super delicate and we'll only use this every now and again cos it's just so freaking delicate (dangit mother, you should've used cotton lol) but it's so special I feel the need the wrap the baby in this STAT.

For whoever is watching the Master at home, I've prepared for the zombie apocalypse just in case.

A shoe box of some fun things: 2 colouring books, felt pens, coloured pencils, sidewalk chalk, iPad and Leap Pad and respective chargers

Snacks to sate the little beastie

His special plates, bowls, milk cup, water/juice cup and cutlery - he's very specific. 

Snap-lock bag of spare clothes and PJs

The outfit I want the hubs to dress him in for when he comes to visit his baby bro - I don't trust other people to dress him. Last time I did, his onesie was done up over his pants like Superman. 

We've got the carseat ready, nursery is ready (though that won't be used for the first couple of months), bassinet all set up in the Master bedroom, but let me fill you in in what I'm MOST excited about :D:D

So on Pinterest I saw some parents get their older kids presents 'from' the newest addition. One mother actually threw her daughter a wee little party in the hospital room and I thought that would be the most fun thing ever. Of course, I just have to do that but TO THE NEXT LEVEL. 

This container sits in the car boot, ready to be taken up to the hospital room with me. (The JellyCat on the right is for the Master to bring with him as his gift to the wee fella).

What's inside? Tissue pompoms from the Master's 1st birthday party! There's also a JellyCat Bashful Bunny so the two bro's can match :)

And underneath? Sparkling juice for the grown-ups, juice boxes for the wee man, plastic champagne flutes. The big box is a Lego Duplo toy, the little box is a Sylvanian Family figurine - the Master is getting spoilt rotten man. 

Party for the Master

There's also a table centrepiece and a 'Happy Big Brother Day!' sign to stick onto it. There's some wooden cutlery, paper plates, serviettes and I'm sending my mother to get either donuts or cakes or cupcakes - it's no party unless there's cake right? In the envelope is fabric bunting I'm gonna stick up somewhere and there's also a small vase for flowers - last time I was given flowers but had nowhere to put them except for an old drink bottle! 

To round off this epic long post, photos of the nursery and newborn set up. You know, just in case you haven't been put to sleep yet, this oughta do it. 

In the master bedroom

This set up worked for us last time so we're repeating it. The ottoman becomes a temporary change table for those late night changes. I bought some Kmart placemats to use as washable change mats ;) one purpose only, don't worry. 

Close up!

There's another placemat on the side table - that one's vinyl so we can wipe it down easily. We made formula feeds there and no matter how careful you are, it just gets messy! Milk rings on wood are no fun (P.S. bit of mayo gets it off somewhat). A basket underneath the side table contains nappies, sleepbags, swaddles, singlets and socks. There's nappy balm, baby lotion, hand sanitiser, talcum powder and rubbish bags in the wee containers flanking the wipes box. 

And here's the nursery:

That statement wall was a nightmare. It took 3 weeks longer than it should've but turns out, measuring and doing maths is not my forte. I used a black paint pen from Bunnings to do this.

Another view

I did the canvas art last time for the boy but with Crayola washable markers (cos the hubs was paranoid about toxins or something crazy) but I just painted over it with acrylic a couple of weeks ago - it had faded in the sunlight. The vinyl wall sticker's from The Warehouse. I made the playmat using this tutorial. 

I made the crib skirt last time as well

Block out blinds this time round. They're ugly as fffffffff but they're practical. Sure beats taping up block out fabric! 

The door on the right leads out to the never-used balcony. Redundant. Lets in tonnes of light though! 

Hope you could take something away from this super long post! Whether it be, 'Oh that's a good idea!' or 'Wow, that woman is crazy! I'd better not be like that when I'm pregnant!' hope it was a fun learning experience either way :D xo