How I Packed My Birth Bag

Yes, you're pregnant and gathering all the necessary items on the big D-day is totally not practical at all. You're pre-occupied, you're nervous, you're anxious, and most probably you are in pain already. The labor room is boring, and you want to just listen to Coldplay but your dang Mp3 player is not with you, or the mother in law is just on her way to bring you few undergarments but you feel like you need to take a shower now. All these could have been easily a breeze if only you have your Birth bag ready, right?

Well, I'm here to give you few tips on how to pack your Birth bag. It doesn't mean you have to follow how I do it, but feel free to copycat it if you feel like it.  I am very funny on organization and preparedness. As you are reading this blog, I am actually on my 34th week. I have few weeks left, but it always feels good to know that if my water breaks right now, all we have to do is Go!

First off, Let me tell ya this, we have two vehicles that we use regularly.My car, and my honey's. Since you'll never know which vehicle will be available on that day, 
I actually packed 2 birth bags. :))
I know, I am that anal. hah.

We pretty much use Daddy's truck so what I did was I packed the color white new born outfits in the black duffel bag. I am not a fan of severely "eye sore" colors e.g hot pink, Orange, Zebra Patterns,or ginormous logos printed on the cloth bigger than my baby's face, etc. I just feel like new born should look clean and cuddly. This is something I have picked up from my mom when she had our youngest sister who looks nothing but white puff of fabric. As for the Red bag, I packed the neutral earth colors, like light yellow, Khaki color, light green and baby pink color new born outfits.  

Second, Baby essentials first to cover the basics.

I prepared: In the Black Bag
-2 receiving blankets
-6 newborn onesies
-Newborn hat
-1 Going home outfit

 And these ones are in the RED Bag

 -2 Receiving Blanket
 -6 newborn onesies
 -Newborn hat
 -1 Going home outfit
 -burp pad matching a bib with Harper's name monogrammed on it

 It was very stressful for me to pick which one to bring and which one to just save for when she comes home, so I suggest don't bring out too much clothes if you bought quite a bit already because you will end up almost wanting to bring everything. 


What about Mommy and Daddy's needs?  We got that covered.

I am not going to be left alone without my toothbrush and toothpaste. I might be in pain, but I'm sure being clean could be a big help while in labor. So toiletries will be covered. So., what do I have in my bags?

In a big Ziplock, I packed pretty much everything I can think of if I am going to one of my road trips. 
I bought 2 items except ( 4 toothbrushes, 1 for me and for daddy, x2 for two bags = 4). 
As you can see.. I packed:

-toothbrush 
-toothpaste
-deodorants
-shampoo
-conditioner
-body wash
-facial scrub
-mouthwash
-Lips moisturizer (you'll gonna need this very much!)
-ponytail holder (for my very long hair)
-cocoa butter lotion
-hair brush
-I split the feminine wash between two travel containers

PLUS --Baby's shoes to go home. 

Now, another wise thing to do is to bring your own sanitary pads just in case you are bleeding more than you're suppose to be (which if in this case, you need to contact your OB). 

Please don't forget to bring your undergarments too. I sooooo refuse to use hospital towels and what not. So I am actually stressing out to bring your own. Believe me, this is coming from a nurse who sees what some towels go through before they get washed.  (Wink Wink)

I packed on each bag:

-2 set of underwear, preferably something white in the interior area, why? Because what if there are bloody show or bloody drainage coming out, having dark interior can be easily overlooked. 

-2 towels 

-1 face cloth.

Also: Not in the picture, I packed Daddy 2 shirts, 2 boxer briefs, and socks. 


FEW NOTES:
-If any of you takes any medications, be sure to have few of them set aside or put it in the medication planner (pill organizer) so its easy to grab and go. 

- I also made copies of my insurance card, contact numbers of my family ( cell numbers, skype names, etc. ) 

-I also brought my tiny camera and batteries which I put in the TO GO PURSE. Yes, I do have my To go Purse. 

-Have extra charger for your phones also or in our house, we have a power pack which can hold charge and it is portable. 

-Bring snacks, or change for vending machines. Yes, you can eat small portions but also for daddy.

-I also put in the TO GO PURSE one of my Mp3 player, and a portable speaker and some reading materials.

So, we come to this end and I hope I helps you in a little way to ease your anxiousness. Believe me, I know how it feels. I feel like  I always have butterflies in my stomach thinking that its getting really close. 

I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and have a safe delivery. 

I'll catch you up later. 

Pink Flauntation

It's been about 4 months since this busy momma actually spend some time jotting beautiful moments about our little peanut. I must admit its no excuse, I know... however since that terrifying bleeding shinanigan last month; all I'm concerned about is to take care of her and take it easy. 

 A lot has happened since. Yes, the moderate bleeding was one of the things that horridly stricken me. I was put into 10 day bed rest, I had a weight limit not to carry any more than 20 lb. All these related to a pulled vein when I bravely and stubbornly helped one of my client to get up. Next thing I know, I'm bleeding my heart out in the nurses' station confused, terrified, calling and praying to all the angles in heaven that hopefully our little one is no way near harm. 

October 21st of 2013, together with the terror that comes with the assumption that I had a miscarriage is the most beautiful news I ever heard that our sweet angel is perfectly fine with the strongest little heart beating for life. The joy I was feeling that moment was topped with the fact that WE ARE HAVING A BABY GIRL. I could remember my tears flowing down my from my eyes silently while I was holding Austin's hands and thanking the Lord Almighty that once again He proved to me that He shields our family with grace and protection from harm. 

We decided to give her a name "HARPER", full name Harper Dallas Gatte. I picked Harper from my own personal interpretation that she was like a sound of Harp in my life who gave me the tranquility and peace. Dallas is Babe's grand father who was a great family man. Everybody in the family including my friends loved the name. Some said it sounds like she's going to make a lot of men cry, some says sounds like a girl next door name. 

It didn't take long until I felt she was showing off her moves. At 16 weeks, I felt fluttering sensation which I didn't realize it was her way saying "hey mom, I can stretch now". I never felt so alive and excited about her progress.


The changes that my body is going through is nothing but bliss to me. I am not embarrass to say that I've gained 40 lbs so far from my base weight, I am not embarrass to say that my underarm is not the fairest skin and toned part of my body. Geez! I thought I may have used a charcoal flavor deodorant, but hey, I'm loving the laughs I am getting from when Austin is picking at me. So far, thanks to Mama Mio Tummy rub which you can purchase from Amazon.com at 5 months, I have zero stretch marks.


This pregnancy has changed me as a person. Each day I wake up, it gives me this never ending motivation to be a better person. It has made me reevaluate what really matters in life, which one to focus between my personal and professional goals.

Brett Kiellercop once said, 

"Pregnancy seems designed to prepare you for life as a mother. You start making sacrifices nine months before the child is born, so by the time they put in an appearance you are used to giving things up for them."

I'd say Amen.

My words for you my fellow pregnant mommies, is to just enjoy every moment of this wonderful experience like I do. 

I'll catch up with you again, until our next chitchat.

 

The Panic Attack

How can you possibly explain a painful sensation coming from a ripping out pelvic bones? Or tangled intestines? or simple a feeling of being stick by a needle five million times at once? Yes! that was exactly my explanation why me and daddy went to Emergency room. Mommy was very worried that you are very uncomfortable inside that you might want to come out early. (knock on wood!) It was a very painful day that all started after the 'getting old' gas problem all...day...long ceased around 2 in the afternoon. I was really a wimp when I finally texted Daddy, "my back is killing me!!!" (verbatim). Needless to say, after hearing 3 consecutive days of me whimpering about the back and tummy pain; Daddy probably got tired and replied " You feel better or not, we're going to the ER when you get home". I said Ok. 

Fast forward to 10:10pm, (uh, someone took a very long time to fix "HIS" hair, shaved, while I devour a big plate of BBQ ribs, potato salad, and pork and beans that Nanny Sam cooked for Grandma's late bday celeb. Of course, all these while Im on excruciating pain. I ain't passin good food, y'all. :) As we were sitting on the triage, this mexican gentleman who was having hard time talking to the triage nurse.. (ahem!, my Spanish skills is about to come on the line) was then very upset because who he claims have heart problem has not seen anyone. Then, opps! They called my name. Of course, nurse asked this... and that, and this, when was your LMP, is this your first pregancy... blah, blah, blah! I was like, look!, I need to know if there will be an OBGyn because I am here to know if you're fine. 

2 hours later, the ER doc finally showed up and asked me exactly the same as what the nurse asked me, but ordered an U/S (ultrasound, and insertion of catheter to visualize the stomach even better... I was like, say what! a friggin catheter!?? I insert catheters!!! not the one who gets inserted with one! But, I have to do it for you my little sweat pea. Ohh! Mommy was not very happy!, at all. I feel like I always wanted to pee-pee and my punini (you know!) hurts bad bad! The U/S tech came and she was quite in the grumpy side. Daddy asked permission if he could come and even the U/S tech said no, of course... he was right there next to me walking while Im rolling to the U/S room. (tsk! tsk!, Austin) The Doc said they found your little sac where you've been hiding all this time but they couldn't find you yet which it might be too early too tell. But its okay, as long as your little bubble is just where it should be like they said, we're cool! :) 

So, they said you are 5 weeks and 2 days today. Can you believe that? You're a size of a sweat pea and growing day by day. Nevertheless, we are so excited to see you wiggling on our OBGyn appointment on 17th of September. For the meantime, enjoy your time inside because there's a lot of time to be here in the outside. :)) Laters baby!

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The Positive Moment

Eversince the age of 16, I pretty much lived a very independent life. I worked while in college, had the greatest time of my life with awesome friends, partied like an animal, travelled extensively from South to North coast of United States, West to East coast of both United states and my former country Philippines, see the world as much as I can,  got married, finished college with a good profession as a nurse, walked out of marriage which was not meant to last, met the greatest man I prayed so hard from the Lord above to be my best friend and my better half... and now, We're pregnant!

 
Somewhere along the line, the party has to stop, right? I decided to be a mother and build a wonderful family of my own and cherish every moment of it with the man I sorely adore and love with his 9 y.o son whom I claim as my own and live a simple, quiet life here in the heart of the country side, with our animals here in our farm and fresh scent of the back woods.

So, this is it!
It is a very gloomy afternoon this day of August 14th, and my adrenaline is telling me to hurry and get my butt to the restroom and get the pregnancy test over with due to a consistent demand of few friends who knows I might be with a child.
Im sitting on this toilet bowl staring blankly on the box of FirstResponse pregnancy test and not knowing what Im feeling in the heat of the moment. It's now or never.. and the gushing sound of freshly voided urine is streaming to the bowl as I let the strip soak in for 5 seconds. With my eyes close, I gently put the pregnancy strip on the side of the bath tub and prayed silently to God "Please let it be positive Lord, Please, Please." That was the longest 3 minutes of my life. Then Kabam! I saw two lines which conquer that I am pregnant. My face feels hot, while still sitting on the toilet bowl, and I have this awesome feeling of "UGH!" in my heart being pushed to my brain telling me "Im going to be a mother!" I finally found the courage to call Austin, my love; to come and see. As usual, he's a slow cooker!  I stood up and show him the PT, and... "crickets. crickets. crickets. " I don't know exactly how I ended up on his arms and feeling his warm kiss on my forehead, and his comforting hug that words need not to be uttered, making me feel so safe and taken care off. Already.

It's amazing how life can turn out the least you expected it. I can't believe I am pregnant with a man whom been wanting to get to know me since I met him two years ago in a party which I never noticed he was there, I can't believe I've met him couple of times without recollecting he was there but he remembers every clothing I wore each time, I can't believe that fate waited for me to become emotionally, mentally, and legally ready to met the man of my life... and only if you knew how we actually started to exchanging messages with each other, you'll be like, WOW! what a love story!

I can't thank the Lord above for bringing my life into great perspective. I didn't know a woman could feel so selfless like I feel  through the presence of another human being growing inside me, and also for having an son who's acts and gestures, and likes on so many things were like coming from my own genes.

As the months progresses, I will be sharing my wonderful journey to motherwood with you all.
Keep in touch and We'll chat later.

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