I’m due with my third baby in less than ten days and to be honest, I am just packing my hospital bag now. This completely goes against all recommendations that you should be ready to go around week 36-37, but somehow time just got away from me this pregnancy. Maybe it was my two toddlers who unpack everything I put in a pile, or the time of year, but in any event I’m working through the stack of things I’ve been collecting on my dresser to “put in a bag” and telling you what I’ve always needed and (more importantly) found comforting to have with me:

Clothing (for you)

• First and foremost, a robe or open sweater. Hospital temperatures are unpredictable and these are an easy way to layer up both before and after labor!
• Cozy socks – there is a good chance your feet will be swollen. This is an easy way to keep warm, too!
• Hard sole slippers – no one wants to bother with shoes while in the hospital, but if you leave your room (I like to push my babies around the floor), it’s ideal to have something more durable then a slipper sock or soft-bottom slipper.

Post-labor clothes

After the birth of my first daughter I had no idea that I would one, not fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes immediately; and two, be so eager to put something on besides the hospital gown.

I recommend dark colored clothing, specifically post-partum leggings or a relaxed pair of joggers to put on after you’re able to take your first shower. (For my followers, you already know I’m obsessed with blanqi leggings – this obsession carries beyond pregnancy and into post-baby; get yourself a pair. #notsponsored)

If you’re planning on breastfeeding …

Another thing that makes me more comfortable is nursing shape wear. The most foreign my body has ever felt to me has been the sudden change it undergoes after birthing my daughters. Having the shape wear to hold everything in instantly made me feel better. I tend to wear this under everything the first few weeks post-baby. It is also provides coverage of your tummy if you need to nurse and are not wearing a top specifically designed for nursing. 

That’s not to say it is for everyone. If you fear this will make you feel confined, just bring some nursing bras and flowy tips. My favorite nursing bras are from Lively. I highly recommend you check them out and that you also try out a nursing sports bra.

While on the subject of nursing, a few other items that have proven to be life savers for me at the hospital:

• Hydrogel packs for relief. Don’t let anyone fool you, breastfeeding, especially in the beginning is painful AF.
• Nipple cream
• Nursing pads
• Boppy pillow – while not a necessity, it has served many purposes during each of my stays in the hospital.

Toiletries 

That first shower is the best feeling! Make sure you bring whatever toiletries you desire as I’ve found what is available at the hospital is laughable. This includes the towels – bring your own! Nothing worse than getting out of the shower to find what they’ve provided is barely more than a hand towel. The standards:

When it comes to other personal items, pads, underwear, etc. the hospital provides that for you – so save yourself the hassle and leave it at home.

For baby

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Don’t bring any diapers or wipes! Again, the hospital provides these items (and I’m sure you’re paying for them.)

• Your baby will be swaddled the majority of the time you’re in the hospital – so if you’d like to pack blankets outside of whatever standard print the hospital provides, I’d recommend doing so! My favorite swaddles are copper pearl and Posh Peanut. Added bonus, they’re both available on Amazon (prime) and my three year old and 23 month old still use theirs!
• I always bring a couple of sleepers (and in a few sizes) as it’s hard to know how big your baby will be.
• A going home outfit – I LOVE dressing up my peanut(s) for the first time!
• Any weather necessary items; I can thank the Chicago winter for allowing me to purchase a pink newborn sherpa this go around!
• Any outfits you want for pictures. (We’re doing a photo session for when the girls arrive to meet their new sis. If you plan to have photos taken in the hospital, I highly recommend planning outfits ahead of time. Truth be told, this is probably why it’s taken me so long to pack!)
• And most importantly, don’t forget your car seat! Northwestern requires you bring it into the room and have them check it out before you’re discharged. 

Miscellaneous 

• Whatever you’d like to have to entertain yourself in the event you have a long labor. (In other words, iPad and or other reading/browsing device/materials.
• Camera – I know everyone’s phone has a camera these days, but I still like to bring my DSLR.
• Bluetooth speaker and/or headphones. It can also be a good idea to make a playlist ahead of time in the event you want music during your labor and delivery.
• Any items you want to use to capture memories. (In the past I have brought letter boards, banners, personalized onesies, etc.) 
• Your own pillow.
• A list of who to notify. Nothing worse than forgetting to tell someone and being called out when they hear it second hand. If you’re planning any professional photos, be sure to include you photographer on the list!
• And, make sure to pack any charging cables you need! I always bring an extra long phone charger as the outlets in hospitals tend to be inconveniently placed.

SNACKS!

This should probably fall under miscellaneous, but I can’t stress this one enough. What you can eat is limited until baby comes (often restricted to water) but depending on the time of when he or she arrives – what you can get your hands on may not be appealing at all. I had kedzie at 12:05 a.m., the only thing they were able to offer me was a turkey sandwich (presumably a day old), and I hate lunch meat. Best to bring some items you know you’ll be able to get down! I tend pack nuts/trail mix, protein bars, chips and candy!

what your partner should be sure to bring 

• Items for entertainment. Depending on your plans (and the way things go), your partner may spend time in the waiting room.
• Comfy clothes – the couch they’ll be sleeping on is not comfortable at all, they should be sure their clothes at least are.
• Pillow/blanket – again, the hospital isn’t doing much to make you want to hang around when it comes to amenities. 

I should also note, I have never made a birth plan. I have always just told myself that whatever is going to happen in that room is going to happen – that said, if you have one, be sure to bring a few copies!

I had heard of a babymoon when I was pregnant with Palmer and thought it seemed like a silly idea; with Kedzie we just never planned one. It wasn’t until this pregnancy, with our third baby girl, that we actually took one! And to be honest, while we [I] talked about taking one this go around, we probably wouldn’t have made it happen … but then plans fell in our lap, and I’m so glad they did – hey there, Vermont!

I’ll start by saying, I was surprised to see a lot of responses to my social posts indicating some of you had never heard of a babymoon! I thought these were pretty common practice nowadays (similar to a push present). If you’re one of those who mentioned you weren’t familiar with the concept of a babymoon (and you haven’t since looked it up), a babymoon is (hopefully) a relaxing and romantic escape for you and your partner before the arrival of your baby. It provides the two of you time to connect before your regularly scheduled programming ceases.

Our babymoon was a little unconventional being that we didn’t plan it ourselves. As I mentioned, it fell into our lap; translation, Shawn won the trip through work. Given this, I wasn’t entirely sure on how much alone time we would have, but I knew there would be some.

Logistically, I didn’t think we would be able to coordinate childcare for this trip and our own babymoon, (we drive our girls to Michigan before we travel so my Mom can watch them,) and it just seemed silly to pay for a trip when we had one available to us for free. (Luckily, this trip turned out to be entirely on our own schedule – so there was plenty of time for the two of us to be social and alone!)

Now having been on a babymoon, I recommend everyone take one and here’s why:

• You need it! You may not know it yet, but I am already so grateful for the time Shawn and I had before we welcome baby number three and she hasn’t even joined our crew yet.
• Pregnancy insomnia may not allow you to actually sleep, but you still get to rest. Don’t get me wrong, I missed my kids, but it was so nice to know there would be no little ones climbing into my bed at 3:00 a.m.
• If you’re like me and already have kids, it is much easier to enjoy “romantic” time when you’re not listening to a baby monitor. (And again, not being responsible for kids means you can actually take a hot shower and take your time to get ready – four days WITHOUT dry shampoo!)
• You have the time and the mental capacity to discuss what this new baby means for your current life.
• You can babymoon anywhere! It really isn’t about where you go.

To continue on with my last point, any location can be the perfect spot for you to babymoon, and I truly believe you can have a wonderful time on any budget. Read on to see how we managed to make Vermont the perfect pre-baby escape for us.

where we stayed

Our home base for this getaway was The Equinox Resort in Manchester, Vermont. The resort itself was a balance of the historic charm you’d expect in Manchester coupled with the modern amenities we’ve all come to demand. Including a lovely spa complete with workout facilities, a beautiful golf course, quick access to hiking trails, picturesque grounds, and on-site dining options.

Outside from relaxing in front of one of the several fireplaces in the resort, we were able to enjoy the outdoor fire pit, read in the library, and enjoy local beers/mocktails in the Marsh Tavern and the Falcon Bar. (In the interest of transparency, I recommend leaving the resort for your meals, we tried a few things on-site and weren’t impressed by much outside of the fresh donuts.)

Additionally, the resort managed a variety of excursions their guests could book (at an additional cost). Given that I’m pregnant and the Range Rover experience Shawn had his eyes on wasn’t an option for us, I convinced him we should go to falconry school. No joke, guys – this was the coolest thing I’ve done in a long time!

Green Mountain Falconry School

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To be honest, I don’t know why I was so intrigued by Falconry heading into the trip – I’ve never owned or even desired to own a bird; I wasn’t even familiar with the sport outside of some references to it in books I had read. And if I am going to be embarrassingly honest, I didn’t realize that falcons were not a specific bird, but rather a species of predatory birds. Lastly, let’s note I have never done any hunting in my entire life.

Through my initial look into the Green Mountain Falconry School I learned that this hunting method was believed to have originated in China around 2000 BC and was later developed into a sport that both men and women participated in. But, after attending the class I now know so much more! Our instructors were so knowledgeable and friendly. I was so intrigued by everything I learned during our visit to the school and would one hundred percent attend another course.

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Seriously – if you ever have an opportunity to go check this out, do it!

Other things to do in Manchester

• Visit the Lincoln Family Home – the Hildene

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• Shop at their designer outlets
• Explore the Equinox Preserve

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• Go fly fishing
• Do the Range Rover Experience Drive I mentioned Shawn was hoping for (again, note this is not suitable if you’re pregnant)
• Act like Elf and add maple syrup to anything you intend to consume

Did you go on a babymoon and would you recommend it? Tell me about yours in the comments below.