Hospital Goodie Bag 

for the Father-to-be

Since I have packed my own snacks and goodies, I decided to make a surprise bag for my husband filled with things he could use during our stay in the hospital. Sadly, Baby B is breech and so I have had multiple doctors at my practice advising me to have a c-section. I imagine that we will be there a little longer than for a natural delivery. 

I decided that for sturdiness and stability, I would use a tote bag that we already owned rather than using a large paper gift bag. It is made of canvas, has strong straps, and zips shut at the top. 

I have been rounding up several things to put into the bag that could make him comfortable while staying away from home. We are fortunate enough that our hospital has a cot-style bed in each recovery room for a partner or support person to stay with the mama. Hopefully, these items will also be useful beyond the hospital, in our first week back home. 

First, I packed some snacks that he enjoys. You could add some favorite snacks as well:

1. Candy
2. Energy/granola bars
3. Cookies
4. Jerky
5. Popcorn, chips, or pretzels

Next, I packed some beverage options. I packed the flavor of Gatorade that he likes, some Starbucks Via Instant coffee, and creamer packets.  Our hospital has a coffee and hot water station, but I thought I would pack some fun coffee. I also found this mug on Cafepress.com. He loves Spider-man-always has, always will. They had other super-hero themed dad items as well. 

Some drink ideas are:

1. Sports drink
2. Flavored water
3. Regular bottled H2O
4. Bottled iced tea or hot tea sachets
5. Soda

Then, I added some pharmaceutical items. 

1. Hand sanitizer
2. Tissue pack (for those watery-eyed daddies)
3. Headache relief
4. Over the counter sleep aid (just in case...doubt there will be a LOT of sleeping for a while though)
5. Mouth wash
6. Breath strips
7. Mints 

I also bought a neck pillow in case he has some time of resting while in a chair. Again...Spider-man. 

I thought while he was having some down time and babies are sleeping, he could read some parenting advice from one of our favorite comedians. The black notebook is a journal. Since he is a writer and also enjoys keeping memories, I thought he could journal about the first day or two of meeting the babies. Again from Cafepress.com I found this Spider-man dad shirt. First dorky dad t-shirt: check.

Some entertainment options include:

1. Books or magazines
2. Crossword and other puzzles
3. Journal, notebooks
4. iTunes gift card for apps/games/movie rentals
5. Games for gaming systems (if your husband is also 31 going on 9)

Finally, it is traditional for the new father to have a cigar to share with special friends and family. He's not really into cigars but what he lacks for interest in cigars, he makes up for with his love second to me. Scotch. I found a rare bottle three years back that I have been hanging onto for such an occasion. I wrapped the bottle and added it to the bag of fun. 

Well, those are some of the things I added to my surprise hospital bag for the dad-to-be. I'd love to hear some other ideas that you all have!

:) Rachel

Hospital Snacks for Delivery Time

Yes, they have food at the hospital. No, there is nothing wrong with the food there. No, it's also not the end of the world so I don't necessarily need to come prepared with an abundance of snacks. But, if you know that I like food. Seriously, I'm not one of those girls who don't eat. I like food and I like to have snacks. In fact, several of my adorable students have mentioned my snacking habits to their parents during the course of this pregnancy. That, and my water intake. One of my most recent favorite purchases of late is a 64 oz. water canteen. I drink that throughout the day plus extra during meals. But that's not what this post is about...

I decided that in addition to all of my other hospital items, I would need to bring some snacks as well. I decided this because I think my husband would agree that I turn into quite a bear when I am hungry. Or "hangry". I am also-not conveniently- quite picky about my food. I like the snacks that I like and that's that. So, to prepare myself and avoid disappointment, I packed a bag of snacks for our delivery trip. Now, I know that I won't be doing much munching during the main event, but this is for afterward, if and when I am feeling recovered. I'd rather be safe than sorry or once again, grrrr. 

What I packed for post-delivery!

So I brought a few each of the following goodies. 

Clockwise from the top left corner:

1. Individual pretzel bag-that's leftover from Valentine's day...it is currently July

2. Fruit snacks- There's nothing wrong with a little burst of energy

3. Individual bag of cheddar crackers

4. Instant oatmeal cup

5. Banana chips

6. Apple sauce pouch

7, 8, 9. Assorted granola/fruit bars

If it were possible, I'd love to throw in some apples or oranges and some greek yogurt and cheese sticks. However, I didn't want to figure out how to store perishables while in the hospital. 

I packed everything in a small collapsible-style lunch bag/cooler. We are packing a ton of other things and I didn't want all of the goodies to get crushed in other luggage. 

Hopefully this helps give you some ideas if you're looking to pack some grub as well! I can empathize with the snackers. I was a mom with a big purse equipped with many things including snacks long before pregnancy. 

Happy snacking!

:) Rachel

So we're having twins...

We are about a month out from meeting Parker and Ivy, our twins. I teach during the school year and have been fortunate enough to have the last five weeks to plan, and "organize" for the arrival. I have been beating myself up for years because I do not have the living spaces that you would see posted in a magazine. I have the right vision, I have the right intention, but none of it ever turns out to be what I had hoped for. We still have a used dresser that was meant to be sanded down to make a nice TV stand...it's still as purchased, missing handles to drawers and all. 

However, even though what space we've created isn't perfect, we have found some things that we hope will work for us. It's part homemade, part...off the registry. But it will work. For now. 

Keep posted for ways that I've tried to prepare for the months ahead...