Nesting

How nice to have a 3-day weekend!  Our son was off of school yesterday, so we continued the weekend with an actually very productive day of meal planning, grocery shopping, slow cooker meal making, creating DIY lightsabers for James’ upcoming 6th Star Wars birthday party, organizing my spice drawer of all things, T-ball practice, and of course, more organizing on the nesting homefront now that baby girl has less than a month until she makes her debut!  I think God prepares us perfectly because, although I admit to my fair share of nervous feelings about this second baby, at 37 weeks now, I’m really feeling ready to meet her – and done being pregnant!  I might be crazy for saying this, but I feel like I can’t wait to have the baby so I can get more sleep- it’s so hard right now!
That nesting instinct is strong these days as I have literally been organizing and arranging and doing all things domestic like cooking, baking, and relishing in slow home life lately.  We barely turned on the television for the last several days (which is rare over here), but no one seemed to miss it!  
nesting | organizing the baby things
At our baby shower and beyond, we’ve been blessed to receive so many adorable and thoughtful gifts from friends and family for this baby girl, most of which were diapers and the sweetest baby girl clothes you’ve ever seen.  Maybe I’m particularly biased having a son all these years and so this is new that I’m delighting in every second of these girly things.  
I’ve hung up some of the dressier clothes as well as the things that are bigger and kept the smaller clothes and onsies that I might be reaching for most often in the dresser in the nursery bathroom. These closet dividers are so cute and functional for her closet.  I considered DIYing some, but I’m so happy with the quality and cute factor of these, they were worth buying for sure.  They are larger than I expected (guess I didn’t read that part- 9×6 inches), but I love that!  They also make them for boys. #weloveboys! and another girl version in an adorable floral pattern
I’m using pink polka dot velvet hangers that looked more pale online, in person they are quite bright, but I’ve come to like the bold pop of color.  They are a good value at $14.99 for 30 and I’ve learned that these slim velvet hangers create so much more room because they aren’t bulky.  I use this adult version in my own closet. 
So far, I’ve only washed a handful of baby things, but my favorite load was the tiny newborn clothes that she might be wearing when she first comes home.  I’ve always loved folding clean baby clothes ever since James was a baby.  It’s probably my most favorite chore.  The adult laundry – not so much.  And don’t get me started on unloading the dishwasher.  #leastfavorite

We designed the nursery bathroom with two large, deep drawers that could function as dresser drawers, so that’s where I’m putting her clothes for now.  I’m using the IKEA Skubb storage dividers in purple to separate her clothes.  They come in a pack of six assorted sizes and I bought 3 packs to fill these two large drawers and also a narrower drawer on the other side (that I forgot to photograph), but it holds socks, hair bows, and headbands.  I’ll definitely do a more detailed post on how I’m organizing everything soon.  I still need to organize the things that go downstairs. 
We also have a small dresser in the nursery that will double as a changing table, so inside that dresser are her diapers, wipes, diaper genie refills, and the lower drawers contain blankets, burp bloths, extra bedding, etc. 
dresser with new pulls | mirror | crib | rug | all nursery sources
And I’ve finally gotten around to getting a good start of packing my hospital bag.  Thank you so much for your recommendations, I have a bit of baby amnesia since it’s been so long.  I was lucky to find out from a friend who just delivered at the same hospital that it’s better to have everything you might need, so you don’t have to request and then wait for it.  One thing I just ordered and received was the baby tracker journal.  It’s the same one I used with our son and I still have it.  I recently went back and looked inside and was so happy to have this physical book that recorded his early patterns and notes I wrote about having him in our family those first few months.  It really brought back such sweet memories.  I also reread my favorite baby parenting book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer.  It helped me so much as a new mom back then, and rereading those highlighted and tabbed pages was a good refresher.  It actually helped put me at ease about bringing home a little newborn baby again.  
And not pictured (because I don’t want James to see) is a small gift for him from baby sister for him to open while in the hospital. I think he’ll really like that. 

baby tracker journal | Target has some super cute cosmetic cases 

I’m thinking the most helpful “what to pack in your hospital bag” post might be best saved for after I’ve actually been through it again and I can vouch for what I used and what wasn’t necessary.  I’m sure everyone is different, but I’d like to be able to speak from experience to give you the best info if you’re in that situation.  I’m still all ears about what you thought were the must-haves to pack! Please let me know in the comments!

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keep in touch! 
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Meet Megan

Hi! I’m Megan, mom to a thoughtful teenager and spunky young girl. We call Houston home and recently moved into our dream home. I traded my lawyer hat to become a full-time blogger in 2010. I love sharing my passion for affordable fashion, home decor, organization, & fitness to help inspire you to take care of you!

40 Comments

  1. Target has a v-neck nursing tank that is great for PJs or all day. With comfy pants, they're great for nursing. I'd pack those and a bunch of your favorite healthy snacks. Hospital food was never enough for this hungry nursing momma.

  2. I know I am biased because we have two girls, but baby girl clothes are just the best! However, I have to laugh because NEITHER of my girls EVER wore newborn sizes. One was just over 8lbs and the other close to 10. Glad I didn't wash and take the tags off those. Same with things for "later"…they turned out to be too small by the time that season rolled around.

  3. I'm due with my first March 7th, so I don't have any packing tips from experience, but I found this list super helpful…

    http://us7.campaign-archive2.com/?u=12377e23671e94a1a47460ebd&id=e819c4556c&e=%5BUNIQID%5D

    If that link doesn't work, try this one (http://www.lucieslist.com/newsletter/#pregnancy) and go to Week 36-Pack Your Bags. I love Lucie's List!

    Also, I love your nursery and all your clothes organization! I wish the nesting bug would hit me harder. Right now everything is kind of half done in our nursery. It's good enough to get by, but I just want it done! Hoping to leech some of your motivation by looking at these pictures. 🙂

    1. That's my due date too Heather!! Thanks so much for the link, I will check it out! I was fortunate to get a head start on completing the nursery since I did that room for the One Room Challenge, otherwise, I know I wouldn't have even started on it by now! I'm gonna look at that nursing tank too- don't have any!

  4. Megan, we took the nurses little goodie bags to recognize those that really went out of their way to help us. I just wrapped some lotion, lip balm and a emery board in a cute clear bag. They really seemed to appreciate our gesture.

    1. That is such a thoughtful idea! I remember having an awesome nurse with our son and my best friend is also a nurse so I KNOW they appreciate those gestures!

  5. Get the Always brand Infinity flex foam pads! Work great and you won't feel like you are wearing diapers 😉 Lansinoh nipple cream is great too.

    1. I know how you feel about the sleep thing. It's so hard and I don't remember it being like this with my first as far as the trouble sleeping. You're near the end too- so exciting!!

  6. Best advice I got was to bring Depends to wear instead of the mesh underwear. I tried the mesh and they were awful- Depends with a pad inside is SO much more comfortable. Gross and granny like I know but they worked awesome!

  7. Love it!! Can you come to my house and organize it lol!! I'm curious to see how you are going to organize baby hair bows and ties. I have a 1 month old and loads of that stuff and it's all just shoved in a drawer.

  8. Nursing bras/tanks with a light robe so you can cover up if you need to. Nipple cream and although your milk might not be in yet ( if you're breastfeeding), I also used the thin nursing pads to protect my bras/tanks from the cream as it will stain. You might also want a little cosmetic bag for essentials ( phone, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip balm, etc) to keep by your bed so you have all your essentials while you nurse and don't have to get up and down so often.

  9. Save the pads and diapers for home. The hospital will provide those. I would suggest- camera, video, baby book for feet prints, etc, tablet, chargers for camera, phone and tablet, slippers, nursing tank if planning to nurse, hair dryer, snacks, toiletries, going home outift, hat and blanket for baby, chapstick, comfy pants, jacket/hoodie and a change of clothes for dad. I never put my kids in regular clothes at the hospital, the little t-shirt they give is perfect for being able to do skin to skin with baby. I also liked having my own pillow -the hospital ones are flat and awful!

  10. Also a pillow for dad:)
    Megan, sorry to ask this again but what protein powder do you use when pregnant? And can you use muscle milk when pregnant? Not sure if it is made of raw egg?

    1. So sorry for the late reply Mego! Yes, I still drank muscle egg some, it's pasturized egg whites. I haven't been using protein powder, but I like lean body for her. 🙂

    2. Thanks, Megan! Was there any reason you didn't use protein powder when pregnant (ie: bad for baby bc too much vitamin content or something)? Or did you just not crave it?

  11. Not sure if anyone else has mentioned, but my hospital provided Dermoplast Spray after I gave birth to our first. It was a miracle worker and really helped to ease the pain from the tearing I got. I'm pregnant with our second and intend on buying some just in case the hospital doesn't provide it this time around. Also, a friend recommended taking petroleum jelly to apply on baby's bottom before their first stool (meconium). I remember it being so sticky and hard to wipe with my first, so I will definitely be applying it this second round, lol. Congratulations and it's been so fun following your pregnancy! I definitely have a great resource to look back on as I go through this pregnancy.

  12. I haven't read all the comments, but chapstick, a nightlight (to avoid the harsh hospital lights at all hours of the night), and my own soft fluffy towel from home were my favorite items I had on hand. So exciting!!!

  13. With both of my kiddos, the hospital provided all the essentials–pads, mesh underwear, diapers, wipes. When it's time to leave, take as much of that stuff as you can!–especially the amazing mesh underwear! 🙂 I would recommend all the cosmetics/toiletries that will make you feel like yourself again–makeup, hair brush, etc. A robe is a good idea too. Good luck to you!

  14. Just having gone through this in December, a couple things I was really glad to have:
    -disposable flip flops for the shower (but maybe I'm just a germophobe…)
    – robe to wear over hospital gown to walk the halls when in labor
    – cheap-ish pajamas to wear after delivery. Ones that are comfy but not too attached to if they get ruined
    – I was glad to have my boppy breastfeeding pillow because the lactation consultants were able to help us with positioning with it
    -I brought my own bath towel because the ones in the hospital are so tiny!

    I was definitely an overpacker, but did enjoy having some of the non-essentials listed above!

  15. I just went through this in December! Some of the things I was glad to have:
    – flip flops for the shower (but maybe I'm just a germaphobe)
    – robe to wear over hospital gown to walk the halls during labor
    – pajamas for after delivery. I was glad to have cute ones that I wasn't too attached to in case they got ruined (it can be a messy endeavor!)
    – a big, fluffy bath towel
    – nursing tank tops
    – breastfeeding pillow- lactation consultants were able to help show us different positions with it
    – swaddling blankets for baby
    – pacifier if you choose to use it. Many hospitals are going for "baby friendly" designation and no longer give out pacifiers
    – sleep mask – a must have for taking a nap during the day since people come in all throughout the night!

    I probably overpacked, but I was glad to have those things! I wish you a speedy and painless delivery! ?

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