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It’s been six weeks since we welcomed our second daughter, Rosie, into the world and already those early hospital days feel like a blur. Looking back, if there is one thing that I did that really helped me heading into labour and delivery, it was having a well packed hospital bag. The lovely gals at Luxury Labour Bag Co. sent me their Classic Mama and Baby Combo, which has almost everything you need as you prepare to welcome your bundle of joy. It was reassuring to have it all packed and ready to go (I shared it in my last pregnancy update).

We hadn’t planned to be back at the hospital unexpectedly within three days of being home (Rosie was jaundiced) but I was incredibly thankful that I still had my Luxury Labour Bag packed. I ended up keeping it in our car in the weeks that followed while we went to various doctors appointments and tests. Everything turned out to be okay (Rosie is thriving!) but it was very reassuring to know that I was covered for an unexpected overnight stay.

These Luxury Labour Bags are such a great idea, whether you’re having a baby or looking for a unique gift idea for a mama-to-be. You could add this to your registry for yourself or if you’re looking to do a group gift for a baby shower, how about pooling in together to surprise the expectant lady. When I worked at an office, I would have loved to give this to my co-workers as a thoughtful and useful gift idea. These bags take the uncertainty and stress out of packing, and the bag is delivered right to your front door.

The mamas behind Luxury Labour Bags really did think of everything! Inside the pre-packed bag there were so many things I would have had to gather on my own, along with some I never even thought of. I love that whenever possible they support products designed and made by other women-owned, Canadian small businesses and select items that are natural and cruelty-free.

• Socks (your feet can get cold while in labour or late at night in those cool hospital rooms)
• Disposable maternity underwear (great for both natural and C-section deliveries)
• Natracare maternity pads and nursing pads
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Milkmaid Tea, nipple butter and perineal spray
• Huer natural vegan fruit jellies (perfect for a hit of energy – I was so happy to have these as a pick-me-up right after I delivered.)
• Water cup with straw (It’s important to stay hydrated during labour and afterwards, especially if you’re breastfeeding)
• Canvas laundry bag (this was so great for bringing everything home)
• Herschel Novel Duffle Bag

• Flip flops (a must with hospital floors and showers)
• Argan oil (for massage and to moisturize your skin and hair from the dry hospital air)
• Toiletries bag including: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bamboo toothbrush, natural salt toothpaste, coconut water makeup wipes, hand sanitizer, natural deodorant, lip balm, hairbrush and hair ties (which work as a great reminder on your wrist as to which side you last nursed on)
• Folder for your important documents (you come home with so much stuff!)
• Pen and notepad (to record your little one’s feeding and diaper activity, jot down medical notes, or write a note on that first night to tuck into their baby book)

It all came with everything we needed for those first few nights with Rosie:

• an adorable Westcoast Baby Nesting kit containing a bamboo newborn kimono, hat and blanket. (the outfit was perfect for letting the nurses check on her vitals, doing bloodwork, changing her diaper, etc without needing to completely unwrap her – such a good idea!)
• natural diapers, water wipes (so soft and no chemicals) and Bum Bum Balm (an all natural Canadian-made diaper balm)
• Footprint and handprint kit to add to her baby book 🙂

Everything fit into this grey Hershel Novel duffle bag they sent with it, with plenty of room to add in a few more things from home:

• clothes and housecoat (although Luxury Labour Bags also has a deluxe version which includes a nursing nightie and robe)
• small makeup bag (it was nice to put on a little mascara and blush before we had family come visit)
• bath towel (the hospital ones are always so small and scratchy)
• phone, camera, ipad and charger
• cord blood donation bag

Garrett packed his essentials in his overnight bag and we packed Lucy’s little backpack for when she headed to her grandparents when it was go time. It was so nice to have everything set up in the hallway ready to go.

Having a baby can be such a joyous time but it also brings stress and uncertainty too. Great products like Luxury Labour Bags help make this transition to motherhood easier – giving you more time to think about all those newborn baby snuggles to come.

*Luxury Labour Bags is currently having a Black Friday Sale with up to $50 off of one of their bags!*

Disclaimer: Luxury labour Bags kindly sent me a bag to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It feels like I’ve blinked and suddenly I’m 29 weeks along in this pregnancy and already into my third trimester. So many friends told me that the second time around flies by and they weren’t kidding.It seems like just yesterday I posted about being halfway. Since then I’ve had a busy summer working on the flower farm while recovering from a sprained ankle. It feels like I’m just now getting around to working on house projects and “nesting”.

I’ve been gathering up all the little things I’ve picked out for baby, along with some really thoughtful gifts from family and friends. We’re so fortunate to already have most of what we need for this little one, or to borrow it from friends, but there are still a few things I’ll probably get in the coming weeks.

When I look back at pictures of Lucy as a newborn I can hardly remember her being that small and I try to think back on what it’s like to have a little baby in the house again.

I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed as my due date comes closer and closer. It makes me realizes how fast the last six months flown by. The other night I took the time to write out a long list of everything I want to get done before baby gets here and it felt so much better to get it on paper. I did the same thing last time when I was pregnant with Lucy and having that Pregnancy To-Do List to work away at helped keep my mind at ease.

My Third Trimester Pregnancy To-Do List

• Go Through Baby Clothes – With another little girl on the way, we’re lucky that most of the baby clothes we had for Lucy will work this time around. The only big difference is that Lucy was born at the beginning of a very hot summer and this little babe is making her debut in the late fall, so it may mean picking up a few more layering pieces and warmer sleepers.
• Wash Baby’s Laundry – As I go through all the baby clothes, I’m going to pull out our crib sheets, blankets, burp cloths, bibs and swaddles to give everything a good wash. I came across a pair of Lucy’s newborn socks the other week and I forgot just how tiny everything really is!
• Clean all the Baby Gear – Most of our baby stuff has been in storage for at least a year, so everything is getting a good wash, like the bouncer, stroller, infant car seat, etc.
• Set up Bassinet in our Bedroom – Just like last time, we’re planning to have the new babe sleep in a bassinet by our bed for the first few months. I like to keep a basket on my dresser of all the late night things we might need in a pinch, like diapers, wipes, soothers and burp cloths. It’s nice to not need to dash down the hallway to the nursery for every little thing in those early days.

• Set up Lucy’s New Bedroom – The biggest change we’re making is moving Lucy into her own big girl bedroom. We’re taking our guest room (which looks more like a storage room/dumping ground these days) and turning it into a space all her own. I like the soft purple-grey wall colour that is in this room (same as the nursery), so we’ll be keeping that in place. The curtains are staying, but I’m putting up black-out roller blinds and swapping out the overhead light for something that we can install a dimmer switch with.

My mom is kindly lending us this handmade quilt that her grandmother made her when she was little. Which means that Lucy’s great-great-grandmother made it. I think it would look so lovely with some soft floral or polka dot sheets.

I was able to find two vintage-style twin bed frames at a thrift store nearby and will be giving them a fresh coat of paint as soon as there is less humidity. The idea is that one bed will go to Lucy’s room and the other will be in the nursery in case I need to crash in there with the baby on particularly difficult nights. When the girls are older, I’m hoping we can put the two beds in the same room for them to share. I’m leaning towards painting the bed frames a soft white or even a medium grey colour.

• Set Up Nursery Again – We’ll be keeping the nursery relatively the same for our next little girl. We’re moving the bookcase to the wall behind the door and the freshly painted twin bed for me will go in it’s place.

We need to put the crib back to the newborn configuration (right now Lucy is using it as a toddler bed), and add the bedskirt back on. I’m thinking of changing out the prints above the dresser for something new and maybe making a new felt mobile for her as well.

• Sterilize Pacifiers, Bottles and Pump – I know I put everything away clean, but closer to baby’s arrival I’m going to give it all a good wash and sterilize it.
• Pre-register at Hospital – Finally something I can check off the list! I did this a little while back to make it easier to head to the hospital when the day comes.
• Arrange Cord Blood Donation – Just like last time, we’ll be donating the cord blood to help other families that may need it. I’ve filled out the paperwork and just need my doctor to sign off on it. The collection package arrives in the mail and I’ll tuck it into my hospital bag to give to the doctor when we get to the hospital.
• Dentist Appointment – I’ve been trying to get everyone’s appointments up-to-date while it’s easier to go with one kiddo rather than two. Last week Lucy and I went to the optometrist (all is good! we eat our carrots!) and next month it’s off to the dentist for a check up and cleaning.

• Freeze Homemade Meals and Snacks – Last time I made a point of stocking up our freezer with some favourites and it was soooo helpful. This time I’m planning to do even more, freezing dinners, breakfast wraps, cookies and even jars of applesauce. I’ve been trying to freeze fresh summer produce too, like kale from the garden (great for sauces, stews and smoothies), leftover corn cut from the cob (toss it in chili), as well as chopped onion and green peppers when they’re on sale. I’m hoping to write up a whole post on this soon because it isn’t just helpful for families with newborns. We can all use some shortcuts in the kitchen for those busy days.
• Stock up on household supplies – In an effort to keep trips to the grocery store with two kids in tow to a minimum, I’ve been stocking up on our household essentials when I see them on sale lately. Everything from pantry staples, toiletries, medicine, toilet paper, tissues, diapers, wipes, shampoo, dog food, chicken feed, etc. are all things that we could run out of in those first few weeks. It’s also easier to stock up now when I find them on sale and spread out the additional costs across our weekly grocery bills.
• Get out Fall Clothes – In the middle of this heat wave right now, cooler weather seems so far away but it really is just around the corner. I’ll be pulling all our fall clothes out soon to have them ready. It’ll also help me take stock of things we might need to get too, like new sneakers and winter boots for Lucy.

• Pack Hospital Bag – I still need to think about what I took last time versus what I really need. I ended up being at the hospital for four days with Lucy and there were definitely some things I needed, some I didn’t and some I wish I’d had.
• Pack Lucy’s Overnight Bag – Probably one of the hardest parts I’m grappling with about this labour is that Lucy will need to stay overnight with her grandparents. I know they’ll do everything to make her feel comfortable but I can’t help but think about how difficult it may be for her to sleep somewhere different without us. I’m planning to pack her an overnight bag with everything she’ll need, and then add a little gift to her from the new baby in my own hospital bag.
• Organize Baby’s Diaper Bag – I’m using a backpack for a diaper bag and I’m hoping to continue doing so, with a pouch for Lucy’s stuff and a pouch for the new baby’s things.

• Figure Out Birth Announcements – I took the photos for Lucy’s birth announcements myself and while I liked how they turned out, I’m hoping to have a friend do them this time instead so we can get some family shots too. I’ve been thinking about maybe doing a joint birth announcement/Christmas card this year all in one. I’ve found some really cute ones on Minted.
• Install Car Seat – The family car needs a good cleaning and then it’ll be time to add in the base for the infant car seat. I can’t wait to look in the backseat someday soon and see our TWO girls sitting back there.
• Enjoy Date Nights! – We’ve been able to sneak away for a few date nights this summer and I’m hoping we’ll get to do a least a couple more before baby gets here. It’s nice to have some time just the two of us to recharge our batteries.

I’m feeling better to have a bit of plan in place now of what to get done, but it still seems like lots to do in the next 11 or so weeks. Wish me luck!