Mommy-To-Be Hospital Bag Must Haves

A MOMMY-TO-BE HOSPITAL BAG MUST HAVE!!!

Another good mail day--- my pretty delivery/nursing robe! I had a plain black cotton one with little man. While it was functional, there's something about wanting to feel pretty and alive during your stay in the hospital! I saw these beautiful colors and had to have this robe from PinkBlush Maternity/Womens!😍 I love it..and love that I can use it after I have no belly! They have so many cute things!!!

THINGS ARE GETTING REAL, YA'LL! I'm going to pack my bags soon.😳 I have a list of must haves but would LOVE to hear what your suggestions are! Here are mine below...

-Hair ties

-Fuzzy warm socks

-Slippers

-Affirmations printed out

-Bible/Books

-Speaker for music (and soothing play list)

-Essential oils (lavender for relaxation and jasmine for speeding up labor!)

-Peppermints 

-Lip balm/Chapstick (your lips will get dry!)

-Snacks

-Coconut oil or lotion (for partner giving you massages)

-Flip-flops for shower

-Any toiletry items you prefer (I'm picky)

-Tooth brush and toothpaste

-Makeup (bc I like to feel fresh and alive)

-Baby coming home outfit

-A couple outfits for you to lounge in at hospital (I wanted to get up and move around when I could)

-Boppy (for nursing and resting your baby in)

-Phone charger (and phone!)

WHAT ELSE WOULD YOU ADD TO THIS LIST? 

WHY BECOMING A MOM SCARED ME

CAN I ADMIT SOMETHING I'M A LITTLE ASHAMED OF TO YOU GUYS?

I had SO many fears of having a baby....beyond the obvious of labor. I mean, really, I think only God can explain how an entire HUMAN fits out of THERE.

But beyond that....

-I was afraid I would have to give up my social life.

-I was so afraid I was going to gain a bunch of weight and never look "good". (I gained 60lbs)

-I was afraid I would have to quit buying myself nice things because "that's what parents do".

-I was afraid I wasn't going to be a great mom because I thought I was far from your "typical housewife"...what is "typical" anyways?

-I was afraid I would have to give up my career and never be in a bigger leadership role because of the time and dedication required to your company and travel. (I was already working 50-60hr weeks)

-I was afraid it would change our marriage dynamics because children often become the priority and the spouse is forgotten. (We got pregnant 8 weeks after we got married)

 -I was afraid I would lose myself and only identity myself as a "MOM".

SO MANY OF THESE FEARS ARE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I SAW IN OTHER MOMS AND/OR WHAT I "THOUGHT" SOCIETY EXPECTED OF ME.

But why?

Why did I have to be like other moms I saw who didn't look happy (and actual friends who said they were NOT happy for one of these reasons)? Why did I have to be the mom I THOUGHT society and traditional families look like? 

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS AS A MOM (my momiversary is tomorrow󾍇) IS LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIMIT YOUR POTENTIAL OR YOUR DREAM LIFE BASED ON OTHER PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES OR EXPECTATIONS. YOU DEFINE YOUR OWN DESTINY----simply by the CHOICES you make. 

Becoming a mom has been the BIGGEST blessing. I didn't lose myself when I became a mom, I truly FOUND MYSELF. I learned that taking time for my own health and taking care of myself (mind, body, and soul) IS PART OF TAKING CARE OF MY FAMILY! 

I am so glad I changed my mindset and my heart and am RUNNING FULL FORCE toward my dreams for our family! I wear my MOM BADGE proudly...just like I wear my WIFE BADGE and JESUS LOVER BADGE proudly.

WERE YOU (or are you) AFRAID OF BECOMING A MOM FOR SOME OF THESE REASONS? Don't limit yourself. Break the mold. Be the woman YOU want to be.