The Life of Matthew

Mummy keeps making such a fuss about how heavy her labour bag is, how it’s so small and yet weighs more than her Samsonite, that I thought I’d see what’s in it. The midwife gave us a list of things to bring to the hospital, most of the things are for me - ha ha.

Mummy is planning on grabbing her make-up bag as we’re running out the door. One of the women on iVillage reminded us all that once the birth is over and we’re in the hospital waiting for visitors there will be lots of pictures taken and Mummy always feels better when she looks good. After what I’m going to be putting her through (!) I suppose she deserves to try and look good. Both Mummy and Daddy have vetoed the idea of having pictures taken of my actual birth though. I like that, I don’t want to have them brought out in front of future girlfriends!
Daddy’s going to take things home and wash them in case we run out of clothes.

Mummy’s list:

• Front-opening nighties
• Nursing bras
• Breast pads
• Night-time sanitary pads, extra absorbent
• Toiletbag with toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, soap, moisturizer, cleanser, face cream, make-up remover
• Make-up bag
• Slippers and dressing gown
• Going-home outfit (Daddy will bring this to the hospital when we leave)
• Tennis balls for massage
• Book to read
• Cameras
• List of people to call and tell about me
• Medical card and insurance details

My list:

• Clothes for 4 days - onesies, t-shirts, shorts, pants (that’s underwear for the Americans reading this). A lot more clothes than you think you’ll ever need and lots of different sizes in case I turn out bigger or smaller than expected. I probably don’t need anything with long sleeves at the moment, but it might get colder.
• Bibs
• Hat
• Socks
• Towel
• Blanket(s)
• Nappies (diapers for the Americans)
• Cream
• Oil
• Brush and comb
• Sponges
• Special baby cotton buds (Q-tips) for cleaning my ears
• Gauze and alcohol for the umbilical chord (Mummy says some hospitals are now saying to leave the umbilical chord alone rather than clean it with alcohol, but our midwife says to bring it so we’re taking it along)
• Since I’m arriving in the heat of summer I don’t need any snowsuits to go home in, but if my little brother or sister comes during the winter they will need something like this.
• Car seat. Mummy read that some hospitals won’t let you leave with your baby unless you have a car seat installed.

I’m sure there are things I’ve forgotten to mention; things that Mummy will remember when she and Daddy are stuck in traffic on the way to the delivery room.

Hopefully we’ll find out tomorrow but, if not, until next time, bye bye.