After 21 hours of all natural labor and holding Liliana Mae in my arms, I simply felt on top of the world...then it all changed in an instant.

The day Liliana was born was a blistering cold Western PA day, -4 degrees F at one point. We had baby girl laying in the hospital bassinet, in what we realized after-the-fact was too near the large window in our hospital room. During a Vitals Check, the nurse felt that Liliana's temperature was a little lower than she would like to see. So she placed her under the heat lamp in our room and checked back about 30 minutes later. Baby girl's temp was back up and we were ok to take her out from under the heat lamp. We continued on with visiting friends & family, until the next Vitals Check. Liliana's temperature had dropped again and our sweet-as-can-be nurse, said "I'm so sorry to tell you this, but it looks like she is going to have to go to the NICU for monitoring." Here I foolishly thought this was up for debate between us as parents and the doctor, what was going on that they were concerned about, what was necessary. No, there was no discussion and in a matter of minutes my baby girl was gone from my room and placed in NICU.

It ended up being a whirlwind 96hr stay at the hospital, which Mommy got a whopping 6hrs of sleep during. It's hard to explain the emotions and chaos of it all. But Sam & I were so grateful to all those who sent text messages with prayers for our little one. In the end, praise God, the precautionary tests came back negative and we finally headed home as a new Family of 3!

With my previous career as a District Executive in the Boy Scouts, I have learned to "Be Prepared"! So for those pregnant mommas out there reading this, you can find our EXTENSIVE packing list below our Family Pictures in this blog post! ;)

Hospital Bag #1 - Baby Girl

Cloth Diapers (12-24)
Cloth Wipes (12-18)
Wet/Dry Bag for Cloth Diapers
Burp Cloths (2-4)
Swaddle (Woombie is my favorite!)
Receiving Blankets (1-2)
Fluffy Blankets (1-2, match for pics!)
Baby Hats (2-4, match for pics!)
Scratch Mittens (1-2, match for pics!)
Outfits (4+...different brands for size differences, going home outfit, photo shoot outfit)
Socks (2-4, depending on outfits)
Shirts for Cloth Diapers (compare to outfit selections)
Headbands (match outfits)
Hand Sanitizer
Pacifiers (if breastfeeding, suggested to wait 1 month)
Baby Nail Clippers
Baby Hair Brush
Special Toy/Security Blanket (great in pics)
Nursing Cover
Baby Book for nurse to put footprints in
Newborn Shoes (cute for pics, but never stay on her feet!)
Travel-size Baby Lotion
Bibs (2) (not much spit up when breastfeeding, more so formula)
Puppy's Towel for Teaching Baby's Scent

Hospital Bag #2 - Mommy

Matching Robe & Gown (w/nursing straps)
Nuroo Shirt (mommy & baby-wearing shirt)
Sports Bra for Hydrotherapy Tub
Sports Bra for Laboring (loved being comfortable!)
Yoga Capris for Laboring (loved being comfortable!)
Nursing Bra
Nursing Tanktops (2)
Going Home Outfit (cute & comfy)
"Picture Outfit" (can be same as going home)
Black maternity leggings
Matching Shoes for Going Home & Picture Outfits
Socks (depending on the season or cold feet in hospital room)
Maternity Yoga Pants (comfy in hospital room)
Black maternity sweatpants (comfy in hospital room)
Flip flops (comfy in hospital room)
Maternity Zip Hoodie
Maternity Jeans
Depends Underwear (3, hospital has disposable underwear & a super heavy pad, but I found Depends were so much more comfy, wish I had brought more than 3!)
Dark-colored Underwear (2)
Headbands (for laboring)
"I Surrender All" frame (something special to help visualize during labor)
Straw Cup w/Water Bottles
Tissue Pack
Overnight/Long Pads (brand you prefer, hospital will provide generic)
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Wash
Deodorant
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Contact Case
Contact Solution
Glasses
Hairbrush
Straightener & Comb
Mousse
MaryKay Disposable Facial Cloths
Makeup
Insurance Card
Photo ID
Jewelry
Lanolin Cream
Nursing Pads (2 sizes)
Hair Ties (2)
Chapstick
Breathmints
Prenatal Vitamins (6)
Headphones (for laboring)
Aromatherapy Lotion & Shower Gel (for shower during labor)
Massager Tool
Wedding Ring box (in case of swelling)
Hand Lotion
Hand Sanitizer
Mommy's Snacks
Phone Charger

Hospital Bag #3 - Daddy

Daddy's Snacks
Long sleeve T-Shirt
Undershirts (2)
Workout Shorts
Hooded Sweatshirt (they will be cold during labor!)
Socks (2)
"Pictures" outfit
Swim Trunks (Hyrdotherapy Tub)
Deodorant
Shampoo
Body Wash
Facial Moisturizer
Mouthwash
Glasses
Contact Case
Contact Solution
Toothbrush
Aspirin
Phone Charger
Cash/change for Vending Machine
Headphones
Wallet

Hospital Bag #4 - Extras

DVDs for Movie Marathon (if hospital has DVD player, during early labor)
Boppy Pillow (great for longer stays due to C-Section or NICU)
Personal Travel pillows
Car Seat
iPad & charger
Laptop
Camera Bag
Thank You Cards/Gifts for Dr & Nurses
Birth Plan (4 copies)
Pre-natal Class book
Birth & Baby oil

Life with Liliana - Baby's 1st Day