All our bags are packed...

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and we're ready to go!

This week I'm 38 weeks, so we decided it's way past time to pack the hospital bag. I know I've read through so many blogs, websites, etc. about what to pack in your bag. I thought you might like to know what we decided to pack in ours.

For Us (Picture #1):
1. Two comfortable outfits each 

2. Three sports bras
3. Ace Bandage (to wrap my chest)
4. Toiletries (Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, lotion)
5. Ponytail Holders
6. Non-slip headbands
7. Hair dryer
8. Pen
9. Folder for Important Papers
10. Camera and Memory Card
11. iPad
12. Cash for vending machines
13. Pillows (1 for each of us)
14. Phone Chargers
15. Trader Joe's organic suckers (for labor)
16. Battery Charger for camera batteries
17. Robe
18. 6 pairs of cheapo Wal-Mart underwear
19. Tucks Pads

For Jackson (Picture #2):
1. Two sets of baby mittens
2. One long sleeve onesie
3. One short sleep kamono style shirt
4. Coming home outfit
5. Two pairs of socks
6. Two hats
7. One knit hat for hospital pictures
8. One cloth diaper to wear home (Lil Joey)
9. Half a case of premade 2 oz Organic Similac (our hospital does not offer organic formula options)
10. Baby Star Four Square Blanket (in picture #1)
11. Notebook to keep track of BMs, Wet Diapers and Feedings
12. CJ's Butter (not pictured)
13. Baby Book (not pictured)

For Mom (Picture #3):
1. Seanik Solid Shampoo (not pictured)
2. Veganese
3. It's Raining Men Shower Gel
4. Smitten Hand Cream
5. Rub Rub Rub
6. Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I've read that it's important to bring some products that make you feel better for after birth. Nothing makes me feel more girlie than all of my Lush products.  

For Jackson (Picture #4):
1. Extra Bag to bring home stuff from hospital
2. Thirty 2 oz. Premade Organic Similac

DIY Nursery Art

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I was looking for some cheap art to fill our Ikea frames for Jackson's nursery and was coming up empty. Either it was too expensive or wouldn't go with the nursery. Then it hit me...DIY!!! I love the personal touch that doing little projects like this can add to a room.

Dwell Studio has wallpaper samples on their website for $9.99. The few owls and trees this sample comes with was just what I needed to fit inside our frames.

I quickly clicked order and very impatiently waited for the wallpaper sample to arrive. While I waited I headed to the craft store to find some scrapbook paper to put the owls and trees on. I decided that gray would be a great background, so I got a few shades.

One week later my wallpaper sample showed up in the mail and I started on this project right away.

This took a lot of precision cutting but didn't take a lot of time at all.

I also made a picture in Photoshop because I love hanging pictures in three's. Chris and I both love Bob Marley and wanted to have something in Jackson's room to reflect that. So I used the words from one of our favorite Bob Marley songs and had it printed out a local printing shop.

"Don't worry bout a thing 'cause everything little thing gonna be alright"

We hung all three pictures above the dresser but you'll have to wait a little bit longer to see the final pictures.

Early Trip to Labor and Delivery

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My blood pressure has been running on the borderline to high scale for a week or so in the office. The doctor had me do a couple tests to make sure everything is going OK but told me if I had a headache I couldn't get rid of to call her. Well I went to bed with a headache and woke up with a headache, so in the morning I called. Just to be on the safe side, she wanted us to head to Labor and Delivery to be monitored.

What a scary trip that was to St. Ann's Hospital. The car ride was very silent and the only thing Chris and I could think of is, "Is Jackson being born today?"

Once we arrived at St. Ann's and got checked in, the nurse hooked me up to all the monitors and we got to hear Jackson's heartbeat in surround sound. That was all this Mama needed to make her feel better. After laying there for about 30 minutes my pressure came back down. They think that my headache was more than likely sinuses and gave me a good shot of medicine to get rid of it. 

At 36 weeks we are so happy that baby boy is still "cooking" and are anxiously awaiting his arrival!

{Jockey & Purex Crystals Giveaway}

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Don't you hate it when your gym clothes smell like they need washed when they are fresh out of the washer? So do I. Purex Crystals asked me to take the Purex Challenge. I had the opportunity to test out a Jockey Sports Bra with Purex Crystals fabric softener.

Let me first tell you about the Jockey Sports Bra because I'm really excited about this. It has a lot of really cool features:

• Moisture-wicking
• Convenient key pocket
• Reflective logo on the back
• Breathable mesh panels
• Machine Washable and DryableNormally you would not be able to use a fabric softener with performance sportswear because the oils in the fabric softener would prevent the wicking process.  

Although my workouts are not as intense as they were before I got pregnant, I'm really happy to report that using the Purex Crystal fabric softener my Jockey Sports Bra smells soooo amazing when it comes out of the wash.

Giveaway:

1 Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra
1 Full Size Bottle of Purex Crystals Fabric Softener

How to enter:

1. To enter the contest click here and leave a comment below to tell me what scent you would like to try

2. Follow The Domestic Princess through Google Friend Connect, then leave a comment below

3. Follow The Domestic Princess on Facebook, then leave a comment below

Also, Jockey is offering a 20% off coupon: Purex.com/Jockey

Giveaway Ends: January 20, 2012

Disclosure: Jockey and Purex provided free samples of their products so I could review them. However, all opinions here are my own.

{New Curtains}

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We have been working really hard to finish the nursery over the last month. We bought these curtains at Target for $24.99 per panel. The color goes so perfectly with the bedding.

We decided that we will make blue the accent color so last night I ordered some tree decals for the wall next to the closet and I'm working on finding some fun prints for above the dresser. I'd also like to do a fun DIY project I found on Pinterest but I'm still working out the kinks in it.

{Nursery Update}

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We made a huge trip to Ikea this weekend and ended up buying a dresser, a rocker and an ottoman for Jackson's room. We are still missing a lot of color in this room but I have some great ideas for bringing that in, I just can't decide if my accent color will be blue or green? What do you think? (Click here for a closer picture of the bedding)

                                                                      What we bought:
                                                                 2 Hopen 4 drawer chests 

Poang Chair
Poang Footstool 

{Surreal Moments}

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So much of this pregnancy has been just getting by from day to day. In the early days, I was so sick and tired all the time I would just pray for 4:30 pm so I could go home to sleep. When I started the second trimester I was so ready to feel better and it still didn't happen. But even through it all, I'm loving every minute of this pregnancy.

One year ago, Chris and I were looking at results from his surgery that had not improved. (Click here for the post) And yet this weekend we were standing at Babies R Us registering for the arrival of our little boy. I've had so many moments this pregnancy when I sit down and still can't believe we are here!

When did you have that surreal moment with your pregnancy?