PRIZE TIME! Late night prize handout tonight :) But hey, it's still Thursday! This lag is killing me... I kept hoping it would get better, but IT HAS NOT. So prizes are coming... just bear with me if you haven't received it yet!

Grand Prize:

First Place:

Second Prize:

Thank you so much!! Congratulations to the other winners :-)

yay, Yvette! Congrats on winning!!

Congrats to the others too :)

Thank you and congrats to others^^

thank you so much!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Baby is now 25 weeks along and the size of a rutabaga (what the heck is that???) Her hair has taken on color (tho I won't see it until she's born) and she is kicking like crazy! I took my cellphone and put it on my stomach the other night and watched her kick it around - it almost fell off my stomach! So fun.

THIS WEEKS CHALLENGE

Let's do another easy one after the tricky challenge last week :) This week, in honor of my little ruta-something another...

What is one thing to be sure to bring to the hospital (or place in the 'grab and go' hospital bag??) I have a bag... but it's currently empty. What should I fill it with???

Also, for those wondering, I decided on SWEETHEART ONTRA for my pet honoring my little one. I have one now, just waiting on deciding how I want to do her page :)

omigosh that's so exciting :o The kickings :D One thing to be sure to bring to the hospital would obviously be necessities xD I'd bring maybe baby clothes and diapers.

pijamas, toothbrush, wipes (cleanex type), towel

Bring something that'll make you feel better while you're there! Like a comfier outfit than the scratchy scrubs.

so cute your little baby on the way, so excited for you...

the go bag... for sure grab cozy socks, cause hospitals are chilly.. also baby wipes trust me and get the huggies brand. they are soft, like wash cloths, seriously don't bother with the others. toothbrush kit, and an extra phone charger!

all the brightest wishes of love for your little ruta-bundle of joy!

Hmmm, I think I would bring my toiletries (toothpaste, brush, contact solution,etc), a pair of newborn clothes for the baby, comfy sweats for you, a sweater always because it’s cold in hospitals, a cozy blanket, cash for vending machines, and my phone charger!

Similar to a turnip, the rutabaga is yellower & milder in taste. Rutabagas & turnips can get pretty big in size, depends how long you wait before harvesting them.

I've grown both... even less common things like Purple Kohlrabi cabbage

For the grab bag... remember to bring stretchy clothing so that when your bundle of joy is out you have something to wear that won't drop/fall to the ground. Also, a roll of paper towels... drool, spit-up, any type of surprise mess you don't want to search frantically to clean it up ;) Also, bring something that has the cat's scent (like a blanket it slept on) and wrap the kid in it so the cat's scent is on the kid helping the introduction process ;)

How about a favorite book? It could give you something to do during the lull between contractions.

How about a blank journal? It would be fun to jot down some of your feelings before the birth and continue later on with general thoughts about her as she grows. It is fun on a child's birthday to write lots of details about their special day.

Socks, underwear, other clothes (pajamas and what you're wearing home etc), and stuff to do once you've delivered! Books/an e-reader, puzzle books to write in, a journal, handcrafting supplies, stuff like that. Any chargers you'll need, like for your phone or your laptop if you're bringing one. but don't be surprised if you don't sleep a lot too. :)

I'm so excited, baby's really big!

bring a neck pillow, youre gonna end up sleeping at the hospital and the seat so that will be more comfortable!!

bring things to make you feel comfortable afterwards - change of clothes, tooth brush, tooth paste, ear plugs (if you are a light sleeper like me), comfy pillow, maybe a good book to read, underwear

So funny you mentioned rutebegas, i had them for the first time last night. i ordered a fruit and veggie box that comes twice a month, and they had them in it. i cut them up and made fries!

dont forget phone charger, and camera if your going to use a real camera for pictures!!!

I felt a lot better when I could finally get out of the hospital gown and into my PJs. Pack stretchy pants that have a waistband that goes far up in case of a csection, a large baggy shirt, and a mumu in case you don't wanna wear pants. Make sure these are things you are okay getting blood on. Your hospital should provide you with these amazing disposable mesh panties. Use them. Don't bother wasting your undies because you will be bleeding A LOT after delivery. I was not allowed to wear my own socks unless I put the hospital provided socks over them. Hospital socks are supposed to be slip resistant and hospital floors are very slippery (you will want to be walking as much as possible as soon as you can to accelerate the healing process). The hospital should also provide you with wipes. I actually hate Huggies wipes because they are so soft your fingers will go through them and get covered in poop. Not fun. They're actually the only brand I've tried that I've had this issue with.

I brought books and puzzles to do with both my deliveries but never used them. You're gonna be sooooo exhausted between having a baby and then feeding baby every two hours and dealing with family, friends, nurses, and doctors coming in to check on ya'll that any extra time will probably be spent catching some zzzzz's. I was in too much pain to use them during my daughter's birth and my son was a scheduled csection that went rather quickly.

Definitely pack extra chargers or batteries for whatever electronics you bring. Spare glasses or extra contacts + solution if you or your partner use them. I agree with others about bringing a blanket and pillow. The hospital will provide blankets but I brought a super soft one. Their pillows can be hit or miss. If your partner is staying with you they might wanna bring some too. I bought travel sized toothbrushes (for me and hubby), toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a towel from home (I preferred my extra large ones). If you have a csection they will provide you with a special wash to use over your incision. If your hair is long bring some scrunchies/hair ties. Also have copies of any important papers you might need.

Don't forget to pack baby's first outfit when you get it. The hospital should provide you with most other things you'll need for baby. I love love love pink_dolphin's suggestion for a journal. You could even just text or email yourself if a journal isn't your thing. While you'll remember the big things it's the little special moments and thoughts that time will rob from you and documenting these will help you remember.

Fresh Socks and underwear, if you can't change anything else, those will make you feel better Comfort reading, like something youve read before and love so that if you need to take up some time you have something easy but enjoyable. Dress for absolute maximum comfort and ease of movement but I think that's probably obvious