The newsletters are telling me to start packing my bag for the hospital and provide suggestions of what to pack such as a rice-filled sock (for massaging), tennis balls in a sock (for massaging), music (I don't wear hearing aids during the fun), and other homemade things. Well, the first time, I did take a couple of these things and they never made it out of the bag.

If you or someone you know found something useful, that's great. My point is the books, magazines, and newsletters get a little pack-happy with their suggestions. I just need a change of clothes, toiletries, phone book, and a couple of magazines. Everything I need is at the hospital. I like the rocking chair and the crushed ice.

The tricky thing about packing a bag is that you don't want to pack something away that's perfectly wearable until the big day. For the most part, I just pack toiletries, socks, cameras... the basics, and I hang up an outfit near the bag. So, if nothing happens, I can wear the outfit and just take out another.

When will I pack? Probably not till the end of April or first week of May. Actually, I am supposed to go to Fort Worth (one hour away) one week before my due date. It'll be interesting to see how that works out. It depends on the baby's progress. The hospital is across the street from the house, so I don't think it's much trouble for anyone to pick up a few things for me if packing dosen't happen.