The “Today Show” featured a gender cake for Anna and Josh Duggar who are expecting their first child later this year. They are the now-famous married couple of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar (who are famous for having 18 kids).

So, Josh and Ann wanted to find out the gender of their baby in a special way and include their family in the announcement. They had the results of their ultrasound kept secret from them and sent to a bakery. The bakery (which just so happened to be TLC’s Cake Boss) colored the inside of a cake either pink or blue. Josh and Anna wouldn’t know the gender until they cut open the cake.

Cute idea. I’m sure this will spiral in popularity now that it’s been done on national television. I’m not sure how many bakeries are equipped to do this yet, but it’s worth asking if you are interested in this concept. Here’s an article I found on how to make one for yourself — if you already know the gender and just want to surprise your family. Or you could offer to do this for a friend.

During both of my pregnancies I developed gestational diabetes and was forced to give up all sugar. That means the white crystal stuff that most of use on a daily basis, but also it means all refined sugars like flour, white bread, potatoes and so much else. It was hard. Very hard. I don’t know how diabetics do it every day of their lives. Now that I’ve had the baby I’m back on sugar. I’ll have to take a glucose test in a couple of weeks to make sure I don’t have diabetes, and I’ll have to take this test every year from now on, but for now I don’t worry about it.

Now, I have a new dietary restriction — no dairy. This is a doozey. Just lovely. I only started eating sugar again a few weeks ago and now I’m already restricted again. My 4-week-old baby has reflux and the medicine doesn’t seem to be working as well as I’d hoped so her Pediatrician suggested I eliminate dairy from my diet and see if the baby responds.  Since I’m breastfeeding, what I eat affects her.

I used to tell people … Do you realize how many foods sugar is in? Now, I’m saying Do you realize how many foods milk is in? It’s hard to eliminate it completely …

• Cow’s milk
• Cheese (oh, how I love cheese) — and this means, no pizza
• Cottage cheese
• Yogurt
• Ice cream
• Butter
• Mayonnaise — do you know how much is made with mayo?

That’s only a partial list. I have yet to do all of my research to know all that I should not be eating.

If you have to give up either sugar or dairy, which would it be?

Maternity leave paperwork is in.

Training has commenced for while I’m out of the office.

Emails have been sent telling people I might not show up one day.

The Baby Battle Plan has been sent to our friends and family as to how we’ll handle the care of our 3-year-old son. We have run scenarios for middle of the night, middle of the work day, pick up from school, weeknight vs. weekend delivery, etc. We’ve got it covered.

The hospital bag is packed (download the hospital bag checklist I created for moms to be).

I’m still not totally ready with the house, but feel that since everything else seems to be in place she can come at any time now. So, if I miss a few posts, don’t worry. I’ll be back posting in no time.

My husband and I have been having a conversation that I think all parents-to-be need to have these days:

How do we intend to use, if at all, social media during the birth of our child?

When our son was born (just three years ago) we didn’t have to talk about this. Facebook wasn’t open beyond the college scene, Twitter didn’t exist, blogs were not as prevalent as they are today. iPhones weren’t around.

Almost sounds like the dark ages, but this was only a few years ago.

Now, people Tweet short messages or post their Facebook status from their phones. On the go. Wherever they are.

Two years ago I worked for an NBC daytime television talk show. We were very big on integrating our Web content with the live show every day. There was a chat room which opened up each day for people to talk among themselves as well as to send messages into the show and the hosts. It built quite a community of followers and was considered a leader in the industry.

One day, one of the pregnant women “chatters” started talking about chatting during the birth of her baby. The people on the message boards loved the idea of participating in the big event with their new online friend.

Personally, I wondered why the mother was so willing to share her experience with so many in such an open forum. It had rarely been done before. In the end, all this new mom did was send the TV show text messages every so often from the hospital, giving progress updates. We would update the message boards and monitor the conversation among the chatters, answering questions they had. Once the baby was born the mother sent in a photo of her new family and we aired it on TV and posted it to the Web site. No gory details, just sharing her good news.

Fast forward to today and now I can see how this is something people are interested in doing. It seems everyone is getting used to sharing information and being open on social media forums.

The Rules

I’m not willing to share my birth story with the world like the mom on the TV show did, so here’s what my husband and I have agreed to:

• No answering the phone during birth, for any reason.
• No checking email during or immediately after the birth.
• Can privately text message family as desired, during any down time. Text messages can only include non-personal information, such as: going well, baby should be here soon, etc. May not include specifics of the labor, such as: epidural coming, 5 CM dialiated, pushing now, etc.
• If one feels the desire to post an update on Facebook, must ask the other person prior to posting.
• No use of Twitter, period. (It’s too public).
• After the baby is born and we’ve enjoyed some private time together, a photo can be posted to Facebook (and/or emailed to specific people), with the option that it only be shown to friends/family.
• Mother, that’s me, has final say on all rules and can implement new ones as needed at any time.

Here it is in all it’s glory — my official what to take to the hospital list. I looked over a lot of lists out there, but couldn’t find the right one for me. I like to check things off. To have a pretty list with columns and check boxes. One with lines where I could personalize my list.

I had to create it on my own. So, now I’m sharing it with you.

Please feel free to download and use this packing list as you prepare to go to the hospital to meet your new baby.

What to Pack

Below are some highlights from the printable list with explanations. Be sure to download the official packing list to see the entire list under each category.

Paperwork –pre-register at the hospital. This is a must. It will save you time and allow you to go straight to triage when you enter the hospital. Bring all of your paperwork with you when you go to the hospital.
Insurance cards, pediatrician information, pen, notebook for your thoughts, birth plan, ID (driver’s license), baby book with footprint/handprint page, address book with phone numbers to call loved ones after baby is born.

Clothes — You won’t really need an outfit except to wear for your journey home. Instead, bring a nightgown (a nursing nightgown if you plan to breastfeed) and robe, slippers, socks (for the birth if you want), going home outfit, flip flops, nursing bras and nursing pads.

Toiletries — Most lists say to bring sanitary pads so I kept it on my list, but the hospital will most likely provide these for you. You’ll get really big ones. And, some hospitals provide special paper underwear to use while you are there so you don’t have to worry about ruining your new set from Victoria’s Secret. Bring all the regular toilitries that you would to a hotel. You’ll be taking a shower at some point and will want to feel fresh.

Relaxation — Bring items that make you comfortable. For the most part, these are things for during the birth. A back massager is good for your spouse to use while you are in labor. A rice sock can be made by putting rice in an old tube sock and sewing it shut. It can be warmed up in the microwave or cooled down in the fridge to be used on your stomach while in labor. I admit that I created one of these for my first pregnancy, but didn’t end up using it. Hard candy to suck on since you won’t be allowed to have any food. Pillow spray if you want that special relaxation smell while in bed. Your own pillow if that suits you.

Electronics — don’t forget to bring your cameras to document the occasion. Make sure your batteries are charged and/or you bring battery backup. And, don’t forget the flash cards.

For your Partner: A watch to time contractions, toiletries, change of clothes (but not too many since he can go home), clothes to sleep in. If your partner typically sleeps commando or with a lovely pair of undies you might suggest he bring some PJs that would be suitable for others to see him in. Entertainment — he’ll have downtime while you are in labor and might want to read, watch TV or play a video game if you have a portable gaming console. I’d suggest you discuss this ahead of time so you know what you are getting into.

For baby: Infant car seat. They won’t let you leave the hospital without one. Cute outfit for the baby’s first hospital photo. Bring more than one, in different sizes. I had one for my son that ended up bring huge. Going home outfit. Receiving blanket — you only really need this if you want a special one. The hospital gives you plenty of the white, with blue and red striped ones to use while you are there. Infant caps. Again, the hospital slaps one of these on your baby right away so you don’t have to bring your own, but if you want your baby to be seen in a cute cap, bring your own. You don’t even really need to bring your baby any clothes. The hospital will put him/her in those little white t-shirt tops with the parts that fold over the babies’ hands. And, they usually provide diapers.

Other: cash — vending machines, valet parking, you name it you might need cash. Don’t forget your purse and wallet. A good idea is to have a small purse that will fit inside your luggage. My hospital makes you carry your luggage from room to room. Here’s the scenario: you are rushed to triage to wait for a room (husband is pushing screaming wife down hallway while pulling luggage), you get moved to the labor room (finally!) husband pulls luggage while you are pushed in wheel chair (hopefully), and then after the baby is born you get moved to your regular room, husband drags that suitcase along. The less bags he has to manage the better. And, remember you are not going to be in charge of the luggage or your purse so make it manageable.

• Download the Hospital Packing List now

Photo courtesy stock.xchng.