What’s In My Bag?

If you have a serious addiction to gossip magazines, like I do, you may be aware of US Weekly’s “What’s In My Bag” segment. Lately, I’ve been thinking about my own bag and how much it has changed over the last 10 months. So, here is my own, new-mom edition, of “What’s In My Bag.”

I have always been a bit of an accessory hoarder, with bags being my biggest obsession. Even before Riley was born, I would carry around a massive tote, and Pat would always ask, “why do you need that thing?” …. Men have it so simple, wallet- check, keys-check, phone – check. Out the door they go, with free hands and not a care in the world.

My bag is like my own personal survival kit. At the moment, I’m carrying Pottery Barn Kid’s Black Classic Tote Diaper Bag. The compact design makes it ~~easy~~ possible to pack up and go on a moments notice and still look slightly stylish.

In it, I have the basics that everyone needs… wallet, cell phone, car keys. However, in addition to these staples, I also have:

Several diapers, wipes, and a changing pad. I’ve learned that you need to be prepared to give your babe a “freshie” at a moments notice. No one wants to be the mom with the smelly kid, trust me. Poop happens people and it doesn’t take into consideration where you are or who you are with.
My life planner, no really that is what it is called and if you don’t have one, you should. I know we live in a digital world, but I feel so much more organized and prepared when I put pen to paper. I keep my schedule, deadlines, to-do lists, notes, bills, birthdays and so much more in this planner and I honestly feel like I’d be lost without it. It’s hard enough remembering my own appointments and Pat’s various work schedule(s), add Riley’s doctor appointments and daycare schedule to those, and it would only be a matter of time before you found me wandering aimlessly, blowing bubbles and not knowing what my name is, let alone what day it was.
Baby Mum Mums are like baby|mommy gold, in addition to Sophie that is. These natural rice crackers (or communion cookies, as Pat likes to call them) will give you at least 5 minutes of freedom to eat, drink coffee, put on make-up (with at least one eye still on your babe that is) or anything else you can imagine with out your little side-kick crying, pulling things off the table, eating your hair or trying to rip your nose or lips off your face, which is Riley’s new favorite thing to do. Get some, you won’t be sorry.
A cow and a monkey. Duh, don’t we all carry these in our bags? You never know when you are going to need a distraction and these two things do the trick. Not to mention you get to turn a lot of heads while making “moo-ing” and monkey sounds – what does a ~~fox~~ monkey say?
Blueberry hat, ok, any hat will do. Vermont is cold and Riley pulls off her hat any chance she gets. It never hurts to have an extra. And on that note, extra socks are also a good idea.

A few other things I usually carry:

Hand sanitizer – no explanation needed.
EmergenC packs – daycare is like a petri dish of every germ you can think of. If it’s not the cold, flu, or stomach virus, it is pink eye, ear infections and of course hand, mouth and foot disease. Ok, the Vitamin C won’t prevent sores from covering your mouth and extremities, but it might save you from the sniffles – so that is a plus.

All you ladies with adorable clutches, enjoy it while you can. Those days are long gone for this momma.

PS – I have to mention that until recently, I was using a handmade bag from my adorable 80-year-old gram, but Riley’s abundance of “stuff” has officially outgrown it. It will be packed away for baby Stewart #2, whenever that time comes (which is not right now by the way) – this belly is purely beer, wine, carbs and leftover baby weight.