BFFs and Belly Laughs

I know I've gushed about how fortunate I am to have such a great network of girlfriends all over this country.  I have been sent BOXES and BOXES full of baby stuff (I know, I've mentioned that too!!) from four different states, four different friends, but all the same love.  Yesterday's box was, by far, the most interesting.  It was from my BFF since fifth grade, Angie.

Angie has four kiddos.  The twins, Luke and Lydia just turned four in February, Eloise was two in October, and Miles was born in November.  Needless to say, it's a busy house for sure.  I have a special love for those kids.  Maybe it's because of who their mom is and how special she is to me.  Or maybe it's because the twins were born at 27 weeks and I was there two days later (holy terrifying!).  Since we were eleven, Angie and I have shared everything.  She knows all my secrets, and I know hers.  We've shared many tears and even more belly laughs.  It's been a great ten-ish years (I can pretend I am 21 again, right?!?!).

Well,  yesterday I received a text from Angie saying that she had sent a box.  Text is the easiest way for us to communicate in that she's chasing four hooligans (her words, not mine) around the house.  After several text exchanges, the box showed up at the front door.  The first laugh was me saying "I thought you sent the box today, not that it would be delivered today!!"

And then I opened the box.  As I dug through piles of super cute (and very tiny) clothes for Bryan, I sorted them into sizes.  Lots of newborn stuff that Luke wore for a long time and the Miles came out too big to ever wear, and several 0-3 month outfits that are too cute for words!  Then there was the sample of Similac newborn formula that had expired in September (giggle #2), and the sample of Enfamil newborn formula with coupons that have Angie's name on them (giggle #3) but aren't expired.  And then, at the bottom of the box, the most gigantic belly laugh I've had in a really long time.

I should back up.  My closest of friends have shared with me the need for granny panties at the hospital and for a while (read: undetermined amount of time) after I get home.  And all of them have said "and I tried regular bikini panties or maternity panties but had to go buy granny panties anyway."  So, I took the advice, much to my dismay, and bought two packages of the darn things.  I even picked out pretty little patterns in hopes that they wouldn't be quite  so....ummm...so....what's the word I am looking for?...disturbing.  How do those things fit inside of pants? Maybe my pants are all too small, but I am pretty sure there's not enough room for my buttocks AND these panties inside of my pants.  But I digress.

The purpose for these granny panties has been described as dual purpose.  First, if I end up with a C-section, the top will go over the incision.  That sounds like a good enough reason.  Second, it's been said that I'll need the extra real estate to hold the pads that I'll have to wear.  And yes, I bought pads.  That was a little disturbing too.  Furthermore, EVERY single one of my girlfriends who told me about the pads has mentioned that the ones they give you at the hospital are huge.  But nobody has told me exactly what they mean by "huge."

Well, as only Angie would, she saved one for me.  She stole an extra one from the hospital when she had Miles in November.  Knowing that I was pregnant, and knowing that nobody told her about the details of the now  infamous pad, she thought it would be a good idea to fully prepare me for the horror that is "The Pad."

So, my friends, I leave you with this.  The most precious hand-me-down I've received in all the boxes my incredible friends have sent.  I introduce you to THE PAD!

Yes, that is a full 12" ruler.

All I can think now is, "well, at least I won't be shocked when the nurse hands me The  Pad."  It's for my own comfort, right?  But I am pretty sure that I will burst out laughing, and probably text Angie to let her know that  I too have fallen victim to The Pad.  I can think of worse things.