Last day of work - First day of leave - What the heck do I do now?

Well, it has been a while since I decided to blog...and I have to say, I am having trouble figuring out exactly what is blog worthy, and what is that stuff that no one really wants to read about, or that I will want to read back over!
I guess the biggest thing has been that I have 4 1/2 weeks to go until I am due. Whilst I was originally planning to get to 1 Feb before I finished work, catching a cold (probably partially due to monsoonal rain and airconditioning at work) put a pretty quick stop to that. The doctor agrees that I need to stop work now, so I am officially finished work for just over 12 months! I thought I would have been fabulously happy having the next 4 or so weeks to myself, but in fact I am incredibly daunted by the idea that I have such limited time to get ALL my life in order in anticipation of it all being turned upside down!
I have achieved some small things in the past couple of weeks. My hospital bag is now all but packed. My final list of things to pack was an effort to complete in itself! Eventually I came up with the following:


Maternity bras - I got a whole range from KMart the other day - most were $10 or under. Bargain!
Comfy full brief undies - Bonds - who else?!
Sleepwear - I have opted for long PJ pants, and I am planning to wear the Bonds Maternity Singlets. This way I am decent if we get unexpected visitors, but I have easy access to breast feed. Those Bonds Maternity Singlets are freaking awesome! I would definitely recommend them!
Reading material - I picked up about 8 Real Living magazines that I haven't read (yes, some are quite old!) at the Op Shop for $1 per mag! Pretty sweet deal considering most magazines retail between $8 - $15!
Journal and Diary plus pretty pens (I have a serious stationary fetish...I really do need help!)

Camera - For obvious reasons!

IPod

Wheat (heat) bag

Return to home outfit - I know, it will still be maternity wear, but I want to wear something nice to return home with bubba!
Pregnancy / Birth folder including all documents collected over the period of my pregnancy
General toiletries - we bought new toothbrushes (we were just about due anyway), and new toothpaste, so we could pack in advance. Also I am taking some of the stuff that just makes you feel a little more at home when you are away from home (ie. familiar liquid soap, skin care routine stuff...I may not use it, but if I do have time, or need some Mercenary Mum time - I've got it covered!)
Don't forget the toiletries which may be new products - ie. Maternity pads, breast pads - we are planning a 5/6 day stay at hospital, so I would expect my milk will have come in before I go home...
Thongs for the shower (NB. The footwear variety of thongs for those of you who aren't Aussie!)


Really clever stuff I would never have thought of without other peoples recommendations:
Bendy Straws - I was really on the fence about this...I mean I NEVER use straws....but I read somewhere that whilst in labour drinking using bendy straws will allow you to keep your fluids up with minimum effort.
Toilet paper - now I know the hospital will supply TP, but honestly, the last thing I'd like would be to use cheap bulk sandpaper toilet paper after having a baby....I can always bring it home if the hospital exceeds the expectations!
Stuff for your birth partner - I am bringing stuff I want Mr Mercenary to have during my labour - stuff that guys may not think of...ie. something to wear in the shower / birth pool....
Also, whilst you are in hospital, the medication etc. for you and the baby is pretty much covered, but your partner may find a long labour or different bed (if they are able to stay with you over night) may bring on a headache etc. I found a suggestion that we take some nurofen or panadol for your other/better half is probably a good idea - and then they have NO excuses!
List of people we need to call - no not the list of rellies we have to tell, but the official kind of ones that I will probably forget about the minute administration of my life is replaced by a (hopefully) healthy and beautiful baby girl (eg. Private Health Fund - cover her immediately!).

Of course I have to take some stuff for bubba (ie. clothing, nappies etc.) but I'll tackle that when my cold clears so I don't contaminate her stuff before she is even born! That is actually an interesting idea...she is essentially sharing a vessel with me at the moment, but I am concerned with making her sick after she is born...Well...that kind of bakes my noodle...I might leave it at that for tonight...I'll come back to my hospital bag list after the big event and my hospital holiday to give you the low down on what was space filler, what was essential and what was missing!