Tonight, Jimmy and I headed to the Live Well Center for our first Baby Care Class.
It was us and 3 other couples, taught by Tammy, a nurse and the lactation specialist at Carlisle Regional Medical Center, where we are delivering.
I once again was surprised at how well my husband did at the class.
We watched a video about the general care of newborn babies.
We learned and practiced how to sponge bathe the baby the proper way. We took turns practicing the perfect swaddling technique, perfect for soothing a newborn. We also took turns diapering our baby and learning how to care for a boy baby and a girl baby's unique wiping needs. :)
Jim was a much faster diaperer. He was also a much better swaddler. He didn't have a chance to practice bathing, but was a helpful watcher. I, however, am a bit awkward with the baby.
Jim even knew how to re-clothe the baby back into this straight jacket of a shirt....I didn't.
Hence...the reason I signed us up for Baby Care Class, along with our birthing class, and eventually my breast-feeding class. Education never killed anyone, especially me.
The class was very helpful and informative.
We even learned the "scoop on poop". We now know that breast-fed babies poop ALOT, even more than bottle fed babies, and what color and consistency our babies poop should be.
We learned more facts about delivering at Carlisle RMC. Like the fact that Tammy will travel to our house, free of charge, to assist us with settling into life at home with the baby and breast-feeding. I felt comfortable with her and wouldn't hesitate to call on her for this help.
Overall, as we get through our classes, I feel more and more educated and empowered as a future mom. I am very grateful for that.
After class, Jim and I made our way home. I climbed the stairs and entered our bedroom, then master bath. Yesterday, I placed my Pregnancy Manual book on Jimmy's side of the bathroom sink, opened to the Expectant Father chapter.
Today, the final page of that chapter was held opened on my side of the sink.
The final page covered "emergency delivery", which oddly enough our friends just had 2 weeks ago at their home, in the bath-tub. There was a stick figure drawing of a wife giving birth in the back of a car and the husband grabbing handi-wipes. Jim had decided to hold this final page open with a pack of our own handi-wipes. He also penned a quick note on the stick figure page, it said only : "I AM READY!"
So, am I Jimmy....so am I.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Gram Cracker and Pop Tart
Since the day that we told my folks that we were expecting, giving them the book Grandma, Grandpa and Me, they have often asked aloud what we thought that the baby would "call them".
My in-laws already are called Nana and Pap.
My Aunt Linda has her own special name, as does my Aunt Bon. And, someday, my Aunt Robin will get her chance to ponder her "grandmother name".
My cousin David called my grandmother "Nammie" in his attempt to say Grammie...and it stuck for all the grandkids, except me. I called her "Gram". Everyone called my grandfather "Pop".
Last night, Jimmy answered a phone call from my mom. He said: "Hello Grandma...Hello Graham Cracker." He proceeded to tell his mother-in-law that he has decided that our baby will call my mom "Gram Cracker". My mom liked it.
She said "Well, Mike needs a good nickname too...He wants to know what his name will be."
Jim said he would have to think about it.
Our friend Val, who was over for a get together, quickly shot back; "Pop-Tart", which brought a burst of laughter from myself, my mom and Jimmy.
My mom told my Dad his new name. Guess what? He liked it as well.
So, I guess in a shortened way, Baby S has a Gram and a Pop just like Mommy did.
GramCracker and PopTart, you have just under 3 months to get used to your new names. I hope that you like them!
My in-laws already are called Nana and Pap.
My Aunt Linda has her own special name, as does my Aunt Bon. And, someday, my Aunt Robin will get her chance to ponder her "grandmother name".
My cousin David called my grandmother "Nammie" in his attempt to say Grammie...and it stuck for all the grandkids, except me. I called her "Gram". Everyone called my grandfather "Pop".
Last night, Jimmy answered a phone call from my mom. He said: "Hello Grandma...Hello Graham Cracker." He proceeded to tell his mother-in-law that he has decided that our baby will call my mom "Gram Cracker". My mom liked it.
She said "Well, Mike needs a good nickname too...He wants to know what his name will be."
Jim said he would have to think about it.
Our friend Val, who was over for a get together, quickly shot back; "Pop-Tart", which brought a burst of laughter from myself, my mom and Jimmy.
My mom told my Dad his new name. Guess what? He liked it as well.
So, I guess in a shortened way, Baby S has a Gram and a Pop just like Mommy did.
GramCracker and PopTart, you have just under 3 months to get used to your new names. I hope that you like them!
I dont want to work...I just wanna bang on the drum all day
and in just a few short weeks, that is what I will be doing.
Since my last day is June 9th ( really June 5th), I am thinking right now about the opportunity that allows for me to prepare our home for the BIG addition. Cleaning up, organizing...I will have alot of time for those things. It gives me about 7 or 8 weeks to really focus on getting the things done that are on my to-do list. Ah Yes....nesting is a beautiful thing.
I can also spend a few extra days at my parents after my Aunt Robin's shower on June the 6th.
It would be nice to enjoy some time with them alone before the baby becomes their sole focus of attention. hahaha.
Then, I can spend the last month with my feet up, since I know the hot sun might do a number on me.
I think the year has gone by so fast for me, because it has literally been filled to the gills with activity, which is my typical life. Always something going on; a party, weekend guests, a trip out of town. I am going to enjoy some true and perhaps final "me" time.
Since my last day is June 9th ( really June 5th), I am thinking right now about the opportunity that allows for me to prepare our home for the BIG addition. Cleaning up, organizing...I will have alot of time for those things. It gives me about 7 or 8 weeks to really focus on getting the things done that are on my to-do list. Ah Yes....nesting is a beautiful thing.
I can also spend a few extra days at my parents after my Aunt Robin's shower on June the 6th.
It would be nice to enjoy some time with them alone before the baby becomes their sole focus of attention. hahaha.
Then, I can spend the last month with my feet up, since I know the hot sun might do a number on me.
I think the year has gone by so fast for me, because it has literally been filled to the gills with activity, which is my typical life. Always something going on; a party, weekend guests, a trip out of town. I am going to enjoy some true and perhaps final "me" time.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Near the end and also the beginning of a wonderful journey
Today, we were given a final end date for our work, June 9th. No more extensions.
This is an additional 30 days, as I truly believed that this would be our final week.
I have managed to be continually extended from August until June....10 months further than so many of my friends that lost their jobs back in August. I am grateful to have made it this far.
I am blessed with nearly 5 months of severance pay and the ability to collect the maximum of unemployment, which will allow Jimmy and I the opportunity for me to stay home with the baby until the end of 2009.
In so many ways, this is such a sad time for me. The last 9 years has given me the blessing of a great job with great pay, the ability to travel the US and meet great people, but most importantly the true blessing of amazing co-workers, with many that have become my dearest friends.
But, in a whole other way this just begins my next amazing journey, that of Mom. Only God could have timed this out so perfectly. I will have the chance to spend months of the quality time with my son or daughter that so many women don't get a chance to experience.
Still, I think about what I can do to monetarily contribute to our household budget and not put the entire burder square on Jimmy's shoulders. I am thinking of expanding on what I have been doing as a side job of wedding coordinating.
I think I do it well, and I think I could master the skill enough to make $ at it.
I have a business plan written up and I know the steps to bring a business to fruition.
However, I have to learn how a part-time job will affect my unemployment. I must admit, I am taking advantage of the blessing of unemployment as I step into the role of new mom.
Whatever happens, I am ready to roll with the punches.
This is an additional 30 days, as I truly believed that this would be our final week.
I have managed to be continually extended from August until June....10 months further than so many of my friends that lost their jobs back in August. I am grateful to have made it this far.
I am blessed with nearly 5 months of severance pay and the ability to collect the maximum of unemployment, which will allow Jimmy and I the opportunity for me to stay home with the baby until the end of 2009.
In so many ways, this is such a sad time for me. The last 9 years has given me the blessing of a great job with great pay, the ability to travel the US and meet great people, but most importantly the true blessing of amazing co-workers, with many that have become my dearest friends.
But, in a whole other way this just begins my next amazing journey, that of Mom. Only God could have timed this out so perfectly. I will have the chance to spend months of the quality time with my son or daughter that so many women don't get a chance to experience.
Still, I think about what I can do to monetarily contribute to our household budget and not put the entire burder square on Jimmy's shoulders. I am thinking of expanding on what I have been doing as a side job of wedding coordinating.
I think I do it well, and I think I could master the skill enough to make $ at it.
I have a business plan written up and I know the steps to bring a business to fruition.
However, I have to learn how a part-time job will affect my unemployment. I must admit, I am taking advantage of the blessing of unemployment as I step into the role of new mom.
Whatever happens, I am ready to roll with the punches.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Our first Birthing Class
One of the midwives from my OBGYN practice, Pam Kozick, possibly one that will deliver our baby, taught tonight's first class.
We learned about the stages of labor.
We learned about relaxation and comfort tools to pack in our labor bag. I will pack one of my favorite DVDs, some favorite CDs, and snacks.
We learned the things that slow labor, like a poor coach and too many people in the delivery room, or lying down when I should be standing and rocking.
Jim has to remember to pack chapstick and massage oils without preservatives.
We learned about different labor positions, like all fours and slow dancing/leaning. I can ask for a birthing ball. I can get a bath or shower, I can even give birth on a birthing bar or squatting ( sorry for the too much info...but gravity is what gets a baby out).
We practiced a breathing technique. Jim learned about the things he needs to do closer to delivery day in order to help me progress.
Basically, my biggest goal in labor is to remain true to what my body is telling me to do and to make sure that anything that could make me nervous or concerned is taken out of my way. My coach has to remain positive and focused on me. Jimmy did really well with that tonight.
Hopefully, my mom will sit back and just watch what he does and follow his lead.
The midwives do not want any "spectators" in the delivery rooms. They only want helpers.
And, I like and agree with that. They believe that anyone in the room at any time during labor should be there to assist the mother with labor, not visit or "just have a look".
So, listening to their knowledge, I think that we will ask that everyone but Jim and my mom wait until the baby has arrived before driving to he hospital and pouring into the waiting room. I do not want people to come in and visit me. I am someone who likes to be alone when I am in pain. And, I dont like people to be around me asking how I am when I feel bad.
I have this idea of what is going to make me comfortable, and knowing that there are people waiting for me to deliver the goods is not going to help me progress, only make me more nervous.
We will explain that as kindly as we can to everyone before the big day.
Thursday is baby care class. I am sure we will get some helpful pointers for after baby is born that we will also decide to follow or not. My mom will be here for the first week to help.
For now, I am starting to visualize what my delivery day looks like. I am anxious for the second class. I am very appy with tonight's outcome.
We learned about the stages of labor.
We learned about relaxation and comfort tools to pack in our labor bag. I will pack one of my favorite DVDs, some favorite CDs, and snacks.
We learned the things that slow labor, like a poor coach and too many people in the delivery room, or lying down when I should be standing and rocking.
Jim has to remember to pack chapstick and massage oils without preservatives.
We learned about different labor positions, like all fours and slow dancing/leaning. I can ask for a birthing ball. I can get a bath or shower, I can even give birth on a birthing bar or squatting ( sorry for the too much info...but gravity is what gets a baby out).
We practiced a breathing technique. Jim learned about the things he needs to do closer to delivery day in order to help me progress.
Basically, my biggest goal in labor is to remain true to what my body is telling me to do and to make sure that anything that could make me nervous or concerned is taken out of my way. My coach has to remain positive and focused on me. Jimmy did really well with that tonight.
Hopefully, my mom will sit back and just watch what he does and follow his lead.
The midwives do not want any "spectators" in the delivery rooms. They only want helpers.
And, I like and agree with that. They believe that anyone in the room at any time during labor should be there to assist the mother with labor, not visit or "just have a look".
So, listening to their knowledge, I think that we will ask that everyone but Jim and my mom wait until the baby has arrived before driving to he hospital and pouring into the waiting room. I do not want people to come in and visit me. I am someone who likes to be alone when I am in pain. And, I dont like people to be around me asking how I am when I feel bad.
I have this idea of what is going to make me comfortable, and knowing that there are people waiting for me to deliver the goods is not going to help me progress, only make me more nervous.
We will explain that as kindly as we can to everyone before the big day.
Thursday is baby care class. I am sure we will get some helpful pointers for after baby is born that we will also decide to follow or not. My mom will be here for the first week to help.
For now, I am starting to visualize what my delivery day looks like. I am anxious for the second class. I am very appy with tonight's outcome.
Baby Shoes that I didnt make...but loved to receive
My friend Steph Kelley may be one of the craftiest ladies I know...and I have benefited from her craftiness time and time again. Yesterday, she stopped in to my open house with a special gift for myself and my friend Amanda...my favorite...baby shoes.
She knitted these Charlie Brown baby shoes.
I am ready or her to make 100 pairs of these for Baby S. Arent they the cutest little gift ever?
Thanks Steph as always for brightening my day with your little surprises!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
As I Sit here in my easy chair with my feet up
And I listen to Jimmy snoring on the couch, with the dog curled up next to him, on this lazy Sunday, I realize more than ever that I am blessed. Our baby is kicking around in my belly, happy with the extra serving of bleu cheese potato salad that I have eaten. There are thousands of people wishing for something that simple everywhere in the world: Someone to love them, a roof over theirs heads and all the amentities ( including the dog), and a life growing inside of them, half me/half him. Please Lord, let me never again take those things for granted.
I cannot believe that I am just 12 weeks away from my due date. I remember when I prayed just to make it to 12 weeks, then prayed to make it to 24 weeks, always praying that this little life inside of me would continue to grow, despite all of the worries that we had during the beginning of our pregnancy, despite the emergency room visits and the bleeding, despite the "50/50" chance that the ER on-call doctor gave us at 15 weeks, despite the hematoma that has now disappeared could have brought for us, despite so many things. Here we are, the place where so many times I worried that we would never make it.
I am getting super excited for delivery day. I am ready to pack my suitcase and stick it next to the door. I am ready for the pain...I am preparing myself for the worst X 10. I am ready for Jim to be oblivious to how he can help me during delivery and to probably make me a little, ok ALOT, annoyed. I am ready for the birth plan to maybe go off course. I am ready for the loss of sleep, though I keep hearing that is something you are always amazed by. I am ready for the advice of everyone to become unnerving, even when they just want to be helpful.
I am ready for that moment when Jim takes my hand and I give that final push, and for him to walk into the waiting room and tell everyone that we love..."It's a _____! I am ready to stare into the eyes of the most important little person in the world to me. I am ready to count their fingers and toes and decide who they look like. I am ready to say their name out loud so that the doctors can write it own on their birth certificate. Lord, I am ready for this gift that you have given to us... it is so much bigger than I imagined it was, just 28 weeks ago.
I cannot believe that I am just 12 weeks away from my due date. I remember when I prayed just to make it to 12 weeks, then prayed to make it to 24 weeks, always praying that this little life inside of me would continue to grow, despite all of the worries that we had during the beginning of our pregnancy, despite the emergency room visits and the bleeding, despite the "50/50" chance that the ER on-call doctor gave us at 15 weeks, despite the hematoma that has now disappeared could have brought for us, despite so many things. Here we are, the place where so many times I worried that we would never make it.
I am getting super excited for delivery day. I am ready to pack my suitcase and stick it next to the door. I am ready for the pain...I am preparing myself for the worst X 10. I am ready for Jim to be oblivious to how he can help me during delivery and to probably make me a little, ok ALOT, annoyed. I am ready for the birth plan to maybe go off course. I am ready for the loss of sleep, though I keep hearing that is something you are always amazed by. I am ready for the advice of everyone to become unnerving, even when they just want to be helpful.
I am ready for that moment when Jim takes my hand and I give that final push, and for him to walk into the waiting room and tell everyone that we love..."It's a _____! I am ready to stare into the eyes of the most important little person in the world to me. I am ready to count their fingers and toes and decide who they look like. I am ready to say their name out loud so that the doctors can write it own on their birth certificate. Lord, I am ready for this gift that you have given to us... it is so much bigger than I imagined it was, just 28 weeks ago.
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