It has taken me two weeks to finally feel all prepared for the baby since getting back from Amsterdam. I have had a fun but stressful time trying to choose a car seat, stroller, sling, diaper bag, and all the cloth diaper necessities from the diapers themselves to the cloth wipes, cloth diaper pail liners, diaper sprayer, wet bags, and natural laundry detergent. There are so many choices out there. My mom has been helping me research some things because she wants to help me get the most organically safe products for the baby and me. She found this stuff called soap nuts which I am really excited to use as an all natural laundry detergent. She has sent me this beautiful basinette that has been used for all of her children and many of my neices and nephews.
My sister had her last baby about 5 months ago and she sent me a ton of things. I was overwhelmed with packages from her filled with pretty much everything on my list for a newborn baby. I also had an awesome baby shower which reinforced my stash. So by the help of many wonderful women in my life I have hardly paid for a product for this new addition. We have been very blessed. I know we will be paying for plenty in the near future ;)
After researching circumcision as well, we decided not to circumcise Colin. Like my approach to giving birth, I assumed all of my life I would do it a certain way and when I actually researched for myself, found that I did not agree with it. I love learning for myself and deciding what is best for me and the baby.
I also found some bilingual mom blogs out there (which I will have to use for support) and I looked into phrases and vocabulary for raising an infant in French. I learned a lot of good words while working in the French preschool in NYC last Summer as well. I am glad I get to speak it and test myself on what I do and do not know during the time where he is not soaking things up concretely. He is being introduced to sounds during the first bit of his life so I can make mistakes in vocab or grammar and then correct myself. I am glad that this will be a way for me to keep up my French. The plan is for me to always speak French to him and sometimes even around Andrew. Andrew understands and can speak back in English. His accent and grammar aren't where I would like it to be so we will see how things play out. It will be really fun. I am a bit worried about having discipline but I think I will remind myself daily of the incredible benefits Colin will get.
We have decided to try co-sleeping in a crib attached to the bed (given by my sister) or even bed sharing. We will possibly be trying both options but I am very, very drawn to attachment parenting. I will try to always hold him, even in a sling if I need to, and give him massages everyday, etc. I have heard from many people that babies make lots of noises during the night and having him in the same room may drive you crazy because you react to those noises and can't sleep. Again, we will have to see how things go but I want to be able to meet my child's needs before he reaches the last stage which is crying. Co-sleeping is just so ideal for breastfeeding mamas.
Last week my midwife wasn't sure if the baby was breech and he was semi posterior. She did a vaginal exam and found that he was extremely engaged in the pelvis, I was 3 cm dilated, and 90% effaced (which makes sense since he was very engaged). She said I could go into my birthing time any day now. I was not exactly all prepared so I went into a frenzy of last minute preparations. I am also trying to keep him anterior by doing rocking exercises so I don't have back labor. I haven't felt any apparent Braxton Hicks contractions but I have felt contractions after being prodded by the midwives.
Last week I also visited a chiropractor who was able to adjust things so my lower back felt better and everything was realigned. This was recommended so that the birth goes smoother and the baby doesn't run into kinks that may slow the birthing time down. After seeing him, I felt so light and I didn't even think I was pregnant anymore. It was amazing. I would recommend this to pregnant women and especially right before the birth if possible.
The last couple things I have done are arrange a baby station in our living room in the basement we live in and pack the birthing center bag. The car seat is in the car and I have told myself that he can come now. My mother in-law is still in England for another 9 days and my Mom is not planning on coming out until April 5th. She also has some health issues she is currently dealing with that would not allow her to fly yet. I would like one of them to be here to help me in the beginning but things will work out. This baby may not come early at all.
Well, that was my summary of the things I have learned and decided to do on my path to becoming a mommy. Becoming parents is going to be a crazy new adventure filled with experimenting, learning, and lovely new surprises. I am so happy that I will have Andrew by my side. I have told myself that no matter what frustrations or trials come my way, I have chosen this because it will bring me joy unlike anything I have experienced. All the sacrifices will be worth it and I have my Savior to guide and comfort me because he knows what I will be going through. I am a very strong woman who can do hard things that will make me better. So bring it on!
I have been reading books like "Happiest Baby on the Block," given to me by my sister, and I have practiced my swaddling. I haven't got a baby doll in the house so I took my Ugly Doll, Ninja, and practiced on him.
He was a very cooperative partner. The book discusses how to sooth a crying baby by combining many well know techniques but showing how to do them together and correctly so that they are the most effective.
I have attended a breastfeeding class and am reading La Leche League's book, "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding." I feel pretty prepared for breastfeeding but actually doing it will probably bring on the real questions.
In Amsterdam I read Ina May Gaskins "Guide To Childbirth" and LOVED it. It is really an amazing witness to the power of your mind and body when it comes to natural childbirth. It relayed beautiful (hippie) birth stories and gave very well researched information about all your options for childbirth. Once again, I am extremely excited to give birth using Hypnobabies.
While in Amsterdam I also had lots of time to try to research vaccinations and after becoming very frustrated with the evidence for both ways, I have decided on delaying many of the vaccinations and definitely not getting certain ones. I feel that putting so many vaccinations into a tiny body at one time cannot be worth it. That doesn't mean that I will not get certain ones eventually but I would also like to separate them over time if possible. In the end, I will pray about them depending on the needs of my child. I cannot rule anything out yet but I feel I have a good basis for making some decisions and asking the questions. A friend recommended a naturopathic doctor in the area who treats problems with natural therapies, herbal medicines and supplements, homeopathy, etc. He does not push vaccinations and I am very interested in seeing him.
After researching circumcision as well, we decided not to circumcise Colin. Like my approach to giving birth, I assumed all of my life I would do it a certain way and when I actually researched for myself, found that I did not agree with it. I love learning for myself and deciding what is best for me and the baby.
I also found some bilingual mom blogs out there (which I will have to use for support) and I looked into phrases and vocabulary for raising an infant in French. I learned a lot of good words while working in the French preschool in NYC last Summer as well. I am glad I get to speak it and test myself on what I do and do not know during the time where he is not soaking things up concretely. He is being introduced to sounds during the first bit of his life so I can make mistakes in vocab or grammar and then correct myself. I am glad that this will be a way for me to keep up my French. The plan is for me to always speak French to him and sometimes even around Andrew. Andrew understands and can speak back in English. His accent and grammar aren't where I would like it to be so we will see how things play out. It will be really fun. I am a bit worried about having discipline but I think I will remind myself daily of the incredible benefits Colin will get.
We have decided to try co-sleeping in a crib attached to the bed (given by my sister) or even bed sharing. We will possibly be trying both options but I am very, very drawn to attachment parenting. I will try to always hold him, even in a sling if I need to, and give him massages everyday, etc. I have heard from many people that babies make lots of noises during the night and having him in the same room may drive you crazy because you react to those noises and can't sleep. Again, we will have to see how things go but I want to be able to meet my child's needs before he reaches the last stage which is crying. Co-sleeping is just so ideal for breastfeeding mamas.
Last week my midwife wasn't sure if the baby was breech and he was semi posterior. She did a vaginal exam and found that he was extremely engaged in the pelvis, I was 3 cm dilated, and 90% effaced (which makes sense since he was very engaged). She said I could go into my birthing time any day now. I was not exactly all prepared so I went into a frenzy of last minute preparations. I am also trying to keep him anterior by doing rocking exercises so I don't have back labor. I haven't felt any apparent Braxton Hicks contractions but I have felt contractions after being prodded by the midwives.
Last week I also visited a chiropractor who was able to adjust things so my lower back felt better and everything was realigned. This was recommended so that the birth goes smoother and the baby doesn't run into kinks that may slow the birthing time down. After seeing him, I felt so light and I didn't even think I was pregnant anymore. It was amazing. I would recommend this to pregnant women and especially right before the birth if possible.
The last couple things I have done are arrange a baby station in our living room in the basement we live in and pack the birthing center bag. The car seat is in the car and I have told myself that he can come now. My mother in-law is still in England for another 9 days and my Mom is not planning on coming out until April 5th. She also has some health issues she is currently dealing with that would not allow her to fly yet. I would like one of them to be here to help me in the beginning but things will work out. This baby may not come early at all.
Well, that was my summary of the things I have learned and decided to do on my path to becoming a mommy. Becoming parents is going to be a crazy new adventure filled with experimenting, learning, and lovely new surprises. I am so happy that I will have Andrew by my side. I have told myself that no matter what frustrations or trials come my way, I have chosen this because it will bring me joy unlike anything I have experienced. All the sacrifices will be worth it and I have my Savior to guide and comfort me because he knows what I will be going through. I am a very strong woman who can do hard things that will make me better. So bring it on!
Here is to 37 weeks
Co-sleeping is the way to go; take it from one breastfeeding mommy to another. I wish I had done it the first three months with my babes...I slowly transitioned into by letting him sleep in his carseat right next to the bed (because waking up and walking all the way to the bassinet was such a hassle) and then one night, I feel asleep while nursing him in bed and whatdoyaknow, we're co-cleeping.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's so cool you're doing cloth diapers! What brand are you using? We were doing cloth until we moved into an apartment without a washer/dryer-wasn't as economical when laundry is $2 a load.
Anyways, so excited for you and Andrew! Babies are the best.
xo
Jamey
wearesimplyanimated.com