No, we're not quite that close but I couldn't resist using the Europe song as the title for an entry, mainly because of how funny it is in Arrested Development, one of my all time favorite shows.
We are in the final three week stretch where baby Jackson could decide to make his grand appearance at any time. While we eagerly await his arrival, I thought I would send out a request to our four loyal readers (yes, we did have five but I think one deleted the site from their bookmarks). Kris and I would love to hear nuggets of wisdom from you parents out there. What advice do you have for us as we get ready to go to the hospital or enter the world of parenthood in a broad sense? Or, if you aren't parents yet, feel free to post anything you want here, like lottery numbers, you credit card numbers or anything in that vain. We want to hear from all four of you!
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Blogs and Websites to Check Out
- Trey Kelly - Learn more about Wellspring Church in Myrtle Beach, SC
- The Kelly's Blog - Trey and Dani's blog about their sons, David and Jonathan
- Keepin' Up With the Joneses - Doug and Rachel's new blog
- The Roaming Southerner - Alex's blog about her adventures in Michigan
- Moss Blog - Stewart, Susan and baby Ellie
- Bogle Blog - Michael and Kristin's musings about baby Lily
- The Rhodes Family - Sammy and Alyssa's blog about their growing family
- Sports Guy's World - ESPN's Bill Simmons
8 comments:
4 8 15 16 23 42 - Good Luck with it!
Haven't talked to you in a while, but I like your blog.... Ansley will be 2 in August and my wife is pregnant with our second (due in December). Here is some of my advice:
#1 - Trust your instincts. Just because it worked for some other parent doesn't mean it's right for your kid. God chose you as the parent for this child for a reason, trust in that.
#2 - I highly recommend a book called 'The Baby Whisperer' - lots of tips and techniques for babies. I was always good with kids, but zero experience with babies, so that was a big help to me.
#3 - Get on the same page with your wife on how you're going to do things (eg bedtimes, etc), then make sure other caregivers (like grandparents) understand those same things and respect them. If everyone that takes care of the child is doing things differently, it can throw the child's routine off.
Other tips:
*While in the hospital, let the nursery take your baby for the night or two you're there. It's sort of hard to let your new child go for an 8 hour stint, but it's the only sleep you're going to get for the next few months, so use it while you can. When you go home, the nursery option goes away.
*Lots of people disagree with me on this one, but DO NOT be afraid to give your kid formula. We let the breast nazis at the hospital convince us that if we gave our kid formula, she'd never take breast milk, etc.. Well, that led to jaundice for my child as she got dehydrated because my wife's milk wasn't fully in and we had to have her sleep on UV lights for three days. Damn breast nazis... Anyway, formula works - don't be afraid to supplement breast milk with formula - especially in the first few days before your wife's milk comes in.
*When your wife starts labor pains, relax. You have plenty of time. I think every parent is afraid of giving birth on the side of the road, but the reality is that it takes a long time. My wife started feeling the contractions around midnight, woke me up at 2am, we called the doctor, rushed to the hospital, got checked in.... and delivered around 4pm. Plenty of time, don't panic.
That's all I can think of at the moment... Best of luck!!
Have help when you come home, and don't be afraid to ask visitors to leave, especially in the hospital. You both need your rest - naps are a must! We can't wait to hear about the arrival. Rest and enjoy your last "just the 2 of us" time these next few weeks.
Best wishes to the both of you! I've enjoyed "being there" with you guys along the way, but the journey ideally will take a pause (i.e. no posting of labor room video footage, Mr. Callaway). Look forward to seeing pics of Baby Jackson soon!
Like the (other) book title says, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." Don't worry about whether or not Jackson's socks match before taking him out in public. Heck, don't worry about whether YOUR socks match before taking him out in public. Other things not to worry about:
using disinfectant on every grocery cart
which brand of diaper to use
the color of the stuff deposted in the diaper (which is shocking, but not worrisome)
Baby Mozart - nuff said
It took me until today...as I looked at the kitchen floor...on which Olivea had spread out all 500 of her Cheerios...while the dog busily ate the few that actually remained on the tray of her walker...yes, the walker she still insists on using even though she can walk and just hasn't realized it yet...I realized as I looked at her that even though my floor was dirty, and the walker was dirty, and Olivea was dirty...that she was very happy, and that even when things are chaotic, and we feel like we can't keep up, and we feel overwhelmed...when we feel like we have no idea what we are doing, and that we must be doing a terrible job...if they are smiling and laughing, then it does not matter what is smeared all over their hands, their hair, their clothes, the floor...if they are happy, then everything is just perfect.
Love and miss you guys -
Valorie
Amen to Mr. Crutchfield! There will be times where you feel so incompetent but then there will be times, when you know something about your baby and you need to stick with it! It is your baby!
Dog Whisperer sounds like a good read as well...calm, assertive behavior.
Love,
Shw
So, I don't have kids...but I've avoided changing many diapers and tried to convince many crying babies that I was their parent (it didn't work).
I do know this, the burrito style blanket wrap works best for the first little bit once the baby is born.
And, from my hospital experience, take a journal/notepad with you to record who visits and what they bring...it's hard to keep up. You could even pack thank-you notes, and knock some out before even heading home. Crazy, I know.
Man, I am excited for you guys! God bless! -LA
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