Raising Trouble
This week's class? "Baby Care Basics." Which is important because we've never raised a baby before. A lot of people are concerned they're not going to be good parents. One of J's coworkers gave us a very helpful piece of advice: Babies are very hard to break. Which is good to keep in mind given that my number 1 parenting concern is breaking the baby. They just seem so fragile! Little bodies, little bones, and a skull that hasn't quite hardened yet.
Other concerns include how to get the baby to calm - especially since I had colic as a baby. Which apparently was traumatizing for my parents. It got so bad the doctors gave them a mild sedative to give me, so they could get a few hours of peace. They spent the entire time sitting beside my crib, watching to make sure I was breathing because they weren't use to me not screaming. It was the last time they used it.
The class spent time teaching us about how to diaper and dress a baby, how to bathe a baby, and importantly, how to calm a baby.
We were shown the cult favorite "The Happiest Baby on the Block" video. Now we're debating about whether we should get a copy or whether seeing it in class was enough. I have friends that have been extolling its virtues and the elements make sense. We practiced the 5 S's:
Swaddle - keeping the baby wrapped up in a blanket, simulating the womb. We practiced a couple of swaddling techniques and we're all stocked up on swaddling blankets at home.
Side - lying the baby on their side and finding the sweet spot angle. I don't recommend the rationale behind this one, but whatever, it's easy to try.
Shush - Shushing as loudly as you can in the baby's ear. Like white noise, or the wind, or the ocean. We'll probably try a modified version of this because I'm worried about blowing or moisture in the ear. (Modified meaning beside the baby's ear instead of directly into)
Swing - This one is a misnomer. J remembers it as "shimmy" which is probably a better description of jiggling or bouncing the baby. Because really, you're not swinging as much as shimmying.
Suck - Use of a pacifier. Which I'm a fan of anyway because both J and I were thumb suckers waaaaaaay past the point it was cool to be a thumb sucker. We're hoping the whole theory that it's easier to wean from a pacifier than a thumb holds true for Muppet.
If we can get through the baby stage, I think raising Muppet is going to be cake. I'm not concerned about our ability to parent mostly because J and I are on the same page about just about everything. Which I think is the most important part of parenting. No mixed signals and solidarity. A united front against what will surely be a child who is determined to give us trouble. After all, both J and I were quite a handful as kids. We can expect nothing less of our progeny.
Next Appointment: Friday, September 16
Maternity clothes? yes
Stretch marks: nada.
Sleep: Still not getting it - but J isn't either. Luckily we take turns not sleeping. Which is probably good practice.
Best moment this week: Hitting full term. Is there a better feeling?
Movement: lots and lots and lots of it - hiccups 3 times a day, pushes, kicks, thumps, the works.
Food cravings: Nothing
Food aversions: Nothing
Gender: Tell you in October!
Belly Button in or out: in. I'm tempted to think it may stay this way.
What I miss: Not going to the bathroom 3 times in an hour.
What I am looking forward to: only a couple more weeks. I'm looking forward to meeting Muppet.
Contractions: Nope.
Milestones:
Full term baby! At 37 weeks the important stuff is developed. Now it's just a matter of Muppet putting on some weight and getting a little more brain wrinkles.
Baby Names: Bad Biblical Folk!
Boy: Lucifer
Girl: Delilah
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