Dear Grandparents, thank you for everything you do. You are the best babysitters, advisers and keepers of the sanity. Here are a few things, that are just extra perks, for you to have at your house. EVERYTHING, just kidding, sort of. The more you have at your house the less your daughter or son (ie daughter-in-law) has to haul. Whether its across town or across the country it is like heaven to be able to go somewhere with your little one and not worrying about packing your babies life up and taking it with you. I will try and go in order from most helpful on down. (as always this is my opinion ask your kids what is helpful and what isn't) Also advice is great, but we have to try and fail on our own just as you did. :)
3 biggest essentials
Pack-n-play or Crib
Bouncy Chair
High Chair
Toys
Books
Major Pluses (look at garage sales, Goodwill....)
Exersaucer or bounceroo (only way to coral those little crawlers and give adults a few minutes to chat)
Diapers (I kept a few diapers from each size we ordered and took them to my dad's so now he has every size for the next one)
Wipes
Snacks
Onsies or outfits in multiple sizes would be great for accidents.
Formula
Potty Chair
Zero entry, pool would always be great too. :)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Invisible Mother
The Invisible Mother
I absolutely LOVE this:
Invisible Mothers
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.
Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible - The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more.
"Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?"
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?'
I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner,celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.
It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
- source unknown
Excuse me while I get the tissues.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.
Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'
Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I'm invisible - The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more.
"Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?"
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?'
I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner,celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.
It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:
'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.'
And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'
- source unknown
Excuse me while I get the tissues.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Labor and Delivery -- What to pack?
When it comes to packing for labor and delivery it can be a bit overwhelming. What will you need/want? What will fit? What does the baby need? How big a bag do you really need for 2-3 days? Do you want your own stuff or the stuff the hospital ill give you? Many of these questions you will have to answer for yourself and you will definataly be able to, just as you are pulling out of the hospital and headed home. Here are a few of my suggestions.
Birthplan- and if you don't have one you should make research some online and make one, it helps the doctors and nurses know what is important to you. Even if it's just things like giving them a paci or not giving them a paci.
Your own pillow!!!
Labor and Delivery PJ's- You know if you are the type of person who hates wearing hospital gowns, or totally doesn't care. I dream of Sushi Labor and Delivery gowns are super cute, practical and $22 on Amazon.com this is one of those I am getting you the info, you decide what you think. I went with the hospital gown.
VERY loose regular sweat pants. I had a C section (unplanned) and it hurt for anything to touch my insicion. you will also be wearing a pad the size of a 2x4 and possibly an ice pack ( really) in your underwear you do not want anything fitted.
Brestfeeding tanks/bras, if you plan on breastfeeding, when you are new to it, it's a huge pain to try and pull up a big t shirt.
Breastfeeding PJ's- They make you feel pretty or at least human and they are conveneinet, totally worth the splurge. I have some from pea in the pod similar to their short sleeve V-Neck Nursing Pajamas, that are pants and a top and LOVE THEM!!! I will say for the hospital i mostly wore nursing nightgowns, because with my c-section i didn't want to mess
Bathrobe- unless you want to wear the hospital robe everywhere buy yourself a robe that is thin (terricloth gets HOT and bulky) and long. Again you don't want any chance people can see your undies.
A pack of cheap undies- their is a lot of bleeding, the hospital will give you disposable underwear, but if you want to wear your own be prepared to throw them out.
Breast pads- in case your milk comes in in the hospital.
Lanolin - if you forget yours ask a nurse for some, they have trial size tubes
Cross Snap T's for baby- again the hospital can provide these unless you want your own.
Hat for baby- I would splurge and buy a cute boy and girl hat if you don't know what you're having. It's pretty much all they will be wearing, excpet and blanket or swaddle, for the pics you take in the hospital.
Swaddleme- the nurses could swaddle really well, but we couldn't and since Josie roomed in with us most of the time we were way more confident with the swaddleme's. ( The nurses loved them too)
Normal toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo, brush, makeup, possibly a razor....
Newborn footie Pj's- fun to take the baby home in something cute, but keep it practical.
Paci- If you are breastfeeding it is highly recommended you don't give your baby any kind of nipple but the breast for the first week or two, it can hinder their ability to latch. We told every nurse that took Josie to the nursery, please no paci. But if you want to start with the paci bring your own, some hospitals don't offer them and others might have a kind you don't like.
Camera
Laptop or ipad....
Phone- with charger, amazing how many people forget the charger, we did. :)
Birthplan- and if you don't have one you should make research some online and make one, it helps the doctors and nurses know what is important to you. Even if it's just things like giving them a paci or not giving them a paci.
Your own pillow!!!
Labor and Delivery PJ's- You know if you are the type of person who hates wearing hospital gowns, or totally doesn't care. I dream of Sushi Labor and Delivery gowns are super cute, practical and $22 on Amazon.com this is one of those I am getting you the info, you decide what you think. I went with the hospital gown.
VERY loose regular sweat pants. I had a C section (unplanned) and it hurt for anything to touch my insicion. you will also be wearing a pad the size of a 2x4 and possibly an ice pack ( really) in your underwear you do not want anything fitted.
Brestfeeding tanks/bras, if you plan on breastfeeding, when you are new to it, it's a huge pain to try and pull up a big t shirt.
Breastfeeding PJ's- They make you feel pretty or at least human and they are conveneinet, totally worth the splurge. I have some from pea in the pod similar to their short sleeve V-Neck Nursing Pajamas, that are pants and a top and LOVE THEM!!! I will say for the hospital i mostly wore nursing nightgowns, because with my c-section i didn't want to mess
Bathrobe- unless you want to wear the hospital robe everywhere buy yourself a robe that is thin (terricloth gets HOT and bulky) and long. Again you don't want any chance people can see your undies.
A pack of cheap undies- their is a lot of bleeding, the hospital will give you disposable underwear, but if you want to wear your own be prepared to throw them out.
Breast pads- in case your milk comes in in the hospital.
Lanolin - if you forget yours ask a nurse for some, they have trial size tubes
Cross Snap T's for baby- again the hospital can provide these unless you want your own.
Hat for baby- I would splurge and buy a cute boy and girl hat if you don't know what you're having. It's pretty much all they will be wearing, excpet and blanket or swaddle, for the pics you take in the hospital.
Swaddleme- the nurses could swaddle really well, but we couldn't and since Josie roomed in with us most of the time we were way more confident with the swaddleme's. ( The nurses loved them too)
Normal toiletries- toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, shampoo, brush, makeup, possibly a razor....
Newborn footie Pj's- fun to take the baby home in something cute, but keep it practical.
Paci- If you are breastfeeding it is highly recommended you don't give your baby any kind of nipple but the breast for the first week or two, it can hinder their ability to latch. We told every nurse that took Josie to the nursery, please no paci. But if you want to start with the paci bring your own, some hospitals don't offer them and others might have a kind you don't like.
Camera
Laptop or ipad....
Phone- with charger, amazing how many people forget the charger, we did. :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
C-Section
If you are having a C-Section prepare yourself for a longer recovery than your friend having a vaginal birth. You are having surgery, but here are a few things that will make your recovery a little faster and less painful. Make sure you get plenty of rest, let people help you and you will recover a lot more quickly!!!
Gabriealla Post Partem C-Section Girdle (available on Amazon) This was a life saver. I wore it every day for about 4 weeks and it helped me recovery so much!!! It also allowed me to pick up my toddler sooner!
GlamourMom Nursing Bra nightgown- Get this for yourself for the hospital you will not want to wear pants over your incision and you jut feel so much better in this than the hopital gowns!!!
Slippers you can slide your feet into- you will not want to bend over to put socks on.
Gabriealla Post Partem C-Section Girdle (available on Amazon) This was a life saver. I wore it every day for about 4 weeks and it helped me recovery so much!!! It also allowed me to pick up my toddler sooner!
GlamourMom Nursing Bra nightgown- Get this for yourself for the hospital you will not want to wear pants over your incision and you jut feel so much better in this than the hopital gowns!!!
Slippers you can slide your feet into- you will not want to bend over to put socks on.
Pharmacy
Here are a few things to have on hand when the baby arrives.
Infant Tylenol
Infant Ibprofin (although they cannot have this until 6 months)
Children's benadryl (in case of some kind of allergic reaction)
Anal Thermometer
Forehead Thermometer ( these work so much better than the ear)
Gripe water
Saline Spray
Baby Vicks rub
Humidifier
Vicks waterless vaporizer pads for the humidifier
Vitamin D Drops (breastfed babies don't get enough vitamin D)
First Aid Kit
Suction Bulb ( They will give you one at the hospital and if they don't, ask for one, they are the best)
Infant Tylenol
Infant Ibprofin (although they cannot have this until 6 months)
Children's benadryl (in case of some kind of allergic reaction)
Anal Thermometer
Forehead Thermometer ( these work so much better than the ear)
Gripe water
Saline Spray
Baby Vicks rub
Humidifier
Vicks waterless vaporizer pads for the humidifier
Vitamin D Drops (breastfed babies don't get enough vitamin D)
First Aid Kit
Suction Bulb ( They will give you one at the hospital and if they don't, ask for one, they are the best)
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