Anyone else feeling a little drained from the Holiday season? I am.
Our anniversary was December 23rd; we spent it in nearby Gig Harbor at a bed and breakfast on the water. Then we spent Christmas Eve with friends and had a mellow Christmas Day at home. I made a pot roast for Isaac and even gave some to the dogs because I happen to be an overindulging dog owner. It all seemed much more labor intensive at the time than in retrospect.
Now that the Holidays are behind us, we’re watching the days tick by until baby joins us. Margot is due in 9 weeks and I really can’t believe it. If any of you experienced mothers have any birthing or newborn advice, please share. I sure could use it! In the meantime, I’ll be sleeping as much as possible, while I still can.
Yea Yea Pueblo 
It’s funny the things you learn that aren’t in books that come in handy when the baby is sick and you feel your most helpless. My only sick-baby advice to you may or may not work for you, but here ya go:
When baby gets thrush: I kept my daughter’s milk bottles in the refrigerator (and all her pacifiers and nipples) so that when she ate, everything was cold and soothing for her sore mouth. She actually got so used to cold milk, she hated warmed milk and I never had to warm another bottle again. (SCORE!)
When baby is constipated: Use the rectal thermometer to poke the baby in the rear (as if you were taking her temp). It induces bowel movements apparently.
And a mommy-to-mommy oddity of note: if you choose not to breastfeed (or you stop breastfeeding), ice cold cabbage leaves stuffed in your bra feel soooo good to sore breasts. It sounds crazy, but think about it – the cabbage leaves are perfectly shaped by nature to fit just so! Seriously, your boobs will hurt so bad when drying up that the cold shock of cabbage leaves will distract you enough to feel good.
I wish you all the luck in the world – motherhood is a fun job. It lets you be a kid again (even though you technically should be the responsible one, too).
That’s great advice, Dena! Especially the bit about cabbage. I do plan to breastfeed, but had no idea it would hurt when I eventually stopped. So many things to consider in parenthood.
Crystle (and Isaac), just think about it, we were in Germany (Army) as newlyweds, and
pregnant. I used a Dr. Spock book for all my questions….Sammy survived somehow,
I had no luck with nursing, but our Carol nursed all her 4 until they could drink from a
cup ! Also, we had NO disposable diapers ! Having Christie there will be the best
advice I can give, she was an excellent NEW mommy….just ask Isaac !
Love you, Oma
Sleep…Sleeeeeep Noooow. That is all. I have no advice except to say that it will be completely different than you think it will. Motherhood has been a curve ball since day one, 13 1/2 years ago.
Good advice! I feel like such a bum for sleeping so much lately, but I’m just as tired as I was in the first trimester, plus I know many sleepless nights are ahead so I’m definitely milking it.
Best advice I ever got, “When people offer to help, always say, ‘Yes, thank you!’ and then figure out how they can help! We are all in this together.