My Top Five

And now for something completely different!!!

I would like to take some time out of this normally, scheduled blog to put in a plug for the top five things that have made my life with a newborn so much easier.

Remember this is just one humble (new) mom's opinion.

#1 SwaddleMe

So we have all heard swaddling is the way to go with babies. The hospital nurses did it with their blankets and I have done the same at home. But, we had a pediatrician recommend this. It looks like a strange sack that is open at the top with velcro on the sides.

My husband and I joke that it looks like a straight jacket, but believe it or not, our little one can be screaming in the middle of the night, and when she gets wrapped up in this, she settles down right away. Plus, you can un-velcro the bottom and change a diaper while her arms are still wrapped up. It is total comfort and not too pricey either. I think we got a two pack for 20 bucks.

#2 Gumdrop pacifier

I know not all mom's are really into pacifiers but in our house they have really helped at this stage. Our baby already loves to suck her fingers when she gets stressed and we tried a few pacifiers already. The ones from the hospital are way too big and squish the poor girl's nose. The Gumdrop pacifier looks silly but it is the perfect size. They have a huge notch for the baby's nose and are curved to fit her face. Plus there are holes in the sides so I know she can breathe. But, my favorite part is that they have the little hole in the bottom of the nipple you can stick your finger so the baby can gum your finger. Our baby loves nibbling mom's finger. They are made by Hawaii Medical and I got mine for about $3 bucks each. They are totally worth it!

#3 Dutalier Rocking Chair

Ok, I will just explain that ever since I was a young girl, I always said I wanted a rocking chair when I grew up and had a baby. My mom rocked me to sleep and I decided I wanted to do the same thing. One day, I went out and "test-drove" all the rocking chairs. This one by Dutalier was the best! The back wasn't too high and it wasn't too wide so it fit in our small place. But, it literally has been the BEST thing we bought. I think I spend about 89% of my days and nights, sitting in it, rocking our baby. Prices vary, but just know I was very grateful to have some awesome family that could help me get my Christmas wish this year!

#4 Enfamil Nutramigen Formula

I know, I know, I said it... I am thankful for formula. But, let me give a slight explanation.

My plan was to breastfeed and I did for a the first two weeks until it was apparent that my little girl wasn't getting much from me. The Dr suggested we try some other formulas in small amounts and I worked around the clock to get my body up to speed. Three days later, I had to consent that my little girl's health took priority. I needed her hydrated and I needed her to put on weight and this formula was the only one that she could stomach. I wish it wasn't the most expensive, but I am so grateful it helped her and got her healthy again. And, I am grateful for Walmart's affordable prices.

#5 Receiving Blankets and Burp Cloths

After our girl is wrapped up in her SwaddleMe for bed, she gets wrapped in another blanket. When we go to the Dr. and the baby is getting harassed with pokes or a stethoscope, I wrap her in a blanket and she settles into my arms with a sigh of relief. Blankets are essential.

As for Burp cloths, well, they too have been irreplaceable in moments of drool... which are common with a newborn.

But, really, the best part is that so many people have given us blankets or burp cloths they have sewed or quilted and I can't express how personal it is to use something someone has made for you and your baby. Saying thank you for that seems so trite, but allow me to say thank you anyway for all those blankets and burp cloths we use around the clock.

Ok, those are my top five items that I am grateful for. There are others, such as the invention of the onesie, Dr. Brown bottles, and Fisher Price bouncer chairs... but in the meantime, maybe this can help someone else looking for a solution.

On the Other Side

The last time I wrote, I was stuck in the first trimester fears of having a baby, feeling like an emotional wreck and not sure if I would survive pregnancy.Proudly, I can say now that I am on the other side.

Once I hit September and went back to school, I was able to focus. I lost the morning sickness, threw myself into my teaching, and relished in the Fall. But, I also hit the best part of pregnancy. I finally felt the baby move. Like mini nudges from the inside, my little girl poked and fluttered and I giggled my way through the best time of year.

Christmas was also an amazing time, listening to stories of Mary and her own delivery and wondering what mine would be like. The baby's movements became long and liquid, like I had a sea otter swimming around inside, at 9pm every night.

January was the roughest time. The baby was ready to go but my body seemed quite happy in its pregnant state. Everyday I went to work, I was drilled with questions I had no answers to.

Finally, 10 days overdue, the Dr. decided it was time to bring this situation to a head and I was induced. Wanting to do labor naturally, I was not happy about being induced. I had wanted so badly for things to happen on their own. But, even in spite of the the lowest dose of pitocin, I made it through the labor with only some fentanyl. I had gotten to a point during labor when I asked for the epidural (to keep from going mad), but was literally out of time since the anesthesiologist was in a C section and the baby was coming fast. Almost unintentionally, I reached my goal. I thank my Heavenly Father for His Grace and for sparing my body and mind and for making labor go fast enough I didn't perish in the process.

Now here I am, gazing through the doorway of life with a newborn. 2:30 am and 2:30 pm is ultimately the same thing and I sleep no more than 3 hours at a time. When I stand in the kitchen in the middle of the night, I catch a glimpse of the ultrasound photos pasted all over the fridge and it's hard to believe all those nudges came from this little baby, who can't seem to fall asleep unless she is on my tummy. Her funny kicks and twitches are all on the outside now as she is still getting used to her new body.

I on the other hand am still getting used to my new role. What does a mother do? What does it mean to nurture? So far my job consists of feeding, rocking, changing diapers and putting her pacifier back in her mouth about 2 million times a day. I know that is what Mother's do, but what else can I do? I want to build a relationship with this little noodle but it's hard when I feel like I have so little to offer at this point. This little baby has many needs and my biggest job is to decode her cries and come to her rescue.

I guess, I can take heart in the fact that things happen naturally. I got to this point, right? My grandma always told me I "come from a long line of strong women." Maybe they felt just as clueless or just as void of motherly instinct as I do. Maybe they eventually got in a groove and learned what a baby needs. Or maybe they muddled through it just like the rest of us.