Oh yes, the exhilirating busyness of finalizing preparations for Emma has begun. Our classes started this week. Greg and I signed up for as many classes as we could and two of these classes were this past Monday & Tuesday: Baby Nutrition (breastfeeding) and Baby Basics. With something going on every weekend until the end of December, time is going to fly by! (Although, the pregnancy has been going by very quickly - I can't believe that we are in the 3rd Trimester and 7 months along.)
The husbands were encouraged to attend the breastfeeding class; Greg is still unsure why he had to go but he'll probably go with me for the second class too, unless he has to travel for business. The first hour was very boring and pointless - the video was advocating breastfeeding. Why sign up for the class if you aren't going to breastfeed? I did learn that I will be nursing within one hour of the birth so let's hope that I will remember the basics when I'm drugged up and exhausted. (Yes please for the epidural/spinal) I am going to make nursing work but let's hope that Emma let's Mommy have an easy time with it. We go back the week after thanksgiving for the 2nd portion of the class.
Baby basics was interesting; we learned to change diapers, swaddle and bathe the baby. We also had a small tour around St. Mary's. Although we didn't have too much of a decision to make, I am glad that we chose St. Mary's because of the one-on-one attention by the staff. The rooms are nice & roomy. It's also a Catholic hospital and they have daily prayers read over the intercom twice a day. Emma will be born in the same town where Greg and I went to college and met; also, the same town where we spend many, many Saturdays.
Greg & I are exhausted after the fun weekend of tailgating and football, combined with these two classes after work on Monday and Tuesday. We are looking forward to sleeping in this weekend, attending the last home game of 2011 and Molly's 1st Birthday Party.
I breastfed Olivia till she was 9 months old. Those first weeks are the make or break on whether you'll want to continue. I definitely recommend putting on lanolin before and after each feeding, and using a shield in the beginning. We had to work on holding her quite a bit...you need to find what is comfortable for you. I found that using the boppy pillow helped a lot. I have enjoyed reading your blog, and hope all goes well with the delivery. You and Greg are going to be great parents! Congratulations :)
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