7:08 AM Mon, Jul 07, 2008 | Permalink
Paige
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I am doing an on-air series on "Bringing Home Baby". This experience has brought back many memories. I offer this reflection:
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I thought I had it together. I had read "What to Expect" from cover-to-cover. I had the nursery completed and the diaper bag packed. But when the big day finally arrived - the realization of what I had gotten myself into started to sink in. Who was I to think I could be responsible for another human being? Me? The one who can never keep a plant alive and always loses her keys!
When it was time to leave the safety of the hospital - the nurse said - "okay, it's time to get the baby dressed to go home." I looked around to see who would step forward for the job. The nurse looked at me disapprovingly and handed me a diaper. I panicked!
Once we arrived home - things got even worse. The breast feeding thing didn't go very smoothly. I became so engorged that a round of quarters could be played off of my boobs. I was in a lot of pain and completely overwhelmed. My mother stayed for a week. When the day came for her to leave - I clung onto her like a child resisting the first day of kindergarten. I will never forget when she drove away. There I was - alone- in the house -with this little, helpless, person. I resisted the urge to put in a 911 call to my husband. Instead, I held my new little boy and said a prayer - a long, intense, please-pay-attention-to-this-one prayer.
Looking back on that time, I can honestly say that things did get easier. We got into a routine and a rhythm. Although there were challenges and frustrations, I have to say that more than the sleepless nights, the projectile spit-up, and the changing colored poop - the thing that I was least prepared for was the joy. Everyone tells you that your life will forever change. That dinner and dancing would be replaced by pureed peas and Barney videos. That romance will be interrupted by the screaming fits and dirty diapers. But what they fail to mention is the intense joy that you feel for this new little person. That you can't wait to smell him, kiss him, and even gnaw on him. That you will stare at him while he sleeps and cry with each milestone. To this day, my joy is measured by little snuggles, giggles, and kisses. Yes, the job is tough - but without question the rewards far exceed the sacrifices. They are my greatest accomplishment and my greatest joy. For new parents, I will not waste this space on tips for a perfectly packed diaper bags or organic baby food recipes. A quick surf of the net will answer those questions. Instead my advice will be simplified to this: Expect joy. Expect wonder. Expect to fall in love.
I watched one of the segments on Good Morning Texas earlier this summer and heard you recommend the special thermometers,etc. One of the items you suggested for babies was a Playskool toy called "Shake, Rattle, and Roll", but I can't find it anywhere! I have even gone to the Playskool website and can't find it. Do I have the name wrong or something? Can you help me find one ? (or 3) I am expecting 3 new grandchildren by the end of the year and I would very much like to buy this toy!!!