Push gifts are generally gifts given to a new mom from the husband or significant other. These are gifts to say thank you for pushing the baby out. I first heard about a push gift after my son was born last summer. I love the idea of a push gift and thought it would be nice to have a push gift idea for friends. Jewelry is the general gift for a push gift but I like to think outside the box for a friend. Here are nine push gift ideas that I think are great for a friend who has just had a … [Read more...]
Preparing for a New Baby Sibling
This last week, as we have been preparing for the new baby - nesting really - my 4 year old has been having a hard time preparing for a new baby sibling. Questions like, "Why does he have to use my baby bottles?" or "Why do we have to move my plates and cups for his stuff?" are becoming more frequent. She even begged daddy to "wear" her around the house in a baby carrier, which he did for about 20 minutes! My husband and I sat down and discussed ways we can help prepare our four year old even … [Read more...]
Packing the Labor Bag
As we are getting ready for baby number 2, we are washing all the baby gear, putting together the co-sleeper, putting new batteries in the swing and bouncer... so many things to remember. The next thing on my list is packing the labor bag. After visiting numerous sites, I wrote down all the things I need when packing the labor bag. I have two lists - things I need and things I want to bring to the hospital. Labor Bag Essentials: Breastfeeding Gown Slippers/Socks Bathrobe Nursing … [Read more...]
The Birth Center
Part Two of Natural Childbirth - our birthing story. After waking up in the early morning hours and realizing that yes, I was in labor, I was excited. That morning as I lounged in pajamas, I ate some curried vegetables with rice (leftovers) and walked around the house. My husband and I meticulously recorded each contraction. As they got closer together and more painful, I secretly wondered if I could do this naturally or not. At 1pm when the contractions were regularly coming 2 minutes … [Read more...]
Natural Childbirth: The Birth Story of Our First Child, Isabella
As we are preparing and enduring the first trimesterof our second child, I am brought back to memories of the birth of our first child - My Princess, Isabella. From the start of my first pregnancy I knew that I wanted to have a Certified Nurse Midwife. After visiting a few local hospitals, and talking to others about midwives they used, I was convinced that I wanted to have my first child at a local Birth Center. Some of my friends used a midwife that came into their home and they had the … [Read more...]