Words of Wisdom

I know I have been complaining about pain lately, and freaking out about having everything ready for when Olivia arrives. I wanted to post some words of wisdom from my wonderful sister, Chrissy and best friend, Kata: (get your hankies out)

I know this is easier said than done, but you really should try to relax and enjoy these last few days with just you and John, and don't stress too much about preparing every single thing for Olivia. All you really need for her is a car seat to get her home and a pair of boobs to feed her. Everything else will fall into place. Babies turn your life upside down and every moment will be a surprise - you have to be able to go with the flow... (no pun intended). If you are too stressed, she will sense it, and it may make it harder to breastfeed.
Re: contractions: I don't know how else to say it...you will know. They are much much much stronger than menstrual cramps. More like brief episodes of searing pain (sorry, I'm just being honest) when all you can do is close your eyes and breathe through them. And believe it or not, even when they start like that, they can go on for a while (at regular intervals) before the doctor will tell you to go to the hospital. Mine started coming on/off a t 11pm the night before - but I was able to sleep on/off between them - then at ~3am started getting harder and more repetitious. At ~7am, Dr. Kim (partner) told me to still wait at home, but I started puking, so I pretty much told her I was going in (she and dad still wanted me to wait), so we went in ~8am. As for hospital needs, I liked having a few toiletries and hair dryer there to clean up a little the day after. I brought the sugar free candies and never opened them. I brought magazines and never opened them (too much pain pre-epidural, wanted to rest/sleep amap post-epidural, lots of visitors post-baby, sleeping/resting when no visitors there). Don't bring a mini-fridge of snacks and drinks. They have PLENTY of water and a little kitchen with juice/milk/crackers in the hall that you/John have free reign of, and this ridiculous room service menu that you can order from whenever you want. Bring a camera. Oh, big mama pads with wings (more important for when you're back at home. I think I still have some...), but in the hospital they actually do this ingenious thing where they cut a diaper and fill it with ice - super absorbent, nice and cool to the [privates] and don't leak. Right now I just want you to chill, be at peace with your baby daughter and husband, and enjoy every single second, because tomorrow, s he will be 8 1/2 months old... :)

Things I learned about being a mom...the hard way:
1. Everything will be fine :-)
2. You can do it! I have no doubts you and John are going to be great parents!
3. It is okay to cry…by yourself or with the baby
4. Poop really isn’t that bad, nor pee, nor puke
5. Function without sleep
6. That smile can make everything perfect
7. Your world now revolves around that perfect little person
8. Don’t read the internet too much
9. If in doubt you can call the local hospital and speak with a nurse in the ER in the middle of the night…they don’t judge you or laugh
10. Relearn how much fun it is to be a kid and the simple joys in life
11. Bubbles rock!
12. The books don’t know squat, sometimes your baby will tell you what is right for both of you
13. Taking a break is good, even if you cry when you walk away
14. Reconnect with friends you haven’t talked to since they had kids, and understand why you haven’t heard from them
15. What busy really is
16. Watch in wonder every little change you see
17. Laugh at the little light bulb going off in their head when they figure something out for the first time
18. The beauty of doing nothing
19. Patience
20. What stressed really is
21. The joy of laughter, and how one little person’s laughter can change the world
22. Things that seemed important are no longer even a thought
23. Not everything can be sterile…it will build their immune system :-)
24. Trendy and expensive does not mean better
25. Spend extra money on diapers…there is a difference between name brand and generic
26. You don’t have to give them a bath everyday
27. No matter how bad you sing…they love it! Even if your spouse leaves the room
28. How good a snuggle can feel
29. Ask for help, its okay
30. Baby proof is a state of mind
31. How good and what a treat a long hot shower/bath is
32. Love, true undeniable Love

HOW lucky am I/is Olivia to have these ladies in her life?!!?!?!?!?!