Interesting Information

I am 28 Weeks---into the Third trimester! I can't believe it!

So, I have had the opportunity to be a part of a great program, Every Child Succeeds. Its a program for new moms with limited income to ensure they are taking care of themselves and educating themselves throughout pregnancy, and it continues for both mom and baby through the early years of the child's life. I have learned so much already and my anxiety about the unknown has really subsided since I started.

A couple of really cool things I've learned:


How to introduce pets (particularly dogs) to the baby. Seems logical, but I never thought about it. I mean, I was worried how our little pistols were going to react to Geoffrey, but I now have a introduction strategy for them. We are going to wrap the baby in a specific receiving blanket for 24 hrs once he's born. Then, we are going to have Dan take the blanket home and have Janie and Chance sniff the blanket to get his scent. That way, they have a bit of it before hes actually there. Then, when we are ready to come home, I will enter the house by myself and have the dogs greet me and get out their excitement from not seeing me for a few days. Then, Dan will bring the baby in to introduce him to each dog individually. All with calm, soothing voices so they dont get overexcited or crazy. If you know my dogs, this is entirely possible. :) This may seem a bit overboard or unnecessary, but I think it will be good to do with our dogs. They are very territorial and as Dachshunds, they are have a strong Napoleonic complex, lol!

Prenatal Stimulation. I'm sure most of you have heard about singing, talking, and interacting with the baby before birth. I have too. But, again, I have not really thought about what it is I'm saying or HOW I'm interacting with him. There are a couple things I've been trying since hearing about this concept in more detail. 1.) If you have a rocking chair or glider, its good to start using it now. Its a soothing/rocking motion and its possible that if it calms him now, it is likely to be familiar and calm him at 2am when he needs to be comforted.
2.) If you feel him kick in a certain spot, push back at him in the same place. He may respond and do it again. Also, if you are a bit further along, you can shine a flashlight on your tummy and see if there is any reaction to the light he sees.
3.) Massage. If you feel a back, foot, butt, head, etc...gently rub your stomach over that body part. Even if he goes away from you, your touch and reaction to him is still stimulating his brain and even in the smallest amount--helping him learn "what happens if I do this..." or to start learning the different parts of their body. If you are lucky, if you are able to massage his back or a particular body part in the womb to calm or soothe him, you might be able to try the same technique outside when he needs it. All trying to give him a sense of familiarity and comfort in the big new world.

I will try some of the prenatal stimulation things as the pregnancy progresses and report if I notice anything exiting or cool!

Last time I mentioned something about eating healthy and choosing good foods. I have to make a conscious effort to get enough protein in each day, so my breakfast was a good one--eggs, cheese, beans and rice. Presentation=0, but protein content and taste=perfect 10! I coupled that with two large glasses of 1% milk. I hope I can continue being intentional about the foods I'm eating and providing for my child.

The next best thing I will do for myself---exercises and stretches. :)