Adventures in parenting...

Prior to Madeleine's arrival I dragged my husband to what seemed like a thousand child birth, infant care education classes so that we would be prepared for the arrival of our little girl. We didn't make to the last class, because unlike any other baby in our combined family histories Madeline decided she was making her debut into the world early. Two
Weeks to the day! On Labor Day.

Our birth plan went right out the window when my blood pressure wouldn't cooperate. I'm glad our birthing class instructor had taken the time to drill into our heads that we might not have the birth we had planned for and that the real goal was to have both mom and baby survive the ordeal and be healthy at the end of delivery.

I just wish the instructor had taken the time in our breast feeding class to teach the same lesson...breast milk arrives on its own schedule and it's okay to supplement with formula while you are waiting. My hospital stay would have been greatly improved.

First lesson - be flexible.

Madeleine was a tiny baby. So tiny that my dad was too nervous to hold her...my mom fixed that right away. She was only 6lbs 7oz. All the 3 - 6 month clothes that we planned on fitting right at birth were TOO big! Along with all the diapers we had stashed away... Thank goodness the hospital sent home a stash of diapers that lasted for a few days.

Next lesson: have some newborn clothes ready!