I can't believe I forgot to write about Jake's Big Brother class Sunday. The hospital holds these Big Sibling classes to get kids ready for the upcoming interruption--I mean, baby--in their lives.
Ike had to work, so Leslie came with me as a surrogate. It's like I told Ike. I didn't want to go without another adult, because with my attention to details...I was likely to come home and say, "Yeah, it was a good class. Jake learned...stuff. And we toured the hospital, which was...nice." Not always the best memory. (Muggers, take note: I wouldn't remember your face in a lineup. It's why I never carry anything in my purse.)
The first thing the kids did was listen to Yankee Nurse (sorry to those from the North, but really, she talked funny and even had to have kids repeat themselves because of her "Northern ears"--her words, not mine) talk about changes coming because of the baby and rules about how to NOT handle baby. Jake can show you--no holding the baby upside down and no squeezing it too tight. YN passed a pretend baby around for each of the kids to practice holding, and made a very important point: never pick up the baby. Only hold the baby when an adult is with you. Yes, can we repeat that please? Never, never, never pick up the baby, Jake. She's apparently going to be born as big as you. You'll throw your back out.
Next they got to practice putting on diapers. Each child brought his/her own stuffed animal or doll to use as a baby. Jake has a stuffed dog named Max, which worked well because he also knows a (human) Baby Max. So, he took Baby Dog Max. With help from Leslie, Jake was able to diaper Max. Then swaddle Max in a blanket. He was so proud of his Baby Dog Max. When I gave him a hug after he was done, he pulled away from me and said, "Don't squeeze Max like that, Mommy. You'll hurt him." Lesson learned.
We then toured the Maternity Ward, which I'm happy to report, had no screaming mothers at the time. Maybe it doesn't hurt to have a baby at this hospital... Anyway, Leslie and I both noted that YN seemed to emphasize the comforts they have for dads at their hospital. Uhh...hello?? Does Dad need a fold-out couch, a rocking chair, AND ESPN while I'm in labor? I think not. He'll be standing, with hands ready to be squeezed, uncomfortable. Don't think I've forgotten that the nurses when Jake was born offered to order food for you, buddy. While at the same time offering me stupid ice chips.
Oh...sorry.
Anyway, yes, very comfortable-looking rooms, especially if you aren't BIRTHING A BABY.
We didn't get to see the postpartum rooms because they were full, but we passed them--they're there. We DID get to look in the window of the nursery. The admitting nursery (where babies go right after birth--Ike will take Annie there, just like he did with Jake...oh, my eyes are watering just thinking about it...) had two babies, but no babies were in the regular nursery. This hospital really encourages "rooming in," so after her initial tests and baths and whatever they do (See? No eye for details...), she'll be in the recovery room with me and Ike.
Jake loved seeing the babies in the nursery. I picked him up to look in the window, and he got excited. "Are those REAL babies??" I probably would've asked that myself had I not known better. They were so teeny-tiny...
After the tour, Jake received a certificate saying he completed his course and is ready to be a Big Brother. We had a snack, then left. And I found out that they do weekly tours of the hospital, so soon we'll be heading back, so Jake can show Daddy around.
Ike had to work, so Leslie came with me as a surrogate. It's like I told Ike. I didn't want to go without another adult, because with my attention to details...I was likely to come home and say, "Yeah, it was a good class. Jake learned...stuff. And we toured the hospital, which was...nice." Not always the best memory. (Muggers, take note: I wouldn't remember your face in a lineup. It's why I never carry anything in my purse.)
The first thing the kids did was listen to Yankee Nurse (sorry to those from the North, but really, she talked funny and even had to have kids repeat themselves because of her "Northern ears"--her words, not mine) talk about changes coming because of the baby and rules about how to NOT handle baby. Jake can show you--no holding the baby upside down and no squeezing it too tight. YN passed a pretend baby around for each of the kids to practice holding, and made a very important point: never pick up the baby. Only hold the baby when an adult is with you. Yes, can we repeat that please? Never, never, never pick up the baby, Jake. She's apparently going to be born as big as you. You'll throw your back out.
Next they got to practice putting on diapers. Each child brought his/her own stuffed animal or doll to use as a baby. Jake has a stuffed dog named Max, which worked well because he also knows a (human) Baby Max. So, he took Baby Dog Max. With help from Leslie, Jake was able to diaper Max. Then swaddle Max in a blanket. He was so proud of his Baby Dog Max. When I gave him a hug after he was done, he pulled away from me and said, "Don't squeeze Max like that, Mommy. You'll hurt him." Lesson learned.
We then toured the Maternity Ward, which I'm happy to report, had no screaming mothers at the time. Maybe it doesn't hurt to have a baby at this hospital... Anyway, Leslie and I both noted that YN seemed to emphasize the comforts they have for dads at their hospital. Uhh...hello?? Does Dad need a fold-out couch, a rocking chair, AND ESPN while I'm in labor? I think not. He'll be standing, with hands ready to be squeezed, uncomfortable. Don't think I've forgotten that the nurses when Jake was born offered to order food for you, buddy. While at the same time offering me stupid ice chips.
Oh...sorry.
Anyway, yes, very comfortable-looking rooms, especially if you aren't BIRTHING A BABY.
We didn't get to see the postpartum rooms because they were full, but we passed them--they're there. We DID get to look in the window of the nursery. The admitting nursery (where babies go right after birth--Ike will take Annie there, just like he did with Jake...oh, my eyes are watering just thinking about it...) had two babies, but no babies were in the regular nursery. This hospital really encourages "rooming in," so after her initial tests and baths and whatever they do (See? No eye for details...), she'll be in the recovery room with me and Ike.
Jake loved seeing the babies in the nursery. I picked him up to look in the window, and he got excited. "Are those REAL babies??" I probably would've asked that myself had I not known better. They were so teeny-tiny...
After the tour, Jake received a certificate saying he completed his course and is ready to be a Big Brother. We had a snack, then left. And I found out that they do weekly tours of the hospital, so soon we'll be heading back, so Jake can show Daddy around.
4 Comments:
I think Jake is going to be such a good big brother! I'm glad it went well for you guys. Although if I were you, I'd request the hospital to leave out the Daddy luxuries. After all, he's half of why you are there, he shouldn't be kicked back watching ESPN! ;-)
I remember Lish takin a course like that before I had Kyle... man was that a long time ago...lol... glad Jake enjoyed it. And about that Northern thing... .... lol.
You know Ike will have to fight you for the remote. It is the same thing that controls the bed and the light . So you are the only one with the control unless he is planning on doing the laboring for you. Glad ya'll had a good time and learned so much.
Wow, that sounds like a great course! I agree with the luxury things. I think they should be spending more time working on the making the mommy more comfortable and the dads can stand the whole time feeling a little guilty. I am waiting for the invention of the machine that allows the man to experience the whole birthing process with you. Now I would pay money for that!! LOL!
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