Most of the stuff in the package is stuff we already know. The travel side of things anyways as we travel a lot.
However, the baby side of things....well, we need some work on that.
It's not that I don't think we can do it!
I know we can but when you read the list of things you need for baby....OY! It makes my head hurt.
Seriously folks, I get all sweaty and nervous whenever I walk into the diaper aisle...kinda like this:
Do you know how many types, sizes, shapes and smells diapers come in!?
A LOT!!!!
Not to mention bottles!!!
And don't even get me started on nipples!!!
So, I ordered this book:
"The Mother of all Baby Books: An All-Canadian Guide to Your Baby's First Year"
I have ordered all the prerequisite books on attachment and bonding...but I had yet to order a book about the ins and outs of life with a baby.
The reason being was that all the books are geared towards families who have raised a baby from birth.
This is obviously not our case as our son will be a year or more when we bring him home.
But as I sat on the airplane last week, I became acutely aware of all the families with babies also travelling. I watched these mothers with great interest as they balanced baby, toys, snacks, bottles, diapers all while seated in a space that most people can hardly cross their legs in let alone have to share said seat with a wriggly, exploring, pooping, eating, drooling, smiling, cooing, cute-as-a-button baby.
I wondered how these mothers were such pros and where did they learn it from? Well, I know part of it is just intuitive...the mother's natural instinct...part of it is trial and error with many pulling-out-of-the-hair moments I am sure, but also those mothers probably read some too.
So, I sucked it up and ordered the book because it is probably wise that we get acquainted with the stages our son has been thru, is going thru right now and will be at when we go and get him. (I also have to admit that I read on a wise woman's blog who is not a Mother Failure what she wished she had done more of and reading books on babies one was of them - thank you for that invaluable piece of advice)
My mom has suggested a couple of times, very nicely I might add, that some parenting classes might be a good idea. I mean it is true...we should take them...we have been living the baby free life for a while now.
Again it has been one of those things where we worry we will be the only ones in the class either:
A.) Not visibly pregnant
B.) Without kids at home to vent about and use as examples during these parenting classes.
C.) Looking completely dazed and confused (not mention sweaty and nervous)
D). All of the above.
So, I will suck it up and start looking again for some classes - only now we know we have a timeline of sorts not like before we had the referral when we had no clue as to how long things could take. We still don't know how long exactly things will take but we know it won't be as long as our wait for our referral (touch wood).
So, over the next few months I will post here asking you all for advice on what kinds of diapers, formula, snack foods, bottles (and the dreaded nipples), sleeping advice, potty training advice (and who knows what else).
Because I know it takes a village to raise a child and you, my lovelies, are my village :)
P.S. If anyone wants to take advantage of some free babysitting services give us a call..we could use hands on practice.
P.P.S. I also need some personal shoppers - so if anyone wants to spend a day breaking me out of my paralysis of fear when I hit the diaper aisle....let me know...lunch will be on me!