Sorry, I intended to spend some time writing during our Babymoon, but it was just too relaxing and too much fun to get myself to sit in front of the computer. I would definitely recommend a Babymoon vacation to any expectant couple. It was just what our relationship needed. With all the upcoming issues and concerns of having a new baby and becoming first-time parents, we had forgotten to deal with us—our relationship and our needs.
This vacation was a great escape to take that time and reconnect with each other and what brought us together in the first place. At the same time it gave us a chance to spend lots of time talking about the upcoming changes, our excitement, our fears and concerns, and to discuss issues that are important to each of us about becoming a family and new parents. Overall, it was just what we needed to recharge ourselves and our relationship for this big new adventure.
It is now obvious that I am not going to be one of those pregnant women who look like they have a cute little basketball under their shirts. No, I am fairly certain that I am going to be putting on the pregnancy weight everywhere. I’ll be a solid brick house. Its kind of frustrating right now, because I’m in that middle area where my belly hasn’t gotten big enough for it to be obvious that I’m pregnant, so I just look fat.
It’s funny, I feel I have to explain to everyone that I’m not just getting fat, that I’m pregnant and I have a reason I’m packing on the pounds around my mid-section, and everywhere else. None of my old clothes fit, and yet I haven’t exactly grown into my maternity clothes either. So, every time I transfer, I have to make sure my pants are still on and I’m not showing more than intended!
Thank you to all of you who wrote in with comments and ideas from my last column. There were tons of great ideas about changing tables and how to carry the baby. My husband and I spent three hours at Babies R’ Us going through the cribs, changing tables, strollers, play pens, high chairs, and swings trying to problem solve and find the ones that were the easiest for me to use and hopefully transfer the baby into and out of.
We think we found a few: the Eddie Bauer Newport Collection Wood High Chair was one we thought would work really well because it doesn’t have wheels and won’t move around and even more importantly, when you remove the tray, there is still a bar there around the baby that I can rest my arms on when lifting the baby into or out of the chair. That is immensely helpful for a paraplegic with no trunk muscles. I have to leverage my arms to help me when lifting away from my body.
Also the Fisher-Price Open Top Cradle swing worked well for me to get in close with my wheelchair and lift the baby into and out of. I will say, it’s not going to be easy, but compared to many of the other swings, I could really get a lot closer, because it didn’t have a bar across the front.
We spent tons of time with the car seats and working to lift them into and out of the base in the car (Babies R’ Us has a car seat there to practice on). I’d love to know how any of you experts did this, because while I could eventually do it without anything in the car seat, it was never easy and I don’t think I would trust myself to do it with my precious baby in there. How do you reach that far and place the car seat onto the base? It is anything but easy and sure to present some fears and challenges.
Finally, did any of you use strollers and travel systems that you would snap the car seat onto? While I am sure it will be something my husband will use and definitely something we will probably need, I just don’t see me pushing myself and a stroller. How did you safely carry your newborn on errands or go shopping?
Again, any and all advice is welcome. I really don’t want to have to try to reinvent the wheel here; I know there are women out there who have figured all this out. Please share.
Next week we go in for our ultrasound; stay tuned . . .
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Check out Muffy's other pregnancy blogs:
Pregnancy and Disability, Part 1
Disability and Pregnancy, Part 4—Week 17
Disability and Pregnancy, Part 6 - Week 20
For more information on Muffy, visit Muffy's Disaboom member profile.
