I find it hard to believe, but I’m almost eight months pregnant! My second pregnancy passed very quickly. The start was not that easy, but now I cannot complain too much. I still cannot count on at least one full day of relaxation, but at least by taking care of Rose I feel less remorse when I am craving something sweet. Funny that with a second child, doctors don’t need to ask if I exercise during pregnancy 🙂
Our preparations pass quite calmly. Nothing will motivate us to clean the house like knowing that soon we will have a new member of the household.This time we bought a decent changing pad station and comfortable rocking chair. Guess who likes to sit on it the most?
I try to practice prenatal yoga once a week. During the class I now feel calmer now, because I already have the first birth experience behind me. I also ordered an additional whisbear and splurged on Polish nursing dresses.
I had a chance to tour the hospital where we plan to have the baby. It is not as modern as the one in San Francisco, but I’ve heard from many people that the staff is very caring. The only downside is supposedly bad food. But there is a Whole Foods next to it, so we will survive. I also do hope that my mother will arrive on time and prepare some yummy meals for me.
I was pleased to hear that young children are welcome in the ward. The staff is aware that Berkeley has a lot of couples from all over the world. Not everyone is able to leave siblings at home, and therefore, the norm is that children can visit, even during labor.
This time we did not attend the classes preparing for the role of parents. How could I forget it all so quickly? However, we did go for a special Tour for Tots, directed at the future older, but still young, siblings. We toured the maternity ward, and even saw a one-day old baby. Gee, how tiny it was!
Rose’s favorite part of the tour was when she got to be chased by a older friend in the beautiful rooftop hospital garden!
How Rose reacts to her younger sibling remains to be seen. It seems to me that she likes younger children, sometimes she also likes to cuddle up to my tummy. I think if we remain calm, then she will quickly and smoothly adapt to being big sister.
I really hope that the upcoming changes will not disturb her too much, and she will continue to be a little, smiling, mischievous, independent girl.
I myself am I am quite anxious how will handle it it all, but I’m very happy for the arrival of a new baby.
I am also glad that Dean will be able to benefit from a new longer paternity leave. Typically, the private sector offers little to no paternity leave, though Silicon Valley companies do better. San Francisco is the first city Certainly it will be very useful.
Two children at home – it is getting serious, especially when we do not have a village to help. In spite of normal fears, I do feel more being in place since I found out that there will be more of us. Maybe it would have been easier for us had Rose already been daycare full time, but for now we have chosen a different path for us.. Last stretch! Here we come!
