What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
Jessica Brooks, Cameron Kidd - 3 Months

How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
Pregnancy was okay, typical aches and pains.  Our due date was July 22, however Cameron was born June 14th, 2009 6lbs 13 oz.    Postpartum is the hardest to deal with, your body is trying to recover and there are somethings that happen that no one told you about. 

How did you prepare for childbirth?
We (my boyfriend and I) didn't exactly do much preparing, we had the crib set up probably two weeks before I went into labor.  We thought we still had six weeks to go and were taking our time getting prepared.

Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
I never got to the birthing section of my book, therefore I didn't really know what to expect. My water broke at what we thought was 34 weeks, we walked into the hospital thinking they would say "take it easy the rest of the time" instead we were four cm dilated at about seven pm and he was born seven the following morning. 

I was not expecting the contractions to be like they were, thank god for epidurals - I wanted to do it naturally but was so afraid when the nurses said what could happen if I kept pushing when he wasn't exactly ready to come out. The last thing I wanted was to end up in the OR.

What one piece of advice would you give to expecting parents about childbirth?
Dont expect things to go the way you plan. Have an idea of what you would like to happen and who you want there. 

Keep the car seat in the car and maybe even a spare toothbrush in your purse and a cell phone charger handy. 

Describe the first 7 days with your newborn
Cameron spent the first four days in the NICU, we didnt hold him until the day after he was born.  He was on CPAP for the first 24 hours, then needed light therapy for the jaundice.  Thankfully his lungs were developed.  By the time we were discharged the doctors agreed that our due date was off.  He was too far developed to be only 34 weeks. 

Once we got him home we were on our own, being that he was unexpected our help hadn't planned on coming up a month ealier. We had a lot of second guessing and stressful moments.  But when we stepped back, took a breath things came together and we got through it.

My body was already use to no sleep thanks to the pregnancy, so that wasnt a factor to me.  However, Daddy didnt sleep for three days straight due to labor and all things we needed to do to prepare for our unexpected arrival.

Bottle or Breast?
Breast was the plan, however because he was in the NICU I didnt get to exclusively breastfeed the first four days.  Once he was home, and my milk finally set in, which I was not expecting that much pain, things were okay.

I experienced the splitting nipples, engorgement and sensitivity to EVERYTHING! But after six weeks, your body adjusts and the pain is gone. Learning how to properly latch by myself was difficult and took a lot of practice and phone calls to friends/family.

Who is on diaper duty?
Both of us do diaper duty.  I typically handle the middle of the night diapers/feedings and during the first six weeks dad had his fair share.

What resource was the most helpful to you during the first 2 months (book, website, person, anything)
I received conflicting advice from my nurse and the NICU nurse.  Obviously I took the NICU nurses' advice before anyone else. The literature we received was helpful and we had to see his pediatrician the day after he was discharged to check his Bili levels (that was another reason he stayed an extra day in the NICU). 

I also had "Between the Hips" and "What to expect when your expecting" as well.  Those were my two bibles.

Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
By five weeks we had a schedule and a good feel for what Cameron needed, what his cries meant.  I returned to work after six weeks and dad stays home with him during the day.  Granted we still have a long way to go and more battles to beat but for now we're doing okay. 

What type of stroller do you use?
I use two, I have a travel set in the car and a lighter stroller for walks at home.  Much easier than hauling one in and out of the house/car.

What was the best newborn gift you received?
An infant to toddler rocking chair.  For the first few weeks that was the only thing we could get him to sleep in.  For the past month and a half he has been in his crib and pack n play.

What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
Now is his walker, hes getting to the point where he wants to kick his legs around and we need cant hold him 24/7.  Granted it will be awhile before he stands on his own, but this is a great way for us to keep an eye on him and let him enjoy himself.

Are you getting any "me" time?
Between work and baby, its hard. But I try to take long showers or Daddy will let me step out of the house for a coffee or shopping. But since I work I want to spend as much time with him since I'm missing the day time.

What did you find most surprising about your newborn?
That I could handle a baby.  I was expecting this non stop crying fest.  I've never been around a newborn and unexpectedly I was in labor then shortly had this little guy at home.  It's hard, I had days where I felt I was going to snap (in fact if you ask my boyfriend he would probably say I did) but we made it through. 

If we ever have another child, I know that stressing out over little things doesn't pay off and your never given more than you can handle.