What is your name, your baby's name, and baby's age?
Stacey Pfarr and my son's name is Oliver Fitzgerald. 16 months.
How was your (or your partner's) pregnancy?
My pregnancy was a piece of cake! No morning sickness whatsoever. I gained 55 pounds but lost 45 of it within the first 2 weeks of giving birth. So much was water weight, but I was amazed at how fast it melted away -- I guess that's what breastfeeding will do.
Of course the last 10 pounds weren't as easy. But I guess that's what I get for eating whole boxes of Mint Milano cookies at a time! It's funny, I always thought my body would be totally shot post-baby. Oddly enough, I'm pretty much exactly back to what I looked like pre-pregnancy.
How did you prepare for childbirth?
My husband and I watched a short video on birthing. The day we were scheduled for an actual birthing class, my water broke and I went into labor (I was 2 weeks early). We were pretty much clueless.
Was your birthing experience easier, harder or as you expected it to be?
My birthing experience was SOOOO much easier than I expected. Literally - a snap. I went to the hospital when my water broke but I didn't have any contractions. I was hooked up to Pitosin and had an epidural and was technically in "labor" for 17 hours. We played cards and watched the Olympics the whole time. I felt no pain. Then I pushed for another 4 hours and things just weren't working - but still no pain.
I went in for a C-section and -- Voila! Ollie was born. (BTW -- the C-section wasn't bad either. My entire labor was no more taxing than an eyebrow wax, THANKFULLY).
What one piece of advice would you give to expecting parents about childbirth?
Don't find out the sex of the baby. It's the best surprise.
Describe the first 7 days with your newborn.
My mother-in-law and mom were there to help me. I think since I had a c-section everyone thought I'd be lying in bed in pain, but I felt totally fine as soon as I was home from the hospital (on Day 5).
I think adrenaline kept my husband and I going for the first couple weeks because I hardly ever slept, but seemed to function fine. I did, however, rear-end someone the first time I ventured out driving without the baby (so I may have been more out of it than I thought!).
Bottle or Breast?
Primarily breast for the first 10 months, but I hated pumping, so I would supplement with formula whenever we left the baby with a sitter or our parents. Luckily, Ollie would eat anything put in front of him.
Who is on diaper duty?
Before my son was born, my husband had never changed a diaper. Consequently, I changed 90% of the diapers, but that could be because I'm a control freak. I always feel like I need to let go and let him do it "his way."
What resource was the most helpful to you during the first 2 months (book, website, person, anything).
I had a good girlfriend who gave birth 10 months before me. I asked her EVERYTHING. I'd call her every morning at 6:30am with a list of questions.
Was there an age when it "suddenly got easier"?
Right around 10 months we read, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
by Marc Weissbluth and it changed our lives. All of a sudden Ollie began sleeping 10-12 hours a night. Dr. Weissbluth is a god-send.
What type of stroller do you use?
We bought the Phil & Ted's Sport
because it has the double attachment and we figured we wanted another baby pretty soon. I wasn't a big jogger, but I'm so happy we have a stroller that we can run with -- it's the easiest way to exercise since getting to the gym is so much harder these days.
What was the best newborn gift you received?
A diaper service. We used cloth diapers for the first 7 months and the service would come to the house and pick up the dirty dipes and leave new ones as if by magic.
What is your current can't-live-without gear for baby?
White noise machine (the sleep sheep
)
Are you getting any "me" time?
Every night after the baby goes to bed, I stay up and check my email and look at celebrity gossip online. I figure if I'm always tired anyway, I may as well sacrifice an early bed time so I can feel connected to the outside world.
What did you find most surprising about your newborn?
I thought the first couple weeks I would be a nervous nelly -- not wanting to take him outside or do anything. I think the best thing I did was haul the baby 7 hours up to Pennsylvania when he was two weeks old for a friend's wedding. My husband and I left him with my parents and I realized how important it was for us (and him) to have time away.