B's day at Gymboree

Gymboree... THE gym for babies and tots, with soft colourful mats, toys, slides... Everything a baby would want in a gym.  Chewy, soft, rattly toys and related activities.  

Today B and I went to Gymboree, but not for a play class or session, it was for a "doctor's appointment"... a group with other parents and babies, where the doctor would discuss topics relevant to our babies.  I went to see what it would be like, but I did not learn much.  Much of what she talked about (feeding, introducing solids, etc) I had already read about, and gone through with B.  Some moms were just approaching that time with their own babies, so I tried to listen as well as I could.

That is, I tried to listen while B squealed, played, crawled, and tried to socialize with little babies.  At this group session, where all other mommies and babies sat nicely, Little B became the "brat" of the bunch.  And I became the over-bearing over-protective mother of the bunch, following B where she crawled, making sure she didn't steal any other baby's toys (which she was trying to do), and hoping she wouldn't try to bite anyone.

Yep, biting.  I forgot to bring that up with the doctor.  I was so focused on B's activities, and adventures, I forgot to ask the doc my question... What to do about biting??  You see, the little babe has teeth now, and with these teeth she likes to chew on her toys.  She is now experimenting and trying to bite people.  Saying "No biting" as soon as she nears a chomping stance, or after she bites down, somewhat works.  I think she understand it's a bad thing to do.

I really hope I nip it in the bud before she starts daycare.

Anyway, back to Gymboree... there was a see-saw that seemed to help B calm down.  Maybe it was the rocking motion.  The session ended without any incidents, though.  However, I do think that the other mommies do believe that B is a bit bratty, and I'm a bit overbearing with her.

Oh well, things like this happen.  There will always have to be a brat in the bunch of kids, and "one of those mommies" amongst the parents.

Not sure if I'll do another session... I'll be back to work in a month, so I wouldn't have time anyway!

Let some other babe be the brat!  :P

Post-baby - Thank you to the BC health system

2 weeks post-baby, and I never thought how difficult it would be to feed the little tike. My daily pattern (and mostly the baby's pattern) is to sleep, wake, feed, diaper-change, sleep again.

I never gave much thought to how difficult (and painful) feeding the baby would be either - mentally and physically...

This lack of sleep thing also makes common sense seem not-so common anymore... but thank goodness that's what hubbies are for... to tell you when you are about to do something idiotic or dangerous...

Also, thank goodness for the health system here, where BC has Public Health Nurses making home visits 24 hours after baby and mom are released from the hospital. Also, thank goodness for the BC Nurse hotline, and for walk-in clinics on days when baby can't make it to a doctor during regular doctor hours (poor baby had a very terrible diaper rash within the first week of being born... so bad that mommy and daddy were really worried)... And thank goodness for all nurses and student nurses for their patience...

I've never given thought to how well the health-care system can work here, in terms of supporting not just patients (baby), but also family members (parents).

Oh yea, and thanks to family members for putting up with a hormonal ME. All this moodiness and physical recovery, and mental adjustment has me exhausted and dead-tired... I don't even answer telephone calls anymore unless someone leaves a message... and Facebook and email?? Those are luxury... This blog is luxury too, actually... but I'm hoping to start it up again...

This is a new adventure that I think I would not mind sharing...

Being a new mommy is definitely a challenge, and a major mental and physical adjustment...