Last night the hubs and I went to our Infant CPR & Safety class and learned how to give our sweet girl CPR and the Heimlich if ever needed. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the class, but honestly, I would recommend taking that class or a similar one if available to you. Ours was free through our hospital.

It’s so important to be able to protect your baby. And in fact, Mark and I both agreed that we’d really like our parents and any others who will likely care for her without us present to take the course or have the skills.

I forgot to bring my worksheet with me today, but I will add it to this post later so you can see some of the information we learned. There was also a great website for childproofing your home based on the age of the child… but again, I don’t have it with me.

Also, a friend told us about an app from the American Red Cross for CPR. Here’s the link to it… http://www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/first-aid-app

One thing that REALLY surprised both Mark and I was the information provided on the effects of second and THIRD hand smoke. Here’s the difference…

• First Hand Smoke: Person smokes a cigarette and receives first-hand smoke from the cigarette
• Second Hand Smoke: Person is exposed to another person’s cigarette smoke as they are smoking
• Third Hand Smoke: Person is exposed to cigarette smoke residue from their clothing and breath

Our teacher – a CPR specialist, labor and delivery nurse, and lactation specialist – told us a story about a father who smoked about 2 packs a day. He was a great father and never smoked around the baby. One day, he went out to have a cigarette, came back inside, took his jacket off, and sat in his recliner with little baby sleeping on his chest. Two hours later, he started to feel concerned that the baby hadn’t woken. He tapped the baby and called his name, but the baby did not respond. The baby had died due to the severe exposure of third hand smoke from the father’s breath and clothing. F**ked up, huh?

The nurse said that it takes 24 hours to remove the “third hand smoke” or toxins from your body.

Needless to say, Mark and I have decided that no matter how much we love you, if you are a smoker, you will not be holding our baby. Their lungs and respiratory system are SO fragile at that age and they do not need to be exposed to such toxins.

Symptoms

Well, this morning I discovered that one of the frames above the changing table/dresser must have come crashing down during the night. The damn thing broke in half and took a CHUNK out of my dresser. I am not a happy camper and 3M better believe they will be receiving a not so nice email from me. Jerks. But, deep breaths… it’s not a big deal, right?

This week is totally dragging and I haven’t been getting enough sleep at all and I’m just feeling blah. I should be over the moon because my favorite house guests will be here in a few days and I get to see so many perfectly lovely little faces this Sunday at my shower. Maybe I will get to bed early tonight… that could help. I’m sure the funk will pass and I’ll be floating by the time the weekend rolls around. But, for today, I’m definitely going to be in survival mode… just get me through this day! Tonight I’m going to work out and do some grocery shopping… then maybe some sitting! That sounds nice, right?

On a different note, I’ve been reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and am somehow really enjoying it. So far, it’s just been story after story of women’s experiences with childbirth. They’re not sugarcoated at all, but they’re natural and real and empowering. There are a lot of tips hidden within the stories, which I really love. The gist of what I’ve gotten so far is that your mental state and outlook can be very instrumental in the process. I am going to do everything I can to go into the experience from a completely centered place. I’m going to set the scene with a birth plan that outlines basic guidelines for the room (ie: dim lights, minimal staff in the room, low voices, and don’t even think about asking me if I want drugs)… bring other mood setters like zen/yoga music… maybe a lamp or flameless candle… my ocean noises (these are so clutch for me… I listen to them every night at bed and find they really soothe me)… my sweet and amazing husband… and our doula. I’m not going to rush or obsess over what’s coming. Just be present, continue to breathe, and work WITH my baby and my body to bring our girl into this world.

Just writing all that made me feel a little better. She already makes things so sweet.