Hi everyone. I'm still here! Feel like I've been saying that a lot lately. Blogging and answering my e-mail has unfortunately taken a temporary back seat for now. I've been working on getting the baby room together, washing all the little clothes, organizing, trying to get a bunch of stuff done at work - all the usual last minute preparations that come with a major life change! Yes, for those of you who asked, Jeff did get the room cleaned and painted. Yay! The furniture was delivered last week and now we are working on decor, etc. I'll post some photos once we are further along in the process.
My mother and mother-in-law gave me a baby shower last weekend. It was fabulous but slightly overwhelming in terms of all the stuff now in the house that needs putting together, putting away, cleaning, etc. We don't have a big house, but slowly we are making progress on that front and I'm oh so grateful to all of our family and friends that have blessed us with so many wonderful things. My mother-in-law is a master knitter and she made several items including an adorable wrap sweater and hat, and two blankets. That's a photo of one of the blankets above. Aren't the little teddy bears cute?
I also want to thank several new visitors and friends that have stopped by in recent posts. I promise I will visit you as well! It is just taking me a bit longer than usual.
Meanwhile, perhaps we should start taking bets on when this baby will arrive. :) Due date is March 17. I've definitely been increasingly uncomfortable. God bless you all that have done this already - and double God bless those that have done it more than once!
We are also trying to prepare Margot as much as possible. We've been taking out the baby gear and letting her sniff it and get used to seeing it. I've also been playing a baby sounds CD to get her used to the different sounds a baby can make. The CD has three tracks - cute baby sounds, slightly crankier baby sounds, and crying. So far we have only made it through the cute sounds (I just got the CD). The recommendation is to gradually work up to the crying sounds - hopefully by the end of this week. For those of you that had dogs before babies - how did your dog react? Did you do anything specific to help them before or during the transition? Now before you answer, remember I'm a hormonal pregnant woman who is already worried about this - don't give me bad news!
39 comments:
Hi! How exciting! Isn't it fun to look at all the cute little stuff and play with it all and organize and re-organize it? I loved that part. In regard to the dog question- we had 2 at the time. When I came home with the baby. I had my husband take the baby and I greeted the dogs first, then we let them sniff the baby whle my husband held her. The transition was not bad at all- I have never heard of it actually going badly- so hopefully you will have nothing to worry about! Take care!
~Patti
Hi Karla,
I am glad you are back posting. I was getting worried that we hadn't heard from you!
The baby shower sounds like it was wonderful.
I never had a dog so I can't provide any advice. But my friends who did never told me anything nightmarish, so I am sure it will be just fine.
Looking forward to the pictures of the nursery.
Tammy
PS. Please post a picture of yourself!! You have kept yourself in hiding from us. I am sure you look beautiful with your big belly.
When I came home. I came in first with out the baby and said hi to the dog. Have hubby bring a baby blanket from the hospital after the baby has been in it and let the dog sniff it before you come home..., then we did it the doggy way. ..We got home, we undiapered our new little one and let the dog sniff her right on the bottom..no problems except for some pacifier stealing. It was much harder when we brought number two home to our toddler.... she didn't want to sniff any butts.
Oh this is the fun part Karla... putting all the furniture together and washing tiny little outfits in readiness. I love hand knitting and that little pink blanket is so cute with the teddies on it.
Take care of yourself.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
What an adorable blanket!
I'm so glad you were able to get the room painted. That's the messiest part...the rest is fun. :)
I can't wait to see the room when you get it finished. With your sense of style, its sure to be lovely.
I've never had children, but I've watched a lot of babies at my house and our chocolate lab is great with them.
Kimberly
Karla, that blanket looks precious...i don't have any dogs so i am sorry, i don't have any advice...i hope you are not getting too overwhelmed worrying about last minute details...everything will be FINE and it will all sort itself out...your new little one will only want to be fed, held and have her little diaper changed...don't sweat trying to have everything ready and just so...you will only make yourself nuts...
This is so beautiful. You are much loved, for one to knit such a beautiful blanket. And it must be fun to have all these lovelies to play with and enjoy.
And more so, in a lovely, freshly painted room!
I've never had to deal with the dog situation, but it sounds like a wonderful idea! I suspect as long as the dog still gets hugs and pets, it will be fine.
All that yummy pink.....I have a houseful of babies and children every day.
My doggie came after though...she does great through everything...occasionally she may get a bit irritated.
I would say treat your dog..like your first child..try to keep the routine the same. Extra attention and pretty soon..the pup will think..the baby is a sibling :)
I think it will be just fine..pup may mope for a few days but it sounds like you are doing great on your own..with the baby cd :)
The blanky is lovely. Can't wait to see the room all put together.
Put me down for March 11 in the "When Will Baby Arrive" pool. That's my b'day and I'm betting Margo's little sister/brother (do we know?) will come then.
How exciting! Blessings to you as you get ready for the arrival of your little one. You're doing a great job transitioning your doggie.
Hugs!
Nancy
I've been by in the past but absent for awhile.WOWEE!! Congratulations on your baby to come!! What wonderful news!
Blessings to all of you.
Love the way you are considering the feeling of your "fur baby"
oh what an exciting time for you and your husband and families!
the pink blanket is absolutely adorable.
we don't have a dog so i can't help you with that but if there's any other advice you can think of (breastfeeding?), just leave me a comment and i'll send you an email.
enjoy this time and keep your feet up.
xo
All very exciting!!!
Happy Valentine's Day to you!!
Rosemary
Oh Karla it is getting so close now!
I pick 16th March as that is my sons birthday.
Alison
Oh your so cute! Great idea about the c.d! Boy you are getting so close!! As a mom who had four and worked five years on maternity,,my suggestion...walk, walk and more walk as long as comfortable, especially in labor! We're all so excited for you!!! Lori
Karla, you are so close, I'm so happy, can't wait till you post pictures of the little angel. My Future sister in law is due on the 15th of march, also expecting a girl. That blanket with the bears is just adorable.
*Hugs and take care of yourself*
I know its easyer said then done but try and get as much rest.
TTFN
oh! are you taking "bets" :)
ah, I am not a betting woman but I do guess the 12th of March, actually 11-12, one of those days :)
I thought a week early might be very nice for your comfort level.
Remember, God will make the sweet babe perfect. You tow sweet parents can give:
a place to sleep and a wee bit of milk, a huge helping of love and hugs :)
LOVE that blanket!!!
Hugs,
mary
Hey Karla,
Just wanted to let you know I am hosting a giveaway on my blog. Hope you'll be able to come by and sign up.
Sonia
Well, I am back in the blogging world. I can hardly wait to see your sweet little one (I hope you will share some photos!).
I have no great advice on babies and dogs, sorry! Wish I could help and that I had a fabulous dog :).
Its so fun to read about your preparations and remember ours. We had 2 doggies and they were actually fine. Greg brought home a blanket from the hospital for them so smell before I came home. They were interested but no biggie. The big stink was actually with our cat who made a big show about ignoring me and the baby and being mad. It lasted about 2-3 days and then she came around and decided it was "her" baby. To this day she comforts Hannah and sleeps with her and is very worried when Hannah is upset. Pretty cute. I am betting you'll be fine. Just be sure to pay lots of attention to Margot when you come home with baby.
xoxox
Karla... I am getting excited for you! I am sure you are feeling tired and overwhelmed but soon your little girl will be here and all of this hard work will be so worth it!
I bet little Miss Margot will be just FINE with her. You guys are going to be such wonderful parents.
xo Heather
Hi there!! how exciting!! I certainly know how you feel Im having our second child in about 5-6 weeks feel like Im getting very big and tired well Hmm yes VERY!! Ive had so much fun making the nursery over and cannot wait for our boy to arrive.
I wish you all the best for a safe delivery!!
mandii
What a wonderful, sweet time it is for you...I can see your happy smile from here!
YOu know? My brother and sis in law's dog was 12 when Brady was born. She had always been high strung and everyone in the family had received a nip or two from her over the years when somethig startled her. It was almost a certain thng that she would have to be given away when Brady began to be mobile. But no...she became his protector and never was anything bit affectionate with him from day one. Almost as if by instinct she knew he was no threat to her and was hers to love and watch over. I am only telling you this so you will know, that as gentle as your sweet girl is, she will most likely be even more loving than my doggie niece was.
I doubt you will have any problems at all!
As long as she is still a part of the family and included in things, loved and allowed to get close to the baby she will love her...no worries!!
I have been thinking about you...much love and many hugs.
Sue
How exciting! The big day is almost here!!
We have a cat, not a dog, and she was not happy being displaced as favored firstborn, but she with plenty of love and reassurance and a new warm sleeping place, she adapted just fine in a month or two.
Cant wait hear how things are going over there!
We had a German Shepherd at the time and she was just great. She liked to sleep wherever the baby slept, at the foot of the basket or wherever. We didn't really do too much to prepare her, it just worked out that way. You'll be fine.
What a cute idea, to have the dog listen to baby sounds. I've never heard of that before, but I'll bet it helps. good luck!
what a totally adorable blanket - you are really blessed. We brought home the babies' caps that the hospital puts on their heads and let the dog sniff them. Friends of mine actually had a baby-sized cut out photo/wooden stand up thing that they thought would mimic a baby. i thought they were nuts...but hey. whatever works. I think doggy will love and cherish and protect baby, just as you will.
Hi honey thanks for visiting I love blankie! I cant get into housewives either no relating there! LOL! Hope decorating is going great..Hugs Grace
Hi honey thanks for visiting I love blankie! I cant get into housewives either no relating there! LOL! Hope decorating is going great..Hugs Grace
Yes, I've got a new blog now. Thanks for stopping by! I've missed ya ;-) Hope you have found new homes for all your fun stuff from the baby shower!!
Oh how exciting for you!! I can understand why blogging isn't the most important thing in your life:-)
Wishing you much happiness!!
Michelle
Hope all is going well with you and Jeff (& Margot!) during the "home stretch", Carla! You're almost there!!! As silly as this may sound, when I went through my first pregnancy and labor, and I started to get antsy, etc., I reasoned with myself that a mother went through pregnancy and labor with every single person on the planet... it really did calm my thoughts a bit! =)
waiting patiently for the new arrival...can't wait to hear Karla!!
Your blog is beautiful. I hope all is well with you!!
Hello dear!!!
Gorgeous knitting, what a beautiful job!
I'm one of those who had a dog baby before a human baby, we had Ernie for 4 years before Leroy came along. Ernie was fine, nothing really bothers him so he was easy. He wasn't sure "what" exactly Leroy was, but knew that this little thing kept waking him up at night. We have one photo of Ernie asleep in his bed, and the bed was tipped up sideways, with him still asleep. We say, Leroy turned Ernie's world upside down, literally, lol!
Hope you're doing well, say hi to Jeff and the family and of course, Margot! xo
Hi Karla,
Finally had a day to come by and visit my favorite bloggers! I know you must be getting so excited - your sweet baby will be here before you know it. We didn't have pets when the boys were babies so can't give any advice.
SO wish I could knit!
Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Sandy
The knitting is beautiful. Wonderful keepsakes, and useful items. We had a black lab when our first was born. The lab seemed to sense that this she needed to be careful and would gently sniff the baby whenever we held him. I think dogs sense how we adults feel. We made sure that puppy got lots of attention and didn't shoo her away from baby unnecessarily and made her feel a part of this new adventure!
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