More childbirth classes

I went to the final childbirth class on Tuesday night where the topic was newborn parenting. Looking back at all the classes we attended, I don’t think we learned a lot of new information. Most of the stuff we had garnered at various stages in life especially being around babies before. But the classes put all the information in one place and served as timely refreshers.

I noticed something I thought was interesting. Half the class was men. All the ladies brought the fathers along. Even the breastfeeding class. I was certain I would be the only guy at that one but was wrong. Nikki won that bet. Not sure why I am surprised at the amount of men that show up for these classes (especially since I went to all of them). I knew it was important to Nikki that I go but I also wanted to go and not just out of obligation. It was actually quite cool. And natural. The presence of the other dads didn’t make me feel out of place in a setting that is usually dominated by moms.

Back to the newborn class. We had baby sized dolls that served as babies. We got a girl which we called Olivia. I picked the baby in the air like a trophy (drew a few laughs from the audience too). But when Nikki held Olivia, the instructor commented about her being an expert and holding the baby perfectly. Showoff!

Anyway, as the class unfolded, the instructor attempted to embed in us the amount and cost of baby diapers. In her calculation she said about 10 or 12 diapers per day, five day per week four weeks a month. At this point I am thinking wait a minute. Five days a week? What? Do babies take weekends off? I don’t think the instructor even realized what she said. Completely misspoke on that one. But she did say something I agree with. She mentioned that the perfect items to put on registries are boxes of diapers. I suggested that to Nikki but she ignored it. Oh well………. Too late now.

More on the birthing class

More on the birthing class. While we were in the class our instructor was telling us (Dads) about what goes on in the delivery room. She said that there is one doctor who, while in the delivery room would commandeer the dad to help with the delivery. So instead of Dad holding Mom’s hand and encouraging her to push, he would be taking a front row seat saying something like “ten centimeters, I can see the top of his head, keep pushing!”

Nursery update and upcoming classes

Well things are getting quite hectic as we approach the November due date. We have bought the baby furniture which includes the crib, dresser, changing table and rocking chair glider. I should have those put together throughout the course of this week. We are also set up to have a newborn and infants class at the hospital this month. October will see us attended a variety of classes including childbirth class, breastfeeding, infant cpr and newborn care. I think Nikki has made the childbirth class mandatory but I think I have been given a free pass on the breastfeeding one.

And I have started the painting of the baby’s room. After changing her mind for the umpteenth time about the color of the room Nikki finally settled on a color and I went to work. It will take a bit longer than I had thought since I have to do a second coat of paint. So I hope to finish it maybe by midweek. We’ll see. My Wednesday post should tell that story. Though tiring I am actually enjoying the preparation thus far