Maya's First Baby Shower

Today was our first baby shower thrown by my Mum. It included so many friends that I have known from the time I was a teenager. These friends have seen me grow and been a part of the important milestones in my life. It was great seeing everyone and feeling like a very special Mom-to-Be. Besides the house being beautifully decorated (with the solitary Feliz Batismo balloon - my Mom's idea of a joke), the food was great, the cake was to die for, and the presents were so many. Maya's cup does runneth over.
My Dad carved a cradle out of a watermelon and filled it with a fruit salad. My Mum made a lovely chicken and rice casserole and couscous. Marlon helped out with all the decorating, eventhough he had to rush to work that morning. Grandma Betty made her famous punch and green salad, and Auntie Vivian made spicy corn fritters. The cake was from Plusco's and it was a yummy white cake filled with a champagne custard. Maria was in charge of the games and boy were they fun. My stomach was measured, very twisted motherly advice was shared, and the guests' memory was tested. When it came time to open the presents, I was excited to see what pretty gifts Maya had got. Onesies, a Taiwanese traditional silk two-piece, a pram, a bouncy chair, lots and lots of clothes, a "silver" spoon from Grandma Betty, great reading for us padres, accessories for her nursery, and last, but not least, gifts for her Mommy too. Maya's extended family has once again showered us with love. All her aunties have already begun to spoil her.
I know that my Mom is thrilled to be having a grandchild and that this shower is just one of the many ways that she has showered Maya, Brad and I with her love! As for my Dad, the watermelon cradle says it all. Friends, love, and support...Maya, Brad, and I are so lucky to have these and more in our lives.

The Learning Process (Phase One)

Breastfeeding Mother (Pablo Picasso)
“There are three reasons for breast-feeding: the milk is always at the right temperature; it comes in attractive containers; and the cat can't get it.” - Irena Chalmers
Brad and I finished our first two classes in a series of childbirth classes and boy do we have a lot to learn. In our Newborn Care class, we learned the basics of holding, feeding, bathing, diapering, and basically catering to every newborn need. What I am looking forward too is holding Maya, holding her close to my chest and feeling her little heart beating. In the Breastfeeding class, we learned the different techniques of feeding, along with the many benefits that breastfeeding has over formula feeding. Besides the nutritional value, the emotional benefits that Maya and I will share are indescribable. I pray that Maya responds to my want to feed her. My head tells me to be strong about the possibility that Maya will not want to feed from me, but my heart is a whole different story.
The key phrase that keeps popping up in these classes in "on demand". Can you believe that a newborn baby will want to feed every two hours? I guess the sporadic sleep pattern that I have developed as the result of constant latrine visits is in preparation for what's to come. One of the highlights of our newborn class was that Bo Brady (for all of you Days of Our Lives fans) was in our class. Besides that, it's nice to meet other couples who are in the same waiting game as we are. Women with backs aching as bad as mine, swollen feet, changed sleep patterns, and the general desire to want to have the baby now!
So what have we learned so far? We have learned about developing a strong sense of trust between Maya and us...we are her lifesource and as long as she knows that she can depend on us for that, the rest will fall into place. Next week we start our Lamaze class and have our first Baby Signs class...we can't wait!