Baby means there's never an awkward silence
Published: 6/28/2012 2:00 PM
Last Modified: 6/28/2012 1:47 PM
Yes, I admit that I stole the hospital's receiving blanket, but in my defense, my daughter sleeps very well in it. I dread the day that she outgrows it. (Drawn by a sleep-deprived mother, aka Althea Peterson)
Being a new parent requires patience and a sense of humor, not just for the baby, but for every time a stranger in public calls my daughter a boy when I don't dress her in pink or a frilly dress. And even sometimes when I do. (Drawn by a sleep-deprived mother, aka Althea Peterson)
Baby questions of the week:
How do parents get any sleep with a newborn?
What are the biggest challenges and biggest rewards of being new parents?
How do you feel about talking to strangers who stare and comment on your baby?
For those of you who are shy on the phone, in public, or deal with those who are, there's one thing that can bring smiles and actual conversations every time: A newborn baby.
You can return to work after two months of leave, you can attend a party where you hardly know anyone, you can return a relative's phone call several weeks later. All they will want to discuss is the baby, and it's wonderful.
The smiles and greetings will even come from complete strangers, because babies are like people magnets that spawn immediate questions: How old is she? What is her name? Isn't she adorable? (Yes she is!)
Which leads me straight into this blog. I am a new mother. Because this is my first child, I am dealing with every baby situation for the first time and in most circumstances, feel incredibly unprepared for dealing with everything.
There are new stories to tell every day, even when you are sleep-deprived. In fact, that can make the stories even more fun, when you are using made-up words like "trimesterly" and admit to mistaking the cat for the baby when you first wake up.
So, welcome to the baby blog. Thank you for your understanding and patience, I'm new at this job.
--Althea Peterson
PS: Please tune in again next Monday, when my baby takes on the airport, from security to "family boarding."
Trimesterly tribute: When I first suspected I was pregnant, I went to the grocery store to find a testing kit. After searching the pharmacy unsuccessfully for awhile, I finally got brave enough to ask customer service where they were. They promptly handed me one, saying they had to keep them at the desk because they were one of the most stolen items in the store.
Baby bit: Rather than sucking on her thumb, my daughter is now trying to fit her entire fist into her mouth.
Mommy moment: When my daughter refused to be set down one night so that I could eat, I held her in one hand, and ate my dinner - spaghetti and black eyed peas - with my other hand's fingers. Yes, I was holding a baby while eating like a baby.
Recommended read: "Diaper Diaries" by Cynthia L. Copeland. I recommend waiting a few weeks after childbirth if you've had a Caesarean section like me. You'll be laughing too hard at all of the crazy baby tales.
Althea Peterson is the proud mother of a three-month old girl. Althea recently returned to work at the Tulsa World after two months of maternity leave. Baby advice, baby questions or baby words of encouragement can be sent to althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com. Be sure to follow Althea and other parents on twitter at twitter.com/twbecauseisaid
Written by
Althea Peterson
Staff Writer
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