Thirteen. That is how many baby- and pregnancy-related books I counted in the Schmidt home today. If you ask me that is thirteen too many. Between the books and the pamphlets from the hospital and the email subscriptions and the web sites, my forever mom has become a battle bot of knowledge on all things baby.
I’m not saying this is a bad thing. Nothing of the sort. I’ve said it before and I will say it again – knowledge is power. But my observations lately inform me that information overload is not such a good thing either. Especially when third trimester hormones are involved. Too much information is making it very easy for her to feel overwhelmed, incapable, frustrated and fatigued. None of these are emotions I like to allow in the Schmidt home for too long if I can help it.
But alas, my lack of opposable thumbs has kept me from removing the books from the residence. And (even if I did) she would still have all of the Internet resources at her fingertips. So you can imagine my relief when something magical happened today. The baby, my future little person, did the work for me.
It was freaky. And beautiful. And absurd. And amazing. I saw the baby move today. And it was all of these things and more to me. Mom has been seeing the little person moving for a couple of weeks now, but this was the first time I witnessed the miracle firstpaw. My stomach somersaulted when it happened, much like the baby appeared to be doing.
That’s when I realized I have nothing to worry about. There isn’t much I can do about the barrage of baby books throughout the house. (Thirteen, to be exact. But who’s counting?) Instead I have resolved to resume my stance that knowledge is power. Because I know that (like me) mom learns best by experiencing something. Living in the moment has much more profound an impact than words on a page.
So in that moment, when I could see mom’s tummy moving to and fro, I found comfort in the truth. It doesn’t matter what the baby books say. That little person will rewrite the story as soon as he or she is born. Forget the baby books. That is the story I can’t wait to start reading.
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I do have to agree with your mum, that reading all these books are good (I did the same) as when the baby comes there are no instructions attached. So it is good to be informed. Obviously not everything will be as it is in books as your little person is na individual and will get individaul love and attention. But I feel reading books and googling things make mums to be a bit more confident… and we all do it.
You are right though it will be a different beautiful story once the baby is here!
I am sure you enjoyed watching the moving baby inside! What an amazing thing to see!
Misery loves company, and it seems this baby book business is no exception. At least mom is normal with her constant research. I was starting to worry. 😉 I think you’re right about the confidence thing though – that is important. Whatever it takes to feel empowered is probably a good thing, especially when fear is lurking around the corner. Fear has no place around here.
Lots of love,
Wiles
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I agree with you, your little person will write a new baby book and I bet that’s the best book ever :o)
It’s a good thing us canines are educated and know how to read. Others might not be so lucky. 🙂
Oh my goodness, I can totally relate to your momma, been there!!!! How many times has she watched ” The Business Of Being Born” and “More Business of Being Born”? So beautiful hearing real women share their real birth stories and educational above all!!!! My little one LOVED doing somersaults after midnight…thank goodness I’m a night owl already!!!! Just looking up at the moon, feeling life inside me…Just in awe and blessed to have had this experience!!!! Seeing your little face can chase any blues away!!!! Hugs to you and your precious momma!!!!
Real stories are the only ones to live by. Everyone has one too, so in this we are united. I feel I may have been too harsh about all of the thinking that happens when mom reads those books. In addition to feeling overwhelmed, she too feels blessed. I’ve caught her increasingly pausing and putting her hand on her tummy and looking so at peace. It’s a beautiful thing to see.
Lots of love to you dear friend!
Wiles
Oh Wiles, Trev knows exactly how you feel with all the ups and downs…You can never be too harsh, believe me…Talking it out is so healthy ( Hugs times infinity to you ) This time is filled with extreme stress and fear too, It was so hard for me towards the end, I just want to stay as positive and supportive as I can in case your mom reads this!! Grin… (See, I had some people frighten me with their baby stories and I know they didn’t mean to, it’s just that sometimes people just don’t think, we are all just human you know…and yes, my furry one that includes you ) Smiles Please feel free to always talk it out to me. Bark it out my furry soul mate!!!! Love to you and your mom!!!! Hugs
Wyles, I missed this one! Thirteen, plus all the resources – thank heavens for your common sense, Wiley! Indeed the real deal is different than the books. Grin.
Mom came home from that place called work the other day and apparently it’s not just us that share this opinion…the little person will indeed be rewriting whatever mom thinks she knows about being babyise. It’s inevitable. 😉
Lots of love,
Wyles
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
It’s true. Babies write their own “baby” books.