Introducing your toddler to the new baby

Now that I've got a 2 year old and a 3 month old to worry about at the same time, I understand that its very overwhelming to introduce a toddler to the family's new addition. Here are some tips that helped me (and continue to help me as my toddler becomes acquainted with his sibling) when I brought Jiro home from the hospital to meet Tachi, his big brother. I hope these tips are helpful for you!

1.   Prepare your toddler during your pregnancy by talking about the new baby and playing "baby" with stuffed animals or dolls. Pretend to rock the baby, burp the baby, change the baby. Talk to your toddler about how he/she is going to be a big brother or sister and how they are going to be Mommy's helper. 
2. When you are in the early stages of introducing your toddler to their sibling, encourage him/her to be involved in caring for the baby. Don't be disappointed if they are completely uninterested in their new sibling for the first week or so. This is when you need to set aside time to pay special attention to your toddler. 
3. When relatives/friends come to meet the new baby, make sure they visit with your toddler first so that he/she feels important and loves. Include your toddler, and refer to them by their name instead of "big brother" or "big sister." 
4. Talk to your toddler as you do things for the new baby. Explain to them what you are doing and why. Tell them about the baby and practice saying the baby's name. Let your toddler pet, kiss and cuddle the baby. Use words like "gentle," "easy," and "nice." Praise them for showing affection to the baby and tell them how good of a sibling they are.
5. If your toddler shows interest (and if they are able to), let them hold the bottle for the baby. Ask them to grab a pacifier or to bring you a diaper. Be sure to thank them for their help. (My toddler loves to throw the dirty diapers in the trash for me and brings the bottle to me when it is out of reach. He is very helpful)
6. Include everyone when its "tummy time" for your new baby. Mommy, toddler and baby can all have tummy time while playing with small toys together. Baby will lift his/her head up to watch the toys. As your toddler gets more adjusted, encourage them to share toys and interact with their growing sibling.
7. If your toddler goes through a phase where they want to be "babied," that's okay. Baby them occasionally. My toddler wanted me to hold his sippy cup for him like a bottle, and that's okay if you don't make a habit of it. Cuddle and show affection to your toddler as often as possible. Remind them that they are your baby, too.
8. Last but not least, RELAX. If you are anxious whenever your toddler gets near the new baby, your toddler will pick up on that and will adopt those feelings as their own. If you are relaxed and at ease, your toddler will know that you trust him/her around the baby and they will be less likely to act out in a negative way.  

Tachi helping me with feeding Jiro and playing with Jiro during tummy time.

Before I was a Mom...

Since Mother's Day is this weekend, I thought I would share one of my favorite poems that I first read at my good friend Emily's house. She had the poem framed on her wall. I've found that poem on the internet. Unfortunatly, the author of this poem is unknown so I cannot give them credit here. I hope you enjoy the poem while I continue adding to the blog. Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful Mamas' out there!

Before I was a Mom…

Author Unknown

Before I was a Mom…
I made and ate hot meals.
I had unstained clothing.
I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom…
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth every day.

Before I was a Mom…
I cleaned my house each day.
I never tripped over toys or forgot words of lullabies.

Before I was a Mom…
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom…
I had never been puked on,
Pooped on, Spit on, Chewed on, Peed on
Or pinched by tiny fingers

Before I was a Mom…

I had complete control of:

My thoughts,

My body,

And my mind.I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom…
I never held down a screaming child
So that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom…
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small,
Could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom…
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a Mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom…
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,

The joy,

The love,

The heartache,

The wonder,
Or the satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much

Before I was a Mom...

What I learned about babies and airplanes

A few weeks ago, I was daunted with the task of flying to visit family in Vegas with Tachi (now 5 months old) for his very first airplane experience, without the help of my husband. He had to work so I was mortified at the prospect of having to get both Tachi and I through the airport, let alone get myself through the airport (which hasn't always been my best skill).

I must have packed everything I could possibly need into his diaper bag thinking that it would be useful. By now, I'm at the airport trying to juggle a stroller, diaper bag, baby, etc. Trust me on this one. Less is more! The only things that I really found useful were:

The stroller of course, a couple bibs and change of cloths, about 6 diapers, wipes, arm'n'hammer dirty diaper bags, 1 or 2 bottles with the formula ALREADY measured out, pacifiers, and a few toys for the ordeal. I'll leave it at that for now. Unless you are going to China and will be on a long long long flight, fight that urge to cram everything into your carry-on that you know will just get all shoved around on the flight. If your baby is in your lap, it's hard to dig down into your diaper bag anyways.