Suggestion & Considerations for Your Registry

Before I get started in some of my favourite baby items, let me introduce you to a registry called www.myregistry.com. You can actually link items for any store or website all in one place and you don't have to be limited to one or two stores for your registry. That means if you want to include diapers from amazon, onesies from carter's, and bottles from babies r us, you can! It's just as easy to set up for this registry as you would any other one and it's all online which is PERFECT for a pregnant mama-to-be! Side note: you can create wedding registry's here, too!

While you may or may not use these items, I found myself running out or ordering items after I gave birth and it was the last thing I wanted to be doing at the time! It's nice to be prepared as much as you can without going overboard, of course. Please know that the specific brand of product I list below are what I enjoyed and what works for me and by no means ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for you to purchase. :)

• pumping bra
• breastpump
  
• car seat cover (winter/summer)
• swing & loungers
• boppy
• baby bjourn
• snuggapuppy swing
• carseat
  
• stroller
  
• nursing bras
• white noise machine
• baby monitor
  
• carseat mirror and shades for windows
• toys that support newborn development
•  (ie. tummy time, play gyms, black and white/contrast building)
• bath towels
• wash clothes
• chair for nursing
• wipes warmer (with dim light)
• humidifier
  
• high chair
• crib

Some products seem really exciting and generic when you think of "baby", but you don't really need these things until you meet your baby. Once s/he is here, you'll get to know him/her and realize if these little extras are worth investing in. Money is better spent on other products listed above that you know for sure you'll need.

• Pacifiers & Bottles: While this might be the most obvious thing to purchase new parents for a baby shower, consider that not all babies use pacifers or bottles. For example, mine was not interested in a pacifier at all (except for a month and that was maybe because I kept encouraging her to take it - ahhhhh!!). Did you know that there are such a variety of pacifiers and your baby might like 1 out of the 50 you buy? Just wait. You honestly may not even buy one in the first place. You'll know if you need one soon enough and they're super easy to get your hands on one. This is the same for bottles. Until you know if you're breastfeeding or bottlefeeding, you won't know how many bottles you'll need. This isn't to say that having one-two bottles on hand to be prepared is a bad idea, but rather, don't buy the grand bottle starter kit until you've determined you will be using bottles with your baby at all.
• Newborn Outfits: The first month feels like an eternity, but it's not. If I could go back, I would've invested in basic onesies and comfy clothing instead of the cardigans and dresses, etc. that I felt I needed. Looking back, I remember thinking I needed to "build a wardrobe" for this new person and that's just simply not necessary. You'll get what you need in terms of clothing as they become necessary. Also, your baby might not even fit into the "newborn" size. Did you know that clothing size is actually dependent on weight? Check the store label or website before purchasing a size because age and weight are so different!
  

Nursery Design: Functionally Appealing

*Photos coming soon*

Designing a nursery was probably one of the most overwhelming parts of my pregnancy. Most likely this was because I'm totally Type A and wanted everything just so. I remember having my husband adjust the floating shelves 1/2 inch and rotating the dot of the letter 'i' in my daughter's name sign multiple times so that it felt right. Yikes. While these things are lovely to have and look nice, in the long run, it's not what matters at 3am when you've been trying to rock your baby to sleep!

So then what makes our nursery functional? It really comes down to a few basic components.

1. A change pad on top of a dresser
We use the Hemmes dresser from Ikea because it is affordable, has so much opportunity for storage, and doubles as a change table. The idea here is that you aren't needing so much furniture in your nursery and it saves space to not include a separate change table.  I put a change pad tray that a very dear friend made for us on top of the dresser and inside sits the change pad and cover. 
We store diapers directly under the change pad section in the top drawer for easy access. The second drawer beside it we have medicines, creams, soothers, and other items we need to access quick!

2. Side Table & Dim Lighting

I found that a side table was necessary to store items for myself including a notebook and a pen for quick thoughts, phone charger, quick snacks, waterbottle, gum, earphones, kleenex, and extra waterbottles in case I ran out of water.

We experimented with lamps a little bit during the first month and learned that the tall standing light didn't work for us because it would shine directly into our baby's eyes when nursing. Another issue with it was that it required us to step on the button to operate, but because it was so far behind the recliner, it wasn't easily accessible. This could be a benefit to you, though, depending on your lamp location. Since ours was right behind the chair, w changed it out and opted for a small lamp to sit on the side table that I could easily pull the string to turn on and off in the dark or with one hand. Minor detail, big result.

3. Storage

As mentioned above, the Ikea dresser was essential in storing diapers and other items such as medicines and creams, but it also holds clothing. My inspiration for organizing the dresser came from this blog. As my baby grew, we changed out her clothing to match her age. As she outgrew items, they are stored in a clear bin labelled in the basement. Clothes that doesn't fit into yet is stored in the closet where we have a Kallax shelf. The top shelf holds books that are not currently on display on the bookshelf (I switch these out every so often) as well as stuffed animals, dolls, and other gems that we tuck away, while the inside has baskets for the 'next size up' clothing, crib sheets, blankets & quilts, toys for later, diaper genie refills, extra wipes and diapers.

4. Disposal

Aside from having a small garbage bin beside the recliner, a diaper disposal of some sort is key to keep the bedroom smelling clean and fresh. We put a diaper genie directly beside the change pad/dresser so that we never needed to walk away from our baby during a change to dispose of a diaper.

Empathy vs. Sympathy in the 4th Trimester

"Empathy fuels connection. Sympathy drives disconnection." 

- Brene Brown

When a person is struggling, hurting, suffering, etc., it's natural for human beings to offer sympathy. Think about when people are experiencing a loss; we are accustomed to say things like, "I sympathize with you". And while that's not wrong, what is truly a remarkable emotion during those times of difficulties is empathy.

Empathy is when you really bring yourself down in the trenches with another person. Brene Brown, a research professor and author of best seller "Daring Greatly", talks about the difference between empathy and sympathy in this video.

So... what does this have to do with motherhood? Well, everything! The most important feeling I experienced during the first few months after S was born was empathy from so many mothers who had been where I was. Often I would make a post on social media asking for support with a certain issue or topic or product and the responses were so overwhelming and wonderful. I would ask about baby carriers, reflux, colic, sleep, mental health, fitness, skin and hair concerns, baby lead weaning, and so much more. I can't tell you how grateful I am for all the people who reached out to me (and still do!!!!) with suggestions and thoughts and promises to be there for me in the future ,because they, too, have been there in those crazy early days post pardum with absolutely no clue what to do. These ladies are the #MomTribe... the community of women, who, throughout the fourth trimester, are there with you, not for you, because they get it. The 'new mom' feeling stays with you forever (so I've heard 😉) and having people who get that makes the world of a difference.

But, not all of the responses and comments were empathetic, they were sympathetic! And while sympathy isn't terrible, it's so much better to be empathetic... if you can, of course. Empathy has truly allowed me to connect with moms in a way I never thought I would connect with anyone. Really understanding what someone is going through and being there for them in a non-judemental way has actually changed me as a person. I now can see life through a new lens because of how easy it was for me to connect with so many Moms who reached out to me. In fact, I received so much support, I kept asking questions! And while I kept asking questions and receiving support, other friends would ask me to share the responses with them. (*Side note: This is where the need to maneuver this blog from solely education based, to sharing parenting supports.)

To give you an idea, these are some of the responses and ways I've received empathy from Moms:

• 3:00 AM Facebook chat: "This is the hardest thing you will ever do and I am right here with you"
  
• dropping off fennel seeds with instructions on how to prepare for potential relief of colic/reflux symptoms and a crib wedge to raise S's mattress
• "I'm going to come over right now and give you a break"  
• Care packages left on my door step to make the lonely nights/days when my husband was working a little less difficult
  
• Meal services & prepared dinners given to our family by family and friends
  
• phone calls listening to tears and desperation 
• contacts for support (doctors, consultants, nutritionists, allergists, etc.)
• hand me down swaddles, books, clothes 
• overnight care of our baby so we could sleep
• doula service
• frequent check ins
• "You are not crazy. You are tired." 

Before having S, I researched so much about being a new Mom and what my life would look like. Nothing could have prepared me for the sleep deprivation I was about to endure. Had I not had the courage to have conversations about mental health and wellness, I'm certain today would look a lot different than it does right now. I am so grateful to those people who have and continue to show empathy toward myself and other new parents. This isn't just about being a new mom. My husband also has received a phenomenal amount of support and check ins on our family. We are truly so blessed to be in a place where people send messages that sound like,"This is extremely hard and I'm sorry. I'm going to come over and we can figure this out together", and less like, "It'll be okay!"

So please consider... when you're speaking with first time parents, (or second, third, etc. time parents), especially in those first few months, remember that empathy matters. Think about how you feel when someone says "You'll get through this" and try to find a way to shift your connection to go a little bit deeper. Put your judgement aside and have a real conversation.

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you to the people who have empathized with me back then, and still today. Every connection and gesture, small or large, will never be forgotten and I am forever grateful for our friendship.

How to Create a Year End DVD For Your Class

"We didn't realize we were making memories... we just knew we were having fun." 

There are things about childhood that are just so delicate, like finding a bunch of twigs outside or laughing as you notice a toad jump its way back to the pond. Little people are just that - little. And they deserve to have their moments be valued and treasured by their families, but also very much so at school, by their teachers.

Since I have begun working with the school board, I have continued to do two things: shared documentation of children's learning via Twitter, and made a year end DVD for them to treasure forever. That is, as long as DVD's don't become obsolete in the too near future... gasp!

Capturing the joy in our students has been a passion of mine that I have shared with many teaching colleagues over the years. Luckily, each year I have been granted the opportunity to construct a DVD and I've been given so much great feedback from families and children that I want to share with other educators how it's done.

So, with that being said, I'm going to actually break it down for you in that I will show you how I organize my photos in Google Drive and how I use iMovie to put it all together.

Organize, Sort, Update

The utmost key factor I will share from the beginning is to STAY ORGANIZED. Putting together a video of the best moments from the year takes time. Precious, sweet, report card writing in June, time. Don't give up before you get started by looking at your photos on your 12 devices on the last week of school!

Before school begins or in the first weeks of starting, I always make a current year photo in my Google Drive account. So for this year, it would be called, "2018-2019". Within this folder, I have the 10 school months separated (September - June). I try to upload all of my pictures and student documentation within the week they are taken but sometimes that doesn't happen. Regardless, as soon as you want to clear out your documentation device, you have the folders ready to help you store them until you are ready to make the video! I totally recommend Google Drive or Google Photos for storing photos because it's what works for me, but you are welcome to use a different platform if that suits you better.

Once you have the media organized in your folders, you might want to take the extra step each month and delete repeated data so you aren't sorting through duplicates when you're ready to make the DVD.

For my videos, I use the Apple program iMovie.