NANA SAYS BE KIND TO PREGNANT WOMEN

Regardless of new technology and advances, women give birth to babies. So if on the subway or in a store, be considerate to pregnant women. They are creating a new human being. Remember after the baby is born, the Mommy needs time to heal. Hot meals, spend time with the baby to give her time to shower or sleep or whatever else may be needed to give support during the first few months. Many Dads too need lots of support especially if there are older children. The rule for Mommy is to sit if able or to lay down to rest the body.

NANA SAYS PREGNANCY IS A LONG 10 MONTHS

Pregnancy is a long 10 months or 40 weeks of gestation. For the expectant parents it is a time of adjustment and great anticipation. Books on what to expect when one is expecting abound and are good reading to help with some questions and even fears. Attending prenatal classes is a good idea too. A birth at the hospital or home with an obstetrician or does one use a midwife can be considerations. There is usually lots of advice from other mothers about everything. Recently one young Mom mentioned something interesting. She said everyone tells you about the delivery but few people mention after that! She meant the trials and tribulations of breast feeding, the changes in the body, the potential of hormonal changes-example could affect your hair, and the emotional roller coaster of feelings. New parents need lots of support- both physical and emotional! The change from a couple to a family is a huge adjustment! Extended family can be a great help or hindrance depending on the support given. The male attitude can greatly influence the new Dad! In our modern world, it is wonderful to see that even a Prince can change nappies! So be kind to that pregnant woman you see! Her body is doing a beautiful job!

NANA SAYS PREGNANCY IS A LONG 40 WEEKS

For most people the time flies by. When a woman is pregnant, the 40 weeks seems longer. With the continual changes and muscle stretching, the focus can be on all the body functions. If a first pregnancy anxiety may be a factor as the anticipation of what the labour and delivery will entail. For subsequent pregancies there is the care needed for the other children. It is a time of reflection! The body is doing a beautiful thing! Creating a new person! Who to use? An obstetrician or a mid-wife? The hospital birth is still the safest route to choose. The stay is only 24 hours for the average delivery. So going home occurs very quickly! Preparing by reading the books on pregnancy and nursing, going to childbirth classes and parenting sessions is a great way to educate oneself about the whole process. It is time for a couple to begin to prepare the transition to being a family. Good prenatal care is a must. The vitamins, the doctor visits, proper nutrition and exercise contribute to the pregnancy. Trying to be comfortable can take great effort. The old adage if standing try to sit, if sitting try to lay down-it helps with all the body aches! In this modern times, the ultrasounds with the pictures of the developing baby are always fun to see. For those couples knowing what the sex of the baby will be gives time to ponder what theme the little nursery's theme will be!! Regardless 40 weeks is a long time!

DO THINGS HAPPEN IN THREES?

A new year so thought I would blog 3 blogs today. No it will  not be my norm but the whole idea of threes occurred to me. We often will have bad news and wonder if there will be three. We say well that's two, wonder what the third one will be? If we look for linkages in life we often find there can be three- with a stretch! Sometimes it is just one! Good things can happen in 3 or just one1 Do we really want the winner of the huge jackpot to win three times or is once just good enough? Where did the notion of things happening in three originate? In Christianity- the father, son and holy ghost- 3. Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus- 3. Even business has more layers than 3. A triangle has 3 points! A pregnancy is divided into three trimesters! Many dinners have 3 courses unless you are Italian then the sky is the limit! Does the number 3 mean anything to you! Is it lucky or unlucky? Have you had things happen in 3s? Anyway my blog happened 3 times today but it was intentional-  no mystery there!

2011 THOUGHTS-HOW WAS YOUR YEAR?

As one year begins to end and we anticipate a new one, it is always time for reflection. If it has had difficulties, there are is always the hope things will get better. Sometimes I have heard from others next year can't be worse than this one. Well don't bet on it! I usually suggest to think about what you have been able to survive, look at your strengths, and do not look too far down the road ahead! Things can always get worse, get better or stay the same! Funny but in the real world there are often fewer choices than we think. Even in some of our darkest moments, there have been rays of hope, positive people, funny twists and turns. 2011- a 40th anniversary for Adolph and me, crisis with my folks, same job that I love, challenging myself through whatever has come my way, a loving family and being there for others dealing with stressful and painful situations. Feeling good about a cousin's wedding, attending a grandson's first birthday, knowing a niece is pregnant, seeing my granddaughter start to get her second teeth, reading to two other grandsons and keeping up my blogging- even if some days it is a real stretch to write something, anything! Learning a new tech thing- well maybe I will finally know how to use my new RIM Playbook before 2011 ends! There have been many normal moments that make a life. I have learnt to stop and enjoy the little events in life-perhaps it is an aging thing! To feel good about just being, doing and noticing the world around me. Trying to turn any regrets that sneak into my life by looking for a solution, a challlenge, a positive twist! The half finished writing projects- to keep plugging away- even with all life's interruptions! To honour those that have touched my life! On those days where it is a struggle to get out of bed, to put one foot down at a time and move forward. Like someone said Seize the Day! Have a purpose, a goal, a task, and a life will evolve. Oh yes, remember to dream and then think about how to make those dreams a reality! 2011- what will be your thoughts and memories of the year?