Despite the fact that I've been almost obsessively planning for the birth of the new baby (seriously, my husband gets weekly to-do lists) one important thing that I have not forgotten is Matthew's upcoming birthday.
As long as all goes according to plan, I'll be having a c-section in 11 weeks from today.
Matthew's birthday is 12 weeks from today.
And, yes, we will be having a birthday party.
I know that sounds a little crazy, but when your child is in school or daycare, birthday parties become a huge deal. Matt talks about his constantly. And, I really don't want to let his birthday fall through the cracks.
Four is a big deal. He gets it this year.
For months he has been talking about his birthday party. He wants it at "the tree store" which is a local indoor playground that we booked last year. He has created his list of friends. Well, it's a changing list of friends that varies in age from his one-year-old second cousin to his 98 year old great grandad, but there are some constants such as his cousins and his friend Austin.
And now we are on to a theme.
Last year's theme was Monster Trucks.
This year we are having a fire truck theme.
I'll be honest, I'm getting a little nervous about it all. I mean, excited, yes, but worried that we won't pull it off.
Can we even bring a 2 week old to an indoor playground? Matthew has made it clear that even if I'm sick I will still be at his party. And if I go I think the baby goes.
Actually, I think we're a little insane.
Who books a birthday party 2 weeks after a c-section? I think I may be calling in the WonderMommies for a little crowd control (we shall discuss over coffee and pedicures) and hope that it all turns out well.
How stressful can a birthday party be? Ha. Not stressful at all :)
9 comments:
Wost case scenario? You set up shop in a chair (with a cushion from home) and let all the other adults there (like the grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc) fawn over the new baby while you watch Matty.
It'll be fine. Just don't set your expectations too high for your circumstances.
It will be fine. My advice: In a germny kid place like that, either keep the baby in the carseat and don't let anyone other than Grandma, etc. (someone who will understand your paranoia and wash their hands obsessively) pick up the baby AND/OR make sure the baby is fed before you go, strap her to you with a baby wrap/sling. (Or let someone else do this). That way, no germy 4-yr olds can touch her, and you'll be able to carry on with Matthew.
I don't think you're crazy - we had a big dinner party for Mother's Day the day I came home from the hospital with Charlotte - I wasn't expecting her five weeks early and I'll be damned if I cancel plans! ;)
You'll be fine! :)
One of my friends brought her 8 day old daughter to a birthday at an indoor playground (she had a c-section too), I had the Princess at my niece's b-day party at 3 days old, and took Bad in a sling to the Santa Claus parade at 3 days old....you see how you feel, and do what you have to do. I hope it all turns out wonderfully, because 4 is important, and still making a big deal for him will go a long way to help the transition to being a big brother, and not feeling that he's been replaced..
It will be fine - like Sci-Fi Dad said just designate a grandparent to watch the baby - I'm sure they'll appreciate the responsibility. Look forward to hearing about it.
As the others have said, it will be fine. They do most of the work at those places, and you can have someone else be designated carrier. Park the baby and you in a corner, get up occasionally and take a photo or 2 and all is golden.
I took the baby to a birthday party when he was 6 days old, it wasn't so bad!
I think that's a fab plan... it's just what you do when you become a mom of 2, go with the flow.
We hosted Christmas when Giselle was 2 days old... it was fabulous, because everyone else did everything, and I was actually able to enjoy Christmas without the stress of it all.
Happy 2008 to you and your family Laural, I have a feeling it's going to be a great one.
BTW, love your FB photo, you look radiant!
You'll be fine. I was house hunting with a four day old baby, because by the time she was going to be six weeks we were going to be home less. With the second I moved across country when he was a three week old. Just be good to yourself and enjoy.
You'll do terrific.
You'll do fine, and Fire Trucks will be fun! The ideas are flowing, beware! :)
I totally agree with Sci-Fi Dad that you need to be ok with delegation. I think having it elsewhere is a much better idea than say, hosting it at your place--that way you don't have to worry about too much. I guess there's no way of having it early by a couple of weeks, eh? Then you wouldn't have to worry about it.
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