So I finally managed to upload pictures from Christmas; they are below this post. And I just happened to be wearing the same shirt in pretty much all of them! Really, I do have a variety of clothes to wear! :) Actually, I have A LOT of pregnancy clothes, thanks to wonderful people like Christa, Tanis, Bobbi, Jen, and Jenn. Plus, I've bought a few, as have Ryan's Mom and my Mom - it's been absolutely great.
So I've been reading books on parenting infants (how often to feed, what order to do the day's activities, etc.) and I have just come to realize how conflicting and confusing information can be. Of course, it applies to any topic, it's just that I've been digesting so much on this topic in a short period of time, that it has become very apparent to me. For example, most of the books say that a nursing woman needs to drink twice as much fluid as she normally would. But then one book said that was nonsense, and that when a woman needs to drink, her body would let her know. Now, from what I know, by the time a person is thirsty, she is already dehydrated to some degree, so I disregarded that one book. But what about all the conflicting information that all has good reasoning behind it? You could easily argue for either side. I know that when it comes down to it, I need to do what works best for me and baby (and Ryan, of course!), taking into consideration my beliefs and values. I just feel bad for women who get so frustrated and confused and muddled because everyone is telling her different things. And that woman may eventually be me as well! I've heard that even the nurses on post-partum will tell a woman conflicting things about nursing - how frustrating!! Sometimes I just want to throw all the books out the window, tell everyone to shut-up, and figure it out on my own, only getting advice when I ASK for it! And yet, my personality mostly wants to read, read, read and absorb as much as I possibly can, and then make an educated decision based on differing opinions. And that is what I will end up doing. I just ask and hope that nobody feels the need to give unsolicited advice. If I want help, I WILL ASK!!! And if I make a decision that I feel is best for me and baby, and someone doesn't agree, that's fine. Just keep it to yourself!! No decision I make will hurt my child (I'm not stupid!), so I don't need someone "rescuing" me. And I need to be able to change my mind about a decision I have made, if the situation warrants one.
So that's my little rant for today. Okay, back to the book!