April came over last night. Her belly is just a popping out! She’s ALL BABY in there! She said the baby is always up in her ribs. OUCH! She enjoys feeling the baby move and she’s got an active one. She has alot of Braxton Hick contractions and is worried about knowing when she is in labor. I assured her SHE’LL KNOW!
She was telling me about her parenting class. They earn tickets for going and after they earn so many they can receive coupons for like $5 off a baby item. How cool is that? She has a Lamaze class on the 18th.
She confessed to not wanting ANYTHING to do with an epidural. I’m with her there! I couldn’t image a needle getting poked into my spine! (I did manage natural birth with all three, but I didn’t encourage her to go that way. It most definitely is not for everybody. I also had short labors, making it easier to go natural.) She was told she MORE THAN LIKELY will go early and have a shorter than norm labor because she is a very active person. I hope, for her benefit, this is true.
School is going OK. She stated that the people that use to pick on her are now asking to touch her belly. It’s hard for her because she kinda wants to tell them off, but for those that she doesn’t know - she doesn’t really know what to say.
Her father will be taking vacation to care for his grandaughter until summer. (How sweet is that!! I guess her dad REALLY likes babies! AAAHHH!!!!) Not too sure about next school year yet. I told her about going for daycare assistance. They did look at their church’s daycare center, however she does not like the person that cares for the infants. There are lots of centers around here and I can help her search them all. Atleast they have a plan for her to finish this school year. She will attend school next year, they just don’t have a daycare center picked yet.
I’m so excited to say she has decided to try breastfeeding. I think I’m going to run out and get her a breastfeeding book today. I talked abit about it with her, but Chad and a friend were in the same room, things felt odd. I would like to buy her a nursing bra too. Honestly, I don’t think she even knew of such a thing! 
April and her friend did register at Target and Kohl’s. She ended up using her “real” name. I did write down some of her stuff. What I think I’m going to do though, is go to Target and talk with an employee and register her stuff again under another name, and then get it so anyone that wants to can log on to it. I’ll probably add a few more things too. She mentioned she really didn’t know what to put on it. They did good though! I’m hoping to get my butt going and do that today!
Update on Chad-As many know Chad has moved in with us. He was going to stay at another friends house while Andrew (BIG POOP) is in Spain, but he’s actually been here quite abit.
I had an awesome conversation with him the other day. He stated how he did have anger towards April for deciding to parent. He said he really didn’t want to do “the Daddy thing”. But he went over to April’s house and they had a good talk. He stated he felt very uncomfortable in front of April’s dad. He felt the anger. I’m sure we all can understand April’s dad’s anger. I told Chad, he would probably REALLY ENJOY knocking you into next year! We both chuckled and he understood. I pointed out that he’s going to have to “prove himself” to April’s dad. He agreed and is willing to do so.
I found it really cute that he sat next to April and placed his hands on her belly. He is really starting to accept it and I think he’ll do great. They aren’t together anymore. Chad and I talked how their daughter will benefit from the two of them being able to communicate and remain friends. So, that’s their goal.
Andrew never did give April the maternity pants or shirt I had for her. I told Chad to get them, he comes out wearing them, with a pillow as his belly! Once again another picture moment that I missed due to my camera being broke! (Eli spilled his juice on it!) The pants really accented his figure nicely!
Well, I suppose if I want to get to Target today I better get my rear in gear!
Hey Roni – If you want some ideas about the education piece feel free to PM me. I researched this pretty extensively with my niece. She was a little older than April, but maybe some of these ideas can help…
Mostly they focus on graduating early and then getting into college. Financially, it seems to make sense due to grant and student loan money combined with other services, is about the the same as working… And you get to keep the education! Just some thoughts… You know how I feel about school!
Yup…. Grandpa is pretty cute!! So glad they have you!
awww, gosh, this made me cry. do let me know how I can help.
write me privately if you can. i have a gift I would like to send. its used but it kinda of has a story. not sure where you are/she is or if she would like it but I would love to send.
also, do whatever I can.
in my experience with helping moms, the biggest challenge is getting emotional, in person support. getting connected with a moms group (preferably younger) finding people who can come over and help, watch the baby when she (or grampa) need to sleep, hand holding and giving assurance that mommying at ANY age is hard.
my supported my cousin from afar and after 7 months she surrendered her daughter to a kinship adoption. She had all the material support and was living with her dad (my uncle) but got no emotioinal support, felt overwhelmed, scared, like she couldnt do it.
hugs to you and april
I’m very excited to help out April and Chad with their baby, too!
I think it’s great that she’s taking parenting classes. Like Suz said, new motherhood is a challenge at ANY age. It’s important that she knows that all mothers have moments of panic, doubt, and frustration. Also, how sweet is it that her dad is taking time off to help her and care for the baby? That made my whole day.
Do you know if she has the book “What to Expect the First Year”? If not, let me know; I’d like to send it to her along with the other things I get from her registry.
Oh my, I just adore April’s dad right now. Wow. Yes, please set up another registry so we can send her stuff.
Thanks for keeping us updated!
Ocens and Suz- I’ll get an email out to both of you next week! This week has gone by WAY TOO fast!! Sounds like great info!!!
)
suz- I’m concerned abot emotional support too! I plan on helping as much as I can. I did find a local teen parent support group, she seemed interested in that! Maybe I’ll have to take “Grandpa” out for coffee sometime.
I’ll try my best to watch over them and make sure they are taken care of.
Coco-Actually, I added that book to her list, but I think I can go on and take it off. (Great minds think alike-ah?! HA!
Libby- Her dad sure is a sweetie!
THANKS EVERYONE!!!