Bridesmaid

When Jahn and I were planning our wedding, we did most of it ourselves.  It's not that we didn't have people willing to help, it's just that we like to plan and organize, so we were happy to do it.  Sometimes you hear about weddings where the bridesmaids shoulder a ton of the work, but that definitely wasn't us.

You know when I could have used a bridesmaid, though?  When I was doing some of the more mundane tasks associated with getting ready for my baby.  That's not to say I didn't have help -- I seem to remember you putting up wall paper and folding mountains of baby laundry, among other things (thank you again for doing all that, by the way).  But some of the tasks aren't really things you can ask someone else to do (buy breast pads?  Go to a mat leave seminar?).

There's so much to do to get ready that I remember feeling it was a bit much at times.  Sometimes it wasn't even that I knew exactly what I should be doing.  I just felt like there was stuff I wasn't getting to that I should...

So here are some things I can do for you, even from far away.  I know you don't need me to do any of these things -- you are organized and together -- but now you can skip some of the boring stuff and enjoy some of the more fun stuff.

Wondering about Peter Lougheed Hospital?  Here's an online tour, in case you haven't seen it already.

Thinking about a prenatal class?  Alberta Health has a ton of different classes and options:
-A two hour class about Baby Care
-A free course about breastfeeding
-A course just for Dads

Don't feel like actually going to a class?  Alberta Health also has a ton of classes online:
- Caring for Baby
- Breastfeeding
- Feeding challenges
- Dealing with change
- Getting to know your baby
You can find them all here and they're all free.

Trying to think of a baby name?  
This website is super cool.  It will give you a list of names (there's a little drop down menu so you can ask for only girls' names).  Click on the picture of a star for any of the names you like.  Once you've picked up to six names, click "find names".  It makes a list of a bunch of other names you might also like. Seriously -- try it out.  I'm having a great time playing with it, and I don't even have anyone to name right now.

Got your iPad nearby?
Download an app called Baby Kick Counter.  It does all the work, so your pregnancy brain doesn't have to keep track.  And it's only $0.99.  Awesome.

Now go put you feet up, because look at all the work you've done!