Nine Months and Counting

Birth Experience is Bringing our Family Closer Together

Nine months and counting... As the process begins, I realized that this birth experience is bringing our family closer together! My daughter and son-in-law make sure that we are always included in major discussions about her pregnancy. We are truly thankful that our grandsons will soon be born!  My Mom or as she is fondly called Nana, shows concerned as we discuss the future birth process. Our prayer is that her delivery is quick and that she and our twin grandson's are healthy!

                 Please remember these points as your family                       prepares for the new grandbaby:

• Respect and support the decisions of the new parents as they make decisions about their new child, your grandchild
  
• Arrange to have time off around the date of the delivery and special holidays. This will be very meaningful to the parents
  
• Treat all family members with respect as plans are made for the birth
• Communication is key during this special time
• Don't put pressure on the couple on naming the child
  
• Plan family occasions to celebrate this birth!
  
• Take a moment to reflect on what being a grandparent means to you

Nine months and counting for the special couple just before the birth of their child. Life will never be the same again!

Grandparents that live away can connect with Skype, Face Time, Face Book or through email.

Nine Months and Counting:
Getting Connected

How to Use Skype

How to Use FaceTime can be an easy connection too.   If you have iPad or iPhone, you will find both of these an easy connection. 

Little Red Book My daughter had a "Little Red Book" purchased at Target, that she faithfully wrote all the weights and measurements for each visit. She also kept the sonogram photos in this book until she got home. Amazing!

As the process begins, I would suggest that (if you are an active participant in the birth of your grandchild) you keep your own diary of activities. This will also assist you when the "acronym of medical terms" attacks. My daughter and son-in-law are both in the medical field and often these 3 or 4-letter words are mentioned throughout various conversations.....from IVF, RSV, MRSA, IUD, DTaP and hundreds of other words. I was constantly asking the meaning of these terms.

You will also need to use the calendar on your phone to keep up-to-date with all the activities you volunteer to do!

Suggestions to include in the Expectant Grandparent's "Little Red Book" include:

• Keep weights and measurements of the fetus
• Keep notes in one place so you can confirm any questions
  
• Write down medical acronym's that you don't know
• Place to deep dates/calendar of events readily available
• Place you can begin writing down what name you want to be called?

Nine Months and Counting:
Consider a Budget

I know that as you begin the process of becoming a grandparent, you have no idea what expenses you as the grandparent may incur.

Remember to think of these things during the nine months and counting: 

• You are the grandparent, not the parent.
  
• You need to consider what you are buying?
  
• Would your money be better spent somewhere else.

I would recommend discussing with the soon-to-be-parents how you can help them best. If you are financially able, can you help purchase something for your grandchild's room? Or would it be better to open a savings account for college?

I guess you might say, we have done a little of both. We did open an account that is designated for a college fund. Parents can open a 529 college savings plan too. It is a type of investment account that allows you to set aside money for your child's education and let it grow tax-free. The federal government won't tax your money when you take it out of the account, as long as it's used for higher education.

Oh, Did we mention....TWINS!

Yes, we are going to be the proud grandparents of twin boys!

Expected Date of Arrival: Halloween 2011! 

Nine Months and Counting:
Little Red Book Entries!

So if you decide to create your own Grandparent's Little Red Book during this time frame, here are some entries you might be interested in including:

From Nine Months and Counting to Couples Baby Shower