Baby Traditions

When my mom was pregnant with me she would place this musical teddy bear on her stomach and I would listen to "Teddy Bear's Picnic." After I was born, she continued to play him for me when she would put me to sleep at night. As a child, he was always near my bed so I could play him as I fell asleep or if I woke up in the middle of the night and needed some comfort. Now that I am expecting my own baby, my mom bought me this musical Peter Rabbit to play for my child. She chose Peter Rabbit, not only because he is soft and cute, but because he comes from my favorite childhood book. I had the story of Peter Rabbit memorized by the time I was two, and I am looking forward to sharing the story with baby when he or she arrives. Each night while I read in bed, I play Peter for the little person I feel swimming around inside my belly. After only a few nights of playing the lullaby, the baby started to respond by kicking as soon as the music began.

This is just one of the traditions started by my own wonderful mother that I am trying to continue. My mom also started a journal for me while she was pregnant and I have started my own baby journal for my child. I am hoping they enjoy reading about my feelings as a new mom as much as I enjoy reading about my own mother when she was my age.