[blparent] New Parent Introduction

[Erin Rumer]

Hello Tracey,

First off I'd like to welcome you to the group and congratulate you on your
little bundle.  This is a very exciting and wonderful time for you and your
family.

My name is Erin and my husband David, 22.5 month old son Dawson and male
black Labrador guide dog Provo and I all reside in San Diego.  Provo also
new that something was different when I was pregnant, especially toward my
2nd and 3rd trimesters.  It was so sweet how he'd put his head on my stomach
and slow his pace for me as I became bigger with baby.  Dogs are very
in-tune to what's going on and your pup should adjust beautifully to your
new baby.  We first introduced Provo to Dawson's cent by having my husband
meet Provo in the hallway of the hospital before coming into my room.  My
friend who was watching Provo held Provo's leash as David let Provo smell
Dawson's hat that they first put on him after he was born.  Provo first
thought that he was being offered a treat and tried to eat the hat but
that's a Labrador for you. GRIN  After Provo got his jollies out in the
hallway meeting daddy and smelling baby's sent, my husband then brought
Provo into the room where I was with our son.  Provo was really excited to
see me but quickly stepped back cautiously once he saw Dawson.  I praised
Provo for being so gentle and never forced him to come toward Dawson.  I let
him do everything at his own pace and comfort level.  I had also received a
C-Section so Provo could tell that I was hurting a bit and moving
differently so I think that added to the extra level of caution.  It took
about a day and a half in the hospital for Provo to really come up and give
Dawson a full once-over.  Before we knew it, Provo was licking Dawson all
over and giving him loving nudges with his nose.  Once I got home I made
sure to treat Provo like the big brother in a sense.  Any time Provo came
over to Dawson I praised him and gave him lots of pets and even food rewards
at times.  I especially used food reward when Dawson cried so that way he
wasn't overly concerned or upset when the baby wasn't happy about something.
I actually started the food reward attached to the sound of baby cries
before Dawson was even born by watching shows on TV with those sounds and
rewarding Provo that way.  This got Provo used to the sound and he quickly
associated the noise with a positive thing.  My husband also took on an
extra role of being Provo's walking buddy for a while as I was heeling from
my surgery and getting my routine down with our son.  I took Dawson's nap
times as a time to give Provo a few extra minutes of just him and mommy
which he appreciated a lot.  Provo was very interested in my breast milk
when my milk started dropping because of the sweet smell.  I had to tell him
that this treat wasn't for him but only baby.  That was probably the only
major jealousy he had but the new toys and extra treats helped ease the
blow.

I hope this all helps and enjoy your months of pregnancy.  It's the most
amazing feeling as your baby grows inside of you.

Erin and Dawson

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tracey Turri
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 9:59 AM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blparent] New Parent Introduction

Hello parents,
My name is Tracey, and I am expecting my first child in early Apr of next
year.  I have very little usable vision, just light, dark, cullors and
shaddos.  Being a parent has always been the one thing I have wanted to
acomplish in my life, I feal my purpus in life is to be a mom, that said the
fact I am blind has, and I am sure will present a few more chalenges thrue
this jurney than for a sighted mother.  My fiancee Ian and I, (Ian is fully
sighted by the way) are both very excited to become parents and would love
to get advice from others who have been there.
One of my first questions is how to introduce baby and your guide dog.
 My yellow lab Pria I think all ready is guessing something is up with mom,
she's been more clingy and attentive over the passed few weeks (maby the
fact I've had morning sickness plays a roal in that?)  Plus last week when
we had the first altrosound she wasn't quite sure about the woosh woosh
woosh noise of the babies heart beting coming out of the computer, Ian
thinks she thought the doctor was hurting me.  We've been giving her the
usual amount of attention and walkies, work and leasure, and trying to keep
her ruteen as normal as possible, but I would like her to be prepaired once
little one comes home.
I am so greatful that their is a list for blind parents to unite and support
one another with out worrieing about someone trying to take our children
away if were having a little bit of a hard time.  In kace you couldn't tell,
that's something that really worries me, someone making an arbitrary
judgment that I shouldn't be aloud to parent just because of the blindness
issue.
Ok, reading back over this, I find that I am blabbing, so I'll stop now, but
I am looking forward to learning from and hopefully making new friends with
you.
Have a blessed day,
Tracey

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