Words of Support

Vanessa

My best advice may sound clichéd, but it's the truth: Trust your own intuition! It's hard to feel confident when faced with a new baby that you feel you know nothing about, but in fact you actually know what's best for your baby better than ANYONE else.... better than any doctor, nurse, friend, mother/mother-in-law, or so-called expert. Everyone will offer you their opinions and advice (as you've already discovered during your pregnancy)... just give them a graceful smile or nod and then forget everything they've said. Trust yours and Andrea's gut instinct and you will always make the right decisions. And even when you mess up a bit, if you drop the baby, or spill hot lasagna on their head as you try to eat and breastfeed simultaneously, know that baby's are incredibly resilient and somehow love you unconditionally :)

Aggie

Enjoy the good stuff, help each other through the hard stuff and don't sweat the small stuff!! This is one lucky kid, to have such amazing parents.

Linds

Trust yourself! That’s my biggest piece of advice. Try to find the silver lining in the tough moments. I really think that there are no bad questions, ask when you don’t know. The rest will figure itself out. And, even though we are not right around the corner, we are a phone call away, there are a lot of us, and we are all ready to listen!

Steph

As for advice, be kind & patient with yourself as new Mom! If possible get some good newborn pics, it doesn't last long.

Kirsten

Don't compare your baby with anyone else's. They grow and learn at their own pace and all end up in the same place eventually. Take care of yourself as much as possible and set up a support system (good babysitter), so you can get out if you need to. It can be hard to loose your own time and personal space. Also, the app Total Baby or similar is awesome to have on your phone to help with remembering to feed your baby :) And if you're nursing, you can track which side you should use next.

Bri
Enjoy every single moment! Even the really chaotic ones and try to find humour during the times when you think you might rather cry (for example: getting peed on at 2 am, cleaning throw-up off a car seat—or yourself, etc.). AND, take time for you and Andrea — it's so hard, but so 'healthy' to remember that you are still people, and not just parents!! Monthly date night.

Elise 
Always check the stroller

Kelly

Reeb, you’re about to receive the MOST precious gift in the world and you’re not only going to need, but want to spend every waking (and not so awake) second with your baby. So my advice is to get lots of rest, get EVERYTHING possible done before the baby arrives and stock your freezer with prepared meals! Once your baby arrives, sleep whenever your baby sleeps! You will soon find out that everyone will have advice for you. Some will be amazing and much appreciated and some may feel judgemental and unhelpful. All Mom’s learn as they go, just remember that YOU know your baby best, so trust your instincts!

Vanessa

Don't have much parent advise but I have some advise as aunty Vannie!

1. No upside down flips and roughhousing right after meal time.
2. Watch your mouth at around 2yr of age... those little people will repeat everything you say:/
3. Don't be shy to ask for help... People love being around soft new babies!!! they smell so good!!
4. Enjoy and cherish every single moment:)

Robin

My advice to the new parents is not to listen to advice! To trust their own intuition and what feels right to them is likely the right thing to. I learnt this the hard way with Jacob as I felt overwhelmed by all the advice by well meaning people. But in the end what was best for us was to figure out on our own and not waste time and energy on trying to make what worked for other people work for us.

Aunt Cathy
As for advice for the bambino "Never eat mint bars and drink V8." Love you!

Marylène

Well, I'm not a parent but I have a lot of friends and family with babies so here's my 2 cents for what it's worth : Don't read up too much on how to raise your baby, you can go bunkers apparently! Follow your instinct. Babies apparently love the sound of water! Calms their nerves. If you ask me, works on adults too!!