Last week we attended our newborn baby care class for adoptive parents at Parker Adventist Hospital.  They have an amazing adoption support program.  It's designed to benefit birth parents and adoptive parents and is the only such program in the United States.  It is ran by an amazing woman, Rebecca Vahle.  Rebecca recently received a 2011 Angel in Adoption Award for her work.  You can listen to a podcast about Rebecca's adoption journey and her work at Parker Adventist Hospital here.

Sadly, we did not get to meet Rebecca at our training, as she was in Washington, D.C. rubbing shoulders with congress.  None the less, we had a great experience.  The training started out with the scary stuff, SIDs and Shaken Baby Syndrome.  Then we learned the basics: how to swaddle, bathe, feed, and change dirty diapers.

Here's what I learned during class:

A)  Baby powder is not for babies.  I didn't know this had changed.  Apparently there are studies that link it to the high rates of asthma in the U.S.  I did not bother to do my own research and am just taking our instructors word.

B)  It is no longer recommended to clean the umbilical stump with alcohol.  Apparently it doesn't help it to fall of any sooner.

I'm sure there's lots more for both of us to learn, but I think a little common sense and a whole lot of love will do just fine.

Imagine

A lovely video I had seen before and was reminded of by Steve Jobs passing yesterday.  I hope you enjoy.