As I bathed my daughter tonight I fondly remembered her first bath nearly 5 months ago... we had been home from the hospital for nearly a week and I had yet to give her a bath. Truth be told I was afraid to. Sure Clay and I had taken the newborn care class... I had soap, towels, baby wash clothes, and a heater... but I didn't feel quite ready to bathe little Luralie.
Well, it was my mother's last day with me and she said "Jackie I'm gonna give your baby a bath" and I was like "Be my guest". So we headed over to the kitchen sink, made a little pad for Luralie, gathered all necessary items mentioned above as well as cotton balls, a clean diaper, and a change of clothes and my mom began as I watched. She filled a bowl full of water, dipped her elbow to test it, then said "First you start with the diaper area" and I was like "NO!, "The lady in the class said to start with the face and do the diaper last." And as I spoke these words I gently moved my mom aside and took over. I took two cotton balls, dipped them in the warm water, cleaned each of her eyes and the rest of her little face. I then took her shirt off, washed it with her wash cloth and a little dab of soap. I patted her dry and put a towel over her to keep her warm. I took her socks off and washed her legs and feet, patted dry and replaced with new socks. I then did her diaper area and replaced with a dry diaper. I cleaned her umbilical cord with a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol then I washed her hair and put a hat on her head. Lastly I put her in a clean gown and we were all done...
I think it was then that I really became Luralie's mom. I can't quite explain it but from then on I just sort of knew what to do.
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