Preparing the older sibling for the birth of the new baby

Days are passing by so quickly with two little ones.
Mum is still here and although she is doing almost all of the chores,I can hardly have sometime. I am either breastfeeding or changing the baby or I am spending some time with Defne.The weather is still very cold here so most of the time we are at home.Can't wait for spring now.
My heart fills with joy when I see Defne interacting with Derin.She enjoys singing to him. She tries to do her best to soothe him when Derin cries.
During my pregnancy we talked a lot about the new baby.About how our lives will change with the birth of the baby,what is it like being a big sister and how she was a baby once,how we will cosleep altogether, how mummy will also breastfeed the baby and how we will sling him..I had bought a few books to prepare Defne to being a big sister.I really think that these books were helpful.


I am a big sister The big sister tells about the advantages of being big and how she is interacting with the new baby.The only thing I don't like about this book is that the baby is bottlefed and breastfeeding is never mentioned at all.



Hello Baby is one of the most beautiful books I have seen.It tells the story of a home birth.So especially useful if you are planning a home birth. The illustrations in this book are beautiful.


On Mother's Lap is another book we enjoyed reading. A small Eskimo boy discovers that Mother's lap is a very special place with room for everyone.





Another nice book is The New Baby Sticker Book from Usborne First Experiences Series.

Baby bliss

I thought I would give you an update about how we are.Our little boy is getting bigger. We are a little bit sleep deprived but enjoying the baby bliss.He is 3 weeks old now. Defne likes being the big sister and it is lovely watching them.She likes telling him what she is up to. When she brings a few nappies for him,she bends over him and says "Derin,I brought nappies for you" ;)
I want to write more but I am so sleepy at the moment that I can't write much.
So I am leaving you with a few pics.




20 days old

Derin's birth story

My pregnancy with Derin was quite different from my pregnancy with Defne. Everyone says labour is faster and easier the second time round however our story was a bit different.

16th of Jan,Saturday morning 7.30 and I woke up with a sensation of water trickling down. Went to the bathroom and yes my waters was broken.
I took a shower,then called the hospital. I had a very fast labour first time (6 hours) so I was concerned that it might be much faster this time. However the baby had other plans.
We went to hospital around 9.30,I was having some mild contractions but nothing serious.So we decided to go back home. Time was passing but contractions were still mild. When your waters break, they want to do an induction if labour does not start in 24 hours( in case there might be an infection) I wanted to avoid an induction so kept active. I had a very beautiful birth experience with Defne and was looking forward to experience a similar labour with this little one,too. So I gently bounced on the birth ball and walked and finally after midnight I was having stronger contractions.
At 3 am we were back in the hospital,midwife checked me, I was at 5 cm.
I went into the pool and started using gas and air.Last time I loved it, this time it made me feel dizzy and I threw up in the pool! So had to get out,wait until they refilled it. It's difficult to express my feelings but I can say labour was much more intense this time, I could hardly speak to want some water etc. and I was very vocal. When his head was emerging the midwife said "he's looking at the stars" but I didn't get what she really meant. Had to push really hard and at 5.08 am he was there. it was just unbelievable! After the cord stop pulsating,DH cut the cord. So the early labour was longer than I had anticipated, but the actual labour was only 2 hours long.


The midwife then said he was back to back, that is why it was so difficult.

We left the hospital around noon,exhausted but very happy!
He was born 2760 gr which is about 6 pounds. He is gaining well though,was at birth weight on the 5th day. Thanks to tandem feeding my milk came in early.

Defne is such a lovely big sister! She is behaving much more mature than I expected.

This is minutes after the siblings met,Defne wanted to hold him immediately.


We are enjoying the baby bliss at the moment.My mum had come from Turkey a few days before labour and it's great to have help. It is still early days,but I am enjoying it much more this time. The first time,I didn't know how to hold the baby,how to breastfeed her etc etc. The second time,you are experienced and all of these come easier.

And baby makes four

Our baby boy Derin was born at 5 am on Sunday morning.He is gorgeous.
My waters broke on Saturday morning but labour wasn't established until midnight.
We went to the hospital at 3 and he was born after 2 hours in the birthing pool.
All is well and we are enjoying our baby.

Happy new year!

Although this is a late post, I want to wish everyone a happy new year!

Today Defne turned 3. I can't believe how fast time flies! She had a great weekend and enjoyed repeating that she is 3 now :)
As for me, I am 36 weeks now. Only 4 weeks to go! The hospital bag is ready now. Defne was born at 38 weeks + 5 days so I have a feeling that this baby might as well be a little bit early.Can't wait to see this little one!
Hope to update again soon.

Hello after a long long time of absence!
So here I am, 20 weeks pregnant as of tomorrow! So the baby is half baked now!
Last month when we were in Turkey we had a scan, and learnt that this little one is a boy!
So here we go, a whole new experience! Defne is very excited with the idea of being a big sister! She strokes my belly all the time and sings to her brother! Looks like they will get on well ;)
Speaking of my belly, I am quite bigger than I was with Defne.
Oh and except the reflux that started about a month ago, I feel fine. However reflux is just awful. Once I throw up after or before breakfast, I feel fine and manage to keep my food down.Thanks to the MDC, I learnt about papaya extract and it does seem to help a little.
Defne has grown so much this summer. Not only physically, but she is also becoming an independent little person. She has just started to a Montessori nursery last week and looks like she's loving it. I will write more on that later.
Until then take care!

I know I have been quite for a long time again,I will write more soon but before that I would like you to visit The Mother Magazine.I have written a lot about them in the past.Unfortunately they are going through difficult times.Please subscribe to keep this wonderful publication going!

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