As I’m sure you noticed, I made a conscious effort to share my entire pregnancy and birthing experience on social media via blogging, Facebook, and Twitter – at times possibly sharing more than some people wanted to know.
I know that some of you thought I was crazy to give social media any attention while giving birth (especially while I was tweeting from the delivery room), but my final report is that it was SO. MUCH. FUN.
I’ve reiterated time and time again that I consider all of you my friends, whether I’ve met you in real life or not. One of the reasons that I blog is for interaction and relationships – I absolutely LOVE getting your comments and emails and being able to have personal, two-way relationships with each of you, rather than just writing one-way blogs. And part of my drive to do this IS my stay-at-home-Mom role – when I first had Ali, I was SO lonely. After years of a very fast-paced, people-oriented accounting career, the quiet house drove me up the wall. Despite the fact that I’m an introvert, I discovered that I NEEDED people. So when I discovered blogging and the relationships that come with it, my life changed. It actually helped me ENJOY and APPRECIATE my job as Mom at a higher level, because I now had a way to reflect on it, to record it, and to relate to others that were experiencing the same things as I.
And so, when it came time to have another baby, it only seemed natural to share it, real time, through the medium that had enriched my life so much. And it didn’t disappoint! All of your Facebook, blog, and twitter comments (although there was no way I could reply to all of them) were amazing!! During the more boring parts of labor (you know – the parts that didn’t hurt and it was just my job to lay there and wait), Chris and I enjoyed reading all of your feedback. And during the intense parts, it was a nice distraction from the pain.
(Although in the MOST intense parts, I don’t think I was aware of anyone or anything. But besides that.)
Did it take away from our precious family moments? Not at all. We had many, many wonderful personal times where there were no cell phones or computers anywhere to be found. But since we spent FIVE days in the hospital, there were also plenty of moments where having the immediate presence of hundreds of our friends kept us from getting lonely, homesick, or getting cabin fever.
Granted, our families in the waiting room were quite amused by the fact that they occasionally got quicker updates from Facebook than from us personally…
And once we got into our room, social media plus Chris’ work made our hospital room look like a Bookie’s headquarters…
But it was totally worth it.
So, although you might not have been able to get a family photo with Noah while he was in the hospital,
(right after he explosively and very talentedly peed-out-his-diaper all over you like he did poor Ashley…)
I hope that you felt as much of a part of our family and friends as anyone else – because you certainly felt like it to us. Thank you all so much for being a part of our new baby experience!
I love the shirt!!! Where did you find it?? Poor Ashley! :(
They have them at buybuy Baby!
Hmm… as someone maybe sometime contemplating (eek!) attempting the baby thing (wince) it was (and is) awesome to see it all happening close up from a sensible normal point of view (i.e. not all those scaremongering stories about people being ripped in twain and traumatised). That said, I am glad I missed being peed on! :)
And Happy New Year to you all!
I’m right there with you on loving that I can share what is going on in my life with “friends” all over the world. I can tell you for sure that our computer will be in the labor room with us too!
I have loved getting to “know” you!
You should have heard us at my house -Mom, why are you on the computer again? Well, one of my friends is having a baby, and I’m checking her blog. Oh wow mom, who? Well, you don’t know her and I actually don’t know her but I just know she would want me to know about the baby and… at this point daughter wanders off to talk to people she actually knows! But thanks for your blog anyway, and if you want to know us, come on over!
Great post! I felt this way to about the social media during the new baby process but I was surprised at how many people were appalled at the fact that I was posting things during labor and with a new baby. Your explanation is perfect. I think it definitely helps keep your sanity to know that people are there for you and interested in what is going on in your life and have been right where you are. I was bummed that I didn’t get online that day and missed all of your posts except the main announcement! I went back and read through them all though. :) Thanks for sharing your family with us!
P.S. LOVE the facebook onesie! SO cute!
I loved hearing all the updates that day! Love the onesie. I saw it at buybuybaby and totally wanted to get it but didn’t have a reason to lol. :)
I loved it too! My hubby even got in on the updates. I’m thinking about including social media in my l&d in April. We’ll see how organized I can be at that point. The shirt made me laugh.
I’m with you on that – introvert, but former teacher, means I needed people!! I, also have enjoyed getting to know you and your fam. Our daughters share some organization quirks that make me laugh!
I enjoyed experiencing the pregnancy and birth through the blog – since I am done, it is fun to read someone else going through it! He is such a cutie?
I LOVE that onesie :)
ok that wasn’t supposed to be a ? after what a cutie :) LOL
I blog for the same exact reasons. It makes it SO much easier to love being at home when I don’t feel home alone.
I think that is a really cool thing you did & like you mentioned a great distraction! I wish social media was the way it is now when my 9 & 13 year old were younger. Now they are at that age that they pay more attention and get embarrassed by what you say, lol.
PS. love love love that shirt. So clever & just perfect for your little social media baby. You will have to print up all the posts, tweets, etc as a baby book for him!
Adorable baby…love the shirt…great post.
Your little boy is so cute!!!!
Noah is so handsome! Such a beautiful baby!!!
I hope your recovery from your C-section is as good as my two were! Thanks for sharing, I’ve enjoyed reading all about your family and it has helped me with mine :-) (2 girls ages 7 & 5).
God Bless!
Cindy
Ok, the pic of all the electronics is cracking me up, although we looked identical during our delivery. I think we had a laptop, phone, and 2 camera chargers right there on the nightstand – and I’m pretty sure I asked the nurse to be careful when wheeling away my little bedside table thingy so as not to dump my computer in the floor :) What a good sport Ashley was! Noah’s shirt is just too cute!
Oh, I love it. And I love that you had fun! I felt the exact same way about tweeting (what little) I did along the way. So excited for you!
Steph
Wow, he really did get Ashley! I don’t think I’ve ever even been peed on that much, and saying that with 3 boys is saying something!
Ashley needs SOME type of badge :).
I loved the way you kept everyone informed via social media, and I have loved getting to know you through your blog. I checked your blog and Twitter constantly when you were in the labor and delivery process. It was nice to feel like I was a part of it through reading about it and praying for you. My husband even took interest and would periodically ask me how you were doing. :)
Yes, we’ve always had a few more urine issues with our son than our girl. It’s from diaper leakage to bed accidents, etc.
OH yeah and his shirt is awesome!
First of all, I love the shirt! And if social media had been around back when I had my kids, I would have done the same thing. How fun that you were able to share your pregnancy and birth with social media pals!
I have loved every minute of it–even though I get behind at times. Thank you for sharing so much of yourselves!
the updates on twitter were fantastic…made me fear epidurals…
FYI. aim that thing down when you put the diaper on and if it’s standing up when you remove the diaper put the diaper back quickly. My grandson peed right in his big sister’s face the first thing when he got home. Got them off to a great start!
I LOVE the photo! That is too cute! I’m so happy for your family.
Have a wonderful weekend Rachel.