My Houston Baby

Posted Tuesday, September 09, 2008 11:01 AM

After a round of fertility treatments, Houston mom Tammy Spijkerman and hubby Bill got pregnant with baby Mae the old-fashioned way.

Delivery room shocker
I was 114 pounds pre-pregnancy and only gained 24. So when I had a 9-pound baby, we were all totally amazed.

Her birth team
My husband, mom, twin sister, and Kristi (our photographer) were all there, and it was simply wonderful to have their support. I love that Mae was born into a room full of people who love her so much.

Favorite baby body part
I just absolutely adore her tummy. I tickle it all the time while I’m singing the “ABC Song” to her.

New mom moment
I got really freaked out the first time I heard her choking. They say that it’s normal for babies to cough up some amniotic fluid. In the hospital, the nurses dealt with it, but at home, it was just me!

Favorite stroll
We love Hermann Park and the zoo. If we’re not there, we’re at the mall!

Best baby gift
I’m loving The First Years Gentle Vibrations 3-in-1 Crib Soother. It fits on the slats of the crib and turns on or off when Mae cries. It made the transition into her crib so much easier. I turn the music on when I’m breastfeeding her and also when she goes to sleep, so she associates it with sleep time.

Mommy classes
We have a Mommy and Baby core class that we go to, and we’re also going to take a Mommy and Me Spanish class. Plus, I go to a Stroller Fit class. I thought it would be a leisurely workout, but it turns out I was really sore after that first class!

How she stays connected
I’ve worked since I was 16 years old, and I love being around other adults. So, at home, especially in those early days when Mae didn’t respond as much, it was hard. We’re avid cyclists, and it was really important for me to keep that hobby. Bill will stay with Mae while I go to our Saturday cycle group.

New mom advice
I like routine and structure. That’s been the hardest part -- letting go of that. So I’d say let go of it earlier than I did. Babies set the schedule, not us!

> Baby-friendly eats
Paulie’s and Niko Niko’s are two places that don’t seem to mind an occasional noisy baby.

> Want to share your Houston birth story? Email it to kstanford@theknot.com.