I wrote this in the last month I was pregnant with Ella Grace. I had taken CPR training and first aid many times before as a teacher and as a first responder but never as a parent.
There was something so humbling and I am forever grateful for the class because it has made me a better (calmer) parent especially in emergencies. I can stay level headed because I am equipped to literally save my child's life.
If you would like to join me to get re-certified with the latest CPR guidelines or learn emergency pediatric first aid like choking, burns, poisoning, broken bones, etc. for the first time, please check out the Events page for details on the upcoming workshop.
Space is very limited and preregistration is required.
He listens quietly, soaks it all in, takes notes.
And when the instructor asks a random question, he knows the answer immediately.
He's been paying attention.
(I had no clue)
He's so serious as he works on this tiny little infant doll. Serious but still with a sparkle in his eye.
Smiling as he looks at me and I proudly tell him, "You got this, daddy"
We work together, rotating between mannequins, trying to let muscle memorize depth and placement and how it feels. Watching to see if fake lungs inflate and how much and how to use the different devices.
Practicing recovery positions and basic first aid and what to do if your baby or child or an adult or your pregnant wife chokes.
It is not our idea of fun on a Saturday morning. In fact, watching him work on tiny little fake babies hits a little too close to home and for just a second there, my heart goes into the dark terrifying place of 'what if' and I feel tears sting the back of my eyelids.
Don't go there, Racheal.
But like everything in life that I have no control of, I soak it all up and research and arm and do the best I can to prepare. I OCD control freak my way into understanding.
Prevention is empowering.
Educating and having tools or at least a theory or some clue on what to do in a scary situation soothes my crazy mama heart.
And I think it soothes his too.
Because he wants me to practice again. Alone this time.
In case I'm not there and you have to do it alone.
"You got this, Racheal"
I struggle at first. Trying to figure it out and it's very interesting trying to crouch over the floor with a big belly in the way but I am determined.
I got this.
But more than anything else, I know God's got this.
I will never understand why God allows certain things to happen but I also know that he makes beauty from ashes. That He has a plan so so very big and better than all our best laid, carefully crafted, OCD weaved ones.
So as we embrace reality and arm our parenthood with the best tools we can find, we also remind each other to let go and to lay it all at His feet.
Even and especially our poppyseed.
He's got this.
He's got her.
<3
