Christmas babies

[whimsy]

I'm a little sad about the timing of this new blessing. Christmas is an overwhelming time for me anyway and I feel like I'm going to be shortchanging her birthday for the rest of her life.

Anyone else feel this way?

[cinnamonamon]

I have to say I hope my bean is born the 1st week in December/last week of November for just this reason.

[michray]

I agree.. I'm due the 18th and am kinda glad I have a history of delivering a lil early. WE are hoping for more like the 8th or 9th just to keep baby from having to share birthdays with Christmas and adding too much to the already hectic season.

[Lula's Mom]

I have to say it doesn't bother me, and I wouldn't mind if my baby came late, closer to Christmas day, except that I'm so anxious to meet him/her! Anytime in December would be fine. I'm actually really excited to have the baby's birthday be around Christmas, because it's already my favorite time of year. I love the way the air feels, the way strangers are so happy and friendly, the smell of the holdiay food, the Christmas music... I love it all! It makes me feel good, not stressed. For me this will make the whole season even better.

[nikirj]

Hah, I'm due on the 30th and both of mine have been a tiny bit 'early' (4 days for DD, 7 for DS), so there is every chance that this one will be born ON CHRISTMAS EVE/DAY, especially considering the full moon on the 25th.

I guess we're somewhat lucky in that we don't tend to make a big deal out of birthdays in my family. You get a dinner and some presents, but no really huge celebrations and the presents tend to be small (if there is a party, it is inviting some friends over for the aforementioned food and small presents or the like). So it shouldn't be too tough for us to have a birthday celebration no matter when the birthday is. I heard from one mom who said she was particularly pushy with her relatives, when they'd try to say 'I'll just get him this, it can be for both' she'd really jump on them about needing to make the birthday a separate thing, and I intend to do the same.

My son has his birthday on December 2nd and it has never been a problem, and my sister has hers on December 8th and it has never been a problem for her either - I would think that around mid-month you start running into real trouble with the whole overlap thing and people being unwilling to make a separate show for a birthday when Christmas is so close.

[Jessviola]

I'd always wanted to plan my babies to be at least a few months before/after Christmas to avoid them getting 'cheated' but at this point, the birthday is going to be so close anyways, I don't think it'll make a difference if he's a few days early or late. I'm actually hoping for on the late side because I'm busy right up until he's expected. If it becomes a big issue in the future, we can always celebrate his half birthday or something like that.

[Oregonicmama]

I feel the same way OP!

I am so hoping this is not a Christmas baby. I know our families will try to combine presents and its just not fair. I can already see that this will be a huge problem. I hope this baby is at least two weeks early!

Plus, both of our families are very Christian and we are very not. They would be so disgustingly pleased to have a Christmas baby, and I don't want them pinning their religion on my child just b/c of his/her birthday. If I have the baby on or too close to Christmas, I won't even call to tell them until after NYE. I just can't stand the thought of listening to them gloat!

Thank god I had DD 2 weeks early, and my mom and grandma had their kids all at least 2 weeks early too. I also have a short cycle, so that typically leads to an early birth too. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

[Kristeen]

I'm glad I'm due in early December. DH's birthday is New Years Day and he gets shortchanged. Heck, I know I usually can't afford to buy my sister (Jan 6) or my mom (Jan 15) anything for their birthdays because they're so close after xmas. At least the baby's bday will be before everyone is broke for the season! I really think it's important to make sure they don't get combined gifts too...

[Patrice#1]

My first baby was born on 12/24, and he is now 9 years old. We celebrate his birthday a week before his birthday, or we get a cake and have a 1/2 christmas party and a 1/2 birthday! Its great! The only thing that drives me CRAZY are when people hear of his birthday and then ask the same exact question to him that 50 other people have asked before them....'So, you get twice the amount of gifts?' I don't know why that bothers me, but it does! I guess because they think that we think he is not special enough to have a birthday party around christmas time! I should tell them that yes, he does get lots of gifts and even more gifts than other kids because when you have a christmas party, everyone, plus some, will come and do bring a christmas gift, as well as a birthday gift! It just really urkes me!

But, I must warn everyone who goes into the hosp on christmas eve or christmas day...as I said, my 1st baby was born on 12/24 at 7:15 in the evening. They do not let you eat at all during labor. I was in labor from the night before. So.... after he was born, one of the first things on my mind was FOOD, lol. The hosp cafteria had already closed and all the restaurants close by the hosp were closed! Luckily, my mom found someone who worked in the cafeteria and was able to get dinner. If not, it would have been crackers or vending machine food for me! Or, I could have sent someone home to get food for me, but we did live 45 minutes from the hosp. Anyway, just wanted to tell someone, just in case you are in my shoes...carry a meal to the hosp and ask them to put it in the fridge for you or something!

[Houdini]

My daughter was born 12/23. We always celebrate her birthday the first week of December so it is separate from Christmas. My BIL was born on Christmas Eve and grew up hating that his birthday was combined with Christmas. As an adult he still hates the timing of his birthday because his wife insists on celebrating Christmas with her family on his birthday. He hasn't gone out for his birthday for the past ten years. Drives him crazy.

[nannymom]

edd 12-19

Personally I love the idea of a holiday baby. The tree, the lights, the large amount of baked goods Seriously though I am happy that she will be born near Christmas. My only fear (and I know it's silly) is inconviencing my MW holiday by going into labor on x-mas or x-mas eve.

As for the baby feeling short changed I think that it's all in how you handle it. What drives me crazy is strangers telling me she won't get very many gifts. I feel like saying "well, we hope she won't be greedy."

That's my two cents.

[KittyKat]

My "official" EDD is 12/26. I have gone a couple days early to 6 days "late" with previous babies.

I'm having a homebirth, so thankfully the food issue is not a problem, but that's good to know.

My MW is great. The first time i called her to tell her i was PG, I said "What are you doing for Christmas this year?" She said "I would LOVE to come to your house!"

I'm not afraid of the little one being "shortchanged" or anything, my MILs bday is the 18th, so their family is used to having at least one bday at that time of year. Besides, the fewer annoying plastic beeping things that come to our house the happier I'll be!

My family didn't even DO "Christmas" with the tree, the stockings, the piles of gifts, etc. when I was little. They aren't the type to go "all out" so I foresee no trouble with overdoing "Christmas" and neglecting the birthday.

All that aside, if I go into labor 2-3 weeks "early" will I be upset? Heck no.

[Oregonicmama]

Nannymom,

In addition to all my other reasons for not wanting a Christmas baby, I don't wan to inconvienience my Midwife either! She has 4 kids and I would feel so bad if they had their Mama taken away on Chirstmas.

[whimsy]

I have the greatest MIL!!!

I said earlier that Christmas stresses me out. My sister's little boy's birthday is Dec 28, and we make sure to have a sep party for him. So that makes for a very buys couple of weeks, inlaws, my family Christmas, Christmas with my immediate family (dh & kids), nephew's Bday, new years,.....

MIL decided today that she would postpone Christmas at her house until maybe in January. Just to make things easier. How great is she!?!?!

I still think I will have this baby the first week or so of December. She said that if I do, we'll play it by ear to see how I'm feeling. I love her SO much!!!!