I distinctly heard Peter say two words yesterday. He said “hi” and later on he said “yeah”. Granted, there was no real contextual relevance to his interjections, but I know for a fact that he was welcoming me home (a half hour after I got home, and had been schlepping him around for a while) and, later on, expressing his approval for being in the kitchen. In fact, every so often when I find myself in the kitchen, I can’t help but pump my fist up and down and go “Yessss!” Peter, being his own man, obviously prefers “yeah” to “Yessss!” because at a certain age a fella doesn’t outright copy his father, he just puts his own spin on mimicking him.
Following up on my comment the other day about being a cheeleader for flatulence, I’m starting to enjoy watching him as he works on clearing out the gas. He does a little song and dance, basically, where he wiggles around with his arms and legs going up & down, in & out. As he does this, he grunts along with the moves. He does this for a couple minutes, interrupted every once in a while by the relief of a little toot. He wakes up in the middle of the night doing this sometimes, and weeks ago I would have been very quick to pick him up and comfort him. Now I can just listen and identify what’s going on and ignore it until he gets to the crying stage (if it gets that far – usually it doesn’t). Peter’s mom told me last night that he cranks up the volume for her sometimes when he gets fussy because he knows she’ll go pick him up immediately, whereas I’ll wait a little longer. I don’t know if that’s really the case, though. But I don’t think I’d be surprised if that was the case.
He didn’t sleep much during the day yesterday, so he was tired most of the night. But he didn’t want to sleep, either, at least not until 8:30 or so. He eventually went down for the count after 10:00, but he was ready to wake up at any minute if we made the wrong noise. He’ll sleep through riots some days, and other days he’ll wake up if a feather pops out of a pillow and falls onto the carpeted floor. I’m just hoping the riot-snoozer side of him wins the battle in the end.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Little Old Man
Tomorrow will mark 4 weeks since Peter’s birth, and those 4 weeks just flew past in no time. It seems he’s growing up so fast already.
His likes and dislikes are evolving. He’s become more accepting of having his diaper changed, but being dressed still annoys him. He puts up with it for a while, but if we take too long in getting an outfit on him he’ll tell us about it. He’s ambivalent about being bathed, he’ll like it one day and not the next. But he seems almost to enjoy having his hair washed and groomed. Maybe it’s because he had such a hairy head when he was born, but it’s like he’s turning into one of those guys who tends to preen when it comes to his coiffure (I am reminded of the George Clooney character in O Brother Where Art Thou, and his constant if obsessive hair care: “I don't want Fop, goddamn it! I'm a Dapper Dan man!”).
Yesterday afternoon he fell asleep with his chest flat on my chest. He’d rhythmically go up and down as I breathed, and he slept like a rock. We took him out for a walk in his stroller around 6:30, and he slept through that, too, but only if the stroller was moving and was jostled by the varying seams of the sidewalk. If we stopped for too long he’d rouse himself as if to implore me to get a move on. We were stopped by a little girl during the walk who was very excited to see Peter. And like all other little kids, she wanted to gently poke his hand. I’m not quite sure what the allure is, but something compels them to poke him in the hand. At least it’s not anywhere more delicate.
His likes and dislikes are evolving. He’s become more accepting of having his diaper changed, but being dressed still annoys him. He puts up with it for a while, but if we take too long in getting an outfit on him he’ll tell us about it. He’s ambivalent about being bathed, he’ll like it one day and not the next. But he seems almost to enjoy having his hair washed and groomed. Maybe it’s because he had such a hairy head when he was born, but it’s like he’s turning into one of those guys who tends to preen when it comes to his coiffure (I am reminded of the George Clooney character in O Brother Where Art Thou, and his constant if obsessive hair care: “I don't want Fop, goddamn it! I'm a Dapper Dan man!”).
Yesterday afternoon he fell asleep with his chest flat on my chest. He’d rhythmically go up and down as I breathed, and he slept like a rock. We took him out for a walk in his stroller around 6:30, and he slept through that, too, but only if the stroller was moving and was jostled by the varying seams of the sidewalk. If we stopped for too long he’d rouse himself as if to implore me to get a move on. We were stopped by a little girl during the walk who was very excited to see Peter. And like all other little kids, she wanted to gently poke his hand. I’m not quite sure what the allure is, but something compels them to poke him in the hand. At least it’s not anywhere more delicate.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Long weekend - long post
Last Thursday we took Peter for a test-walk in the Baby Björn. He had been somewhat fussy before the walk, and when I put him into the Björn he was still a little cranky. He’s liked being walked around the house when he gets like that, and as a test I took him to the front door to see what his reaction would be. His fussing basically went away, especially when I stepped out onto the porch. The test-walk was just around the block, and the weather was very nice. His reaction to the walk was kind of surprising to me. He had this strange mixture of relaxation and excitement. His eyes closed gently but he was not asleep, he just kind of soaked in the smells and the feel of the warm air against what little skin we had exposed. He rocked and wobbled as I walked, but he enjoyed it (supposedly it reminds him of the womb). When we got back from the walk he got a little cranky again, but the fussing was pretty much over. (Sunday afternoon we took him for another long walk, and he slept though most of it.)
Friday afternoon I got out of work early (only a half hour, but it’s better than nothing) and we took the boy to his mom’s workplace, where he got to meet many of her friends from work. He was, as usual, charming and cute, and only cried a little once even though he got passed around and held by maybe 8 different people. If it was me, I would have been crying like a… baby. Uh, but anyway, he is quite content in such situations. In fact, in conjunction with his being a different baby outside as opposed to inside, his mood seems to improve when there are more people around. That’s not to say he is terrible when it’s just him and his Mommy or Daddy, but if he’s ever going to get bent out of shape, it’ll be when he’s with just us.
The downside of this past 3 day weekend is that his normal daily rhythm (such as it is) was thrown out of whack, and he wound up sleeping a lot more during the daytime on Saturday and Monday. Saturday/Sunday night when he woke up hungry he’d feed and then be awake, and therefore looking for something to do. When his sluggish parents would be unable to provide him a suitable activity, he’d tell us of his disappointment. Not a fun night, but he could be fairly well entertained by his new hobby: being held upright, preferably on a parent’s shoulder. Yes, good old verticality. And it’s usually pretty easy for him with that strong neck he has. The activity essentially boils down to getting held upward, bobbling his head around while checking out the sights, chatting, and then finding something to put in his mouth.
Yesterday he was out and about from about 1:00 until 9:00, and he again slept most of the time. He wasn’t as bad overnight in his waking up, but getting him to sleep took a little bit of work. He was in that tired-but-doesn’t-want-to-go-down frame of mind, and I had to talk him into falling asleep. I don’t know if it’s a sign of my being a frightfully dull conversationalist or just that I’m exceptionally convincing with the newborn crowd, but I did manage to convince him that he was tired and in fact wanted to fall asleep. Maybe it's because when I try to get him to sleep I sound like Corey Flintoff on quaaludes.
We did learn something about Peter this weekend, we’ve figured out that when he makes an “O” with his mouth it means he’s gassy and he’s working on getting the gas out. When his face gets like that I find myself turning into a cheerleader for flatulence. “Good boy, good toot!” Now, one of the things they don’t tell you when you’re expecting your first child is that you will be congratulating your child for the strangest things. This is one of them. But, then fact of the matter is you’d rather your kid gets to gas out rather than holding it inside. That just makes ‘em real cranky.
Friday afternoon I got out of work early (only a half hour, but it’s better than nothing) and we took the boy to his mom’s workplace, where he got to meet many of her friends from work. He was, as usual, charming and cute, and only cried a little once even though he got passed around and held by maybe 8 different people. If it was me, I would have been crying like a… baby. Uh, but anyway, he is quite content in such situations. In fact, in conjunction with his being a different baby outside as opposed to inside, his mood seems to improve when there are more people around. That’s not to say he is terrible when it’s just him and his Mommy or Daddy, but if he’s ever going to get bent out of shape, it’ll be when he’s with just us.
The downside of this past 3 day weekend is that his normal daily rhythm (such as it is) was thrown out of whack, and he wound up sleeping a lot more during the daytime on Saturday and Monday. Saturday/Sunday night when he woke up hungry he’d feed and then be awake, and therefore looking for something to do. When his sluggish parents would be unable to provide him a suitable activity, he’d tell us of his disappointment. Not a fun night, but he could be fairly well entertained by his new hobby: being held upright, preferably on a parent’s shoulder. Yes, good old verticality. And it’s usually pretty easy for him with that strong neck he has. The activity essentially boils down to getting held upward, bobbling his head around while checking out the sights, chatting, and then finding something to put in his mouth.
Yesterday he was out and about from about 1:00 until 9:00, and he again slept most of the time. He wasn’t as bad overnight in his waking up, but getting him to sleep took a little bit of work. He was in that tired-but-doesn’t-want-to-go-down frame of mind, and I had to talk him into falling asleep. I don’t know if it’s a sign of my being a frightfully dull conversationalist or just that I’m exceptionally convincing with the newborn crowd, but I did manage to convince him that he was tired and in fact wanted to fall asleep. Maybe it's because when I try to get him to sleep I sound like Corey Flintoff on quaaludes.
We did learn something about Peter this weekend, we’ve figured out that when he makes an “O” with his mouth it means he’s gassy and he’s working on getting the gas out. When his face gets like that I find myself turning into a cheerleader for flatulence. “Good boy, good toot!” Now, one of the things they don’t tell you when you’re expecting your first child is that you will be congratulating your child for the strangest things. This is one of them. But, then fact of the matter is you’d rather your kid gets to gas out rather than holding it inside. That just makes ‘em real cranky.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
3 weeks
At 9:04 this morning Peter turned 3 weeks old. On one hand it seems like it’s been more time than that, on the other I realize my grasp of the concept of time has pretty much been destroyed. Days don’t exist like they used to – the sun rises and sets as it has before, but we become detached from that having much meaning. The difference between now and then is measured in feedings and diaper changes, not hours or minutes. For that matter, an hour can now go by in what seems like only a few minutes, and a few minutes can take an hour to go by. Several times this week after getting home from work I’ve stopped to recognize that it felt like I just got home a little while ago, but, say, 4 hours have passed by. That used to be a big chunk of time, but it flew right past me.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, time is defined thusly: 1 a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues : DURATION b : a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future c : LEISURE
22 days ago I would have been able to read that and say “duh”. Now, though, it doesn’t seem all that adequate. I’m sure the wise, learned people out there would tell me about relativity, but I took physics and I didn’t have much of a clue about what they were trying to tell me other than I apparently can’t visit another galaxy any time soon because of it. It’s almost like we’re living in a dream where we have to run but our legs move like they’re weighed down by sand bags, and then we have to walk slowly but we’re juiced up on caffeine and sugar.
Well, I’ll change the subject to the little guy. Yesterday he was fussy again during the day. He didn’t really rest much, and he seemed kind of gassy. For the most part when he’d act up it was pretty mild, but sometimes getting him to be comfrotable was a juggling act. One time he was nice and comfy in my arms, but I was holding him in an unconventional way that didn’t feel all that secure. But he fell asleep in that position, only to wake up a couple minutes after I layed him in his bassinette to announce he wasn’t going down that easy. Eventually he did calm down and eat, and then went to sleep for quite a while. We were going to give him a bath in the evening, but we didn’t want to wake him after the day he had. When he was awake he liked to flail his limbs about, but if we could get him wrapped up he calmed down, even if he didn’t want to be that way. Over night Peter’s Mom got him swaddled very well after a diaper change at 3:00 AM. I complimented her on the job she did and she said it made him look like a burrito. But looking back on it, I think it would have been more apt to say it made him look like a spring roll, what with his Vietnamese heritage and all.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, time is defined thusly: 1 a : the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues : DURATION b : a nonspatial continuum that is measured in terms of events which succeed one another from past through present to future c : LEISURE
22 days ago I would have been able to read that and say “duh”. Now, though, it doesn’t seem all that adequate. I’m sure the wise, learned people out there would tell me about relativity, but I took physics and I didn’t have much of a clue about what they were trying to tell me other than I apparently can’t visit another galaxy any time soon because of it. It’s almost like we’re living in a dream where we have to run but our legs move like they’re weighed down by sand bags, and then we have to walk slowly but we’re juiced up on caffeine and sugar.
Well, I’ll change the subject to the little guy. Yesterday he was fussy again during the day. He didn’t really rest much, and he seemed kind of gassy. For the most part when he’d act up it was pretty mild, but sometimes getting him to be comfrotable was a juggling act. One time he was nice and comfy in my arms, but I was holding him in an unconventional way that didn’t feel all that secure. But he fell asleep in that position, only to wake up a couple minutes after I layed him in his bassinette to announce he wasn’t going down that easy. Eventually he did calm down and eat, and then went to sleep for quite a while. We were going to give him a bath in the evening, but we didn’t want to wake him after the day he had. When he was awake he liked to flail his limbs about, but if we could get him wrapped up he calmed down, even if he didn’t want to be that way. Over night Peter’s Mom got him swaddled very well after a diaper change at 3:00 AM. I complimented her on the job she did and she said it made him look like a burrito. But looking back on it, I think it would have been more apt to say it made him look like a spring roll, what with his Vietnamese heritage and all.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Now turn your head and cough
Peter had a pediatrician visit this morning. He’s still a healthy boy. He gained one pound since his last visit, which is the “texbook” growth – 1 pound every two weeks. He also resides at the 50th percentile for his measurements, too. Is it common to be so right-down-the-middle? Of course, they didn’t measure his belly or limbs, so maybe they’re still small and long, respectively.
He does have some strawberry shortcake growing on his back, or something like that. It supposed to go away in a couple years and isn’t anything to be worried about. “Just blood vessels.” (Hmmm, so this is what it was…)
It wasn’t mentioned at the doctor’s office, but he’s apparently developing a dimple on his chin (or as it is crudely known, a chin butt). I haven’t really noticed it, but his mom swears it’s there. I don’t doubt her, but I haven’t been paying attention to his chin these days. Chins don't change, do they?
He does have some strawberry shortcake growing on his back, or something like that. It supposed to go away in a couple years and isn’t anything to be worried about. “Just blood vessels.” (Hmmm, so this is what it was…)
It wasn’t mentioned at the doctor’s office, but he’s apparently developing a dimple on his chin (or as it is crudely known, a chin butt). I haven’t really noticed it, but his mom swears it’s there. I don’t doubt her, but I haven’t been paying attention to his chin these days. Chins don't change, do they?
The Rollercoaster Ride
Saturday we had Peter out and about, away from home most of the day. He seemed to like it pretty well. He likes being in his car seat, and he likes going for drives. He also does ok in new places and around new people. He got tired by the end of the day, but otherwise was a perfect angel.
Sunday he was home most of the day, but he was not the happy camper he was the day before. The technical term for his condition is “fussy.” Several times over that day and night he went off on a good crying rant. At some points he’d get all red-faced from it. Oy. Not fun to watch or hear. When he was hungry he’d insist on expressing his mood with a good wail, and then he’d stop on a dime to feast. At some point late at night I was rocking him in my arms for a while to calm him, and after he quieted I placed him on my chest while lying on the bed so that he was lying on his back on me like I was a bed. Dad and son were calmly relaxing for a couple minutes. Then his mom came and sat on the bed and he amazed us both. He had his head turned to his left, and when his mom sat down to his right he turned his head 180º to see his mom. And then he started wiggling towards her (quite effectively, actually). Is a 17 day old infant supposed to do that? It’s like his little baby brain can already process the sound of his mom, the sight of his mom, and the need to get close to her for food. And that he had the physical coordination to get his body over to hers to meet his goal. All the stress of a day of fussing melted away when he did that.
Monday was a better day for him, but he was still coming out of a fussy stage in the AM. By the late afternoon and evening he was his normal charming self. We gave him a bath in the evening and he didn’t mind it (yay!). He had his diaper changed several times and he was fine. He slept well. He ate well. He made his cute noises. He’s still a little sweetie.
Sunday he was home most of the day, but he was not the happy camper he was the day before. The technical term for his condition is “fussy.” Several times over that day and night he went off on a good crying rant. At some points he’d get all red-faced from it. Oy. Not fun to watch or hear. When he was hungry he’d insist on expressing his mood with a good wail, and then he’d stop on a dime to feast. At some point late at night I was rocking him in my arms for a while to calm him, and after he quieted I placed him on my chest while lying on the bed so that he was lying on his back on me like I was a bed. Dad and son were calmly relaxing for a couple minutes. Then his mom came and sat on the bed and he amazed us both. He had his head turned to his left, and when his mom sat down to his right he turned his head 180º to see his mom. And then he started wiggling towards her (quite effectively, actually). Is a 17 day old infant supposed to do that? It’s like his little baby brain can already process the sound of his mom, the sight of his mom, and the need to get close to her for food. And that he had the physical coordination to get his body over to hers to meet his goal. All the stress of a day of fussing melted away when he did that.
Monday was a better day for him, but he was still coming out of a fussy stage in the AM. By the late afternoon and evening he was his normal charming self. We gave him a bath in the evening and he didn’t mind it (yay!). He had his diaper changed several times and he was fine. He slept well. He ate well. He made his cute noises. He’s still a little sweetie.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Behold the babe!
This picture was taken on Mother's Day when Peter was just 10 days old. He doesn't look 10 days old, but what do I know?
The picture is now my wallpaper on both monitors at work, plus a wallet sized printout taped onto one of the monitors, and another 8x10 black & white printout at my desk. I guess I like this one.
Moody Blues
I was going to do a post about famous Peters (Saint Peter, Peter the Great, Peter O’Toole, Pete Best (the fifth Beatle)) when my Googling stumbled upon Blue Peter. Blue Peter is a childrens show that has been broadcasting in the UK since October 1958 (yes, longer than Dr. Who). Apparently “and now for something completely different” was a phrase that was originated on that show and was stolen by Monty Python. I am shocked!
To be honest, “Blue Peter” sounds like a cubist portrait of my boy. That’s something I’d prefer not to see.
Now where was I? Oh yeah. Peter Tork was one of the Monkees and …
To be honest, “Blue Peter” sounds like a cubist portrait of my boy. That’s something I’d prefer not to see.
Now where was I? Oh yeah. Peter Tork was one of the Monkees and …
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Home Alone
Last night Peter’s Mom had an advanced breast feeding class to attend, and since Peter had a little bit of a sleepless day she asked if I could stay home and help him get some rest. Sure, I could do that. Within 10 minutes of her leaving he starts giving me the fidgeting sign of being hungry. I get him some formula since Mommy is away, and sit on the couch with him in my arms as he sucks away at the bottle. He only had about an ounce, but he gets noticeably more relaxed all the way to the point of falling asleep. Aaaawwww. Then I feel a moist, warm sensation right under his butt. Normally I would have just gotten up and changed him, except most of his clothes and “accessories” were currently in the wash. It also brought up another issue: he tends not to like being changed, and he was doing fine sleeping in my arms. I eventually put him in the bassinette and got the laundry from the dryer. Before I could come up Peter’s Mom called to check in. I called her back when I returned from the basement. She asked how things were going. “I fed Peter earlier and he’s asleep now. But he took a leak on me. I’m going to change him, but I don’t want to upset him.”
I eventually get him to the changing station (currently being put on our bed since he seems to like it so much) and get his diaper replaced. But when I start to take off the rest of his outfit to change it with a clean, dry one he starts getting fussy. Eventually he makes the motions of hunger in the midst of his fidgeting, so once he’s in a new outfit I plug his lips with the bottle once again. Down goes 2 more ounces of formula in a flash. He still has energy for a while, so I hold him until he nods off 20 minutes later. Now he’s out like a light so I could finish up the laundry. Mommy comes home not much later after that, and Peter & Daddy show her that she can go out on her own with the boys at home and things will be fine. Hooray!
I eventually get him to the changing station (currently being put on our bed since he seems to like it so much) and get his diaper replaced. But when I start to take off the rest of his outfit to change it with a clean, dry one he starts getting fussy. Eventually he makes the motions of hunger in the midst of his fidgeting, so once he’s in a new outfit I plug his lips with the bottle once again. Down goes 2 more ounces of formula in a flash. He still has energy for a while, so I hold him until he nods off 20 minutes later. Now he’s out like a light so I could finish up the laundry. Mommy comes home not much later after that, and Peter & Daddy show her that she can go out on her own with the boys at home and things will be fine. Hooray!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Naptime
We have discovered that Peter seems to prefer his parents’ bed to the basinette we put him in. I can’t say that I blame him, we have a Tempurpedic bed, but I don’t think it’s all that good for him. I thought I read somewhere that babies his age need beds that are like slabs of granite, not a high-tech memory foam as used by NASA. But one of his “tells” for when he’s relaxed and happy is that he raises his arms above his head like a little referee indicating a touchdown. Well, when placed on the bed his arms will pop up almost automatically. Too bad they don’t make Tempurpedic crib mattresses.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Observations of a new dad
After 12 days we’ve learned a few things about me.
I’m less nervous than I thought I’d be, at least when I’m actually taking care of Peter. If he needs to be changed, I change him. If he’s hungry, I can either feed him or help his mom feed him. Whenever he has a need I can fulfill it, or at least try. I might get it wrong, but being able to do something instead of just worrying makes things go a lot better. That’s generally true in all things in life, but when you have a little baby entirely dependent on you, shedding the nerves is a great boon. However, when I’m at work or away from him for any other reason, I miss him (and his mom) like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I worry at times like that that maybe a grizzly bear will break into the house looking for a pic-a-nic basket while I’m not there to defend him and his mommy. Why? BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN!!!
I’m eating better, too. In times of stress my metabolism changes and I don’t eat as much as I normally do (but I’m ok, so you don’t have to try to force feed me if I get like that). The weeks surrounding Peter’s birth were like that. Yesterday, though, I was hungry all day. Today is pretty much the same. Now I understand how Peter dislikes it. Although, honestly, if someone held me and bounced me while I ate I’d probably throw up.
I’m developing baby-hauling muscles now. Carrying the filled car seat and keeping it aligned so he’s out of the sun, and all the comfy-for-him arm positions while he’s in my arms have started giving me a different muscle tone in certain spots. However, my legs are still skinny. That’s not going to change.
I’ve been out of the house several times now since we got back from the hospital. Unlike Peter, I still don’t like crowds all that much. I think I’m too old to change. Oh well.
I’m still working on this fatherhood thing, though. I think I’m doing ok, but it’s still so new I can’t say for sure. I haven’t given him a book of matches or anything like that, so I think I’m passing some basic tests that any idiot could. But I hope I can do better than just any idiot. I want to be an exceptional idiot.
I’m less nervous than I thought I’d be, at least when I’m actually taking care of Peter. If he needs to be changed, I change him. If he’s hungry, I can either feed him or help his mom feed him. Whenever he has a need I can fulfill it, or at least try. I might get it wrong, but being able to do something instead of just worrying makes things go a lot better. That’s generally true in all things in life, but when you have a little baby entirely dependent on you, shedding the nerves is a great boon. However, when I’m at work or away from him for any other reason, I miss him (and his mom) like nothing I’ve ever felt before. I worry at times like that that maybe a grizzly bear will break into the house looking for a pic-a-nic basket while I’m not there to defend him and his mommy. Why? BECAUSE IT COULD HAPPEN!!!
I’m eating better, too. In times of stress my metabolism changes and I don’t eat as much as I normally do (but I’m ok, so you don’t have to try to force feed me if I get like that). The weeks surrounding Peter’s birth were like that. Yesterday, though, I was hungry all day. Today is pretty much the same. Now I understand how Peter dislikes it. Although, honestly, if someone held me and bounced me while I ate I’d probably throw up.
I’m developing baby-hauling muscles now. Carrying the filled car seat and keeping it aligned so he’s out of the sun, and all the comfy-for-him arm positions while he’s in my arms have started giving me a different muscle tone in certain spots. However, my legs are still skinny. That’s not going to change.
I’ve been out of the house several times now since we got back from the hospital. Unlike Peter, I still don’t like crowds all that much. I think I’m too old to change. Oh well.
I’m still working on this fatherhood thing, though. I think I’m doing ok, but it’s still so new I can’t say for sure. I haven’t given him a book of matches or anything like that, so I think I’m passing some basic tests that any idiot could. But I hope I can do better than just any idiot. I want to be an exceptional idiot.
Observations of a new baby
After 12 days we’ve learned a few things about Peter.
He’s a pretty laid-back little boy. He gets fussy and can cry like any other baby, but he’s reluctant to do so. If he’s going to cry, he’ll give you plenty of warning so you can try to avert it. Usually his crying is just from hunger, so if you can get something in his belly quickly he’s going to be no problem.
Speaking of eating, when he gets hungry he can become a bottomless pit. One night last week he was up for three hours in the middle of the night. During that time he was fed (a lot) three times and had his diaper changed twice. We think he was going through a growth spurt. At least I hope that wasn’t normal. Conversely, we can also get him to sleep for 5 hours on a single feeding on occasion. What’s the trick? You got me.
He’s developing nicely. He was born with a very strong neck, and, for that matter his arms and legs were also very strong from day one, too. He started making new faces after about a week, and he can smile and frown now (but I’m sure people would say it’s just gas or whatever). Peter’s Mom says his facial expressions are identical to mine, but I haven’t noticed it. He had been keeping his legs up to his chest most of the time since he was born, but now they’ve become more naturally downward-aligned. His umbilical cord has fallen off except for a little scab on the belly button. He’s an outie for now, but we’ll see if that lasts.
He’s been out of the house several times now, and each time he’s been a little angel. He’s been around crowds of people (most of them surrounding him to see the cute little bundle of joy), and asleep or awake he’s been very at ease through it all.
For an introductory model baby he has been great. He gets his nightly energy surge around 9:00 PM (The Hour of Power), but we’ve adapted to the point where it’s not so much of a hassle as it was in the beginning. Besides, sleep is over-rated, right?
I’ll finish with a list of his likes and dislikes that I’ve observed:
Likes: warmth, being held, eating, Mommy, and using his hands.
Dislikes: hunger, having his diaper changed, gas, being dressed & undressed, and existential ennui.
He’s a pretty laid-back little boy. He gets fussy and can cry like any other baby, but he’s reluctant to do so. If he’s going to cry, he’ll give you plenty of warning so you can try to avert it. Usually his crying is just from hunger, so if you can get something in his belly quickly he’s going to be no problem.
Speaking of eating, when he gets hungry he can become a bottomless pit. One night last week he was up for three hours in the middle of the night. During that time he was fed (a lot) three times and had his diaper changed twice. We think he was going through a growth spurt. At least I hope that wasn’t normal. Conversely, we can also get him to sleep for 5 hours on a single feeding on occasion. What’s the trick? You got me.
He’s developing nicely. He was born with a very strong neck, and, for that matter his arms and legs were also very strong from day one, too. He started making new faces after about a week, and he can smile and frown now (but I’m sure people would say it’s just gas or whatever). Peter’s Mom says his facial expressions are identical to mine, but I haven’t noticed it. He had been keeping his legs up to his chest most of the time since he was born, but now they’ve become more naturally downward-aligned. His umbilical cord has fallen off except for a little scab on the belly button. He’s an outie for now, but we’ll see if that lasts.
He’s been out of the house several times now, and each time he’s been a little angel. He’s been around crowds of people (most of them surrounding him to see the cute little bundle of joy), and asleep or awake he’s been very at ease through it all.
For an introductory model baby he has been great. He gets his nightly energy surge around 9:00 PM (The Hour of Power), but we’ve adapted to the point where it’s not so much of a hassle as it was in the beginning. Besides, sleep is over-rated, right?
I’ll finish with a list of his likes and dislikes that I’ve observed:
Likes: warmth, being held, eating, Mommy, and using his hands.
Dislikes: hunger, having his diaper changed, gas, being dressed & undressed, and existential ennui.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The basic facts
1. Peter never turned his head down.
2. We went to the hospital before dawn on Thursday, May 3rd for a scheduled 7:30 c-section.
3. We got delayed by two emergency c-sections when their normal labors went awry.
4. Peter’s Mom was taken into the operating room at about 8:35 or so, and I had to wait 87 bajillion hours before I could go to join her.
5. I didn’t pass out even though I caught a glance of Mommy’s (being-operated-upon) tummy when I walked into the room.
6. Peter emerged from the comfort of Mommy’s belly at 9:04 AM, CDT.
7. He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 21 inches in length.
8. He scored an 8 out of 10 on each of the Apgar tests he was given.
9. I got weepy when I brought him over to his Mom to see for the first time, and sounded like a blubbery softy. I got a little week-kneed from it, but maintained my composure pretty well.
10. When he was born he was the spitting image of his mother. And, like his Mommy, he was born with a significant head of hair.
11. Mommy came out of the surgery in good condition, but surgery is surgery and she’ll be recovering for a while. The last thing I would have ever wanted to see is my wife in surgery, but in the end it was what was for the best. I kept telling her that she was my hero before the operation, and I meant it. After the surgery I have no doubts about that assessment. I get a tear welling up in my eyes whenever I think about all that she did for us over the past nine months, how hard she worked to make sure she did the right things and avoided the wrong things to have a healthy baby. I would never have done something like this with anyone but her, and Peter and I owe her more than we can ever give back. Frankly, all the rest of the men in the world should be jealous of me and my luck in getting her to like me.
I’ll have more written up later and also post some pictures. My technical aptitude at the moment is at a low ebb, along with my energy.
2. We went to the hospital before dawn on Thursday, May 3rd for a scheduled 7:30 c-section.
3. We got delayed by two emergency c-sections when their normal labors went awry.
4. Peter’s Mom was taken into the operating room at about 8:35 or so, and I had to wait 87 bajillion hours before I could go to join her.
5. I didn’t pass out even though I caught a glance of Mommy’s (being-operated-upon) tummy when I walked into the room.
6. Peter emerged from the comfort of Mommy’s belly at 9:04 AM, CDT.
7. He weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and measured 21 inches in length.
8. He scored an 8 out of 10 on each of the Apgar tests he was given.
9. I got weepy when I brought him over to his Mom to see for the first time, and sounded like a blubbery softy. I got a little week-kneed from it, but maintained my composure pretty well.
10. When he was born he was the spitting image of his mother. And, like his Mommy, he was born with a significant head of hair.
11. Mommy came out of the surgery in good condition, but surgery is surgery and she’ll be recovering for a while. The last thing I would have ever wanted to see is my wife in surgery, but in the end it was what was for the best. I kept telling her that she was my hero before the operation, and I meant it. After the surgery I have no doubts about that assessment. I get a tear welling up in my eyes whenever I think about all that she did for us over the past nine months, how hard she worked to make sure she did the right things and avoided the wrong things to have a healthy baby. I would never have done something like this with anyone but her, and Peter and I owe her more than we can ever give back. Frankly, all the rest of the men in the world should be jealous of me and my luck in getting her to like me.
I’ll have more written up later and also post some pictures. My technical aptitude at the moment is at a low ebb, along with my energy.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Less than 24 hours
24 hours from now Peter will be out of Mommy's belly, whether he wants to get out or not. We’ve spent almost a week trying to convince him to do a slight adjustment of his position, but he’s having none of it. Oh, he doesn’t mind moving, but changing positions seems to be out of the question. I should be well within my rights years down the road to expect him to stay in one place when asked to do so, and not run around like a little wild man. But I don’t think it’s likely.
So now I’m ready to hold him in my arms and change his diapers and all that. Today is just another day of waiting. Again. Waiting sucks…
So now I’m ready to hold him in my arms and change his diapers and all that. Today is just another day of waiting. Again. Waiting sucks…
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
One day past due, late charge: $35
We had a doctor’s visit this morning, the last one before he comes out. He’s still breech, but at least he’s a robust little guy. All his signs are good, except for the direction thing. Mom is doing well, if not a little tired. She’s starting to get irregular contractions, though, so we might be getting a visit from Peter sooner than Thursday morning.
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