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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