Fatherhood and Technology

I’ve learned a whole lot- The last three months have been challenging, fascinating, and tiring. My little guy smiles at me a lot now- as long as he’s not in need of food, sleep or a diaper change- he is discovering the world and so am I.

So I haven’t been using this ‘Baby Blog’ as a baby blog. Hopefully this will change because I have a few insights that might help other new fathers, particularly when it comes the practicalities of fathering. My wife works part time again as a rehab nurse- and so I am responsible for his care when she goes to work. This is an interesting juggling act.

OK- so nothing is new under the sun and dads have been taking care of kids a lot longer than I’ve been around. However, there are some things I want to address:

1. Diapering: Cloth versus Disposable
2. Meal times: Feeding the kid with Momma’s milk
3. Crying and how to help the kid calm down
4. The most fun
5. Peoples’ reactions in public
6. How to multitask with the baby on board
7. Attachment centered parenting
8. How to get over yourself to be a better parent
9. Technology to the rescue

If I can cover half these topics in the next few weeks I shall claim victory.

Also I’m playing around with things on the sidebar- ads and videos. I know this is annoying and it probably wont make me any money, so I will probably do away with them or at least peddle things only that I’ve personally used like babybjorn which I’ve found just awesome.

I heard the heartbeat of my child. My wife called me. I couldn’t be there because the nurse practitioner had to bail on us because someone else was giving birth and Sara had to go early or not at all. I heard it. She was so relieved/happy, and so was I.

It was also our third wedding anniversary. I went to the florists and bought a simple arrangement. Three red roses and one pink carnation. A flower for each year of marriage and one for this child.
I sped to her place of business and sneaked into her area. I was met by one nurse with a “For me, you shouldn’t have.” I would have laughed- I would have been more congenial but I was trying to go undetected by my wife. I did meet my wife’s favorite person at work. Nan is an older lady who works the charge desk and is very nice to Sara. I tell her who I am, and what I’m there to do. She takes my hand and says ‘you have the nicest person for a wife.’ I respond by saying, ‘I am a lucky man.’

She pats my hand and congratulates me as I thank her and quickly leave.

Later Sara calls me. She doesn’t overtly express a big deal to me about these things, but she called her whole family. Her family is very open with their lives and feelings whereas mine has hardly ever been. “My sister says you deserve sex for that.” She comments as we browse the children’s section of Joseph Beth where we discover William Gibson will be in town this weekend. We will be out of town. Gibson sparked my interest in technology with several of his books. He’s one of those authors I would go see if I could.

“Did you know we do reserve signings?” Says the checkout worker at the front.
Sara looks at me as if to say “Go and get a book.”

We dine on overpriced Chinese and it was good. The service was horrible.
Sara insists on getting me some fantastic walking/jogging shoes because she hate the all white $30 sneakers I’m currently using.

We drive home and she is exhausted. My wonderful bride sleeps as I go walk and try to jog and lift weights and spend the rest of the evening in deep reflection on the good fortune I’ve had, which is all better than I deserve.