Categories
family parenting wisdom

Long Term Commitment

As relatively new parents, Michele and I are really just beginning to understand how long and deep the parenting commitment is. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen some pretty clear examples of how our own parents have fulfilled that commitment. Here’s an abbreviated list of a few of the more memorable ones:

  • driving half way across the continent to be here with us
  • dropping everything to come and be with James after Michele went into early labor
  • spending nights and mornings with James
  • daycare drop offs
  • loading and unloading the dishwasher a million times
  • painting a staircase
  • adobo delivery
  • neverending laundry service
  • countless hours of baby rocking, swaying, bouncing, burping and sharing
  • television extraction
  • flowerbed creation
  • listening, strategizing, coaxing, cheering, supporting
  • giving baths
  • reading storybooks
  • dog walking
  • the list could go on and on

We tend to think of our own effort in terms of 24 hour cycles, repeating over and over. It’s challenging, to say the least, to try to fast-forward 20 or 30 or 40 years to imagine how we might be supporting our boys in the future. For right now, they’ve been fed, they’re relatively clean, and (hopefully) sleeping … that’s enough for now. The future will come soon enough.

Thanks Lala, Mamie and Poppa! I’m not sure how we could have had such a successful start without you!

image

image

Categories
firsts hospital parenting wisdom

The First 24 Hours (Plus a Good Sleep)

 We’ve come through our first 24 hours with Luke in very good shape. Luke continues to be healthy and calm. He has slept quite a bit and when he’s awake he seems alert, content and easily comforted. What more could we ask for?

James was quite excited to go to the hospital to see Michele and Luke. Predictably, the excitement didn’t last for more than a few minutes once James began to realize the limitations of a newborn. He was pretty happy to see that Luke had brought him a gift and that there were also some cookies in the room. James seemed surprised at how small Luke was and thought that his feet looked pretty weird (scaly newborn skin). 

Maime and Poppa arrived from Athens. Proud grandparents for the sixth time, they were naturals, easily managing standard maneuvers like the pickups, holds and transfers. 

Lala also got to meet Luke for the first time. She seemed overwhelmed (in a good way) with the presence of her third grandson. Love at first sight. It was hard to pry Luke away from her arms. 

One of the most surprising things so far has been how much Luke has slept. I’m writing this after getting 7 hours of sleep. We had him up once in the night but even then he was more interested in sleeping than eating. As soon as he feels Michele’s skin, he falls asleep. 

We’ve had dozens of congratulatory emails and texts from family far and wide. We haven’t done a great job of responding to most yet. Stick with us – we’ll get back to you all eventually. 

It’s hard not to compare this experience to our early time with James. It’s amazing how few of the details we remember clearly. But overall things feel familiar in a good way, and we’re enjoying a bit of perspective … and rest. It is certainly good to see Michele recovering quickly from the surgery!

Categories
parenting wisdom

Badge of Honor

I’m officially a parent. James just pooped on me … twice in one hour. Do it while you can get away with it little guy …

Categories
parenting wisdom

The Greatest Feeling …

I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived a very good life. I’ve enjoyed many great experiences along the way. However, I don’t think that I’ve ever felt anything so positive or rewarding as holding my little James, and successfully bringing him from tears to peace to rest to sleep. It’s powerful stuff. Now I just need to figure out how to make that sleep part last a little longer.