Diaper changes are more hectic than I could ever have imagined. I feel like I am in the NASCAR pit changing diapers. 120 seconds to change a diaper? Let's try 100? You can do 90, I can do 60! However, imagine the car flailing all over the place. When you try to change a tire, the bumper keeps moving back and forth to prevent it. When you focus on one lug nut, the bumper finally remains still... covering the all important lug nut. All the while, the horn is honking frantically. I have never seen anything like this, but changing a diaper in 60 seconds is impossible, unless you wake him up ON the changing table. At this point, I digress.
Today was the first outing with our 16-day-old. We used to be the boring couple... the teacher and banker who lived in a boring stretch and enjoyed tea, books, knitting, and TV. Now, we just happen to be the boring couple who carries in the cute baby everybody loves. It was a fun venture, and Lance played the role quite well. He slept during tonight's entire event and went crazy just in time for our exit. Until next time...
22 January 2009
19 January 2009
The First Week
Tomorrow marks the second week with Lance. Here is what we have noticed:
1) Babies are not very well scheduled.
2) Babies do follow a very strict schedule of their own. They also are good about notifying people when they are not following the same schedule (usually by a series a very loud lung exercises).
3) A pacifier is a miracle invention.
4) A baby does not require a bed, just a warm body on which to sleep.
5) January is a horrible month to have a child.
6) One should not fret about high costs of heating when a child cannot deal with a 62 deg household.
7) 3 outfit changes per day is normal.
8) Boys have a built-in sprinkler for which to use caution when changing diapers.
9) There are too many books surrounding a transition which has one instructor: experience.
10) Jack Johnson is an amazing singer when he can quiet a crying child.
08 January 2009
The Journey Begins
I do not like babies. Did I say that clearly enough? Once a child reaches about 12 months, I can deal with him. However, babies are no fun. They lack many skills which make life doable.
However, my child is different. I have heard that multiple times, and I now understand it. Last night I held Lance Mitchell in my arms. He was finished eating around 11:15 p.m., and I got to jump in to allow Katie to sleep. I leaned back at a 40 degree angle and allowed Lance to rest on my chest. He slept. And he slept. And he slept. My child... The offspring of the Love my wife and I share... He slept in my arms! What an amazing experience.
I have visited many new parents in hospitals, and I have never connected with the new children. I am what is known as a "stranger." However, my son, my first born, my child trusts me completely. This is the third day he has known me. I'm sure I'm familiar to him from prior to day zero. I was the first to hold Lance after the nurses. I watched them bathe my child. I love this child. As I write Katie is barely awake watching forgettable TLC as Lance rests in the nook of her arm, completely content.
A Verse:
Colossians 2:7-8 [NASB]
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
However, my child is different. I have heard that multiple times, and I now understand it. Last night I held Lance Mitchell in my arms. He was finished eating around 11:15 p.m., and I got to jump in to allow Katie to sleep. I leaned back at a 40 degree angle and allowed Lance to rest on my chest. He slept. And he slept. And he slept. My child... The offspring of the Love my wife and I share... He slept in my arms! What an amazing experience.
I have visited many new parents in hospitals, and I have never connected with the new children. I am what is known as a "stranger." However, my son, my first born, my child trusts me completely. This is the third day he has known me. I'm sure I'm familiar to him from prior to day zero. I was the first to hold Lance after the nurses. I watched them bathe my child. I love this child. As I write Katie is barely awake watching forgettable TLC as Lance rests in the nook of her arm, completely content.
A Verse:
Colossians 2:7-8 [NASB]
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
06 January 2009
Greetings, Baby
Today is the day! Today was the day. Today was one heck of a day. Miracle after miracle has occurred these past 9 months, and Lance just entered our family as a separate being. Birth is just that -- a miracle. One must experience it to fully understand it. Now the adventure begins.
04 January 2009
Day Off
Today was a waste... or was it? Last night, I lay in bed until about midnight reading Dan Brown's book Angels and Demons. It is intriguing. I woke up this morning around 9:45. Katie had just come back to bed and wanted to lay next to me. She had not been very comfortable lately, so sleeping has been a bear. We are now officially 2 days overdue. Not a big problem, but the doctor may see a problem with that since Katie has gestational diabetes. This morning, Katie lay on the bed with her head resting on my shoulder. She slept, I enjoyed her being so near. When she woke up and left, I slept. Around 12:50, I finally woke up to enjoy the day.
These days have been beautiful but blistery. I am not a cold-natured person. On days like this, I enjoy sipping tea, doing a puzzle, and watching TV. Thank you, Tom Bergeron, for all the funny videos I can enjoy mindlessly. This is the first Sunday in over a month that we have missed church. I figured it was risky but doable. As I expected, my pastor called mid-day to see if there was a baby. There was not, as usual.
That was not the first question regarding the welcoming of my child. In fact, Katie and I finally silenced anything that looked like a phone in an attempt to enjoy these last few days together. We do not have Caller ID, so I have not been able to experiment with this before. However, I quickly realized that people attempt the home phone first then try each of our cell phones. Oh my! On top of the baby questions, we also fielded many calls from family about a close relative who has recently dealt with an old run-in with the law. Life has dealt some odd events our way lately, but the future looks bright. The next time I post, we will have a baby boy. That may be tomorrow, or it may be next week.
A Prayer:
[From The Book of Common Worship, Prayer #509]
Eternal God,
the hours of both day and night are yous,
and to you the darkness is no threat.
Be present, we pray,
with those who labor in these hours of night,
especially those who watch and work on behalf of others.
Grant them diligence in their watching,
faithfulness in their service,
courage in danger,
and competence in emergencies.
Help them to meet the needs of others
with confidence and compassion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
These days have been beautiful but blistery. I am not a cold-natured person. On days like this, I enjoy sipping tea, doing a puzzle, and watching TV. Thank you, Tom Bergeron, for all the funny videos I can enjoy mindlessly. This is the first Sunday in over a month that we have missed church. I figured it was risky but doable. As I expected, my pastor called mid-day to see if there was a baby. There was not, as usual.
That was not the first question regarding the welcoming of my child. In fact, Katie and I finally silenced anything that looked like a phone in an attempt to enjoy these last few days together. We do not have Caller ID, so I have not been able to experiment with this before. However, I quickly realized that people attempt the home phone first then try each of our cell phones. Oh my! On top of the baby questions, we also fielded many calls from family about a close relative who has recently dealt with an old run-in with the law. Life has dealt some odd events our way lately, but the future looks bright. The next time I post, we will have a baby boy. That may be tomorrow, or it may be next week.
A Prayer:
[From The Book of Common Worship, Prayer #509]
Eternal God,
the hours of both day and night are yous,
and to you the darkness is no threat.
Be present, we pray,
with those who labor in these hours of night,
especially those who watch and work on behalf of others.
Grant them diligence in their watching,
faithfulness in their service,
courage in danger,
and competence in emergencies.
Help them to meet the needs of others
with confidence and compassion;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
01 January 2009
The Waiting, or Observation Two
The waiting has begun. The waiting has continued. The waiting has not ended. We are now at 39 weeks, 6 days. We missed out on 2008. Unfortunately, Lance is not math-minded just yet. I could not stress enough the tax deduction and the savings in insurance money by his earlier arrival. That chance is gone; new opportunities will arrive. Lance will remain a blessing. I had requested the final week of 2008 off work in case we went into labor, and soon discovered that all play and not work makes Jack bored as can be. I haven't been sleeping so well either. It's agonizing to wait for a moment when you do not know what to expect or when to expect it.
An aside:
2009 is here. I expect it to jumpstart with a bang, but I'm not as anxious to know when as I once was. I resolute (if that is a word) to give up soft drinks -- or to cut back to fewer than 3 cans (12 oz or 24 oz -- I haven't decided) a week (day, hour, or minute -- they all work). That's the trouble with New Years Resolutions. I figure that making resolutions is really just setting oneself up for failure. We shall see.
A verse: Psalm 33: 1-5 (NASB)
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song of pairse to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfaiing love of the Lord fills the earth.
An aside:
2009 is here. I expect it to jumpstart with a bang, but I'm not as anxious to know when as I once was. I resolute (if that is a word) to give up soft drinks -- or to cut back to fewer than 3 cans (12 oz or 24 oz -- I haven't decided) a week (day, hour, or minute -- they all work). That's the trouble with New Years Resolutions. I figure that making resolutions is really just setting oneself up for failure. We shall see.
A verse: Psalm 33: 1-5 (NASB)
Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;
it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song of pairse to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does.
He loves whatever is just and good;
the unfaiing love of the Lord fills the earth.
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