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First Week of Hanalei Fatherhood
Exhausting, exhilarating, and entertaining
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Wow! Now that Hanalei is home, the shock of her birth is starting to set in. The counsel of "nothing will ever be the same" is gaining value as Amy and I shift to the role of parents and I watch the reactions of our friends and family.
I'm surprised that everyone seems to be fixated on numbers, specifically her birth weight and length. Hanalei was 8 pounds 5 ounces, and 21 inches at birth, but what does either number really mean? Does that convey something different than if she were 8 pounds 1 ounce, or 19 inches long? I'm just happy she's healthy, with 10 fingers and toes, and all the needed bits in between. Now if she could just let Amy and I get needed sleep, the whole family could be much happier. And that lack of sleep is serious! People always talk about the sleep deprivation of a newborn, and I thought they meant a little less sleep. No big deal, right? Well with a maximum of 2 hours of sleep at any time this week, I've felt more knocked out than the worst jetlag. Seriously. From punishing headaches to general exhaustion, I was whipped. But now that she's starting to find her rhythm and her parents are adapting to it, Hanalei is a little less disruptive member of the family. She is still making us change our roles. Amy is the mom - the provider for Hanalei. I am not the momma - the maid, cleaning her up when she bequeaths us a diaper load. During the day we share time with her, alternating holding, watching, loving her as the other enjoys independence for a bit. Amy is also home now, taking a three-month maternity leave to care for Hanalei. As I work from home, we're finding ways to share the house where we can both have our space and I get work done. Yet I still step away from the office every so often and marvel at this child in our lives. How seemingly quick she's gone from Ziggy the Zygote to a real person. Nine months passed in a flash! Others say her whole childhood will too, but it's hard for me to believe that right now. I am still in awe that she will some day be a whole grown woman. So parents of young and grown, please feel free to share tips and tricks on newborns. Amy and I can sure use the help. |
