Miles had his first swim class today (and me, a man pushing forty who has still never formally learned how to swim). Jaclyn had a review (of the people, not the class itself): Going to Miles’ first swim lessons was like being on a sitcom. There are the 2 gay dads with an adopted daughter, … Continue reading Day 160
Tag: parents
Day 141
Recovering from a weekend out of town isn't just about catching up on sleep -- it's also about finding the time to do everything you neglected over the weekend, like laundry and grocery shopping. Jaclyn offered to take care of the latter while I was at trivia tonight, which meant two things: 1) she'd take … Continue reading Day 141
Day 44
Here's a fun new game Jaclyn and I have been playing. I'll be looking for an item -- maybe a pacifier, or a burp cloth, or a blanket -- and Jaclyn's response will be, "It's next to his..." and then her voice will just trail off. So I'm left with a vague understanding that the … Continue reading Day 44
Day 11
Yesterday, we took Miles on his first leisurely excursion -- a walk in the park. This was quite a production, involving a number of wardrobe changes and quality time spent figuring out how to use his stroller, but eventually we landed on the right combination. Emboldened (and unwilling to let a trivia night focused entirely … Continue reading Day 11
Day 10
I've told people repeatedly this week that it's not the baby keeping us up at night, but rather the other way around. And while that continues to be true, it does seem that nights have become needlessly complicated and directionless. Our burgeoning system of mutual assistance all but completely corrodes at night, when both of … Continue reading Day 10
Day Nine
I've been a father for one week, and my descent into "bumbling idiot" could not have happened at a more alarming pace. Jaclyn woke me (or attempted to, anyway) last night to have me check Miles's diaper. I soon called out that I couldn't find him. Jaclyn asked what I was doing, and I said, … Continue reading Day Nine
Day Five: The Discovery of Arms
One of the coolest things to watch so far has been Miles's discovery of his hands and arms. He barely moved them after birth, preferring to be swaddled and restrained. Once he started feeding however, it became a whole different ball game. While he still sleeps well when swaddled beneath the shoulders, he begins to … Continue reading Day Five: The Discovery of Arms
Day Four
Being needed. At virtually any point in your life, it feels good to be needed. Knowing that someone specifically needs your help gives us a sense of belonging and purpose, but also a sense, however big or small, of authority and wisdom. Now, the rub is that this feeling is often just a facade. At … Continue reading Day Four
Day Three
What do all babies need, all men want, and all new mothers wish they didn't have? BOOBS You know, when you're a teenage male, at some point it occurs to you that if YOU had boobs, you'd probably play with them in the mirror all day. As an adolescent, they're sort of this always-visible manifestation … Continue reading Day Three
Day Two
The realest moment of of those first few hours comes not when the actual birth happens, but (as with most major life turning points) when you wake up from your first post-birth sleep. We we're fortunate enough to have a nurse that kept the baby for a little extra time during his first bath, which … Continue reading Day Two
The Perils (& Pride) of Paternity 