So far, the life of a new parent has been pretty fun, interesting, and a wee bit challenging, but in a good way. How so?
Well, something like this:
Changing diapers? No problem.
Waking every couple hours during the night to assist (as much as possible) with feeding, changing, burping? No problem.
Wading through mounds of unfolded baby clothes and recently acquired toys on the way to the kitchen for a bite to eat? No problem.
Mowing the lawn without stopping every 50 steps to chat with neighbors about beautiful, little, Caroline? No problem. 3.5 hours to do the lawn is not a problem.
Working with the dog (Hershey) so she learns that when the baby cries, it's really OK, and we're just changing the diaper? Challenging.
Writing "thank you" notes to all the people who have sent and dropped off the wonderful clothes, books, toys, and assorted baby things? No problem, but challenging to find time to insert a coherent thought into a card.
So far, I absolutely love being a dad. I know, it's been only five days, and this is just the beginning. That's right. It's just the beginning. But so far, it's great, enlightening, uplifting, challenging, and off-the-scale fun. I cannot describe the joy I feel in my heart when I hold Caroline, or see Heidi holding her.
It's completely reaffirmed my constant love for Heidi. Her wonderful outlook, both for our child and for us as a family, is awe inspiring. We each have high hopes, not only for our daughter, but for ourselves as well. It's humbling to know that this little life is in our hands, to raise, educate, and prepare.
So, as I get ready to change the diaper of my little five-day-old darling, I am reminded of a song...
"Life's a dance you learn as you go
Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow
Don't worry 'bout what you don't know
Life's a dance you learn as you go"
I'm learning.. and loving it!
Posted by MEK at June 24, 2003 04:40 PM