I have now been a father for a little over a week. During that time I have learned a thing or two. Or twelve. Thousand. Give or take. Here are but a few, with photographic accompaniment:
Number one: On a regular basis, Chins is rendered unconscious in the midst of nursing. Not sleeping, exactly, just...unconscious. I hear this is called a "milk coma", which has got to be the best. coma. ever.
Number two: Just because it's the smallest size doesn't mean it will actually fit. d.w.'s mother made this little, um, pouch? bag? sack? Anyway, it is amusingly gigantic on little (and by "little" I mean in the 95th percentile for weight, length, and, yes, head circumference) Chins. This kid has somehow acquired more clothes than God, and yet he only has about half a dozen (i.e. about two days' worth — hooray for his enthusiastic defecation!) that actually fit.
Number three: Baby wearing is something we are all going to have to work a little harder to get used to. I have a feeling the constant squished-baby drone of "rrrrhuugh...uuuurrhbth...hhhrrrruuurrr" isn't what's supposed to happen. If you're so inclined, please illuminate me about proper baby wearing in the comments.
I suppose that's enough for now. Maybe I'll come back and discuss the other 11,997 a little later...
Oh my God, I practically peed my pants from the cuteness of that second picture!
Posted by: Danielle in Iowa | 25 November 2006 at 11:38 AM
I'm sure Hawkes will fit into his snowsuit sometime in July. Actually, judging by how fast he'll grow, February is probably more like it.
Posted by: mama | 25 November 2006 at 12:43 PM
I think you're supposed to wear it like a purse... or perhaps string it between two trees so that H looks more like Grandpa Pillsbury?
Posted by: Uncle C | 25 November 2006 at 02:05 PM
when they're that tiny, it is awkward. and we were told to wait until the baby was a month old, though i think we started at three weeks. i let lila hang low when she was that little, more like a pouch in front. i never could get used to her up right, the way Hawkes is in your photo. I felt like i was squishing her...but, as with everything, i'm also told everybody finds his/her own way...
Posted by: miah | 25 November 2006 at 05:37 PM
I wish I could give you some advice on baby wearing...it never worked out for me.
Milk comas, however, were a wonderful thing. I love that mouth hanging open photo! I miss having an instant solution to all the baby's problems.
They are so sweet at that age, just pushed over the edge into milky bliss, all of their being taken over by the processes of digestion and excretion...if you think about the incredible growth in the first year you begin to see why they sleep so much.
Posted by: Henitsirk | 25 November 2006 at 07:37 PM
First of all welcome to the parents world. it's an amazing ride and I have the plesure of being a part of it for the last 4 years.
Regarding the baby wearing - it all depends on the wrapper you buy.
We are from Israel and we use something that is sold only in Israel but I'm sure that with the right reaserch you can get it.
It's wrapping that has 7 different positions. basically it's a big piece of fabric that you tie in different ways that fit different ages.
I know it's not that helpful but it's an amzing feeling for you and your baby to be together in that.
Don't give up and buy the baby bjorn stuff.
It's a totally different feeling.
Posted by: abba-daddy | 25 November 2006 at 08:16 PM
"enthusiastic defecation" was freakin' hilarious!
Glad you are all getting into the swing of things. He has already changed so much since the first picture you posted!
You will now be my flickr pal :-)
Posted by: samantha Jo Campen | 26 November 2006 at 12:54 AM
The only rule we seem to have learned with babywearing (now at almost 12 weeks) is: what's comfortable for the kid at this moment won't necessarily be comfortable the next. Maybe we're doing it wrong, but I can't imagine there are any ways that we haven't tried yet. Anyway, keep your expectations low and remember to stay flexible. Hawkes is running the show now!
Posted by: Dan | 26 November 2006 at 08:03 PM
We got a Moby wrap that I've been experimenting with a bit, and it's obvious already that once I'm using an actual baby there is going to be a pretty significant learning curve. Around these parts there is a group called Boston Baby Wearers -- a bunch of parents who get together and exchange different wraps, slings, etc., and help each other figure out the best ways to use them. I'll most likely be seeking out their help!
And that's one cute kid you've got there!
Posted by: BookGirl | 27 November 2006 at 05:51 AM
I had the same problem with The Olive in the sling. She would make these weird noises and I would feel like she couldn't breathe and Wood kept saying it was right but I didn't believe her. Now I wish I had listened.
Posted by: Phc | 27 November 2006 at 09:29 AM
Whenever we put our critter in the sling for the first three months, we spent half our time checking she was breathing (to be fair we were doing some of that when she wasn't in the sling). Nearly a year and many carry positions later, she prefers the sling to any other mode of transport.
Posted by: Crittermom | 27 November 2006 at 03:01 PM
I just had to get used to 3B looking horribly uncomfortable in positions that it appears will corrupt his posture for the rest of his life--and then falling asleep. It helps me to remember the size of the space that he just came from and that he can stick his big toe in his ear.
Posted by: Papa Bradstein | 28 November 2006 at 12:22 PM
All I can speak from is experience, and I gotta say - wait until you have a 2 1/2 year old who wants you to carry her everywhere.
I definitely gotta start going back to the gym.
Posted by: Kaz | 29 November 2006 at 05:53 AM