Oliver has begun to gurgle and coo. The closest thing to a conversation we have ever had together.
Beth and the Kids came down for a visit this week. We planned this trip because the kids never really had much time with Oliver after his birth. They were at the sitters, Beth was still out of it, and we needed to leave early so that Chris could get back for his Grandmother’s funeral.
It was a fun-filled, action-packed week. Nathan and Em are great with the baby. In Emily’s words, she is Oliver’s "Surrogate Sister". Nathan is such a good boy. He took such good care of his mom when she was pregnant. It was great to see them play with Oliver.
I think Nathan is happy to have his mom back again. It gives him the chance to be a kid again. I know that they waited so long to see what Oliver would be like. I think they probably thought he’d be doing more. All he does is sleep and eat and we don’t get much of an opportunity to get out and play outside with Em and Nathan. I think they will be fine not seeing him until he can move around and talk more.
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I am in denial about just how exhausting having a baby is. On one hand I don’t have to work for three months so you would think that that would be a bit of a break. It’s one thing to have to take care of a newborn baby; the feedings, the changing, the entertaining, the cleaning, etc.; but having to take care of a boyfriend, the friends, the family, the visitors; that’s another story. Don’t get me wrong… I love a good lunch outing with friends for an hour or so, but the ones that come empty handed and expect to be entertained by an exhausted stay at home dad are sure to be disappointed. :-)
A piece of advice for friends and family who visit loved ones who have just had a baby: bring food and wine and do some dishes. Even if you have asked the parents and they decline your offer, do it anyway. Parents Lie. And hey may not want food when you offer to bring something, but bring it anyway because chances are you'll stay long enough to eat it even if they don't. I can safely give this advice because by the time anyone has read this journal posting, the requisite time will have passed. I am not complaining, so don't take this the wrong way. Truth is I was just like you before I had kids. If you’re reading this blog and you have kids but still carry on this behavior--shame on you. :-)
I thought that the stay at home dad thing would be sort of like being a nanny. It’s more like being a housekeeper. You just pick up shit all day… the kind that’s in diapers or the kind that big people leave behind. Sure you get moments with the kid that nobody else has, but it never fails, just when you get the house in order for a visit, they come in, pick up the baby, and return him when he’s tired, wet, crying or sleeping. And there you are once again left with a mess and now your too exhausted to even truly enjoy your time with the kid again.
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