Fatherhood Tutelage

On Monday I went to the dentist. If you know me you know that I don't really like going to the dentist (hence the reason this is my first visit in six years). While in the waiting room I pick up a copy of Parenting Magazine. The magazine was filled with many articles and suggestions for parents. Even though not much of the magazine applied to my current parenting situation I found myself contemplating a subscription, not because I think I am a bad parent, or that a magazine could help solve any parenting problem I could face as the dad of a 7 day old, but because my son deserves someone who is great at parenting.

I will be the first to admit to you that I am not entirely sure that I have this whole parenting thing worked out yet. So far I am just trying to do what seems natural and somehow that has consisted of holding him like a football while running in (slowly walking) for a touchdown and doing figure eight basketball moves with him as the basketball. I want to be a fun dad who is never to busy, old, or disinterested to play with my kids. And while I have been given more parenting advice in the past nine months than a lifetime subscription to Parenting Magazine could ever deliver, I am still bound to make mistakes.

My son has peed on me four times (today) and I have to admit that the most recent time I wasn't expecting it. I freaked out a little bit, dropped his legs, and backed away leaving my child more than an arms length away by himself on the changing table. My actions also resulted in pee hitting his face, my arm, the changing pad, his onesie, and part of the wall. This was obviously not my finest moment of parenthood. While I wiped off all of the before mentioned urine targets and comforted my crying child I checked over my shoulder to make sure my wife didn't see my parenting blunder. While I can chalk my pee stained adventure up to experience and make sure I am no longer outwiping my coverage, my most important parenting role came after the pee was cleaned up. I picked up my crying child, held him close, told him I loved him, and rocked him until he stopped crying. I know that there is volumes of parenting information I still have to learn. I am not entirely sure the proper procedure for burping yet, but as long as I can pick him up, hold him close, and do my best to comfort my son, I can learn the rest.




If you have a second and want to read a good dad blog check out Shawn Bean's blog Pop Culture. Sean is an executive editor for Parenting Magazine.

Jackson's Birth

1:00 AM Just as I was about to fall asleep while watching TV my phone rings,

(sigh) "I guess you better come up to the hospital."

"What?! Why?!"

"I think my water broke."

I have spent the last nine months of my life preparing for this moment and all I can remember is that there is suppose to be something that I am remembering.

1:03 AM I fly down the road towards Hendrick Medical Center

1:10 AM While my Ashley explains why it took her two hours to even question the seriousness of her water breaking I pace around a labor and delivery room on the 4th floor of the Hospital thinking of all the things that I still need to do before he is born. Number one on my list call my parents, number two call Geoffrey, number three run home to vacuum the house.

2:07 AM The nurse explains to Ashley that her water has indeed broken and that we will be having a baby. I am not freaking out at this point just very anxious. I have been waiting to be a father for as long as I can remember and today it was going to happen.

2:15 AM I call my parents (and sisters) to let them know there newest Grandchild (nephew) will be arriving soon. Mom and Dad make plans to sleep for a few more hours before getting up and driving to Abilene. My mother would continue to text me throughout the night because she could not contain her excitement.

2:18 AM I call Geoffrey, who is leaving at in less than three hours for Albania. He has been pressuring me to have the baby (like it was up to me) before he left for the country. At one point he was considering not going on the trip because of Jackson's likely due date.

2:19 AM I call Geoffrey again, this time he answers,

"What?!"

"I Just wanted to let you know that we are having a baby today."

"Seriously?....(calculating the time and figuring out he would still miss Jackson's birth) Dang it! I knew this was gonna happen!"

2:40 AM I quickly run home to vacuum house, pick up the rest of the things my wife told me to pick up in anticipation of company, and grab her pillow, my camera, and a change of clothes for myself. At this point I started to remember to get all of those things I forgot to get the first time.

3:55 AM Geoffrey arrives at the hospital to see us before he leaves the country. It's nice that even though my best friend would miss seeing Jack, he was still able to stop by and see us to share the joy of the experience with us.

4:18 AM I walk my best friend out of the hospital, hug him, tell him that I will be praying for him before turning to head back into the hospital.

6:0o AM The nurse pushes the pitocin and Ashley begins to have contractions. At the same time my parents are waking up and leaving Lubbock.

6:14 AM Ashley begins having contractions and I rack my brain trying to remember the breathing techniques we learned in birthing class. It doesn't take long for my wife to wave me away.

6:33 AM Kim our nurse gives Ashley medication to help her pain. The medicine makes her nauseous but she is able to sleep a little in between contractions. I settle into the chair next to her bed where I can hold her hand but get a little rest myself.

7:00 AM Ashley is 3cm dilated and 90% effaced and we are told that Dr. Kroeger will be the one delivering our son.

8:00 AM Dr. Kroeger visits Ashley and has a shocked expression on his because in an hour she has progressed to 8 cm dilated and 100% effaced. I ask to make sure there is enough time for Ashley to get an epidural.

"If the anesthesiologist can get up here quick."

8:04 AM Dr. Hawkins, the anesthesiologist, comes in the room and quickly applies the medicine to ease Ashley's pain. The relief that I had knowing that she would not have to deliver without medication helped calm my nerves a little. I thank the doctor and he is out of the room as fast as he came in.

8:05 AM Ashley falls asleep

8:57 AM I ask our new nurse Brenda how long she thought it would be before Jackson is born.

"Less than an hour."

As I send mass texts out to friends and family letting them know that Jack will be here soon my nerves soar.

9:16 AM A tech comes into the room and begins flipping cabinets, rolling carts, turning things over and our quaint comfortable labor suit turns in the the optimums prime of delivery rooms. I explore the new things on display (while make sure not to touch anything that is sterile).

9:50 AM Our nurse Barbra informs us that it is time to begin push. At this moment I say a quick prayer of thanks that she has progressed quickly and ask for protection for my wife and child.

10:06 AM Dr. Kroeger comes into the room

10:15 AM I hear the cries of my son for the first time and cannot help but let my own eyes well with tears. I make sure to tell my wife again how proud of her I am and what a wonderful job I think she has done.

10:16 AM I cut my son's umbilical cord and watch as he is cleaned measured and weighed. 7 pounds six ounces, 20 inches long.

10:22 AM I get to hold my son for the first time, but only for a moment as I pass him to his mother.