We recently had our first baby. It has been an incredible, emotional experience. It could be easy to simply blog about Chloe Ann, but I would be concerned that Steel Kaleidoscopes would be "jumping the shark."
That's the last thing I want to do.
Steel Kaleidoscopes has always been about music, TV, some baseball and a lot of random perceptions on this journey we call life. Chloe is now a part of this, and from time to time she will be impossible to ignore.
But I refuse to "jump the shark."
That said, here are the 10 ways a baby changes your life based on my first nine days of parenthood:
1. Day is night and night is day. Say goodbye to a regular night's sleep. Be prepared to get up every 2-3 hours to feed her and and change her diaper.
2. Your garbage bags multiply threefold. All those diapers add up. And they need to be removed from the house.
3. Forget watching a TV show without interruptions. Every whimper from the bassinet needs to be checked on.
4. She's alive, she's breathing, but yet you make sure of this. Be prepared to spend large blocks of time just watching her breathe as she sleeps. And if she's in a deep sleep, you jostle her to make sure she's in a deep sleep. Movement is reassurance.
5. If you're bottle-feeding, you need to be a scientist. The mix has to be just right. The temperature has to be just right. And the silicone nipples need to be tweaked just right so they open. An error and it will be a grumpy mealtime. And that's no fun at 2 a.m.
6. You discover new smells. Poopy diaper smells are a given, but there's that "baby" smell that just exudes comfort.
7. Music while you're working on the computer? Forget it. The baby monitor takes center stage. Whimpers, subtle cries and the sounds of mild crankiness replace Van Halen and the Allman Brothers.
8. Brain overload. It's difficult to think clearly and make intelligent conversation. If you can take some time off from work, great. If you can't, good luck to you.
9. Assembling things. There's the bassinet, the crib, the bouncy chair, the audio and video monitors, the car seat, the stroller, the diaper warmer, the diaper disposal. And be sure to have plenty of batteries on hand.
10. Lastly, a new baby redefines love. To see her eyes lock into yours, full of trust, is one of the highlights of being a parent. These are the moments to cherish.
Wonderful words here. I am not a parent but you capture the experience of a newfound fatherhood well, striking me both envious and appriciative.
I come to this website daily and always will for our shared love on Idol, rock music and baseball, but don't think a blog here and there on Chloe will redirect any of my visits. I'm happy for you and look forward to watching her grow through your words and experiences, however frequent or infrequent your shared moments may be.
Go fatherhood! Go Sox! Go-go gadget automatic diaperchanger!! :) Best wishes to you and your family.
Posted by: Kip | May 30, 2005 at 04:23 AM
Thanks for your comments, Kip. Go Sox.
-- Dan
Posted by: Dan | May 30, 2005 at 09:57 AM
Hey, life changes; people change; even bloggs change. Looking forward to reading more about Chloe.
Posted by: Liz | June 03, 2005 at 11:11 AM
I'm reading this post in 2008, after having my first child in January, and I want to say bravo and you're totally right.
Posted by: Christine | September 10, 2008 at 11:36 AM