Diary of a Third Time Dad

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WEEK NINETEEN - JULY 2002

Who's Got Dibs?

Independence Day is always a fun family holiday. This was our third one with a new baby, and we never really know how he is going to react. Baby number one was scared to death. Baby number two was clueless, and I wondered how baby number three was going to take all the noise and lights. When it came time for fireworks, I reached over to take Joshua from Cheryl so I could experience the show with him. Apparently, this was not the plan. Cheryl informed me, in that matter-of-fact tone of voice that allows no argument, "I birthed him, so I get dibs."

So what's the deal? Is that how it's gonna be the rest of our lives? Whenever something really fun and important is about to happen, Cheryl gets dibs? Just cuz all she did was spend a few hours (agonizing ones, ok, I'll admit) pushing him into this world? Hey, I was there too you know. I had to stand by her and let her squeeze my hand to death the whole time. It was tough on me too!

Come to think of it, I guess I don't really mind her getting dibs on the baby. Because this means she also gets dibs in the middle of the night, when he's poopy, when he's fussy, and when he's teething.

Cheryl, my dear love, you can have dibs. You've certainly earned it.

Getting big.

Moms often tell me how their babies seem to grow overnight. I never really thought this was possible until today. I picked up the little guy, and it seemed to me that he was way bigger than he was the day before.

I wonder what else moms are always telling me that I should be believing.

Pet names.

Everyone has cute pet names for their babies. One that I've come up with for Joshua is "little head". No particular reason for this, it just seems to fit him.

Cheryl came up with one today, but she actually had a good reason for it. After one of Joshua's "marathons o' nursing", Cheryl turned to me and said, "Wanna hold the leech? Oh wait, he's still leeching."

I'm sure she meant "leech" in a very endearing sort of way, and not as "a slimy creature that sucks all your life blood out of you and then still wants more".

Twisty Baby.

As I was getting ready to change Joshua's diaper (it had been a good couple of weeks since the last one), Cheryl called out a warning, "Watch out, he's twisty!" And boy was he ever. The days of him lying quietly while we change his diaper are over. Now he arches his back and rolls onto his side. Changing him is now even trickier than ever. In fact, it's so tough, Cheryl just might have to do ALL the changing from now on. I wouldn't want to make a huge mess or anything.

Dr. Bob

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