Thursday 27 January 2011

Day 11 - Paternity leave draws to a close

So EJ has tried to wee on me 4 times so far, we've been to church with him and he pretty much slept through in my arms. We've been for a few short walks and had the family round.
I've also re-started my karate training, my new years resolution was to do some excercise every week both for my own health but also so that i can play football or whatever EJ need. I don't want to be that couch potato dad that would pacify their kids with a games console when what they really need is a good kick around in the park. Also i'd like EJ to get into some kind of sport when he's older, nothing specific just something that keeps the excerise going before, during and after school. I think unless you pickup a sport in this way then as soon as you leave school the excise drops off and the metabolism slows.
As my paternity leave draws to a close now i am just trying to finish up as much DIY and 'todo list' jobs as possible. I'm very proud of how AGB has done during the whole pregnancy and birth but even now she is doing a wonderful job.

So soon i'll go back to work and not be involved in the daily rountine so much, but of course i'll be helping with early morning nappy changes and the early evening bath. Like AGB says (a phrase which we picked up from NCT classes) 'Everything is just a phase', so this phase is over and the next one begins.

N.b. EJ looks cutest to me when in a reclined seating position, staring back at you with a 'what is going on ?' look apon his face.

Thursday 20 January 2011

A different approach for our generation

I've often thought that there is something a bit wrong with our generation. What i mean is that we tend to automatically shun experstise and experience in many areas for some reason, think about it, when you last booked a holiday, wanted to buy a TV, need to make/earn something where did you go ? My experience is that people (and i include myself as a major culprit here) tend to prefer look online or keep failing in the hope they'll 'figure it out' rather than just asking someone who knows. Of course this can be a good thing, if you spend enough time online reading lots of different sources of knowledge you'll sometimes come out with the best possible answer, but many times you won't as well.
Today we went to a SureStart centre where our Midwife, a mother and grand mother herself, gave guidance on all kind of things starting with breastfeeding. This kind of one-on-one with an experienced expert is invaluable and we're very lucky to have it. Today (Day 4) also marks the first day out of the house for our little family and Los Padres, not a big challenge but another step on the road.

Yesterday my mum, dad and middle sister came to visit us and i, tried, to cook roast beef. Its not exactly related to EJs start in life but another memory to record in the log. My family have alot of experience now with small children and so their help and support is great. Finally i took a phone call from my elder sister and her children. its fascinating to hear the hopes of young cousins (RS and CS) wanting to see their younger comrad and what they think he'll be like. When i tried to tease RS by telling him that EJ would be calling him a monkey when he first met him he responded 'no he won't because babies just say 'blah, blah, blah', (in reference to AGC who is just stating to speak)'. Cute but true.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Inspired by my brother

I've never really kept a diary so this is a first which was largely inspired by my brother's own version. Its often a bit unfashionable to clearly be copying someone else but this is just a good idea.
Three days ago i became a father for the first time, EJ (as he'll be known in this blog, another idea stolen) was born in the local hospital at 8.30am. The whole process started at about 10/11am the previous day as far as we can tell. I always thought that labour took a long time but because of this there were some kind of gaps in the middle where one could get some shut eye, no chance. AGB (my wife) did fantastically and even before the pain relief didn't do all that screaming business that you see on TV, i am so proud.
Must of all we are relieved that EJ is healthy and here with us now. Right now he likes sleep and boobs and not much else, maybe the odd bit of gentle bouncing.
Oh yeah one more thing my family have done for us is to give us a high quality but mini camcorder for my birthday after having lent us theirs' for the birth. Again a brilliant idea since its difficult to either take notes or remember important details when you've been up for a couple of days.