We’re finally visiting the Pacific coast. My daughter loves the ocean.
The Messy Reality of Childbirth, from Dad’s Perspective
(This was originally written Jan 23, 2011, a little over a month after my daughter’s birth. Edited for clarity and posted even later.)
I’ve been meaning to write this for awhile, but for some reason it’s been hard to get down to actually writing it. One reason for my reluctance is just busy-ness with other things, such as learning how to raise this newborn. Another part, though, is that I’m hesitant to put stuff like this on the internet, because there are loads of childbirth stories out there already*.
But then, it’s been a month and my memories of the event are fading. Also, everyone feels they have a story to tell, I hope mine is interesting. At the very least I promise pictures of a baby — everyone loves pictures of a baby. This is a little stream of consciousness, too. So there’s that.
TLDR version:
- We went into labor, then out and that pissed me off cause I think it might have been the midwife’s fault
- Epidurals and pitocin aren’t totally evil when wielded with care
- Extra monitoring causes you to freak out more
- Hospital care changes when an IV is involved
- In the end, baby! That’s all that matters
Two months, tomorrow
She had her first shots today. I think it would have been easier to deal with (for Nicole and me) if she ever got upset and cried in normal life. As it is, we don’t have enough experience with her actually crying, so it’s heart-wrenching when she does. And man did she cry 
I’m glad she’s vaccinated though. Hooray for science!
7 Weeks Old
There’s another photo I want to post of her that’s pretty awesome, but it has my wife’s nipple in it, alas. I’ll see if I can crop it.
My wife and daughter
I’m preparing a post about the whole birth experience because it was quite the thing, but in the meantime here’s a picture of my wife and daughter.
Also, just to warn you, my father in law got me a sweet flash for my camera so there may be a lot of photos in the near future 
Tomorrow is the official 40 weeks mark. Periodic contractions…
Tomorrow is the official 40 weeks mark. Periodic contractions last night, but nothing definite.
Antsy. And it sucks that my wife could have the periodic stuff for weeks yet, potentially.
I want a Mario Bros-themed nursery
… for my daughter.
That means maybe something like this wall decal system or perhaps this one
Also some plush Mario mushrooms and accoutrement! Eeeeee!
If other parents want to prime their son to be a football player by sports themes, or their daughters princess with a Disney theme, we’re totally going to prime our daughter to be a gamer through judicious application of Nintendo!
That is all.
