Home is where the heart is.

It's been far too long since my last post - it's almost embarrassing.

Joel and his Mom are "out west" for the week (and much of last) visiting her side of the family. It's not that I didn't want to go, but due to leave requirements, money, and a few last minute surprises it turned out best I stay home.

As much as there was some novelty at being a "bachelor" again, that novelty wears off quickly. Not hearing someone's laugh, not sharing thoughts with someone, and not having someone's touch (outside of work - especially that last one ;) ) soon occupies one's thoughts constantly - and that description applies regardless of the other's age.

For Joel though, I am honestly glad he is getting that experience, and that my extended family is getting that experience as well. I may live daily in Cole Harbour, NS but my home and heart are out past the Hundredth Meridian at the moment.

Pass the champagne?

...or at least some sparkling water? On May 4th, Joel hits a (minor) champagne milestone - four months old.

It is hard to believe that not that long ago, we were being asked to stay overnight "just for observations" at the IWK. That was the start of a whole new journey for my incredible wife and myself. A journey that brings something new each and every day - often it is us learning from him, not the other way around.

Happy Birthday Son - Mommy and Daddy, your grandparents, aunts and uncles are all are so very proud of you!

I'll have my son done medium-rare please.

Oh, the joys of finding new uses for various gadgets ;)

Tonight was Joel's bath night - an experience he doesn't always like. We got the baby tub out, in the sink (well, straddling half of the double-sink [tub manufactured to do so]), and started filling it with warm water. To make sure the water is in the correct range, we have a rubber duck(ie) with an aquarium-like temperature strip on it that changes colour at various temperatures. Well, the colour change is so slight sometimes, you are always second guessing what the temperature is.

Solution? My digital, BBQ meat thermometer ;) Got it out and dropped the probe into the water - it instantly told us the temperature. We adjusted the water to the 37C range and all was good :) Joel even fussed a little less this time. Safety tip - do not leave the probe in the water for risk of the child accidentally puncturing themselves with the probe once they are in the bath.  

 Note: No babies were injured in the bathing episode, though the father would have gotten slapped hard for wanting to get out his bbq sauce and basting brush ;)

Trappings of Parenthood

For those that have yet to join the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of Parenthood, perhaps some comments on the trappings of such a noted investiture:

Epaulettes of Commission - usually consists of the wearing of "burp cloths" on one's shoulders at all times when dealing with a sovereign or chancellor of such an order after mealtime.

Aiguillette of the Sacred Pacifier - as seen as the "gold ropes" on some military uniforms. As a parent, often a (useful!) badge of honour to help keep one's charges content and not overly fussy.

Accolade(s) - a right of passage almost.  Being pissed and vomited on is probably something most people avoid at all costs, but by one's Sovereign or Chancellor of the Order, those joining such ranks accept such ceremonies with bravery and perhaps a little honour.

Gets my stamp of approval!

I think some (many?) have heard of the idea of using one's own pictures to have official Canada Post stamps made up - aka: Picture Postage. It was a concept I've always wanted to try and realized: if we're mailing out birth announcements, why not use stamps with Joel's picture on them to send the announcements out with. 

Well, thanks to our friend of Inspired Images' photography skills, we took one of our favourite shots of the baby and ordered stamps (paid a little extra for the smaller sheets that come with a "keepsake" that can be put into a frame for us and the two sets of grand parents). According to the Canada Post instruction sheet sent with the stamps, taking the mail outs to an appropriate location, we can have the stamps cancelled manually without necessarily having marks placed all over the stamp itself (pain in the butt I am sure for someone having to process a large mailout, but well worth it for special occasions where these special stamps are used.

So, without further delay (and due to the lack of a decent scanner...):

Keepsake from Picture Postage stamps. On the left: shot used, right: actual stamp with border)

8 weeks going on 2 Months

Hard to believe - today is someone's 8 week birthday, and come Friday it will be his 2 month birthday. A good excuse for cake I think (for us, not for him yet of course :) ).

The "birthday boy", in the arms of his Grandma Gina 

 

 

 

 

 

It is hard to believe that not too long ago, we were racing around the various floors of the Grace Maternity Hospital, with our final journey into the OR for a last minute c-section. I will always remember that particular event - having Joel passed to me, otherwise being the first non-medical person to hold him.To borrow from a Supersonic song "Closing Time" - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. So true in that within a single instant, the pregnancy phase of my wife's and my life ended the new life of parenting for the both of us truly became a reality.

In hot water - again

... and am I thankful for it too! :)

We recently started smelling that sort of  "burnt dust" type smell coming from the basement. The three of us (myself, Michelle, and her Mom who is visiting from Regina) couldn't isloate the smell and figure where it was coming from. This morning I noticed in the shower that the hot water was on full, and I wasn't jumping around due to what would be the usual burns. Nor, was there hot water coming up at all from the kitchen nor main floor bathroom sinks - both of which are much closer in their piping distance from the hot water tank. That added more weight to a theory forming in the back of my head - heating elements of the hot water tank causing the smell. Over the last year, we've noticed more and more of our neighbourhood  houses with old hot water tanks out on their lawns for garbage pickup. Assuming ours was built around the same time, figured our time was getting close.

Called Colby / Forest Hills Plumbing and Heating at about 2:30pm today and they said they'd do their best to have someone drop by. Well, someone did by 4:30 and shortly afterwards had a new tank installed, filling with water, and warm water heating up. Not the best way to spend a junk of change, but now my family has hot water again, and the smell was most likely explained (and will hopefully dissapate over time). Chock it up as a home owner experience gained.

Blogging by email

This is cool - blog posts sent as email :) Joel weighed in at 11lbs!
Do they sell milk by the vat?

Father knows best?

(...or at least he thinks he does?)

Joel does enjoy a pinkie now and then

Just in joying some time with Joel this morning. Every now and then, he likes to suck on the right-hand pinkie (doesn't like those lefties! ;) ). Later today, he is off to see the public health nurse for a quick weigh in and chat. He's been a little gassy of late, but we're looking at switching formulas based on his doctor's suggestion.

I remember growing up enjoying the "taste" of the keys on my father's key chain, probably from the effect of saliva on metal - same effect as licking a battery or tin foil in the mouth? I wouldn't know as I have never tried either ;)

I'll report back later with is weigh in. Until then, I remain a father in training.

Making a daddy proud

I write this as Michelle is feeding Joel a bottle. He let out a rather impressive belch and I couldn't help but grin in pride - as did Michelle and her visiting mother. Yeah, it can be a little impolite, but knowing he can get the gas out can't help but make a parent happy.

Just this morning when I popped into his room and started whispering to him that "Daddy is here!", he let out a grin. Well, didn't my heart melt. Knowing the trust and happiness I can install in someone is so new and reassuring - and hopefully it wasn't just gas ;)

Father & Son

"Is there an iss-ue, Papa?"

Collector Tin

No issues son :) Mommy and Daddy just opened up an RESP and bank account, for when you are old enough and hopefully decide to go on and study more after high school. The bank gave us a nice tin you can use as your first piggy-bank. Daddy and Mommy then went to Daddy's doctor so that someone could take out the staples in his head from the operation. They are now all gone and in a few days, Daddy can have a shampoo with some of your hair soap. It's going to feel soooo good I bet, to get  all cleaned up again.

So no dear, nothing is wrong. Go back to nappies, k? Daddy loves you so much.

For those not familiar with the title's reference, here's a YouTube of the commercial (poor quality):

The cat came back

Tigger with his new hair cut.

Tigger was brought home last night ; he was dragging his arse a little, but made it down stairs without major issue. The other cat though, George (Tigger's brother), wasn't too appreciative. George starting hissing and growling like he was cornered by a raccoon. The thing is though, Tigger wasn't threatening at all - just sat there with a look of "What's your problem?? All this is reminiscent of a few years ago when they both went to get neutered. Both of their scents changed enough that they were different animals to the other.

When I went to feed them this morning, George still didn't warm up much to the other. I separate their food bowls to opposite corners, but they still want (to try) and eat from the same bowl.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Two posts in the same day - wow! ;)

Made a bunch of calls today. Seems as if most doctors are taking time off for the Canada Games in town here. Managed though to get in to my clinic for Friday to have one of the other docs removed my staples.Booking section thought it best I keep my appointment with my regular doctor in March to follow up with her regarding recent events (and to finally bring Joel in to see her. She's been very supportive of the efforts of my wife and I).

Joel is out with his mom to see their friends for coffee. Poor little guy is getting some gas issues, but nothing too serious. I am really starting to notice the changes in his face. Incredible when I look back on that big night. We may not have realized it at the time, but it was the final page in one chapter (pregnancy), yet the start of a whole new book (parenthood).

Our cat George is meowing his head off in the background - poor thing, I think he is lonely. His brother Tigger was taken into our vet's office for a pet-icure: have matted fur shaven off is back, and our vet (our best friend) also cleaned up his claws, fangs, etc. Considering all that was to be done, Tigger was given some "good drugs" to make him sleepy and easier to work with. The vet called and reported Tigger is slowly waking up and she'll drop him off soon (30 min or so).

Reel Babies

"Reel Babies" - an interesting event I went to earlier this month with my wife and son. It was something I've been meaning to comment on.

Put on by the movie theatre company here in the region (we only have one - they have squeezed out other competitors), they are movie events put on to be "parent friendly" (not necessarily "mother friendly", for which I shall spare you a side rant ;) ). "Friendly" as in stroller parking, in-theatre change tables, snack carts, raised lighting and slightly lower volume and other kid-friendly considerations. The movie shown at my particular outing was not one I would have picked  though (the crying babies were a nice distraction from the poor plot :) ).

I look forward to other opportunities

(My) Home away from home

Had a trip into the hospital today, but to the regular Neurosurgery clinic. The surgeon just wanted to check on how the incision line was holding up; all looked good. I had have an appointment with my family doctor in early March for staple removal,  but the surgeon advises that I best get them out by Friday if I can. Looks like I'll be seeing if any of the other doctors at the clinic can help me. If the removal goes anything like it did 10 years ago or so, it should be no worse then small bug bites (if that at all). Few days after that, I should be able to start putting some water and mild (baby) shampoo on the noggin - can't wait! It was well after 4pm when we got home, so will have some calls to make in the morning.

That was the day essentially.

Parenting Headache

Sorry for the silence. I was off getting a craniotomy. My doctor managed to get 3 of 3 meningioma (not a complete surprise - we've been tracking them for the last 10 years). Thankfully though my hospital stay was brief - in on a Wed morning, and then discharged that Friday. I have staples in my head which should be out within a week, but I am good otherwise; got some headaches, but nothing Extra-Strength Tylenol can't handle . I can expect to be off work for about a month.

Most painful part was being away from Joel. Thankfully my mother in law flew in from Regina, SK to help my wife with things, but it was tough not seeing the smiles nor dealing the touch of one's new born. Even though I was only away for about 3 days, seeing him again I did notice changes in him - mostly his gain in weight (8lbs 13oz as of  Thurs, Feb 10.

That's about it for now. Slew of events over the next few weeks, but I'll keep quiet about them for now (need blogging material ;) ). Until next time, may your diaper stay dry ;)

What a ride so far!

Well, here we go. I decided to try a blog slightly smaller in scope as compared to past blogs. What better topic that my recent (membership?) to parenthood. Ironic that I chose parenthood to help keep a blog scope focused huh? ;)

It is finally settling in that I am now part of that brotherhood of fathers. My son, Joel <name hidden>, was born on Jan 4, 2011 at 20h51 AST (picture[s] to be inserted later) by c-section at a healthy 7 lbs...well, technically lie half-ounce under, but the attending nurse said formally 7lbs - half ounce was sent all over the surgeon once Joel was free of his "ovarian Bastille" (to borrow a phrase from Family Guy's Stewie ;) ).

I admit I cried - out of over-protectiveness and strength of my wife to endure the 4+ days of labour we SHE through, to end in abdominal surgery, as well as the arrival of our son (still not used to saying that either). Joel's arrival was the fulfillment of not only the dreams of my wife and I, but of those of our families. Considering the medical histories of us both, to actually be blessed with such a perfect gift after so long is short of a miracle.

Well, I best keep the intro post short (for fear of rambling on aimlessly). In time, I hope to spice up the place here a little more and more (first job was finding a template I liked - is ok??), as my virgin blogging skills improve, and continue to share my equally virgin adventures  through fatherhood. Until my nest post, I raise a glass of boiled/"distilled" water to thee.

Jamie/James of M, J T, G, & J

                            ^+--- my new place in the house ranking - after the two cats ;)

PS: Yes, I see the irony (and pun?) of starting a "Fumbling..." blog on Superbowl Sunday ;)