Confession of a Stay at Home Dad: Chapter III
Monday, March 23 2009 00:00
I have heard some dads say that they remember the birth of their first child most vividly, but I can’t say that is the same experience I have had. I remember the birth of all my daughters intensely. As for the birth of Sophia, what I remember most was her stature. She looked a lot more blue-collar then our first two girls. She looked muscular. She even had shoulder hair—dark, weird shoulder hair. Sophia, like our other girls, was absolutely beautiful from day one. She, also like our other girls, was small. Only 5 pounds 15 ounces at birth, Sophia was certainly on the smaller side.
As a baby, Sophia’s disposition was perfect. She loved to be held, she slept through the night in her crib at a month and a half, and after two months she began to let out full belly laughs. I have always noticed that Sophia was advanced, but what has always astounded me is her sense of humor. I don’t know what doctors will tell you or even how they can keep statistics about babies in the first place, but from my sample group consisting of three baby girls—Sophia was very early in the knowing when to laugh department. She started giggling at around a month to a month and a half, but her full belly laughs started shortly after and were just amazing to witness. There is something about an infant cracking up that is absolutely contagious.
Sophia was a quick study as a baby. She pulled herself up and began cruising (walking while holding onto something) around at only seven months. Sophia began to walk independently at eight months and was saying small words at around nine months. Another early developmental factoid that I have always remembered about Sophia was her writing style. Sophia loved to color from very early on and what was so interesting was that she instinctively grasped any writing/coloring utensil using the proper technique. I was so glad to be able to be home with Sophia and watch/help her grow.
Right after Sophia was born I remember I started getting comments from other dads about the ‘third child.’ Apparently, many people are stuck in a two child box and can’t fathom the jump to a third child. “I can’t imagine how crazy that is,” or simply “Three kids! Wow!” To be honest we never thought that the jump from one to two was so difficult. I mean, being a parent isn’t something that ends. Why is there this big sticker shock over making the jump from one to two kids or from two to three? Once you are in the parenting business you don’t get out—you are a lifer. That is the mentality my wife and I have always subconsciously brought to the parenting table. Another kid of course brings additional responsibility, diapers and bottles, but as long as you are committed to being a parent it doesn’t matter how many kids you have—you will always be defined by either ‘mom’ or ‘dad.’
Speaking of commitment to parenting, somewhere during Jodi’s pregnancy we purchased our minivan. If buying a minivan doesn’t speak to how entrenched you are in the parenting field, I don’t know what does. I was now a mini-van-driving-stay-at-home dad to three daughters. My minivan isn’t just a vehicle to transport my family, but it is a metaphor for something larger than that. Sometimes it isn’t the most attractive looking thing on the road and more than likely you will find it is filled with fast food or snacks, but in the end it is all about the kids. My minivan is me. The minivan says, “I’m a parent and I have more than two kids.”
Remember, Stop by Every Monday for a New Installment
| Confessions of a Stay at Home Dad: Part XV< Prev | Next >Confessions of a Stay at Home Dad: Part XIII |
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Comments (7)
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written by prin, March 27, 2009
I love how you talk about your family. I wish you could have a couple of sons so there'd be two more good men in the world. 
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written by weaselmomma, March 28, 2009
I love the way you talk about your family and about being a SAHD. You should be national spokesperson.
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written by OM, March 28, 2009
A lifer, eh? I can deal with that. I'm a little afraid that if and when we have a second one, we won't give it(?) the same attention we've been giving our first. I mean, now that he's finally chatting (even if it's in his own language), do I really have the patience to stare at a baby that won't even acknowledge my presence for months? But maybe that's a part of the adventure--the mystery of the way it all comes back (the fears and the excitement) when another baby is born.
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written by Out-Numbered, April 04, 2009
Hey man, Thanks for the mention on examiner. Appreciate that. Great blog here as well. Stay in touch! Rock on.
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written by Dut Duts and Gonuts, April 05, 2009
comment about the hairy shoulders brought back some memories, our first child looked like a ewok when he was born, I honestly thought I would have to buy him a Norelco electric razor for a coming home gift- great site and great post. shane
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written by NYCity Mama, April 05, 2009
I can totally relate to the "WOW!" affect I have on people when I tell them we have 3 kids...I especially love, "You got your hands full!!" Really? Didn't notice. Almost bought a mini van, when living in the burbs of WI. Tested them out, sat in one for a while. My chest tightened and I couldn't do it. So we got a Chrysler Pacifica. Everyone says it's a mini van, but I remind them that it's actually a "Sporteur".
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