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Things learned

Cooper will turn eight months old next Monday. Since I will probably forget to blog about this at that time, I’ve chosen to do so while all of this is fresh in my mind.

In the past eight months, I’ve learned a fair amount about Cooper, parenting, and all that I thought I knew about babies is actually not true. Here is my far-from-comprehensive list.

1. Having a baby is not the cataclysmic event that I had dreaded for the past ten years. It’s changed my life in some great ways, but I don’t feel like I am much different than I was previously.
2. Babies aren’t the disgusting poo, snot, and urine factories I thought they were. Sure, they produce all of those things, and have some gas issues from time to time. Mostly, though, they smell nice and are easy targets for loads of affection. Update: Shortly after I wrote this, Cooper produced the most explosive diaper we have had yet to experience. He managed to soil his clothes, as well as several things with which he came into contact. Awesome.
3. It’s not easy to care for the dog you love when you have an infant. We miss our canine companion, but we’ve heard from her new owners that she’s doing great!
4. Loving your spouse is one thing. Love for one’s child is completely different, but equally as satisfying.
5. I felt like my life was complete before Cooper. Now, somehow, it’s more full than I imagined it could be. That’s not a criticism of pre-Cooper life, but rather an observation. Having a baby somehow makes things more “complete”.
6. The sleep deprivation experienced in the early weeks of parenthood is very trying, and will make one question his character and parenting ability quite often.
7. I thought once the baby came, I would have no trouble contributing to this blog. In fact, I thought I would have something interesting to say every day. As many great moments as Cooper has given us, however, I have found it difficult to write about them. Perhaps I’m too busy waiting for the next great moment.
8. Cooper sleeps much more than I expected a baby would ever sleep. Last Sunday, for example, we put him to bed at his usual 8:30 P.M. bedtime. He woke up approximately twelve hours later. Though that was longer than usual, he almost always sleeps through the night, and averages about nine to ten hours of sleep. Other parents tell me that “it ain’t right”.
9. Grandparents go nuts for the newest grandchild.
10. I’ve seen my fair share of babies interact with strangers. Most just seem to stare blankly. Cooper, contrary to my expectations, sizes up strangers for a few seconds, then shows them his winning smile.
11. Spoon-feeding is much more fun than bottle feeding.
12. Though we know that breastfeeding is probably the best route, it’s not as detrimental to the child as some would have you believe. Cooper is perfectly healthy, developing and growing quite normally. I am glad we bottle-fed, for the selfish reason that it has given me the opportunity to be an active participant in the feedings. Having your baby look up at you while you feed him is a wonderful experience.
13. Cats don’t care about babies.
14. I can play the guitar and sing to Cooper without fear of being judged or ridiculed.
15. Cooper enjoys my yodeling.
16. I think I’m pretty good at this dad thing.
17. Kandis knew how to be a mother from day one. She has the patience of a Buddhist monk, and her deep, unconditional love for Cooper is evident in all of her interactions with him.
18. I did not realize how thankful I’d be to Kandis every day for giving us this gift.
19. Childbirth class was not as corny as I expected. We’re actually trying to get together with a couple that we met there whom we really liked.
20. Don’t take muscle relaxants for back pain when attending childbirth class. It makes it really hard to make conversation.
21. I expected that it would be difficult to wake up in the mornings to get Cooper out of bed. Most days, though, I’m usually excited to see his smiling face. I hurry up the stairs so that I can get him up before Kandis.

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