Nine Months in the Game: What Have we Learned?

This time has flown. Today, my sons is three-quarters of a year old. He’s making me better and wiser by the day. So far, here’s what Daddy has learned:

 

·         I’ve learned the principles of loving unconditionally: Unconditional love requires bottomless patience, sacrifice, and the ability to step outside of one’s self. He’s definitely laid the groundwork for that. I love my son without regard for how others may feel about it. I get up and go to work for him, stay up late for him, and even second-guess myself for him.

·         I’ve learned what it truly means to advocate for the powerless: Although he’s learning new skills daily, my son can’t make decisions for himself and can’t do for himself. I used to be a bit more passive about standing up for others, but Lil Brown’s presence has unleashed the beast. Defending him against all negative forces and showing him he has no bigger ally and advocate than his old man is one of my greatest joys in life.

·         Pee, poop, snot, and sneezes are no longer “gross”: Repetitive diaper changes will do that to you. We’ve gotten to the point that we make jokes about it all. I remember the first time Lil Brown sneezed on me. I was sure there was a Man Law violation somewhere in there, but it didn’t matter. We’ve made it nine months without getting peed on, so that’s pretty cool. Too bad his mom can’t say the same.

·         Although he doesn’t show it, Daddy gets scared sometimes: My heart nearly stops with every flip, flop, free-fall, and reported nosedive off the bed. I have to keep reminding myself that my son is built similar to me – like a truck. To see him absorb a hit, gather himself, and keep moving is a small marvel to me. I’ve learned to hesitate for a moment before picking him up – but when it’s needed, I always comfort. After all, he’s still a baby. He’s still my baby. Urgentcare walk-ins, shot days, and sick days always make me nervous.

·         I still have a lot to learn about parenthood!: Nothing more to say about that. We’re learning together – he’s learning to be a son and I’m learning to be a father. Sometimes it’s stressful, but there’s no feeling like seeing that big toothless grin greet you when you when you walk in.

·         I’ve learned to be bolder: Something about a mini-me crawling around that reassures me. I stand taller, walk bolder, and take life by the horns. Watching my son go through life fearlessly reminds of how it used to be and how I want to recapture that feeling!

 

In short, Lil Brown has made my life better in innumerable ways. I can’t imagine life without him and sometimes it’s hard to imagine what purpose my life served before he landed in it. Always thankful.

 

-MB