Mr. Mom

Two days ago, I embarked on a 6 week expedition as a stay-at-home dad. Nancy's maternity leave ended with 6 weeks left in the school year, so I jumped at the opportunity to let her go back and teach for the rest of the school year while I stayed home with Brooklynn. Most likely, this will be the most amount of time I'll ever get to spend with her and I want to make the most of it.

Day 1 went better then I could have planned. Nancy left for work around 7:30 after nursing Brooklynn one last time. We decided that I'd bring Brooklynn up to see her during her break since this would be the longest they had been apart since Brooklynn was born. Brooklynn and I played a little bit after Nancy left and then she settled down for a morning nap which allowed me to get ready for the day. I was scheduled to leave to take Brooklynn at 10:30, but by around 10:00 it was obvious that she wasn't going to make it that long without having something to eat.

Well, this was going to be the true test. Up to this point, Brooklynn has not been happy about taking a bottle. I can count on one hand how many times we've successfully given one to her and I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times we've tried.

I held Brooklynn in my sling while I warmed up the bottle. I figured I'd start with 2 oz so as to not waste much if she didn't take it. Brooklynn watched with intent as I ran hot water over the bottle in the sink. After 4 or 5 minutes, I tested the milk and was ready to give it a go. We sat on the couch, she looked up at me and I proceeded to ask her the loaded question... "Does Brooklynn want some milk?" Well, let's just say she took to it like she's been doing it all along. About half way through, she stopped to catch her breath so I took the bottle out. She looked up at me, grinned, then let out a bit of a chuckle as if to say, "I was just pullin' your leg all along".

I wish I could say that now those problems are behind us. But as I continue to be reminded about children, nothing is ever over. The past couple days, the protests have started to return. Today, in fact, Brooklynn has taken only a single ounce of milk (spread across two feedings) since Nancy left for work at 7:30 this morning. Fortunately, Nancy is expected home in about an hour, so Brooklynn will get the good stuff soon enough.

Hunger strike aside, I wouldn't trade this time with her for anything. Brooklynn is still a very happy, playful and amiable baby. Right now she's asleep in my sling as we both wait for Nancy to get home. Yeah, she's a little hungry probably, but we're getting along just the same.

Yesterday was the first time we noticed that she's started being aware of her hands and feet. She was looking at them with curiosity and intent. It won't be long before she's stickin' that foot of hers in her mouth. Tomorrow Brooklynn turns 2 months old. Next Monday we'll have her first pediatric appointment. My how the time flies. Has it really been 2 months since I caught her being born? And now, here she is sleeping in my Darth Vader sling, clinching my shirt which I always interpret as her attempt in giving me a hug. :)