Recovery
Day 18 – Yesterday was a near breakdown in many ways for me: I was uncertain about my upcoming job change; I didn’t know how I was going to provide stability for Michelle and Lian; I had no idea how we were going to move from this beautiful apartment, or when (it looks less and less likely that we’ll be able to buy this building, though hope springs eternal); and I wasn’t sure how Michelle and I were going to manage a relationship that seemed more and more strained every day.
Today is altogether different. Although I don’t have photos of them right here, my sister sent some beautiful sunflowers that brought a smile from both of us (we thought we saw a flicker of one on Lian’s face as well). And Kevin and Laurie sent us Lian’s first foul weather gear for the sailboat that she’ll be sailing on next year with her papa.
Papa also – with much prodding from his wife – did some sport today and joined the SF Outrigger Canoe Club in a practice session. Two hours paddling hard with 5 other men in a 400-pound canoe, straining against a 15-knot headwind and 3-foot swells did wonders for me. Michelle picked me up at 8.30pm down at Crissy Field for those of you familiar with San Francisco, with little Lian fast asleep in her car seat in the back. I sang and whistled for 20 minutes under the massaging stream of a steaming hot shower. We will “figure it out” as we like to say when reassuring ourselves about our own capabilities.
As to mama – I caught her staring at Lian for 20 minutes today while Lian was sleeping on Melissa’s beautiful present – a floral printed baby blanket that she has already taken to completely. She speaks to Lian non-stop, usually in a normal voice, but then every now and then she’ll alternate between a normal tone and her high-pitched baby’s voice. She looked so serene. It’s sometimes hard for me to imagine how she can be so content taking care of our daughter. And yet she is always reminding me that she needs to keep busy professionally and can’t take any time off for Lian. I can understand the pressure she puts upon herself.
Lian today was her “usual” self. She sleeps in the morning, she in the mid-afternoon, falls asleep well in the early night, and then will usually treat us to a calm night of 2 feedings between 10pm and 6am. The good news? Michelle took her to the pediatrician: 20 inches and 8 pounds 9 oz. She gained 20 ounces in just under 2 weeks.
The importance of the numbers I just mentioned may not be as significant for you as they are for me: let me remind you – as a newborn father there is a single value you track keenly – your baby’s weight. At birth weight (by my calculations she regained her birth weight between Day 11-13), parents can let their baby sleep through the night without waking them (hooray! Let’s hope she chooses to sleep tonight!). And at 13 pounds – the one time this number is a harbinger of good – apparently your baby may sleep through the night. I bite my fingernails in eager anticipation! 4 pounds 6 ounces to go.
Today is altogether different. Although I don’t have photos of them right here, my sister sent some beautiful sunflowers that brought a smile from both of us (we thought we saw a flicker of one on Lian’s face as well). And Kevin and Laurie sent us Lian’s first foul weather gear for the sailboat that she’ll be sailing on next year with her papa.
Papa also – with much prodding from his wife – did some sport today and joined the SF Outrigger Canoe Club in a practice session. Two hours paddling hard with 5 other men in a 400-pound canoe, straining against a 15-knot headwind and 3-foot swells did wonders for me. Michelle picked me up at 8.30pm down at Crissy Field for those of you familiar with San Francisco, with little Lian fast asleep in her car seat in the back. I sang and whistled for 20 minutes under the massaging stream of a steaming hot shower. We will “figure it out” as we like to say when reassuring ourselves about our own capabilities.
As to mama – I caught her staring at Lian for 20 minutes today while Lian was sleeping on Melissa’s beautiful present – a floral printed baby blanket that she has already taken to completely. She speaks to Lian non-stop, usually in a normal voice, but then every now and then she’ll alternate between a normal tone and her high-pitched baby’s voice. She looked so serene. It’s sometimes hard for me to imagine how she can be so content taking care of our daughter. And yet she is always reminding me that she needs to keep busy professionally and can’t take any time off for Lian. I can understand the pressure she puts upon herself.
Lian today was her “usual” self. She sleeps in the morning, she in the mid-afternoon, falls asleep well in the early night, and then will usually treat us to a calm night of 2 feedings between 10pm and 6am. The good news? Michelle took her to the pediatrician: 20 inches and 8 pounds 9 oz. She gained 20 ounces in just under 2 weeks.
The importance of the numbers I just mentioned may not be as significant for you as they are for me: let me remind you – as a newborn father there is a single value you track keenly – your baby’s weight. At birth weight (by my calculations she regained her birth weight between Day 11-13), parents can let their baby sleep through the night without waking them (hooray! Let’s hope she chooses to sleep tonight!). And at 13 pounds – the one time this number is a harbinger of good – apparently your baby may sleep through the night. I bite my fingernails in eager anticipation! 4 pounds 6 ounces to go.
posted by Note Buyer at 11:57 PM
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