NewPlew

What can I say? Week one is at a close, and I’ve already learned a lot:

Childbirth is a bloody, wet, painful, sickening thing - and I’m so humbled and grateful Joanna let me be part of it.

Diapers are damn expensive and babies can burn through a gross of ‘em in no time.

The NICU has all kinds of alarms, bells, and whistles - it helps to get to know them so you don’t freak out as much.

I now realize how insignificant the smell of a shitty diaper is; it’s natural, and it needs attention. No big deal.

Sleep is a luxury which should be treated with great respect. If you see a napping daddy/mommy at your work place, do them a favor: turn the light out and close the door.

I now understand why new parents often look like zombies: they haven’t truly slept in a long, long time.

It’s OK to get by with a little help from friends/family. Let them pitch in.

Baby swings are the single greatest invention in the history of mankind. Screw the internet, the wheel, the saddle, or the frickin’ refrigerator. Baby swings.

I have much more respect for single parents - it’s tough enough with a team!

Getting pissed on is no big deal - that’s what wipes are for.

I know what it is to love unconditionally. My love for Thalia is unique to my existence. I’ve never felt love so deeply, so intensely, as I do when she’s asleep in my arms. It’s impossible to explain - it can only be understood by other fathers.

There is so, so much more I can write, but I think I’ll quit now. This post is the first in a series I will publish under the category “Thalia weekly” - weekly updates of Thalia, mommy, and daddy. Thanks for reading.

Finally! After a few days of waiting, watching, and hoping - Thalia’s lungs have recovered and she’s ready for her trip home. I would never have believed I’d feel the depth of love I already have for my daughter had someone described it to me prior to holding her in my arms. This is truly the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life, in our lives.

Joanna and I are very grateful for all the well-wishes and visitors Thalia has had over the last few days. With all of the positive feelings and prayers our friends and family have sent, we’ve been able to get through a fairly stressful time.

Feel free to come visit us at home - we’re happy to see you! The Nurses in the NICU gave us a few guidelines for visitors over the first few weeks at home, so don’t be disappointed if you can’t hold her immediately - all in good time! We’re supposed to keep her outside exposure and activity to low levels so she can be as strong as possible.

—-

She’s got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that
special place
And if I stared too long
I’d probably break down and cry

Sweet child o’ mine
Sweet love of mine

She’s got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me
of a warm safe place
Where as a child I’d hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by

Sweet child o’ mine
Sweet love of mine

Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Sweet child o’ mine

[Thanks be to Axl and the gang]

Thalia’s lungs and tummy have had a tough time! The NICU decided to use an oxygen bubble for a procedure known as a “nitro-wash” to alleviate her partially collapsed lungs, and she’s had a tube placed down her throat to help drain extra fluid/air from her tummy.

The good news? She’s crying like a 6-year-old that just found out Santa’s not real. That means the treatment is working! The Nurse Practitioner said her most recent x-rays show improvement; that’s great news. The bad news? She’s going to need at least another day in the bubble to help her lungs and she’s already pulled out the tummy tube once. Oh well. You take the good, take the bad, yadda yadda TOOTIE!

If you’d like to come by and see us, please do! We’re at St. Francis Hospital Indianapolis in Women’s and Children’s Services Rm. 3016