My wife started working again back in December. She is self employed. It has its advantages, but with no maternity leave it was kind of a stretch finacially. (That’s a topic for another day) We have been fortunate enough that my job allows me to go in later in the afternoon, which means that I get to stay at home during most of day and take care of him.

I can honestly say that it has been the most enjoyable 3 months of my life! He fit in one of my hands when we brought him home. This beautiful little gift from God. It’s been such and amazing circumstance being able to watch him grow and become his own little man. He gets up every morning happy and adjusted. (Well, until teething hit about a month ago) That is the most heart breaking thing in the world, right next to immunization shots! I get to feed him, change him, bathe him and interact with him. The first time I made him cackle was the best experience ever! It was totally out of the blue. Best sound in the whole world.

We had our first baby food experience.  We made it ourselves! I’ve cooked dinners for a lot of people, but making baby food from scratch was amazing! Watching him try food for the first time was great! I made sure Mommy was there for that one!

But, as I sit home with this kid. I think about all the stuff my Dad missed out on when I was growing up. Granted, we have a wonderful relationship, but I wonder if he ever thinks about that? I also think about the women who are lucky enough to be able to do this, and then I think about the women or men who have to raise their child and also  work to help out the household or support the family by themselves.

Anyone who thinks that raising a kid is easy, and that you have all this free time to watch tv or go run around or have hobbies, TRY IT! This is the hardest thing I have ever done. Rewarding, YES! I know now this the easiest part, He isn’t mobile, but he can’t talk. I have no understanding of baby gibberish! I know I’m not perfect at it. I know I will make mistakes. I know I have my ways of doing things that differ from the way my wife does, but we have made a great team so far!

From the time we brought him home, we knew it was going to be learning experience. They say that the nurturing gene will kick in like clockwork. Which means every sense you have is always on! Is hungry? Is he breathing when he sleeps? ( that’s the most nerve wracking thing the first few months) Is he eating enough? The list is endless! I have at this point, the most laid back kid in the world. We have our schedule. That was very important to my wife and I that he have some semblance of a schedule. I know it has worked to some degree, because we have noticed if there is a change in his, he isn’t a happy camper.

I really have a hard time understanding people that bash women or men that decide to stay at home to raise their children, which in turn doesn’t give you the right to besmirch people that choose not too. As a parent or parents, we all make the decisions based on what we think is best for our children. That should always be the reason for what ever you decide. Some people can afford to have one income and some cannot.

We have started our little drives to the store, to Mom’s office and to Aunties house! He is great! Cool as the other side of the pillow. We take the big road trip in a few weeks! That’s going to be the real test! The drive and the in-laws! Will let you know how that went.