Well after a few days of parenting there are five things that I have learned that I never even remotely thought about.
5. Different diapers can make a big difference.
We have tried many different brands and some definitely work better than others. We have found that the Huggies newborn have fit the best, and they have a really cool color change line to show when she is wet. This is also available on the Pampers brand, but they didn’t fit as well as we needed. Many people will swear by a brand or type, but just experiment with your baby.
4. You become perpetually an hour behind schedule.
Anna and I couldn’t wrap our head around why a new baby always made people late. We figured that you should just calculate what time you need to be somewhere and then how long it takes to get the baby ready and then you are good to go. This I have learned is not true. There are all these other mitigating factors that lead to being late that creep up, like needing to change outfits at the last minute, last minute feeding, changing of the diaper, and so on and so on. And let’s not forget that it isn’t easy to get yourself ready when you have a baby in your arms screaming!
3. A wipe warmer is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
I attribute this piece of gold to my friend John Ray Perkins he suggested way back to get a wipe warmer to help cut the cold when changing diapers. This has made a BIG difference. It makes changing her diaper so much more peaceful and enjoyable for both parties. The only caution is learn to close the lid or the pretty much all dry out! Well worth the money!
2. Poop is now interesting.
Never in my life would I have pictured the subject of poop being very interesting. I have spent more time discussing poop with my wife than I ever imagined. Since my wife is breast feeding we can’t measure the level of input, we have to measure the level of output to check on her feeding status. But on a deeper level this lesson learned is more about topics of conversation that used to be considered “base” or “rude” are now acceptable conversation. Pee, poo, burping, and my favorite, flatuelence are now common place topics in our household. My daughter has a pretty righteous fart, which makes her father very proud. 
1. It makes you value your spouse so much more.
Don’t get me wrong, before our child was born I loved my wife very dearly, but I have a whole new appreciation for her as a woman, mother, and wife. We are no longer, just “us”, but now “our family”. It changes the perspective of love and relationship for the better. I always tried to rationalize how my love would be “split” between my wife and my daughter, but I think what I have learned is that my capacity to love has just maginified enough to include my beautiful daughter Ada and my wife Anna. It has been interesting learning how to modify “our” relationship to include her, but it has only changed for the better.
Well these are just a few gems that I have gleaned so far…more to come I am sure. Thanks for the prayers and everyone following faithfully. Let us know what lessons we have “yet” to learn.
Thanks,
Daniel (Daddy) Kedinger
Posted: July 25th, 2009 under Lessons, Parenting.
Comments: 1
