| Dad's Diary |
| Archived Journal |
| Week 30 The Health Update Erika is feeling pretty good. She is sleeping a little less well than previously, but is overall doing pretty well. The wounds from her recent tumble have healed pretty nicely. We are now close enough to the big day that she will be going to see the midwives every two weeks. More on the bris I was somewhat surprised that reaction to the bris debate was overwhelmingly pro-bris. However, the anti-bris contingent was a vocal minority. Interestingly, only one person who opposed the circumcision was actually a parent who had decided against the operation--and they were having to have the operation done now because of medical reasons. All the other parents out there who responded had gone ahead and had it done. I was also surprised by how many people who said they were opposed to it, but went ahead and had it done at the birth. Almost all of them described it as "giving in" to the doctors. This is very interesting. The medical evidence doesn't support it as a necessary procedure, from what I've read. The American Pediatric Society does not recommend it. But, obviously, a bunch of doctors out there still think it's a good idea. I'm still leaning against, but a good success story would help me make up my mind for sure (anonymity guaranteed, of course). So, I'm still researching. Drop and give me 20 The highlight of my week was last Saturday at the University of Chicago's Boot Camp for Expectant Fathers. Here, I got to change the diaper of a live baby. That's right, a live baby. Some generous, brave father allowed his 4-month old daughter to be subjected to my clumsiness, as I admitted early in the class that I had never changed a diaper before. Otherwise, I can't say I learned that much from the class, but the hands on experience of changing and holding a live baby was priceless. Gabriella was fussy but she never really started to cry. I'm going to show you my naivete here: I was surprised by how much their arms and legs move. I wasn't prepared to have to pin them down to diaper them. Certainly makes it more challenging--having three hands would help. When I relayed this anecdote to my mother, she astutely asked if it was a poopy diaper or a wet diaper. When I responded that it was only wet, she said, "You won't really know what it's like until you change a poopy one." No doubt true. Apparently, I will be asked to bring in my baby at some point for a future class. The purpose is two-fold. One, so other fathers can get some experience changing diapers and holding babies. Two, so they can see that other men are holding it together. The entire experience was a little too touchy feely, support-groupish for me, but it's a worthy effort. I may even return with ours, assuming I can leave the house. Another interesting anecdote from the class: There were only 3 fathers in the class (I guess it's not the "in" thing to do). But, during introductions one of the fathers said he was "bi-polar" and had recently agreed to participate in an artificial insemination arrangement. I didn't believe a word he said. He made inappropriate remarks throughout the class. Needless to say, he didn't get to hold the baby or change a diaper. I thought the teacher handled it very well--better than I would have. Next week: Touring the maternity ward |