We're Rolling

The Gunny-sack

Well, it took some figuring out, but we're rolling. I am referring, of course, to the adjustments normal people must make when a newborn is introduced to their lifestyle.

For example, some things that have changed are: when we run, we push the baby in a jogger and carry a diaper in case he needs a diaper change. When we sit down to eat, the baby needs a diaper change. When we step out the door of the house to leave, the baby needs a diaper change. In the middle of the night, when we're sleeping, the baby needs a diaper change.

Otherwise, things are pretty much the same.

Meanwhile, the most frequently asked question of new parents is "Are you getting any sleep?" (This closely followed by "Who does he look like?"... the answer to which is, "Who do you think he looks like?"... the answer to which is different for every person who expresses their opinion.)

The answer to the sleep question is yes, we sleep between diaper changes.

Here's the real scoop: when you bring a newborn home from the hospital, there is no pattern. The kid has no idea what's going on having just entered the world. And the only thing more clueless than a new baby is new parents. In fact, I wouldn't call a new baby clueless at all. He senses something amiss, and he cries. Poor guy: now it's up to the clueless parents to figure out what he's crying about. Must be frustrating.

But as we approach the 7-week mark, we are starting to figure out how to integrate a baby into the things that normal people do. This week, for example, the three of us went to our weekly group run, we hiked to Moss Glen Falls and beyond, we raked out some of our flowerbeds, and we pressure-washed the house. Meanwhile, I wrote three articles for various magazines -- and we ate out twice. Sounds pretty close to normal, right? I'd agree... except for all those diaper changes.