Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Normal Life

It’s hard to believe that Tom is now a whole 8 days old! All that build-up to the birth – 9 long months of waiting and wondering and worrying – and suddenly it’s all ancient history. Over and done with. Water under the bridge, etc.

Only it isn’t over and done with, of course. In every respect it’s all just beginning. The worries haven’t stopped – they’re just taking different shapes and forms but they’re still there and still as piquant. Is he pooing enough? Is he pooing too much? Is he eating enough? Is he comfortable? Is he putting on enough weight? Does he like me?

From what I’ve heard from friends this constant parental paranoia is all perfectly normal. And regarding the last question above he certainly seems very content to have me feed him or change his nappy. Now that’s got to be a huge badge of acceptance in anybody’s book.

But the other worries still persist daily though they seem quite trivial in the cold light of this blog.

I can recall my mother telling me that when you have kids you never ever stop worrying about them… even when they’re grown up and are living their own lives far away from yours. You worry forever. Are they happy? Are they healthy? Are they pooing enough?

This is normal life.

And you know what? Above, beyond and behind it all… it’s undeniably good.

11 comments:

-eve- said...

Very well-written, Steve. I can understand and identify with that (especially with seeing so many sick kids in hospital; babies, especially, are very vulnerable... even a few hours of fever could be very dangerous)...

The Sagittarian said...

Steve, your mum (as usual) is right. And the wonderful thing is that as a parent sometimes you don't even realise you're worrying, you develop an inner radar and I now know that I have eyes in the back of my head - just like my dear ol' mum had/has! I think they sneak them into you while you're in t'hospickle! Your wee man is indeed in good hands (as the actress said to the bishop!).

Steve said...

Thanks for the compliment Eve!

Hi Amanda, I'm doing my best to make sure that my hands are the best they can be... ;-)

MOTHER OF MANY said...

As for the poo,after having a baby you will never want to eat chicken korma again!YUK!

Steve said...

Ally, he absolutely filled his nappy for the first time ever last night (as opposed to little pellets) - sorry, Laura, I know poo isn't for you! - after being a little constipated for days. Karen and I have never been happier!

The Poet Laura-eate said...

Poo! this blog's getting ever so slightly niffy Steve!

Forgive my ignorance of all things baby, but are they supposed to poo before they start eating solids?

Or is yours just being precocious and 'rather ahead in his development, ya'?

Laura ;-)

Steve said...

Ha ha! Yes they do indeed poo before they get onto solid food... not poo as you or I would care to recognize it but poo nonetheless!

I promise I'll lay off the poo very soon... in the meantime, hold your nose! ;-)

Old Cheeser said...

I think you're turning into a scat queen, Steve.

Do you have a brown handkerchief in your back trouser pocket?

Steve said...

Lol! You're a dirty boy, OC... and anyway, at this stage in Tom's development the hankerchief would be yellow...!

Samuel Goh Kim Eng said...

No parent, whatever the actual age, will ever stop parenting the offspring(s).

When it's your turn to be a parent, just do your best and enjoy it if & while you can.

Samuel Goh Kim Eng
http://MoitvationInMotion.blogspot.com
Fri. 19th Oct. 2007.

Steve said...

Thanks Samuel - and I'm certainly trying to enjoy it (and succeeding so far) as I also recall my mother telling me how quickly the baby stage passes and how quickly kids grow up...