Sofia - 1 month old
I can’t believe how fast this past month has gone. Today Sofia is exactly 1 month old. Life seems to be moving at an accelerated pace.
So I want to reflect on the last month and get it down on paper, or at least modern day paper. I won’t pretend to give any advice here; I am not qualified for that. I have probably done more things wrong at this point than right. I feel like I am in boot camp learning how to be a father. So what follows are just my observations and some things I have learned.
How would I describe this past month? It’s like a vacation! Everyday brings something new and fun. Perhaps a Vegas vacation, because you don’t sleep much either. 
I am probably averaging 5 hours sleep is all and the wife is getting less than that, God love her.
The first month is a huge adjustment for everyone involved and there is nothing that can prepare you. You just learn as you go, sometimes she likes to be held with her head on your shoulder. Sometimes she hates that. Sometimes she likes the football hold. Sometimes she hates that. Sometimes she likes the pacifier. Sometimes she hates it. Sometimes she hates it all. You just keep trying.
This past month I have learned more deeply what it means to sacrifice. As a Christian the word sacrifice is familiar. But, oh man was I naive. With a child, you sacrifice. Your needs are no longer important. I guess a baby has a way of showing you what’s important and what isn’t important in life. When I look into her face the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of her beauty and grace. Yep, that’s a twist on the old hymn, but I believe looking at something so pure is the closest I will get to seeing Christ on this side of heaven.
If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.
- Bill Cosby
July 3rd, 2006 at 2:48 am
I’m glad that you’ve taken the time to get your thoughts down on paper. I’m not a parent (yet), but I can only imagine the way life changes with the birth of your first child… gone are the days of selfishness; now all you have is selflessness and love - pure and unconditional love. There’s a quote in the Bible (NIV) that has always captivated me, if you get a chance read Corinthians Chapter 13 beginning with Verse 1 - it’s an amazing read.
July 3rd, 2006 at 7:41 am
oh yeah, Corinthians 13 is a great read…
Having a child definitely changes you. I feel like I am officially a grown up; only took me 34 years