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Mull-Art β Fodder 6
Published: 2014-03-27 05:28:04 +0000 UTC; Views: 1723; Favourites: 38; Downloads: 0
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Haven't had any time for personal work recently as things are mental, hectic, crazy busy. These are from a little earlier.Related content
Comments: 17
Nice to see updates from you my friend! Beautiful stuff!
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Thanks buddy, yeah been kinda busy with one thing or another.
So hows life now your a proud Dad?
We (the wife and I but I guess that would be fairly obvious lol) are expecting our first (and only) child at the end of July 
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Wow congrats man!
Ummm insider information huh... well you will no doubt be bombarded with information and advice from everyone. Thats probably one of the hardest thing to deal with.
Heres what ive learned. Its hard. Its fun. You will no doubt feel that you want to break the little thing in your hands. And yes i mean break. Its ok to feel that way. I would say that nearly everyone will feel that at some stage. Breast feeding isnt neccessarily as easy as its made out to be (weve had to use formula from the get go). Be as flexible as possible and try and go with the flow (hard to do). You will lose sleep. Babies are pretty hardy so dont be too afraid of em. Getting involved from the start is a good way of getting used to the changes. You will grieve your old life but its totally worth it. Everything is going to be ok and every baby is different. Learn your baby, and try not to compare yours to the 'norm' etc.
Things have been going pretty well with us. We had a rough go to begin with. He was about 10 days late and really big. Wifes milk never really came in which caused much frustration. He is sleeping really good now overnight which doesnt happen for everyone. He is pretty awake and grumpy during the day though so trade offs...Β
fire questions if you want... i aint no expert though 
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Cheers mate
We've already started to experience the overload of information from people, some parents some not but think they know everything lol.
The list of 'essential' things we need is incredible, our apartment already looks like Buy Buy Baby and ToysRus combined and not a PS4 insight haha
I'm going to just try and take things in my stride, do whatever is required for both wife and boy as best I can, no point in me stressing.
Glad things are going well for you mate, I'm sure your loving being a new parent and fella, your an expert compared to me
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Hey Man,
Just wanted to say that I hope things are going well into the lead up of your new arrival!
Goodluck!!!
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Hey buddy
Wow you weren't wrong about the information overload!! Β Jezz every body comes out the woodwork with advice and the 'best practice' lol
Thankfully I have the ability to zone people out whilst appearing interested and taking it in.
Its not long now (thankfully) and he'll be here, the smell of baby shit, talc, the constant ting bing sounds of toys and stuff, stubbed toes from the lack of light from night lights and half open eyes, can't wait.
I'm sure we'll get into our own little routine and ways of doing stuff, which I'm guessing is what every other parent does. Β So far I'm not stressed but that could change lol.
So hows things with you guys, all settled into your routine? Still big smiles and excitement?
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The good thing is, is that is the first little bit the shit smell isnt really bad. Which is odd to say but it only starts getting bad later on, and from what ive head its really bad when they hit solids but thats not till like 6 months or something. So plenty of time
So yep, you'll be fine. Its tough by all means but you will slowly work out what is working and what isnt.
We have kind of a routine. But the routine is always changing and thats because he is constantly changing. His abilities keep leveling up and so you really have to be adaptable. Thats been one of the hardest things for me. You get used to one thing and then he goes and changes it. Gah... Its definitely not all big smiles and excitement thats for sure
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The thing which gets me is when we ask a question, to anyone, they give an answer which makes it seem like an impossible task then they follow with "but you'll be fine". Β Like we have a choice lol.
Its great to hear someone (you) say it as it is
My eyes are fully open and realize that its going to be tough but like most things, just gotta get on with it, go with the flow.
Question not relating directly to shitty nap pies or feeding lol, have you applied for dual citizenship for your son? I know the governments work totally different between these two countries so I won't ask about process and time etc, but I was just wondering what your thoughts were when, or if you thought about doing it for him.
We have a ton of stuff now ready for his arrival, crib, bassinet, changing table, bath, bottles, stroller, swing seat thingy, more clothes than I have and a bib for every day of the month (which will probably last a week) and more things trickle in each week.
So practically we are ready, mentally and emotionally I'm ready but the wife is the unknown entity lol, she's been a nightmare from start to nearly end!! Β Β Β
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Yeah i know... saying you'll be fine is a bit of a throw away comment. At the time you wont feel fine. You'll feel like what the hell have we just done?!?! Its hard giving up so much of yourself for a little life that initially only takes. Its gets better though. Its just a tough slog. Our boy is now about 4 months and hes just getting to the stage where hes becoming a whole lot more interactive. Hes smiling a whole lot more and almost giggling properly. Cranky as all hell though...
Just on that> there is an app called the wonder weeks. It tracks what is going on with your babies mental development. Meaning that you will be able to better predict when they will get cranky etc. Really interesting stuff.
Citizenship: Since he was born in Canada and also Michelle is a dual citizen he automatically became a Canadian. We applied for his Aussie Citizenship when we were there in May (yes we traveled with a 2 month old on really long flights O_O). So yeah his just arrived. Im not sure what the deal is with America. I think they dont really like having Dual people. So definitely look into it to make sure that he/she can.
And yeah. Wives... crazy things... always the unknown at times (so profound that statement there). You'll already know this but just try and be as helpful as possible. That in itself is an impossible task as you can never predict what is going to happen. Most of the time it just involved me making sure that she was full of food... strange things happen when shes hungry...
so with all that...
you'll be fine...Β
mwaahaahaaahaaaa
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Thanks for all the advice mate, its great hearing the truth from a new father.
The wife has 3 months off after she gives birth so hopefully between us we can get into his routines.
4 months already, wow time flies by. Β I look forward to the more interactive stage, bet its great fun seeing them laugh and smile although being cranky isn't a good thing lol.
I'll be sure to check out that app, I have a ton of reading to get through before the 'big day', although I'm sure if I didn't read it I'd still be fine lol.
Wives man, the thing which boils my piss the most is mine thinks I can read her mind and expects me to do just do things without being asked or prompted.
I will gladly do anything for her but I need to be told, I try and keep cool and calm but after a while I snap which makes the entire situation worse.
I just hope that once he's here and her hormones settle again that she starts to see and think more clearly.
Thanks for adding the evil laugh
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Yeah its one of the things that is pretty crazy about the states and only giving a really short amount of time with maternity leave. Here, the wife gets a whole year.
ah yeah the reading of minds... you cant do that yet?
As for the hormones, pretty sure they will take a while to settle back down. As long as you are prepared for a little crazy added to the little crazy bundle hah. Yeah. Right as if anyone is actually ready for that.
I'd love to say that things will get easier but its more that things just change constantly... as soon as you get a handle on how to do things it will change so it will keep you on your toes. As much as you can enjoy it. And probably the only advice I can give is: Be as involved as possible. You will enjoy it more if you connect as early as possible. It'll only get harder as you go along if you dont. Your wife will appreciate it more, and it will make things a whole lot smoother. Again, not saying that it will be easier but it will be better for you all.
Thats my 2 cents anyway. Oh and enjoy your freedom whilst it lasts in these last couple of weeks/days/whatever... You wont see them again for a long long time. Damn I sound old and crotchety and evil. Im such a pessimist.
Oh another book that was helpful for crying etc was The Happiest Baby on the Block. It helped me to understand how to calm him down etc.
Ok enough outta me!
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Hahaha
Things are still mental but I've switched off from the berating I get, focusing more on trying to calm her with lots of 'yeses' lol.
We had the baby shower this last weekend and one of her work colleagues brought her little boy, who is 8 months (quite big for an 8 month old) and he was super cool.
Then we had dinner with friends who have just had another child (2 months old) and the difference in the two is incredible.
I am enjoying my 'freedom' as in a few short weeks we'll be dealing with a newborn, which will be amazing but restricting. Β Be interesting to see how my time management skills deal with being a new Dad and trying to work freelance lol.
I shall also check out your book suggestion, did you also have tons to read?
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I only had one book. And I failed to read it. I was poor at the whole reading thing. If you've been to any of the prenatal classes you'll probably already know all you need anyway.
Most stuff wont happen like the books tell you anyway so the biggest thing I can say is to learn your baby. Dont try and conform your books to the baby. You'll just get frustrated. Do what works and you'll be happier
Yep they grow up so quickly... its amazing and scary all at once. Take lots of photos cause you wont notice the change much without it but it goes so fast. Ethan is nearly rolling over which is crazy. Seems like such an achievement even though its only rolling over. He'll be moving around really soon which means we'll have to baby proof the house. O_OΒ
Dont stress too much. You'll have plenty of time to do that later!
Hows your bionic hips going btw? Are you prepared for a work out? You'll get the parent sway very soon and you wont even know how to stop even when you arent holding your baby
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Yeah I have a couple to get through but my momentum and enthusiasm for reading them is zero lol.
We haven't yet done any parental classes but I believe we have one soon, we also have a doula who is going to be a great help.
Like you say, I'm simply going to take it as it comes and we (wifey and I) have already said that he's an individual and so we shall treat him like one.
Whatever routine falls naturally for us is all we can ask and hope for.
Somebody else told me to take lots of pictures as they change rapidly, I'm so concerned about him growing up quickly that I've already got him a paper round lol
I'm doing great mate, the hips are doing brilliant and a testament to the amazing work my specialist did.
I walk everywhere and bike at least an hour a day so I'm keeping fit and healthy to help maintain them in great condition.
We went to BuyBuyBaby and bought a ton more gear and one item was the carrier, so I can carry him around on my front/back (I'm sure I could have used a normal rucksack lol)
And whats this Papa swagger lol?
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Really good to hear that things are going pretty smoothly mate! Really do hope that the birth is ok. It can be a pretty stressful time.
As for the papa swagger... its just something that you'll pick up trying to keep ya bubs asleep. You'll be moving back and forth in a nice smooth motion... and then you'll realise you dont have a child in your arms 
Oh man, dont get me started on the amount of stuff you need... so crazy huh? and they'll grow out of so much of it so quickly too. Nuts!
Dont worry too much about the reading stuff. i barely read anything but the prenatal classes were mostly pretty helpful although maybe a little rosy looking back on it all.
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