We've changed... we're new parents!

I never actually believed it would happen. But it dawned on me that it has the other day when I caught the expressions on my childless friends’ faces over lunch that it already well and truly has.

In such a short time we’ve become those people. We’re… new parents and we have one true obsession.

I’ll admit I was a bit concerned leading up to the birth about how Garrett would take to fatherhood, whether he’d see little Rafferty as an annoyance that had arrived to cramp his style. However all these worries evaporated the other day when I overheard him enthusiastically describing the length and volume of our son’s flatulence over a meal, as though extra long farts are a never before achieved feat of brilliance. (Truly though, those gigantic emissions from such a tiny little body take you by surprise every time. Amazing.)

Garrett is absolutely smitten, and so am I. Any fears that we’d be bummed about not being able to go to the movies now that there is a baby around are also dispelled as we sit on the carpet during Raff’s tummy time and delight over his ever so slight ability to lift his head off the floor. To us this is the ultimate in entertainment. This morning while we walked the baby in his pram we had a long discussion about how cute the sound he makes when he breathes is.

Garrett is convinced that our child’s toes have a super human strength, and meanwhile I’m telling anyone who will listen about Raff’s incredible milk guzzling powers, like no baby on earth has ever been born and then proceeded to be hungry, eat and grow.

And the photos! Raff in his pram, Raff in his crib, Raff on his change table, Raff in the bath. His expression is pretty much the same in every pic so far, but I find myself swiping through them if I’m away from him for even five minutes. Luckily he has some very doting grandparents who are eager to see him from every conceivable angle. If future civilizations find our photo stash they will think our child was some kind of revered God.

Our friends are probably finding themselves a little dismayed now that our conversations have gone from being about whatever it was we used to talk about (can’t remember) to nothing but animated summaries of our son’s ejection of bodily fluids, be it the hilarious time he vomited all over my new shirt right after I put it on, or about the time he pooped without his nappy on and it cleared the change table and nearly hit the wall on the other side of the room. To normal people, this is actually completely gross. To me this once would have been completely gross but now – riveting.

We’re so aware of how precious and fleeting these early days are, and it is so clear to us that a baby who eats, sleeps and poops without too much trouble is one that’s happy and thriving, hence every little burp and every soggy nappy being something to rejoice over.

What did you find fascinating about your new baby?

86 Comments

- - meimei said
  - 12 Nov 2013
    10:02 am
That’s right:) We changed after become a new parents. Excited and try did our best become parents.

- - liz007 said
  - 01 Nov 2013
    6:58 pm
We all change once we have kids and its funny the first one we worry a out every little old the second well okay they have cold. …greatest job in the world being a mom.

- - snoopy said
  - 31 Oct 2013
    1:47 pm
A part of you does change forever once you have kids.

- - rainbownerds said
  - 30 Oct 2013
    10:22 pm
a great read, thanks for sharing

- - sonja_holness said
  - 23 Oct 2013
    5:37 pm
The second time round I don’t think things are as exciting, though they are certainly easier!

- - barch said
  - 17 Oct 2013
    2:11 pm
Yes, life certainly does change when children come along. It’s like there is a switch that is flicked and there’s no going back.

- - meltingmoment said
  - 15 Oct 2013
    10:11 am
Thanks for sharing – they do change you and they grow so fast you need to enjoy every minute.

- - hexrex said
  - 14 Oct 2013
    7:53 pm
thanks for sharing such a great article

- - chantellmaree said
  - 28 Sep 2013
    4:13 pm
I totally agree, children are a blessing and I don’t mind my life has changed my children are my everything 🙂
I love watching them grow and play and turn into young adults
I really enjoyed this story

- - jocelynwong31 said
  - 19 Sep 2013
    10:24 pm
Couldn’t agree more. I’m a new parent too

- - danielle_morrisson said
  - 24 Aug 2013
    4:44 pm
Lol, yep its amazing how much you change!

- - kymaree said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    9:24 pm
Haha, it wears off eventually…when they start school apparently 🙂
- earthlydelites replied
  
  26 Aug 2013 , 8:25 am
  or never! hahaha who knows!
- - tahlia w said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    5:56 pm
how much it made us both grow up and realise what was important
- a-edwards replied
  
  31 Aug 2013 , 6:17 am
  It sure does make u realize what is really important in life!
- - gemair said
  - 21 Aug 2013
    4:34 pm
I can seriously remember those Milk guzzling days and the joy in watching them discover their own hands (except when they bit them not realising).

- - vicky_guillaumier said
  - 05 Aug 2013
    10:01 am
Its amazing how much they DO change you!!!
- a-edwards replied
  
  07 Aug 2013 , 4:16 pm
  Never thought they would but they do
  - lynzstevo replied
    
    11 Aug 2013 , 10:51 am
    
    Yeah, you don’t realise just how much they change you until you have them!
  - earthlydelites replied
    
    13 Aug 2013 , 11:08 am
    
    so true, its instantaneous isnt it ?
- - ginoula5 said
  - 03 Aug 2013
    6:13 am
The funny faces they pull when they poop lol. The super strength they have when pulling hair.

- - kate_reid said
  - 31 Jul 2013
    8:47 pm
It is true, things aren’t the same post baby, I found them to be better!

- - ditto said
  - 29 Jul 2013
    11:52 pm
the fun of being a new parent

- - tammykilby said
  - 23 Jul 2013
    2:49 pm
how cute they r when they are born.. an i love watchin babys sleep.. an pop they pop so much.. but wouldnr change it for anything. love allmy kids to bits.

- - mel1 said
  - 20 Jul 2013
    5:52 pm
Welcome to the best club in the world!!!!