Play at home Dad

So we wrapped up the baby education with a class on Tuesday that was just for dads.  As I made my way to the class, I wasn't really sure what to expect.  What could possibly be covered that wasn't touched on in another class?  Quite simply, there was nothing new, but it put everything into dad friendly terms with sports metaphors and old cliché's.  It reinforced the need for preparation but to "expect the unexpected".  The instructor talked about how we dads would need to sometimes be the coach, sometimes the pinch hitter, and sometimes the MVP.

The class started off with a funny video about dads changing diapers.  It was supposed to be an icebreaker but I don't think it got anyone psyched about changing dirty diapers.  Then a REAL first time father talked to us about his experiences starting from his wife's labor, to bringing his daughter home, and how everything has changed in the last year.  He had some good advice like making sure that you give your wife time away from the baby (apparently his wife relaxes by going to the neighbors house to drink) and also to take time for yourself, which he uses to mow the lawn.  The looks on some of the other guy's faces was priceless.  Other than that though the guy was very helpful and I liked that he gave honest answers on what to expect.

After he left we worked on swaddling and changing diapers.  My practice baby was gigantic and was actually probably supposed to be a toddler doll.  It was pretty funny trying to fit a newborn diaper on it, but I think that the baby looked a little gangsta with its sagging diaper and "Tiny" (thats what I called him) totally gained some street cred.  And all that practice with Brady has paid off because I was awesome with swaddling.    

Generally speaking though it was a pretty good class.  It told everyone to be as prepared as possible and stock up on sleep.  We're almost ready as soon as we get the nursery painted and the furniture in the room.  And I guess that a new parent can expect to lose on average 550 hours of sleep in the first year.  But the good news is that usually a sleep cycle for the baby will be established before 9 months.  So by this time next year we'll be getting our 8 hours of sleep.

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