All Hail Patagonia Tirpitz!

My daughter has arrived!

While I think the name in the title to this blog it pretty darned cool, her actual name is Iona, which I hope will result in significantly less teasing at school. For the record, only one person guessed correctly.

For those of you interested in the details, she weighed 8 lbs and 6 ounces at birth and is 21 inches long. She has light ginger coloured hair and the attitude to accompany it.

Being first time parents, we have received all sorts of unsolicited, though well intentioned advice/observations from others, including:

1. Say Good-Bye to sleep. This is completely inaccurate. While, it's only been a few days, I find that we haven't had to say good-bye to sleep, we've simply had to adjust when we sleep... such as having a thirty second kip while waiting at a red light (people are always helpful in reminding you when to go), or while collapsed on the shower floor. Additionally, places that had once been considered as ludicrous places to take a nap, now seem to be rather luxurious and welcoming, such as the a fore mentioned shower floor, slumped across a flight of stairs, or curled up under the kitchen table. 
2. Your priorities will change. Actually, I like to think I already have my priorities in good order. I'm finding that while I may need to slightly adjust a few, I'm just more passionate about enforcing the ones already in place. If you weren't on my priority list already, you'll find that any polite pleasantries have been completely dispensed with! 
3. You'll have less interest and time for your pets. I'm finding I care about them as much as I ever have. I just have an additional creature in my life to care about. I have plenty of caring to share out, and I doubt there will ever be a shortage for those that enter into my life, human or otherwise... although some will certainly challenge that supply from time to time! At any rate, our cats are pretty easy going. As long as there's at least one five minute laser play time in the day, a quick head scritch, and there's food in the dish, everyone is happy.  
4. You'll have no free time. Like sleep, there's always time for free time, and one would argue that what little you have after having a child, becomes that much more important in keeping both parents sane. It just might not always be between the convenient hours of 5pm and 10pm, nor be as uninterrupted as it once was. I suggest taking up hobbies that can be picked up and dropped in increments of about 30 seconds... such as nail biting, staring blankly at the ceiling, or baby watching (yours that is!), which has the added advantage of being something you should be doing anyway. 
5. Having a messy house will become the new "normal". When I was three, I was fond of pointing out things that were out of place or errant marks that needed washed off walls. My mother eventually tired of hearing the complaints and handed me a white crayon. Except for a short period of time during my bachelor years, I've tended to tidy as I go from that young age, generally keeping the need for large "cleaning" sessions to a minimum. If anything, I would say my cleaning regimens in the last few days have increased slightly. They would certainly be significantly improved from my days as a bachelor when I would hoover once a year... whether the carpet needed it or not. Don't ask about my bachelor era bathroom.
6. Get used to being coated in a layer of puke and other bodily fluids. So far my daughter has been amazingly less pukey than I'd expected. As a potential parent, I had been a little wary of the whole bodily fluid coating every conceivable surface issue, although I find when it's your own kid, you just simply don't mind, and in many cases, even notice it. Diaper changing are significantly less traumatic than I imagined them to be, and in fact is significantly more enjoyable than some of the more undesirable tasks (and individuals) I've encountered in working life over the years. Having a ready supply of mushy baby poo, has it's advantages... see point two and the a fore mentioned people that aren't on my priority list. 

Inserted below is the first and last picture I will be posting of my daughter online (at least identifiable). To be serious for a moment, please keep in mind for future reference, that we wish to protect her online privacy as much as possible until she is mature enough to manage her privacy herself. If you are visiting and taking pictures of her (particularly when she's older) please do not post them without our consent... unless you'd like to receive a large bucket of baby poo pushed through your mail slot.

A Saganesque pose: Contemplating her universe
which has recently expanded exponentially