Greeted jovially by his crib mates today, Emmett wrapped up his first night at home with copious poopings, feedings, and effectively zero sleep for all involved. Some would say it’s rude to be so demanding as a house guest but, hey, perhaps manners develop in week 2.
One week in the NICU later, tiny (well, not-so-tiny, as it were; this is a sizable baby) Emmett was able to get dressed in some sensible attire, hop in his car seat, and take his inaugural car trip home.
This morning I was puked on, pooped on, and sneezed in the face; best morning ever.
I’m already very much changed. I’d instantly take a bullet for the tiny little boy in my arms, tethered to a litany of beeping machines and fluid pouches. These precious moments mitigate hard news of late; hearing the doctors’ plan to draw fluid from the vicinity of Em’s spinal column to test for meningitis, for example. He is strong, he’ll be fine.
After a fluctuating heartbeat, an infection, and near strangulation by his umbilical cord, little Emmet emerged via (unplanned) c-section at 2:20AM. A couple hours late of his due date, ultimately, and loved more than anything fathomable.
Headed to the hospital around 6 this morning, August 8th, Emmett’s actual due date. A punctual young man. He tentatively accepted the Outlook invite so could’ve gone either way, really. However things ended up evolving a bit differently than they began…
When my brother was born, my family brought him a lamb stuffed animal in the hospital. Unsurprisingly, my mother still has this. When I was born, they did the same. Mom still has this one too. For Emmett’s birth, I’m going to bring him the above. His name is Captain Lambface Von PuffyPants. And he has come to snuggle.
En route to the office, stopped in to get the requisite TDAP vaccination at the flagship Walgreens on State St. Everyone who comes in copious contact with the baby needs the shot, per the hospital. In the waiting area I pondered how dramatically life will change in just a few short days, and how sweet my McAllister Wingtips looked today. But more about the kid really.
I had this copper pendant & gunmetal chain necklace – stamped with the little fellow’s initial – made from a talented Etsy seller. It feels good being on my person throughout the day, before he’s born. Curious if he’ll emerge with a beard as awesome as his old man’s. No judgment if not.
This is the first article of clothing I’ve bought for the boy. I feel the way a man dresses should portray a definitive sense of self, complete confidence in his person, knowledge in the fashion he’s wearing and why, and the clear purpose that they are in fact planning on being Batman.