Lily is 7 months old.
And when people tell me constantly how time flies? My God it really does…how has it been 7 months already? A few months ago I did one of these, I think she was 3 months at that time, and man…a lot has changed in just that few months. So as a new dad, and maybe you are too…here is what I have learned in 7 months of being Dad.
- It does get better
Dude, those first couple months were hell on earth! Becoming Dad and just figuring it all out is difficult. Maybe some of you just ‘got it,’ for me? It took a bit. Taking care of a human burrito that barely notices you is hard work and you start wondering ‘Jesus man am I doing this right?’ And when people tell you ‘You are doing a great job.’….I’m here to tell you that yea, you really are. 7 months in now, Lily smiles at me every second, loves when dad makes funny faces, and is just the cutest damn thing that has ever lived.
- Random things get more expensive.
That date night you wanted to go on? Pay the babysitter! Want to catch a quick movie? Pay the babysitter! Now, I don’t have the luxury of having family in town, so I have to pay people for me and Katie to go out on a date night or whatever…so that $5 movie at Marcus theaters on Tuesday? Toss in that babysitter and it’s now $60.
- She’s at the cute stage.
No really dude, she is….smiles all of the time, laughs at the cat, makes little noises, and seeing her develop into a human is just effing awesome dude. I have plenty of friends who want nothing to do with kids, and I respect that…but seeing your kid grow is pretty awesome.
- She may nap for 2 hours or 2 minutes.
She fell asleep on me, so I slowly brought her to her crib….just to wake up 20 mins later…..great. But yesterday? She fell asleep on me for 1 1/2 hours, which I slept too! It was glorious…but even that little 2 minute nap she had? WIDE AWAKE! I’m like LILY, you slept like NOT AT ALL, HOW ARE YOU SO AWAKE? Then she just smiles cause she knows….she just does.
- Mom is epic.
For real though, when Lily randomly wakes up at 2am cause she needs a pacifier? Mom is there…when Lily is hungry? Mom is there. Mom is epic…cause not only does she work a full time job, but she’s caring for our daughter on a whole ‘nother level that I as a dude, cannot do. Epic Mom is epic.
- Understanding that it’s not always going to be this way.
You’ve probably read through all this and said, ‘Yea, wait until she’s a toddler/pre-teen/adult.’ Oh I know and I don’t, cause I don’t have one yet, but I will….and just like these past 7 months? Lily will teach me the ways of what handling the next phase is like…I’ll get angry, sad, frustrated, happy, laughing, etc….but you soldier on and do your best.
I’ll check back with you in a year, inform you how it’s going.
