Welcome to the world, baby Maeve.
How do I explain how it feels? I guess nothing can really prepare you for being a parent, much less the feelings you will have for your baby.
When I look at baby Maeve, I’m hypnotized.
I look at her eyelashes, the little wrinkles on her arms and legs, her soft red hair, and her perfect smooth skin. I can’t believe it is possible that Robin and I created such a beautiful and perfect being.
I am totally in love with her, think about her to the exclusion of everything else, and have a constant warm calming joy in my heart.
Born at 10:30pm on December 26th, 2010, Maeve narrowly escaped the fate of those born on Christmas day: having your birthday the same day as Jesus. I know. Tough act to follow.
Of course it won’t be entirely easy to round up all of Maeve’s friends the day after Christmas for her birthday party, but I can tell you for sure – it would be IMPOSSIBLE if she had been born on Christmas.
Robin and I spent two days at the hospital where I quickly learned some basics of being a father: how to swaddle and soothe my baby, how to take care of my lovely wife after almost 24 hours of labor, and how to hold a new being, my own baby girl, through the night, trying to help her sleep as she experienced her first few hours in the real world. It must have been terrifying for her.
Now we are at home and adjusting to an entirely new life. Robin and I spend each day revolving around baby Maeve’s needs. It’s almost as if the outside world did not exist at all. I will try to sneak out a blog post soon, but don’t expect much until the pieces of my new life have settled into a more regular pattern.
My advice to new parents? Watch the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD and do EXACTLY what it tells you to do. It’s like magic. I feel like a ‘baby whisperer’ already.
Second thing – get an Ergo Baby Carrier so you can put your newborn to sleep and keep her asleep with the movement of your body. It will allow you to do basic things such as use a remote control, pour a glass of orange juice, and yes, even write a blog entry.
Without a baby carrier it is impossible. Trust me.
As my friend Frank Huster wrote to me recently: ‘Welcome to fatherhood and the beginning of the second part of your life.’
It is so true. And completely wonderful.
December 31, 2010 5:49 pm
Comment :
This is so touching, Kirk. Maeve is absolutely beautiful. I’m mesmerized by her and I haven’t even met her yet! I am so very happy for you and Robin. Big hugs and congratulations to you and your girls!
December 31, 2010 6:19 pm
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Darrah Parker, Kirk Mastin. Kirk Mastin said: Meet my new baby girl: Maeve!!! http://bit.ly/eM2zNI [...]
December 31, 2010 10:35 pm
Comment :
Congratulations!! What a lovely Christmas present
January 4, 2011 3:53 pm
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dude, congrats. she is beautiful!!
January 11, 2011 1:43 pm
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Congratulations Kirk. In addition to your newborn’s new life. Its also be a new lifestyle for both of you as parents. All in all it will be a nice and happy household.
January 20, 2011 6:34 pm
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Maeve is just an absolute little love.
Her hair and little mouth are so adorable.
Congratulations!
January 24, 2011 1:05 pm
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Beautiful. Congratulations! How long till she gets her own TS-E ?
January 28, 2011 9:08 pm
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[...] the weekend, Robin and I took our one month old baby Maeve to the Frye Art Museum near downtown Seattle. We wanted to expose her to the arts at a young age [...]
February 10, 2011 12:40 pm
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[...] we are married and have a baby. This is how things started, a love letter in [...]
March 21, 2011 3:56 pm
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Can’t wait to meet Robin and Maeve in November. So pleased you’re coming.