Day nine –

At 1:30 a.m. I rushed to the side of a very uncomfortable baby boy. He was hungry, wet and letting the world know something shall be done about it. I performed a quick change, replaced him in his rocker-chair and then fed him. This feeding while in the chair routine worked so well yesterday that I have carried on with it. It seems to work quite well. He went immediately back to sleep. Mom got up for a Binky check-and-replace at 4:00 a.m. He was awakened by mom at 6:00 a.m. for the feeding, Binky still in-place, and went right back to sleep.

Mom went back to work, as we waited to hear back from the family with funeral arrangements. After the morning feeding, we headed out to find shoes for mom’s trip and then on to visit with Grandma C. Shopping with a newborn is a challenge unto itself. We found a convenience shopping center and tried several stores for some appropriate winter formal wear for mom. As we perused the women’s shoe isles we were met with many strange looks by mothers with children of their own; I was happy to finish this adventure with a good pair of shoes for mom. We headed on to visit with grandma. We got to the grandparent’s house right at the noon feeding time. Lil’ man was restless and started to through a fit. Grandma C took to feeding him and eventually calmed him down. Exhausted, I explained to her what had happened and what the laid-out plans were – I will be managing our son for the next five days, solo. Wrap my birthday into that package and it makes for a long stretch of lonely father-infant/son time. Grandma offered to help, where needed, and even offered to let us stay with them for a few days. I declined but definitely have it as a backup option. She loaded us down with leftover food and we headed home for the 3:00 p.m. feeding, which went well. Lil’ man quickly slept and only woke for the 6:00 p.m. feeding, which mom had made it home for, just in time. Immediately after his feeding, he slept. The day’s adventure had worn him out. Mom and I talked about the trip for the funeral. She will be leaving early tomorrow and returning mid-day Sunday. By 8:00, I was exhausted. I went to bed and did not wake.