MM #2: Daddy Bonding

 A. and I work in opposite schedules which is very very good for Vien because it means he is not left with only a yaya. It also means that one of us gets to be with Vien most of the day.  That would be A. And that would mean more bonding time with Vien. I can only wonder what they do while I am away.

It is true that A. dislikes his son’s poop. He doesn’t want to change Vien’s diaper. He would, in fact, pretends to be busy watching TV than watch me do it. But, for everyone to know, he was the first one who did it! On our first day at the hospital after the delivery, he was roomed in so we could have a momemt with him. While we were scrutinizing every inch of Vien’s body (it was our first time to see a newborn up close), Vien suddenly pooped! We  wanted to call a nurse to do the thing but we hesitated. We decided to do it by ourselves. If we want to learn things, baby care stuff, we have to do it at once, right? So A. did it! I just handed him some cotton balls and that’s it. I couldn’t be fully involved yet because, you know, there was still a raw wound in the middle of my stomach. So there, I was excused!

With a little shivering of hands, A. pulled it off. Was I proud he did it? Very. It has become his pride as well to have that momentous first experience (between us) in changing Vien’s diaper. And that was also the last.

Although he doesn’t want to  be a “changing-diaper father”,  it did not stop him from doing other awesome things.

He was the one who introduced “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Rainbow Connection” to Vien. He used to sing these songs to Vien when he’s only few weeks old, during bedtime, and it seemed effective because Vien would quickly doze off. While I was the type who just hum aimlessly, without a song in mind. So I bought a DVD copy of nursery rhymes which I play every weekend. After several days, A. was surprised to hear me sing “Bah Bah Black Sheep”, “Little Bird”, “Bingo”, The More We Get Together”, “Little Sunny Water” etc. And I was glad that both of them appreciate it.

He was also the one who carefully studies Vien’s medicines. He reads the labels painstakingly, taking notes on the expiration dates and the side effects. He even confirms with othe people like his mother’s doctors, his sisters, and sisters-in-law. making sure that we have the right med for our little boy. He asks the pediatricain a lot of questions. I also sometimes find him reading baby books and then would boastfully tell me things he thought I didn’t know yet (yes, we sometimes compete on who’s a better parent. hehe).

He loves to play silly games with Vien. I love the fact that he can get Vien laughing so easy. Effortless! I myself feel ashamed sometimes when jealousy creeps into me seeing Vien’s eyes light up everytime he sees his tatay with ”play-mode” face (told you we tend to be competitive). Vien seems to prefer his daddy as his playmate over me. My notorious boy would just go to me when his hungry and would crawl back toward his tatay right after he’s full. Aint that unfair? But on the brighter side, I feel specially thankful for the fact that A. has this wonderful parenting skill which I obviously lack (talk about complimenting each other).

There are a lot more to write about how I am thankful to God for having A. around. Their bonding moments are exceptionally sweet and funny. Thank you to Mommy Chris for this Mommy Moments theme. For more entries, click here.