Tag: New Born

Dear Jesse: A Letter From Dad

Kaine BartonLeave a comment

Dear Jesse,

It’s been 60 days since you came into our lives. 60 days since we finally met the little person that was growing in Renee’s belly. 60 days since I fell in love with you.

Life with you is so completely different to life before. Being responsible for a little human being is fun, challenging, rewarding, hard, exciting, overwhelming, interesting… all rolled into one big emotion that is so hard to describe. It is unlike anything I’ve ever done before. But I wouldn’t change it for anything.

I know it has only been 60 days and most people would say that it’s still only the beginning. I know this to be true. I know that it’s bound to get harder, but at the same time more rewarding and more fun.

I know that now I have started back at work that mummy is going to find it tougher. I can tell you that it’s tough for me too, having to leave you and mummy at home every morning as I head off in the cold to work. But I know that it is all for a good cause and as time goes on, we will be able to spend a lot more quality time together when it counts.

I know that there are going to be more challenges… more hard times… more mess… But along with that will come fun times, great experiences and memories to cherish forever.

Dear Jesse Post 2

It has been immensely gratifying getting to know you as you are. Watching you sleep. Watching how long it takes you to wake from your slumber. Laughing along with mummy at the many grunts and squeals you let out when feeding. The way you are already smiling.

I love your little fingers and toes and hands and feet. I love how wispy and blonde your hair is. I love how you sigh in your sleep. I love how I can get you to smile by playing with your bottom lip and chin.

I absolutely can’t wait to grow with you and be the dad I always imagined I’d be when mummy and I had children. Playing with you in the backyard or down at the local park. Teaching you life lessons. Playing hide and seek with you. Laughing with you. Tucking you into bed and reading you bedtime stories.

I love everything about you. To me, you are our perfect little man. I love that this is only the beginning of such a wonderful journey ahead.

Jesse, I’m so glad you are here and I can’t wait to get to know you more.

Love, Dad.

My First Week as a New Mum

Renee Barton2 Comments

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This time last week I was giving birth to our son, Jesse Jack Barton. It was by far the most physically and mentally demanding thing I have ever done….and I loved it. I was absolutely pushed to my limits and many times wanted to give up but in the end my labour and delivery was a really beautiful experience.  And it resulted in a perfect little boy whom we are growing more and more smitten with every day.

The last 7 days have been a roller-coaster ride to say the least.  We have felt just about every possible emotion from overwhelming joy to plain overwhelmed and everything in between.  I don’t think I’ve ever questioned myself more than I have this week.  But all in all I think we are doing pretty good.

I knew Kaine would be a great dad but I am in awe of how he has taken to being the head of our family. He has been my rock this week.  He seems to know exactly what I need whether it be an encouraging cuddle, a reassuring word or just a clean kitchen and a hot meal in my belly.

There is so much I could say about my first 7 days as a mum but here are a few points that basically sum it up….

I have…

  • Squeezed out a human being
  • Felt like a birthing goddess while simultaneously feeling like I’ve been repeatedly run over by a truck
  • Been ‘milked’ by at least 8 different women
  • Cried happy tears, sad tears, frustrated tears and I-have-no-idea-why tears
  • Inspected my body in the mirror and missed my baby bump, liked seeing my hips again and wondered when my tummy will go back to normal
  • Already done several things I said I would never do (and I’m sure there will be many more)
  • Marvelled at my beautiful baby; kissed his face a million times, counted his fingers and toes, stared at him for what seems like hours and giggled at each different face he pulls
  • Felt like super mum
  • Felt like a terrible mum
  • Celebrated getting 2 hours sleep in a row

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While we are living in the fog of those first few weeks with a newborn we are trying really hard to just enjoy it all and take it all in.  We know we will never get this time back and that soon we will find our feet.

So for now we will  just do our best, learn as we go and enjoy our little boy.