We've Got a Baby. Now What?
My grandfather used to give great tips; the most common: "Buy low, sell high!"
This advice he shared with relatives, strangers and the occasional bellhop or valet.
His monetary tips for waitstaff were probably quite exceptional in the 40s and 50s, but they didn't adjust for inflation, time or the change custom this century. He taught me math, and I used it to calculate 18% tips in the 90s and 20% tips this century. Sometimes, when he would leave an egregiously substandard tip for standard or exceptional service, I would slip a few of my own singles on the table.
Once, at Charley's Crab in Palm Beach I even pulled out a fiver out of my wallet.
A few days ago medical professionals pulled a baby out of my wife.
After I cut the cord and the three exceptional nurses cleaned him up and measured him, I took a few photos. Then I asked if I could touch him.
"He's yours," the eldest one said. "Absolutely."
This was heartening but also concerning.
Had they pointed to a futsal ball and said, "It's yours," I would have known exactly what to do with it.
Pencil. Fork. Underwear ... Same.
Newborn? Uhhh. I've never really read manuals -- it's usually easier to look at the pictures or figure it out intuitively. But for a baby, hand over the handbook!
I have read one pregnancy book, one parenting book and one book about babies and dogs. But what I'd really love to hear is from you.
And who knows, I might just read it after all.
This advice he shared with relatives, strangers and the occasional bellhop or valet.
His monetary tips for waitstaff were probably quite exceptional in the 40s and 50s, but they didn't adjust for inflation, time or the change custom this century. He taught me math, and I used it to calculate 18% tips in the 90s and 20% tips this century. Sometimes, when he would leave an egregiously substandard tip for standard or exceptional service, I would slip a few of my own singles on the table.
Once, at Charley's Crab in Palm Beach I even pulled out a fiver out of my wallet.
A few days ago medical professionals pulled a baby out of my wife.
After I cut the cord and the three exceptional nurses cleaned him up and measured him, I took a few photos. Then I asked if I could touch him.
This was heartening but also concerning.
Had they pointed to a futsal ball and said, "It's yours," I would have known exactly what to do with it.
Pencil. Fork. Underwear ... Same.
Newborn? Uhhh. I've never really read manuals -- it's usually easier to look at the pictures or figure it out intuitively. But for a baby, hand over the handbook!
I have read one pregnancy book, one parenting book and one book about babies and dogs. But what I'd really love to hear is from you.
- What is your most helpful tip for caring for a newborn?
- What is your most helpful tip for caring for wife and/or life while caring for a newborn?
And who knows, I might just read it after all.
Seventh in a series about the birth of #lilmill
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