Tuesday, April 26, 2011

You can call me dad


I traded in eight sled dogs for a human child. Maybe I could have had it both ways, keeping the dogs while making babies, but I would have ended up with time for neither.

She came into the world with her ass first. As a result her legs were bent in a funny, frog-like way, so I call her "Frog".

The legs are ok now. She had to be checked for hip displasia, an expression any dog person will instantly recognize, but she's fine.

Being a dad is everything people say it is. Except for that part about not being able to sleep. We all sleep like babies in this home. I have learned to always be quick to point out that this may change any day. If you don't remember to say that, other parents will think you're telling them your kid is better than theirs.

I thought I would be more caught up in the "fruit of my loins"-bit, that I would be interested in the fact that I have given my genes a new lease on life. But that doesn't come in to it at all. I honestly believe that if someone on the street handed me a baby and said, there you go, mate, take care of this one, I would have felt pretty much the same as I do now. When step-parents and adoptive parents feel they love their children as much as if they were "real" parents, they are probably right.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey, new Dad; congratulations !

Northmark said...

Thanks!
One out of one hundred plans: Velombobile with a child's seat.

Anonymous said...

Awesome news, congratulations to you both, and the Wee One.

Wise words on the sleep issue. We had little trouble with Small Boys sleeping and got resentment without telling anyone about it. I don't know why this is issue has such an effect on people's self-worth as parents, but it does.

Look forward to The First Outings in the forests...

Northmark said...

Thanks! A lot of your stuff about bicycling with kids has suddenly become even more interesting. I am trying to fix my Danish bakfiets so it can carry a child's car seat, but knowing me Frog will be old enought to use a proper child's seat for bicycles by the time I'm finished.

Oldfool said...

Good to hear from you. Since you live so close to the edge of the world I thought you had fallen off.
Having children is like falling off.
As you know having puppies expands your life. Having your own child expands it exponentially.
Girls are such a joy be prepared for mind expanding surprises.
I am past child bearing and rearing age but I have to tell you that I have great envy. My best to the mother.

Anonymous said...

Hey! You've been busy. Good to see you back.

I'm traveling the same road -- due in October.

a

Northmark said...

Oldfool: I had to look up that movie with Grace Kelly, I think "Samantha" is a good name.

A: Best of luck. The stuff about time being relative is absolutely true. In one year you will not believe October was six months ago.

Eileen A. Brodie said...

Congratulations on the new life, and the new way of life that she brings. You seem from your writings to be such the humanist, I was not surprised to hear you relate that you believe it is in your heart to love a child, any child, with the necessary fervor and depth of feeling. A benevolent new tribe leader are you. Would that more people in charge of the welfare of others shared your instinct! Now that this particular child is yours, there will be a wonderful journey of giving her roots, and also wings.

Gwen Buchanan said...

...with a sweet-heart face like that who could ever resist.. she is a precious jewel! ... so look out, someone might steal her..
Congratulations! Loving a child makes your heart bigger, stronger and wider.. it's natural.

.. oh and time will even go faster now than you ever thought possible!!!

Pete said...

Congratulations on becoming a dad! It's a great photo too. I'm glad that you've found time to update the blog with this lovely news.

Kathleen said...

Aw, she's beautiful. And winsome. And perfect.

Northmark said...

Gwen: Wow, if it goes any faster than this...

Pete: I didn't even think of "Newt"! Excellent, you can never have too many pet names.

Kathleen: Thanks! I'm not taking credit for that winsomeness, though, that's from her mom's side.

dogsled_stacie said...

Congrats! She's a beauty! Does she pull well? :)

Sad to hear about no dogs in your life, but no doubt you found them fantastic homes.

Love your comments on adoptive and step-parents, wish more people had that understanding.

Northmark said...

Stacie, good to hear from you. I find myself wondering, when will she be old enough for a harness? Those kind of things, but a lot of people out there just don't understand.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your baby girl! She's lovely.

-Joe & Andrea

Northmark said...

Joe, Andrea: Thanks! Babies don't smell as strongly as puppies. But there is a vaguely recognizable scent the first weeks!

Steven Cain said...

Ahhh... beautiful indeed.