Fatherhood Fridays: One Month

“A few days after we came home from the hospital, I sent a letter to a friend, including a photo of my son and some first impressions of fatherhood. He responded, simply, 'Everything is possible again.' It was the perfect thing to write because that was exactly how it felt.” 
― Jonathan Safran Foer

It has been quite the eventful week at the Seigmund household. Seth turned four weeks old! We both have been puked on, peed on, I got poo'd on...

Don't ask.

Sleep seems to be getting better, I think. My lip is still healing from the ice cream scooper incident.

Who knew?

Seth has grown so much already. He is bigger, longer and chunkier. We have been growing right along with him. It has been incredible to be able to be around my wife and my son during his first month of life. Blessings abound.

So, what have I learned with my son this last week?

• As the picture above indicates, he can get grumpy. This is almost always when he wakes up and realizes that he wants food. IMMEDIATELY! He gets this temperament honestly, from me.
• My wife is the most beautiful and amazing woman in our world. She has completely risen to this task and calling in her life. She shines as a mother, and her beauty and grace transcend any perceived tragedy or calamity. She is lovely to behold!
• Seth is very well mannered when not hungry. He is "talking" a lot now, and in general just likes to be with us no matter what. He loves riding in the truck, noise is no issue, and he travels well.
• I have determined not to call him my "boy". He is a man-child, and mine at that. I will not follow the current model of parenting and raise a "ban", or a boy-man. I'm talking about the myriad of males that, even though they are over the legally determined age of adulthood, still live at home, have no purpose in life other than their X-Box, pornography, and next MMA fight night. No, this one will be raised up to be a man, in every sense of that word. Training begins now.
• Leadership. He will be a leader. This is a leadership blog as it is, so this is appropriate, and connected with the last statement. He will lead his life, and not simply react and respond to his situation or circumstance. He will lead his family, and he will someday lead others. I have been saying forever that we need better leaders in this time and this world. Too many people think that this is presumptuous, and me wanting to manipulate my son's life. It isn't presumptuous to give a man a sense of purpose, it is the best thing we can do for them. A pastor that I respect has been known to say this about men. "Men are like pickup trucks. They travel better when they are carrying a load". True statement. We need better leaders, and better men in this world. Mine will be one.

The quote I lead off with is so true. It is incredible to look at this small man-child and wonder at the possibilities of his life. Every day is a gift and an opportunity for him.

For me as well.