Tuesday, May 24, 2011

First Three Weeks of the Night Shift

Even though this isn't my first rodeo as far as being a father, I have to say that I feel like an absolute rookie again. Both Kera and Rhiannon have decided to share a very specific trait with her father, they are completely nocturnal. This is no exaggeration. They literally sleep all day and then wake up every 15 minutes during the night to either cry or just check out their surroundings. They are still less than three weeks old, so there is still a lot of "shakedown" time for them to adjust to gravity and general living in a three-dimensional world.

Since the birth of my first boy, Joshua, in 1999; I have always insisted on taking the night shift with all my children from the time they are infants. This has always had the double advantage of giving their mother the opportunity to sleep, and for me to bond one-on-one with my child. Both of my first two children are boys, and have very alpha male personalities tempered by a sharp wit and the ability to make anyone laugh. But now I look down on these two little rosebuds in their pink Minnie Mouse blankets and wonder what these little girls are going to be like.

Of course I am not going to cancel "Zeppelin Night" or "Kung Fu Movie Night" just because they are girls. Both of my sons grew up on the classics, both musically and cinematically during the the first few months of their lives. And I take a certain pride in knowing that my son is the only kid in his middle school who knows of, and listens to The Doors. But I also know with a certain dread that one day I'm going to be sitting in front of my computer monitor watching Strawberry Shortcake or My Little Pony for the 50th time.... And they're almost 3 weeks old, and all I can bring myself to play for them is Enya, Fleetwood Mac, the occasional Beatles track, and some Simon and Garfunkel.

Kera (Left) and Rhiannon (Right)
And instead of one little face to get lost in, there are two. Being identical twins, we were very lucky that they had at least unique enough ears to tell them apart. Both of them, strangely enough, have pointed ears like little fairy folk. We are not sure if this is a trait that will eventually go away, but it is adorable as all get out. Kera 's left ear has a point that goes straight up like Spock, and Rhiannon's points more towards the back. So at least the mortal fear of confusing one with the other has been abated for now. I can imagine all kinds of mischief a child with my blood could get into if they had an identical twin to work off of...

So tonight on the night shift with their father, they're enjoying Enya's "The Celts" again because they seem to like that better than anything else right now. We'll see as time goes by if they are ready for the harder stuff, but for now I have to completely re-write my playbook as a father. It seems like having little boys for so long has left me a bit unprepared.

And I may be way out of my league...


29 comments:

Ray Rousell said...

I've got 4 girls, at various ages, they're a lot more hard work than boys, must be all them female hormones buzzing around. I must say i admire your willing to get up all the time at night, I don't think I could handle that!!

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Look at Daddy and his wee poppits!!!

Jay said...

I'm not sure if I should say congratulations or good luck, so I'll just say both.

Congratulations and good luck!

Astronomy Pirate said...

I find it so damn awesome that you love your girls so much in this day and age when there are so many fathers that would do anything to run from this situation. Also, any girl with elfin ears and a love of great music are just going to be breaking hearts left and right, an interesting future is in store for you.

logo mess said...

Wow! Good Luck and healthiness for future works!

The Angry Lurker said...

It would be way out of my league, good looking kids my friend, congratulations again.

Anonymous said...

I like your beard; i'm trying to grow one similar to it.

Anonymous said...

LOVE that you're exposing them to such greats at an early age! And I definitely don't think you have to change things just because they are girls. My poor dad had THREE girls, and while I can be a girly-girl, I will tell ya what. Growing up...my dad and I would watch western movies, sci-fi movies, golf, football, and other things together. I saw the original "True Grit" before I was 8. And now, having done things like that with my dad makes me appreciative and way more well rounded. I even know how to throw a football, and NOT like a girl. I know the history of golf and the history of football. LOL...ok now I'm rambling. But I think it will be a fun experience to have girls. :-) I do hope they start to sleep a bit more :-)

Zombie said...

Awwww! How cute! Congrats man!!

Melanie said...

You look SO happy! Makes me smile=) And I can't keep telling you how beautiful the girls are!!! I am telling you - try some "Dark Side of the Moon" both my kids loved that when they were that little (just skip the alarm clock part of "Time" that's a little jarring...I actually use that as my alarm clock on my phone.) Soak up every little moment!! Much love to you and your family!

duffboi said...

What a role. I have definitely never been there.

T. Banacek said...

I'm amazed you still find the time to do blogging stuff!

Unknown said...

I feel bad for saying this, but I never woke up in the middle of the night.

When my (ex) wife was in bed with me, I'd just sleep right through it. The only time I would ever wake up is when she wasn't home. Then and only then, the slightest noise or movement woke me up.

I felt bad. But yet, I didn't...

Shutterbug said...

Congrats on your twin girls! They are so cute! :)

Marlene said...

You sound like a wonderful dad. Your twin girls are beautiful...and I'm so glad you're exposing them to some good music..lol.

Love their names, by the way!

jules said...

huge congrats! very happy for you and them to have such a good dad.

Unknown said...

You know it's strange. Nobody in my family likes classical/instrumental music. None of them ever bothered to introduce me to it, but somehow I've always had the inclination for non-vocal/instrumental/classical/soundtrack music. It's just how it is. The same goes for movies and literature. I prefer minimalist and black and white (doesn't have to be old) for films. As for literature, I have more non-fiction stacking the shelves than fiction. Maybe you can influence your children. Maybe not. One way or another, you just gotta make sure they grow big and strong!

As much as I want to have children, or love them, I'm afraid. I know that their first few years are the most important in developing a lot of their personality. Most of the time, you can't help where it steers off to, but little things can affect that stuff! I get scared I'd be a horrible mother, both indirectly and directly. Worst of all, I'm scared I'd have to deal with a child who is the exact opposite of me (i turned out the exact opposite as my parents, though I still have their quick temper).

Either way, your girls are gorgeous. And I think you're right. They'll break hearts (and none will break theirs!) Are your sons going to visit to see their sisters?

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Are the girls identical?

Alphabeta said...

Dawww!
So cute - especially the ears.

I can imagine why Enya would work for newborns, but not sure I could put up with it myself.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

email me at gillian@homemakers-sa.co.za

You're a Winner!

Patti D. said...

that is so sweet and nice!! congratulations and keep up the good work with the classics, they have to learn the past to cherish the future!

Anonymous said...

the opportunity to bond with infants is often underrated. I'm glad that you recognise the value

Elliot MacLeod-Michael said...

If I ever decided to make a baby I would want it to be a girl. Congratulations!

tigey said...

sounds like hard work, but I'm sure it's worth it

Anonymous said...

Hi - I am definitely delighted to discover this. great job!

Robert Fünf said...

Boy, or girl, everyone should be introduced to Zeplin from birth.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Email me at gillian@homemakers-sa.co.za. You are my WINNER!

[url]http://gillianhefer.blogspot.com/2011/05/caption-my-freaky-photo-6-winner-is.html[url/]

The Reckmonster said...

Nothing as sweet as a daddy doting on his little girls!! Congrats!!

jopjopjop said...

they are so cute! congratz!