Top 5 Things to Have with You As a New Parent

1) Patience

From the start, most things take a long time. The pregnancy seems to last forever, especially in the final stages. When we still had 3 weeks to go, even though they didn't last, it seemed interminable.

Then, when Sarah's water broke, labor didn't start. She had to take a pill to help things along, then we had to wait for four hours. After that didn't work, they gave us something else, and told us to wait about 8 more hours. All of this when we know we are on a time crunch because once the water breaks, likelihood of infection rises every moment. So it was hurry up and wait, for almost 30 hours.

Then, once we returned home I found that all my boy wanted was colostrum and time. Patience is something I hope to carry with me as a parent.

2) Flexibility

After Huck arrived, he had to go right to the Neonatoal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU. There, we had to learn all of their rules and follow all of them. Huck needed certain things to make him eat, and to that we had to bend. He had wires on because all babies are monitored in the NICU. We couldn't just take him to our room like we wanted to.

It was the first of many sets of circumstances that we didn't necessarily want to yield to, but had to because of the situation. Probably, the first of many. Sometimes he eats and goes right back to sleep, other times he wants to held for hours.

3) Mother in Laws

As soon as we knew we were going into surgery, I called Sarah's mom.

"Can you be here soon?" They live an hour and a half away.

"We can be there in just over an hour and a half."

She's been here since he was born, except for one night. This week, my mom arrives. Without them, Sarah and I would have gone mad. We just wouldn't have been able to keep up with the pace. No chance. Because of her and all the friends and family that have supported us, we are okay.

4) Good Friends

They don't ask if you need dinner, they tell you they are bringing it. They come and pick up your dog when you are going to the hospital. Gear arrives in the mail, with things that we didn't even know we needed. Good advice and words of wisdom come as well.

5) Love

There are times when he fusses and the only thing that makes him feel better is the love we can give him. The love that we have for our family and friends and that they have for us help our boy directly. The love that the nurses and professionals that delivered him and basically saved he and Sarah's life is the reason why he is here.