It seems that my last post may have given the wrong impression (although I cannot for the life of me imagine how). My husband is a kind and wonderful man and an excellent father who loves his daughter madly and works hard to be sure he is doing his fair share of infant entertainment and maintenance. He frequently asks me what he can do to help me with the night-time parenting. However, since Mia is still exclusively breastfed and Chris is sadly lacking in breasts, the answer to that question is "nothing." Additionally, he has to get up early in the morning to go to work in order to keep our little family in, you know, food, since I have steadfastly refused to earn a thin dime in nearly six months. It has not happened often, but every single time I have woken him up at 3 AM because I just could not deal with the baby for another second, he has not only gotten up immediately and taken her downstairs so that her inconsolable weeping would not disturb my sleep, but he has never breathed a single word of complaint. He is a rock star, a prince among men, and a tremendous father and I am impressed and awed by the way he has risen to the demands and challenges of fatherhood.
That said, I stand by my description of his flagrant diaper shirking. He has a different take on it, of course, but it happened exactly as I said it did.
Comments (30)
I have no doubt that he did that. Even the best of men will ignore a dirty diaper if given even HALF a chance. You can't. Your boobs would leak if you tried to ignore a baby cry. I'm 2 1/2 years after breastfeeding my last baby and STILL those boobies ache when I hear that newborn cry from OTHER people's babies.
**sigh**
Posted by angela marie | January 10, 2006 9:58 PM
But I thought it was a hypothetical question...so no need for the clarification, right? :-)
Posted by Jessica | January 10, 2006 10:41 PM
I can't speak for anyone else but I know that even a good man will occasionally feign sleep in a situation like the "hypothetical" one you presented. To be fair, I also know of a really amazing, super-fantastic wife/mother (who shall remain unnamed) that has also done it once or twice...lol
(And yes, you DID scare me! You gotta stop delurking in the bushes like that. Thanks for the comment ;-)
Posted by Isabel | January 10, 2006 11:22 PM
Yes Isabel...I too know of a mommy who has done that. Not ME of course...no way, no sir. Nope. Glass houses, Pot-Kettle-Black and all that.
Posted by JuJuBee | January 10, 2006 11:44 PM
Funny. The choices that is. But, I know what you mean, there are those moments you just can't do it anymore. And, as for the 'father-shirking-diaper-duty-dilemma', well, that's happened here a time or too. I can't complain, though, he does do his fair share-and we use cloth diapers to boot!!
Posted by donna | January 10, 2006 11:55 PM
I can only hope that I am so lucky one day...will my prince ever come?? :)
Posted by Dana | January 11, 2006 6:56 AM
jeez cant people tell sarcasim when they hear it?
Posted by Shannon | January 11, 2006 7:18 AM
Ahh My old man hasn't changed but one diaper in 3 years. Chris is a good guy.
Posted by Angelia | January 11, 2006 7:54 AM
You're a lucky gal, and Chris is a lucky guy to have you as well.
Posted by Beth in StL | January 11, 2006 9:13 AM
I wondered what that big sucking noise was.
geez.....
yes, he's a good father, yes he's a good husband...but darlin' he is after all, a man....
so sorry I had to be the one to tell ya.
Posted by speckledpup | January 11, 2006 9:41 AM
My hubby said he never changed a diaper with his kids. My ex was actually great about it. Me? I'd have shirked the entire routine if I could have. I all but puked every time I had to change a dirty diaper. Just not my thing! Still, I'm just waiting anxiously for my daughter to give me grandkids so I can powder thier little butts! Go figure!
Posted by Maribeth | January 11, 2006 9:42 AM
HA!!!
Posted by jen | January 11, 2006 9:47 AM
I would have to say the same about my dh. Since he's getting up early and making all the money, I guess we shouldn't make a big fuss about getting up to take care of the baby. (sigh)
I loved reading some of the answers given though. That was funny as hell!
Posted by Sabrina | January 11, 2006 9:48 AM
being a lactating mother with a husband who is also an amazing father, i still think a swift kick in the nads would have been appropriate (sorry, chris) :)
Posted by ali | January 11, 2006 9:52 AM
Yes, it doesn't matter how good they are or how in love (with the baby... with you) there will come a time when the pretend sleepy hits. As others have pointed out, though, it's quid pro quo - you, too, will get the pretend zzzz's at some point :) ENJOY the pretend zzzz's. You now have a license.
Posted by tpo | January 11, 2006 10:19 AM
Hey, all's fair in love and 3am diaper changes.
Posted by Elaine | January 11, 2006 10:19 AM
I believe you!!
Posted by Julie | January 11, 2006 10:30 AM
I'm a famous lurker on many, commenter on few. But I decided today was as good as any to step out of the closet and say, "Hello!" Thanks for the laughs, and especially the adorable pictures!
Posted by Andrea | January 11, 2006 10:46 AM
ooh! ooh! I am not a lurker. I just got here! And -yahoo- I LIKE it here.
Just thought you should know.
Posted by s | January 11, 2006 11:16 AM
Love the blog! Love Mia - she is so cute! I have a 6 1/2 month old boy so I can totally relate to most of your entries. The pictures are awesome too. Just wanted to de-lurk and say keep up the good work!
Posted by Sande | January 11, 2006 11:19 AM
Awww lucky you! You married a wonderful man :)
Posted by Sweety | January 11, 2006 11:47 AM
So your husband is trying to defend himself over on his site....I read through the responses and it looks like I am not the only one siding with you...lol
yeah right didn't "hear" the baby!
Posted by Dana | January 11, 2006 11:53 AM
Since when does a guys version of the story count?
Posted by Queen of Ass | January 11, 2006 12:06 PM
He's a prince among men, I'm sure. I'd say the same of mine.
HOWEVER, tell him if he wants to be the king OF men and not just a prince AMONG men, that surely a butt wipe here and there can't hurt, yes?
heh heh
Posted by sanders5 | January 11, 2006 12:43 PM
Even a prince mucks up every now and then :D
Posted by Rhonda | January 11, 2006 12:59 PM
You gotta hate when the men come up to you and say "I read your blog." It usually means that you have to apologize for something and make them look good. We're not saying they aren't good men, but like talking to the girlfriends, blogs end up being the receptacles for rants. Sometimes about them...
Still think you should hit him in the gonads. ha!
Nat
Posted by Nat | January 11, 2006 1:29 PM
After my 2nd was born I was the breadwinner and my husband was at home...many a night I "didn't hear" her crying. I was not successful in breastfeeding her so he could manage everything! If it had been the other way around I would have done the same for him. Getting up at 5 am for a long day at the office gets even harder when you are up at 3am. At least when you are at home you can nap with your baby.That said, lending a hand is always a good idea, if said hand can wake enough to offer!
Posted by Laura | January 11, 2006 5:18 PM
You are too funny Beth! You are not spoiled. Being a stay-at-home mom to a baby is taxing. Especially one that doesn't sleep. I hope no one takes this comment to mean that working moms have it easy.... Every mom, whether she works out of the home or inside of it has alot on her plate.
He's lucky to have you. And you are lucky to have him!
There's a reason why I don't rave or even talk about my hubby on my blog. If you can't say something nice....
Posted by Lisa B | January 12, 2006 12:53 AM
I have no doubt that Chris is a good daddy. I think it was on his blog that I saw the title "What I did today" and there was picture of him sitting beside the baby's crib playing his guitar. I get all weepy thinking about it. It's such a beautiful picture!
Posted by Dawn | January 12, 2006 2:43 AM
awe, we know he is great!
Posted by lizabetty | January 12, 2006 7:50 PM