My pals Jineui and JLT just returned from Korea with a New Year gift, their adoptee Olivia. I asked him what it feels like to be a dad:
it feels really, really, really, really good. pretty much better than anything else ever. even better than a really good sandwich, a MAGIC sandwich.
Ok, that’s pretty convincing. Maybe I'll reconsider my long-held stance against having kids of my own.
Hi Stephen. Thanks for this. It still feels really good, although I didn't sleep last night. Last night was Olivia Mi-Yeon's (pretty much just Miyeon right now) last night in bed with us - her third - and tonight is her first night in her crib, where she's been napping well during the day. Whether this is an epic disaster remains to be seen. I am expecting it to be difficult but so far she has pleasantly surprised me at every turn - from bonding with me instantly to being a wonderful karaoke companion.
Her favorites so far:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, both the Beatles original and the wonderful instrumental version by Jason Falkner, who has a whole album of great electronic covers of Beatles songs specifically for kids
Nina Simone's version of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne
The Talking Heads - Stay Up Late
Cat Stevens - Oh Baby it's a Wild World
Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross
Rufus Wainwright - Hallelujiah
and the #1 favorite:
The Motorcycle Song by Arlo Guthrie (we sing along to all of these)
you can follow her progress at http://www.hewnandhammered.com/olivia
Posted by: JLT | January 02, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Little kids + music = awesome
You haven't lived until you've seen a tiny person who can't even walk bounce up and down in excitement to a song.
Posted by: Chris Rugen | January 09, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Yay, I'm so happy for Joshua and family...
Spending time with Derrick's nieces, I was confused, at first, by their unconditional love. They hardly knew me, but they were *very* excited whenever I walked into the room. I miss it now. Makes me rethink not wanting kids too.
Although I am still enjoying my autonomy.
Posted by: Dyana | January 09, 2009 at 04:54 PM