My wife and I had our first Child :)
- Thread starter Eph
- Start date
Are you a student or researcher (or professor) in physics?
Several people who actually finished Feynman's class went on to be excellent physicists and said it was his two year course that made them who they are. He loved teaching and it showed. There's a difference between learning something and learning the name of something. It has been shown, even today, at Harvard, many physics students do not really understand what they are learning and being tested on. I would posit that, coupled with a great teacher, Feynman's Lectures would change that.
Several professors here love his lectures and one I know uses it as his main reference book when he needs to relearn something trivial/wants to read for fun. I am forever grateful that his lectures got me into a Ph.D. program in physics.
They are not used in schools today because it is not the most efficient way to teach a lecture based course. That is, professors prefer more traditionally structured textbooks. Though, as it has been known for a long time and now research backs this up, lecture based courses are not the best ways of teaching things either (physics or in general).
Several people who actually finished Feynman's class went on to be excellent physicists and said it was his two year course that made them who they are. He loved teaching and it showed. There's a difference between learning something and learning the name of something. It has been shown, even today, at Harvard, many physics students do not really understand what they are learning and being tested on. I would posit that, coupled with a great teacher, Feynman's Lectures would change that.
Several professors here love his lectures and one I know uses it as his main reference book when he needs to relearn something trivial/wants to read for fun. I am forever grateful that his lectures got me into a Ph.D. program in physics.
They are not used in schools today because it is not the most efficient way to teach a lecture based course. That is, professors prefer more traditionally structured textbooks. Though, as it has been known for a long time and now research backs this up, lecture based courses are not the best ways of teaching things either (physics or in general).
mucat
Hall of Fame
Newbie dad!!! Haha
Mines are only 8 and 5 so I am still enjoying my girls right now. But think about it, once they turn into teenagers, they will going through some emotional changes. And then there are the boys. If you have a son, you only have to worry about one boy. For us, we have to worry about all the boys. I am going to have my shotgun ready. :twisted:
Right now, you need to worry less and enjoy the moments as much as you can. The baby stage is very short.
vandre
Hall of Fame
How's it going now? What's your routine like? I'm about to hire a "mother's helper" (sexist, I know), as I can't possibly do all the household duties on a day to day level (I take care of the financial/administrative/legal matters though); I really hope that helps ease some of the stress we face with trying to get so much done. Of course, I will still make the Costco runs-- I won't give that up.
at this point, it's all about baby. everything goes off of what time he gets up. i stay home with him and do daddy daycare while my wife goes to work. there times when i don't eat anything until 3 pm because my day has been spent cleaning, cooking (we're doing the diy babyfood), feeding, changing, rocking, folding, etc. so bringing in outside help isn't always a bad idea. even a quick jaunt to the grocery store is more complicated with a kid as i'm sure you're already aware. when my parents or inlaws come to visit, i usually take the opportunity to catch a nap if i need it, so help is very nice if you can get it!
the big lift is when they start sleeping for 4-6 hours at a time. those first couple of weeks after we brought him home were torture. he was up every 2 hours or so to eat. our kid was a natural nurser so he was all about eating as well as a cluster feeder so we got a large collection of sleep sacks! now though he usually sleeps from 9 or 10 p.m. to around 7 or 8 a.m. the past week or so he's up once or maybe twice overnight but i rock him and he goes back to sleep. he's eating every 4 or 4 1/2 hours and he's settled into his own little daily rhythmn: breakfast @7, nap @8:30 or 9, lunch @ 11:30, dinner @ 4, nap @ 6. last meal @ 8:30 or 9, then bed. your baby will settle in to their own pattern too.
God bless you if you're up every 2 hours with the baby! you will get to the other side!
Thud and blunder
Semi-Pro
Congrats, man.
Here's a book you might enjoy:
Planning on re-reading this, now that our youngest is five months old, and I have a shot at picking up a book again...
Here's a book you might enjoy:
Planning on re-reading this, now that our youngest is five months old, and I have a shot at picking up a book again...
Thud and blunder
Semi-Pro
Yeah, pretty funny, cos it's so close to the bone.
You can hear it narrated by Samuel L. Jackson here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIBqd1kxoQk
You can hear it narrated by Samuel L. Jackson here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIBqd1kxoQk
Angle Queen
Professional
Congrats, Eph. She's a beautiful baby.
I'm a mommy to two girls (ages 3 and 5). It's been interesting reading this thread and getting some of the Daddy perspective.
As for the household duties, though, you could just accept that some things don't/won't get done like they used to. But face it, your "household" isn't what it used to be either. You have an extra person to feed, clothe and bathe.
You'll probably get lots of advice, especially from in-laws ...but we've found the most useful tips come from within our peer group from those who have children just slightly older than ours. They actually remember what it's like to go through certain phases and don't have the convenient memory-loss that grandparents tend to have.
And so, for what it worth, I'll pass along the two best pieces of advice we've received:
(1) Let sleeping babies sleep (as long as the sun isn't up). The hospitals and docs make a big to-do over waking them up to feed them. BS, I say. And you've already found it out. She will let you know when she's hungry (hurt, dirty or tired). Vandre is right; when you get that first 4-6 hr night, many things change.
(2) No one will know your child like you will. If you're torn with how to handle a situation, discuss it with whoever you like, but in the end, it's your (and your wife's) decision so go with your gut.
And to those who say "enjoy this time while you have it, it goes by so quick." Well, they're right...but I find myself still anxious to move on to the next phase, whatever that maybe. For us, for our oldest, it's teaching her how to read, write, tie her shoes and ride a bike. For the youngest, it's teaching her even more words and beefing her up so she can ditch the 5-pt harness car seat. Thankfully, we are already done with bottles, sippy cups, diapers, walking and talking.
You'll know you've reached true Daddy status, when you're rummaging around in your tennis bag...and pull out a (clean) diaper and wipes.
Best of luck to you, your wife and your beautiful little girl. Keep us posted on all your progress.
I'm a mommy to two girls (ages 3 and 5). It's been interesting reading this thread and getting some of the Daddy perspective.
Mother's Helper? I didn't know they had such things. Gosh, that would have been great. If you can afford it, by all means, go for it.How's it going now? What's your routine like? I'm about to hire a "mother's helper" (sexist, I know), as I can't possibly do all the household duties on a day to day level (I take care of the financial/administrative/legal matters though); I really hope that helps ease some of the stress we face with trying to get so much done. Of course, I will still make the Costco runs-- I won't give that up.
As for the household duties, though, you could just accept that some things don't/won't get done like they used to. But face it, your "household" isn't what it used to be either. You have an extra person to feed, clothe and bathe.
You'll probably get lots of advice, especially from in-laws
...but we've found the most useful tips come from within our peer group from those who have children just slightly older than ours. They actually remember what it's like to go through certain phases and don't have the convenient memory-loss that grandparents tend to have.And so, for what it worth, I'll pass along the two best pieces of advice we've received:
(1) Let sleeping babies sleep (as long as the sun isn't up). The hospitals and docs make a big to-do over waking them up to feed them. BS, I say. And you've already found it out. She will let you know when she's hungry (hurt, dirty or tired). Vandre is right; when you get that first 4-6 hr night, many things change.
(2) No one will know your child like you will. If you're torn with how to handle a situation, discuss it with whoever you like, but in the end, it's your (and your wife's) decision so go with your gut.
And to those who say "enjoy this time while you have it, it goes by so quick." Well, they're right...but I find myself still anxious to move on to the next phase, whatever that maybe. For us, for our oldest, it's teaching her how to read, write, tie her shoes and ride a bike. For the youngest, it's teaching her even more words and beefing her up so she can ditch the 5-pt harness car seat. Thankfully, we are already done with bottles, sippy cups, diapers, walking and talking.
You'll know you've reached true Daddy status, when you're rummaging around in your tennis bag...and pull out a (clean) diaper and wipes.
Best of luck to you, your wife and your beautiful little girl. Keep us posted on all your progress.
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Eightmarky
Rookie
Congratulations!
How many do you have? My wife really wants more children, but I am more hesitant. I feel that we got very lucky with Amélie and it can't possibly happen twice.
Besides, she's been sleeping through the night since three months-- you can't expect two children to both sleep through the night, can you? 
I just googled... there is a similarity!
LuckyR
Legend
Well he's in middle school...
You have an update?
LuckyR
Legend
No but I know how to use a calendar.
Let me know if you find out.
