Tristan's Release into the World

Tristan finally made it home Wednesday. His brother Merlin is still in the NICU until he can bottle-feed all of his food.

Here's what I've learned in the last couple of days:
- I only thought life was tricky with two babies in the hospital. Having one at home and one in the hospital adds a whole new dimension of complexity.
- Once things start to happen, they happen fast. The night before Roxy was first admitted to the hospital and put on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy, we were talking about how lucky we were that everything was going so smoothly. The morning after pronouncing that Roxy may have to wait a couple more weeks in the hospital before delivery, her OB said "You're in labor, your cervix is dilated, we'll be taking you to the OR is one hour."
- If you're expecting children, find a pediatrician well before birth. You never know when the pregnancy will become difficult and you suddenly don't have time for all those things that you thought you had time for. Most of those things turn out to be less important than you think, but a good pediatrician is much more important than a non-parent realizes. We got lucky that a really good one is down the street, had room for us at his practice, and that Roxy and I get along with him so well.
- Children are expensive, so listen to advice on what you really need. Your pediatrician can be a great resource for what's really essential. Other parents can be, except that they all have different advice. You won't agree with everything you're told, and you certainly won't listen to it all, but you'll soon figure out whose advice is valuable.
- You will be told by everyone to make sure that you get plenty of rest the first night the baby or babies come home, and catch sleep whenever they do. This is incredibly good advice, but also worthless, because you will not heed it. You will be compelled to offer this advice to others, even though they will also ignore it.
- Read the material you get from the hospital and pediatrician early and often. It will help you to not panic when your baby projectile vomits on your spouse for the first time, or alternatively will help your spouse to not panic during your first projectile vomit-induced freak-out.