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FAQ:

Q: What can I do to be helpful? A: Non-kid-related conversation, and following through with offers of help, assistance, and play dates.

Q: “Patrick” is an Irish name, who in the family is Irish? A: “Patrick” is not actually an Irish name. Patrick is derived from the Latin name Patricius (patrician, i.e. “nobleman”). The name Patrick is commonly associated with Ireland because of St. Patrick and because it is a popular name there.

To the best of our knowledge no one on either side of our family is Irish.* We are also not Roman, but much of where our families once lived (Germany, Greece, France, Spain, England, etc.) was over-run by Romans at some point or another. Kindli is a bit of a geek and has been listening to the History of Rome podcast (most excellent btw), and Gavin vetoed the other Roman-inspired names.

Q: How is Patrick different from Oliver? A: Their names are spelled differently, Oliver is 28 months older and can walk/talk/eat solids/etc.

Q: Are you getting any sleep? A: How are you defining “sleep” – 6 to 8 hours a night in one lump? No, we’re not getting 6-8 hours in one lump.

Q: Does Patrick sleep? Where? When? A: Everyone sleeps (eventually, out of necessity), newborns just sleep differently. Where Patrick sleeps, really depends on what else is going on. So far, he has slept in his play yard, in his carseat, in the ergo/sling/baby carrier, in his crib, in our bed, while being held, etc. As for when, there are no set hours, he sleeps when he feels the need.

Q: Are you sleeping when the baby is sleeping? A: No, neither is the toddler and someone has to keep an eye on him.

Q: How does Oliver like Patrick? A: Oliver is very possessive and protective of “MEE-BAY-BEE” (his term for P, the MEE is possessive).

Q: OMG you’re using a pacifier & occasionally giving him a bottle?! A: Yeah, so?

Q: Are you going to try for a girl? A: Everyone knows someone who knows someone who kept having boys (usually 3 or 4) in an attempt to have a girl. We like our two boys just fine. Someday we hope Oliver & Patrick will bring home nice girls so we can have daughter-in-laws (although, we’re OK if they bring nice boys home too, and if they’d prefer to remain bachelors that’s understandable as well).

Q: Why haven’t you taken/shared as many photos of Patrick as you did of Oliver? Why are there no photos of Kindli with the boys? A: We’ve been busy juggling a 2 year old, his friends & activities, a newborn, maintaining the house and Gavin’s gone back to work. While the camera is usually around, there isn’t always a hand free to snap photos. Kindli is usually the one taking photos.

Q: What (if anything) are you doing differently this time? A: They are different little people so the experience is different (how? it just is). We are making adjustments as the need arises. A few examples: This time we already have an active 2 year old who already has activities, so the baby gets to come along to them as well. It is also summer (instead of the dead of winter), so we’re spending more time outside.

Q: When are you going back to work? A: What do you mean “back to work?” I have not had a day off in the last 2 1/2 years.

Q: How do you not go crazy? A: That’s a very rude question.

Q: Have a question about the birth in general or some physical aspect of Patrick? A: We’re not answering those.

Q: Are you going to have a baby shower? A: As Patrick is our second child, we’re fairly set on baby things, so to the best of our knowledge, no shower is being thrown. Instead, we had a meet-the-baby party, sorry you missed it.

Q: We’d like to buy Oliver a big-brother gift and/ or get something for the New Baby! A: We still have a “baby” registry at Amazon, it has both things for the new baby and toy suggestions for Oliver. We are mostly prepared with baby clothes, equipment, etc. If you choose send a gift card, we prefer Target as there are no close-by Babies’R'Us. A meal or helpful visit are always appreciated. *** Please do NOT get ANY baby clothing we are set through size 2T. ***

Q: Who asks these sorts of questions? A: Having a baby means people ask questions. Random people at the grocery store, well meaning acquaintances, friends, play date mommies, family members, the list goes on.

Please note: Many of these have been taken directly from Patrick’s 1-month update & FAQ

*Please note the correction from 8/23/2001 regarding Irish relatives. Patrick’s great-great-great-great grandmother Catherine came from Ireland.