So, it’s been 2 1/2 weeks since the arrival of Jackson Weisbord; our lives have changed and I finally have a moment to write a blog – well quickly.

The baby was induced – sort of. As I documented before, Janet had a minor procedure early in the pregnancy that at week 37 was to be reversed. Our excellent OB, Dr. Marie Antoinette Calinawagan, told us that after the reversal in her experience the baby would arrive in 2-3 days – a week tops. A week went by and no baby. We met with the doctor again and were told that all was fine but if another week went by we would be having a conversation about inducing.

So for two weeks we were on pins and needles, expecting the baby at any moment. The two weeks went by and by then the decision to induce was an easy one.

That said, by the time we checked into Silliman Medical Center, and the induction medication was given, Janet was in reality well on her way to having the baby, but we suspect that the inducing helped speed things up.

In most hospitals in the Philippines, the father is not allowed in the delivery room, so Janet’s sister and I waited in the room we would all stay in once the baby arrived. It has an extra bed which is appropriate for the average 10 year old, but me and my old back managed. As the night progressed, our doctor called me a couple times to let me know the latest progress and she predicted that the baby was likely to come tomorrow. I went to sleep; remember I slept through last December’s typhoon. The phone rang close to midnight and the doctor congratulated me; Jackson had arrived a bit early, at 11:05PM.

At 6 1/2 pounds, he’s a handsome devil, with a nearly full head of hair. I am jealous.

Janet was phenomenal and Jackson successfully started breast feeding almost immediately.

As I previously predicted I was in love the first time I held him. I am three for three in that category.

We had inquired in advance about circumcision and our OB sent us a referral. When it comes to circumcision, the culture of the Philippines is a little different. Boys are almost universally circumcised here but it’s typically done at age 6-7. The 6 year olds have it done during summer vacation. It’s a right of passage here and I’m told that the 6 year olds compare results.

Being Jewish I do have a cultural connection to circumcision but mostly I remember my brother’s. I am 5 years older than he and I remember the rabbi (moile) coming to our house. The men solemnly went into my brother’s room and I stayed with the women in my parents’ bedroom. Then came the most blood curdling scream I had ever heard. But the deed had been done at least; the memory was fried into my young brain.

So the day after Jack’s birth the urologist came into our room. He told us that because it was a Sunday there was some question as to whether an OR could be found. But suddenly it all happened and bang-zoom Jack was taken away. Not long after a nurse asked me to come to the OR to speak with the doctor. I guess this was supposed to be father’s business.

I entered the OR where there must have been at least 10 people. Silliman is a teaching hospital so there are interns everywhere. My guess is they hadn’t seen too many circumcisions done on newborns.

I took one look at my poor son wearing a bloody diaper and cursed at myself; ‘what the hell did I do!’ The cursing got worse as the doc actually showed me what was underneath the diaper. But he assured me that in 3-5 days the boy would be completely healed and not to worry. This turned out to be true and by Jackson’s first pediatrician appointment at 1 week he was really fully healed.

I suspect in about 6 years he will be teasing his friends for what they have in store.

Janet got excellent care at Silliman. Contrary to usual notions of Philippines hospital care, there were nurses, doctors, interns, etc. coming into Janet’s room, checking Janet and the baby constantly; everything but the old father.

Because of the procedure done to Jackson we stayed in the hospital an extra day and I spent most of that day running around paying bills, adding Jackson to our PhilHealth account, finding meds, ordering Grab food, etc. I guess this was my penance for – you know – not actually having to give birth.

Now let me address what I know some of you want to know about; costs. Our OB had told us in advance that standard deliveries cost 40-50kP and that a Cesarean could bring the cost to 120k.

Janet had a standard delivery but with an epidural the cost increased to about 66k. PhilHealth paid nearly 10k, so we were out of pocket about 57k.

The circumcision was not cheap. I guess one of the advantages of the 6 year old procedure is that it is often done for free or a very modest cost. But for us in an OR with a team of docs, we were at about 27k. PhilHealth only paid 3k, so out of pocket it was just under 25k.

Many of my friends have teased me about losing sleep. So, yes I am losing sleep. Fortunately as a retiree I can catch up with a quick nap; that quick nap was 3 hours today.

We do have a lot of help and that makes a big difference. Janet’s sister is our Yaya and brother Jorre helps in between classes.

We have already had some family arrive for a visit. Janet’s mother and a couple sisters were here and Lola didn’t want to leave the baby when it was time to go home. We are already committed to having the family for Christmas so Jack should get pretty well over amped by that!

I take Jack out for a daily morning walk around our property. He genuinely seems to enjoy it. It’s our bonding time without any women. Of course by the time we get back to the house I am exhausted and happily hand him to one of those women lol.

A friend wrote me today telling me that 10 years ago “you clearly were much more in touch with what you wanted and your capacity to skillfully move towards it.” Maybe I was (a little bit), got support (plenty), got lucky (a lot), and chose Janet! Can’t wait to see what’s next!