PAPACITO #05

In 2025, I knew absolutely nothing about parenthood, so I decided to write about it.
In 2026, I might know a little more, and unfortunately, I've decided to write about it again.

Papacito started when we'd just found out about the pregnancy, and I was absolutely over the moon. I wanted to tell everyone. Of course, I couldn't tell anyone. So naturally, I did what no other normal expectant father would do:

I started a blog.

I guess it was some kind of mental loophole. Since I couldn't tell anyone about the pregnancy, I could at least write about it. The only problem was that I couldn't publish the blog yet either – so, a damn brilliant idea.

I wrote four posts. Then the initial enthusiasm faded, and Papacito's quill ended up in a desk drawer. I don't even remember exactly why. It probably started to feel a bit pointless to spend time writing a blog that no one was allowed to read anyway.

And there it stayed, gathering dust.

Papacito went quiet – life didn't

Hardly anything happened on the blog for the next year and a half, but plenty happened to us.

The pregnancy progressed and the belly grew. We found out that Papacito Junior was on his way. We started narrowing down names like it was a playoff series, planned the nursery, and bought a stroller and all kinds of other stuff. We waited for every prenatal appointment and ultrasound like we were waiting for the Backstreet Boys to make a comeback.

And since I'm known for being an extremely patient person, the toothless troublemaker naturally decided to arrive...

10 days past the due date.

Ten extra days for someone who wants everything immediately – preferably yesterday.

Eventually, it was finally time to give birth, and there's plenty to tell about the hospital and the delivery. Especially one thing nobody ever told us guys:

THERE'S A PRETTY DAMN IMPRESSIVE SPA IN THERE!

And even "support persons" are allowed in the bath, so PACK YOUR SWIM TRUNKS, BOYS!

I might also have a word or two to say about the bottle of red wine I smuggled in.

Anyway, suddenly the soon-to-be Papacito had become an actual, real-life Papacito, and the blog hadn't really crossed my mind since.

Until now.

We're currently taking bets on how long it'll take before I go stir-crazy inside these four walls.

I've always been someone who likes to keep busy, and work normally drains pretty much everything I've got, so there isn't much energy left for anything else. Now I'm on parental leave, and the workday has disappeared from the equation.

I've already asked around for ideas on how to fill these next wonderful 4.5 months. I got plenty of suggestions. None of them were any good. Had to come up with something myself.

Of course, the days will be spent with the toothless troublemaker. But the thought of spending 4.5 months inside these four walls speaking baby talk made me think that maybe I need something else too – at least during nap time, if nothing else. Somewhere I can occasionally form complete sentences. Unload my thoughts. Pretend I'm having conversations with actual adults – meaning, by myself. Then I remembered one dusty old project.

Papacito.

I still don't know enough about parenthood to teach anyone anything. And I'm not trying to. I just want to write about what all of this looks like through a father's eyes. I think we hear far too little from that perspective. I've always liked doing things other people don't, so I guess we're doing this now. Whether you like it or not.

A new post every Friday.

Sometimes about what's happening right now. Sometimes about the stories that went untold over the past year and a half. I've certainly got enough material – and enough colored pencils.

And if nothing else ever comes out of this, at least the toothless troublemaker's therapist will someday get to read my version of events too.

Honestly and seriously, but not too seriously.

PAPACITO