Jacoby Poulain: Precious bundle teaches plenty

Jacoby Poulain

I'M BACK from maternity leave and there are no prizes for guessing what the topic of my first column is.
He's five weeks old, 59cm tall, weighs 5.4kg and sports a full head of luscious black hair. His name is Uenuku Tawhirimatea Tawhao Jacob Poulain-Ngatuere.
His name is a bit of a mouthful but they all mean something special. The meaning of his middle and last names are derived from his tipuna or ancestors and forefathers on his mama and papa's side.
His first name, Uenuku, means rainbow or God's promises.
He is my son, my firstborn, and the apple of my eye. He is the most beautiful baby in the world and I can say that because, as we all know, all mothers have the most beautiful child on the face of the Earth.
Baby Uenuku and his mama have been out a few times and are learning many lessons as we go.
Lesson number one: Baby calls the shots. It doesn't matter how urgent a matter is or how much I'd like to go somewhere, if my little man isn't ready or in the mood, then we're simply not going anywhere.
Lesson number two: After baby, the grandparents call the shots. I'm not allowed baby or anywhere near the vicinity of him until they get their smooches and cuddles in, full stop.
Lesson number three: Once, after baby and the grandparents have given the all clear to go somewhere or do something, then mama better do whatever it is fast. There is no mucking around with a newborn. They're a god-sent answer to the age-old problem of procrastination.
Finally, lesson number four: Mama Bear does sometime get to calls the shots, and needs to.
You know when someone comes to talk to you and they stand too close for comfort and it's all a bit awkward and an invasion of your personal space?
Well, I've learned that little people have personal space requirements, too.
I took baby to an event last week and had him on display, as proud parents do, though also safely tucked away snug and secure behind blankets and covers and the hood of his pram.
Little did I know this safe cocoon-like state was soon to be rudely interrupted. Along came a man who proceeded to jokingly tell me that his sister always gets mad with him.
Of course, politely I asked why. Rather than explain he demonstrated.
Before I knew it, he was roughly shaking my sleeping baby's feet in attempts to wake him up. My poor bubba's whole body flinched a few times in startled reaction.
Mama Bear turned into ninja warrior chopping away hands and jumping between the little guy and his foe.
After having spent considerable time getting my boy cosy and settled, I didn't quite see the funny side as much as this man did and I could see his sister's point of view.
The biggest lesson I've learned thus far though has been that no matter who dictates an outing, how tricky at times it is to get ready, or how much time and effort it takes just to clamber out the door, it's all worth it just to spend time and experiences with my little Rainbow.
To all mummies and daddies, I have a newfound respect, empathy, admiration and appreciation of you and the little blessings you bring into this world.
# Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings District Council Flaxmere Ward councillor and a Hawke's Bay District Health Board member.