starsailor

Some funny stuff...

2011-04-21T17:55:00.004-04:00

Been a while since I posted. Some funny stuff happened...you have learned a plethora of words. Also you have mastered calling me "Daddy" with a proper British accent. Not sure where that came from. At your check-up we counted the number of words you knew while we waited to be called back. 40 is the number we came up with. That's a lot for someone your age. That was 2 months ago. Now you know well over 100 words! I have contemplated learning Chinese so I can teach you. They say that it will be the language for your generation. I've also threatened to get you a pair of chopsticks to learn to eat with. One day when I was changing you I swear you said you had cat poop in your diaper. Lately we have been working on ABC's while on the way to school. You may not have the letters down but you sure can carry a tune! It also seems you could be a little boy-crazy. You chant the name of a classmate, "Parker, Parker, Parker" from the time your mom picks you up in the afternoon until the time you go back to school in the morning. Either you like him or he gets in trouble a lot and you are imitating the teacher. Playdough and Coloring are two of your favorite activities now. Could the arts be in your future? I'll just make sure to keep you supplied in crayons. Preferably the kind that are flat so they dont keep rolling off the table.

20 and 20 on the Twentieth

2011-04-21T17:47:00.002-04:00

Today you are twenty months old, and it is our twentieth wedding anniversary. All on the twentieth of April. A lot has happened during the last 20 months as well as the last 20 years. You have become a terrific toddler and your mom and I have matured in our love. Not sure if you have rushed the white hairs or not, could just be age, but we have survived your childhood so far. I look at pictures of our early days and cant wait to tell you some of our stories. They will become part of our history as a family, 20 years in the making.

Monkey Lips

2011-01-14T14:24:00.003-05:00

With the cold days of winter upon us we have to make sure any of your exposed areas are protected! Your mom, in our morning routine, puts chapstick on your lips and cheeks. At first you didn't quite know what to do and tried to lick it off your lips. Don't feel bad, I still do that! After a couple of times you got the hang of it and pucker up when she gets the tube of chapstick out. We call it giving you "monkey lips." This could explain your love of bananas.

Long In The Tooth

2011-01-14T14:13:00.004-05:00

I never quite got why the expression "long in the tooth" referred to getting older until now. Your teeth, which had been in for many months now, are beginning to get longer. I didn't realize this but your mom pointed it out to me. Guess I didnt notice, but she is better abour brushing your teeth than I am. As you have aged beyond "infancy" and towards "toddlerhood" your teeth have grown longer and sharper. Rabbits teeth grow over their lifetime, getting longer and longer as they age. Your teeth wont do that, but I am glad you are over your biting phase. These long teeth of yours would really hurt now!

Chopsticks, Or A Fork In the Road

2010-12-27T08:50:00.005-05:00

You have been doing pretty good with self-feeding. When we have mealtime you are craving more and more independence to feed yourself. You are graduating from fingers to utensils. It is cool to watch you with your little spoon and fork. You hold the very end of the utensil and make the long journey from the plate to your mouth. It is a hit and miss situation. Sometimes the food falls off the spoon long before it gets to the target. The dog circles your high chair like a shark on a feeding frenzy. He has taken on a bit of weight lately and leaves his kibble in the bowl in favor of your food dropped overboard from the high chair. On the occasion that you do get a mouthful, you chew it up heartily. Usually it is just a morsel. We let you try and do as much as possible before we intervene. If you arent ready for us to help, you refuse. We have learned that and eat our own dinner and let you continue to do it for yourself. Sometimes you take the opposite end of the spoon or fork and stab your food with it like a spear. I think you might have better success with a pair of chopsticks.

Illustrious

2010-12-27T08:33:00.003-05:00

We love to read to you, and every couple of weeks I have been checking out a bunch of books from the public library. They have a great children's room. The children's books have such vivid illustrations in them. I was amazed at them. It has been a long time since I have read books with pictures, and I found them to be like works of art. The whole page is usually filled from corner to corner with beautiful illustrations: Colorful jungle scenes that look like a tropical paradise, serene cerrulean blue water in books about sea creatures, pictures of farmyard animals done in primary colors, and even eye-catching books about winter. There are textured books, with rough, smooth, soft, shiny, bumpy textured things to touch. There are books that have tongue twisting rymes too. When we read we sometimes act out the story or read in dramatic voices. From my lap you imitate as we do these things. Of course, you like some of the books better than others and we read them over and over and over again. And then again. And then one more time.

Toddler Angst Part Two: High-Five

2010-11-13T07:41:00.004-05:00

I get into trouble sometimes when I drop you off. It all started when I high-fived you at school one morning. All the babies saw me and wanted to high-five me too. Well, guess who didn't want their daddy high-fiving anyone else? You even acted like you were going to hit one of them. I even bumped knuckles with a couple of them. Then I left before things got ugly. Sometimes I could just stay in the room and play with all the kids in your class the rest of the day instead of going to work. I don't think you would mind if I stayed as long as you were the only one I played with.

First Haircut

2010-11-07T06:55:00.002-05:00

When your mom made an appointment to get her hair done I suggested it was time for you to get a trim too. Your hair was getting a little unmanageable at times. It always laid pretty after a shampoo but something crazy seemed to happen to it while you slept that made it hard to control in the mornings. She talked to her stylist and made your appointment too. We went to the salon and let you run around and get comfortable. Then you sat in my lap while the stylist did a quick few trims with her scissors. You were such a little angel! She kidded us that this was going to make you "high maintenance." The haircut looks great. Amazing what a little snip here and there can do. It lays so nice now, even in the mornings. And it has thickened up too. Pretty soon you will be wearing those cute hair bows.

Toddler Angst Part 1: Reality Bites

2010-11-05T04:30:00.003-04:00

With toddlerhood comes a whole new attitude. While you are still amazingly sweet, you seem to have developed a counterpart: the toddler terror. When you are in this terrorizer mode anything can happen. You have a mouth full of teeth now and you are learning how to use them. Your mom thought you were going to give her a hug the other day, and then was surprised to find that you sank those pretty little teeth right into her collarbone! You nipped me once but didn't break the skin. When I picked you up from school one day, your teacher proceeded to tell me that you had bitten her. Mortified, I asked her for details and how we should correct this behavior and she told me that it was just typical toddler behavior. She said that she had something that you wanted and that you didnt know how to express that with your words, so you did the only thing that you knew to do in that situation; you bit her. She said it was just a phase and that all toddlers do it. I think you just have a bad case of toddler angst. I just hope that this is not a precursor to your teenage years.

Octoberfest

2010-11-03T15:48:00.002-04:00

October blew through our household like a headless horseman. If it could be caught, then you would be the one to do it. But it cant, and no matter how fast you are it has passed like so many falling leaves in a whirlwind of activity that has been a lot of work but a lot of fun too. We went to our college homecoming. It was our twentieth year reunion. You were a good sport for the first quarter of the football game and then it was time to go home and end it on a good note. You graduated to a big carseat. It is a throne compared to the infant one you had for the first year. We went to an Autumn Jubilee where we painted your first pumpkin. It had butterflies and flowers on it. You told me what to paint and I did it. There was also your first carousel ride. I think you were a little apprehensive about the horses, but when we rode it for the second time you liked being in the sleigh. You began walking in a new direction: backwards. Not quite the 'moonwalk', but close enough. And you started saying quite a few words. A mouthful, to be exact. Mom, dog, duck, bowl, hi, hello, dad, ma'am. I'm sure there are a few I forgot. Then for halloween you were the cutest little sock monkey ever! No tricks, just treats. That is what this October has been.

Tiptoe Through The Turquoise

2010-09-21T07:03:00.002-04:00

Ok, it was my idea/fault. After you started walking I wanted to paint your toenails. There was some concern on your mom's part. Afterall, you were still putting those toes in your mouth occasionally. Understandably, we waited. Then the night before your birthday we decided to go ahead and paint them. I wanted to paint them turquoise. We needed something bright, bold, and daring. Those toenails were pretty small and we needed a bright color to show them off. Turquoise seemed to be just the shade. At first your mom was a little skeptical, but I convinced her. I was relentless. That evening when you were asleep, we did the deed! When you woke you noticed them and tried to grab your toenails. Something happened while you were sleeping to to turn them to a bright, beautiful color. Suprisingly the polish went with many of your outfits. We didn't realize just how many of your outfits had a splash of turquoise in them. Your mom liked it too. She even painted her toenails to match yours. You looked cool, like a big girl.

Walk On The Wild Side

2010-09-17T06:51:00.003-04:00

About three weeks before your birthday you started walking. Hallelujah! Mobile at last! At first it was baby steps along walls and furniture and then you started venturing out back and forth between me and your mom. I really wanted you to be walking before your birthday and you did. Now a few well placed baby gates are in order to keep you safe. A lot of parents I talked to say that they lost weight when their babies started walking. I hope that is the case. I had also heard that barefoot is the best way to learn to walk and now I am cinvinced that it is true. That is the way you learned. Barefoot running is a trend in adults nowadays. Before long that is what you will be doing. And I will be chasing you. Or running from you, whatever the case may be. Barefoot, as usual.

Decidedly Un-dignified

2010-08-21T11:38:00.004-04:00

I will say this much, baby, you have kept me humble. It is not easy to maintain your sense of dignity while parenting a toddler. Would a grown man ever wear a little girls pink fedora style hat perched on the very top of his head by his own choice? The easy answer is no, but I have done so to keep you from throwing it in the yard as I carry you to or from the car. If the neighbors see me, so what. Let them think what they want. I am sacrificing my dignity for a greater cause; your happiness. Another dignity shredder is the times we spend racing around the grocery store talking nonstop to you in a fast moving shopping cart. Look out little old ladies, our girl likes to be on the move. Stopping could be a problem, and slowing down can give you the blues, so sometimes we get the cart moving pretty quick in the name of happiness. It is even better if I get one of the noisy carts. We do pretty good until we are stuck in the check-out line. Then things could get ugly really quick unless we do whatever undignified thing we can think of to keep you entertained. We have an arsenal of tricks up our sleeves to keep you entertained. You are usually not the only one watching, but hey, that's life. The cashiers and baggers have to have something to keep them amused. Even our simple act of worship at church has been transformed by you. I can now say that I can worship unashamed as you pull my hair, pinch my face, or throw your toys across the room. You wave and greet everyone all across the room, play peek-a-boo with the people behind us, and even make me wear your hairbow to keep you from throwing it. I am just waiting for you to distract whomever is leading worship, preaching, or praying. All I want to do is try to worship with you in my arms. If you squeal, then so be it; it just might give me or someone else the courage to do the exact same thing and just let loose in a decidedly un-dignified way.

Food Crawl

2010-08-02T06:41:00.004-04:00

It seems that lately we have been on a food crawl, feeding you from our plate as we explore some of our favorite culinary venues. You are quite skilled in your social behavior. For your age, though, we will let you get away with a few things. Occasionally you have been known to talk with your mouth full. And chew with your mouth open. And bang your fists on the table. And stare at the diners around us. Your charm, however, makes any of these violations right. At least you don't put your elbows on the table. The servers at most restaurants usually make a big deal over you. You take this as your cue to personally take over all of their attention. At the mexican restaurant you had the entire wait staff at your disposal. They all waved and blew kisses at you from across the restaurant, generally ignoring the other patrons. At Starbucks you usually stop service completely as we let you stand up on the counter and wave at all the baristas.
As far as the food itself, you love the refried beans at mexican restaurants. You even ate some of my enchilada and some ground beef. This was probably your favorite entree. At Cracker Barrel you simply loved their biscuits and green beans. Their mashed potatoes were good too. Arby's has some amazing roast beef and jamocha shakes. IHOP has the best pancakes around. Or was it the maple syrup that got you so excited to be there? Who says Starbucks is not for babies? We didn't let you have any latte, but you did try their raspberry pound cake and found it to be delicious; thus making it the quintessential place to grab an in-between meals snack. The bottom line is this, my future food critic, Life can be like a buffet if you have a fearless appetite and good manners. Tip your waiters and waitresses.

But Mom, It's Only A Tattoo!

2010-07-28T06:47:00.003-04:00

Several people have asked us when we are going to get your ears pierced. This question started almost immediately after we brought you home from the hospital. I have this thing about infants wearing earrings, it just looks ridiculous to me; yet I see babies wearing earrings all the time. They reminds me of the big bald-headed earring-wearing genie from Aladin without the baggy pants and the fancy bottle. Now if you were one of those really ugly babies, earrings may serve as a distraction from ugliness. In the case of those androgynous baby girls that always get mistaken for being little boys, earrings may help with gender identification. Those things can always be overcome by fashion. Earrings on an infant just look silly. Usually the people who love earrings on a baby girl balk at lip rings, nose rings, and eyebrow rings. The standard answer I give to everyone who asks "When are you going to get her ears pierced?" is this: "We have decided to wait and get her piercings after her first tattoo." This usually stops any further line of questioning dead in its tracks.

Wouldn't Rain On Your Parade

2010-07-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

I wouldn't rain on your parade. Well, maybe if it was for your own good then I would have to. Your mom and I marched in a bunch of parades when we were in the marching band in school. Today you got to be in your very first parade. It was a tractor parade. You and your mom rode on a float pulled by your Papaw's antique tractor. You had lots of fun with your cousins. There was no rain in site for this parade. In fact, there was so much sunshine that you wore sunblock and a hat. Your mom said you did good until close to the end. Then you started to get a little fussy because you were hot. It was for the fourth of July. If it wasn't hot it wouldn't seem right.

Who's The Bully?

2010-07-08T18:05:00.003-04:00

I have my own theory, but I asked your teachers who the bully was in your class. One of them said that all the babies take turns 'bullying' and 'exerting themselves.' I think she wanted to laugh. My theory is that YOU are the bully. You are always beating me and your mom up. You had to get practice somewhere, and the babies in your class helped you get your moves. A favorite one is hair pulling. Then you like to pinch noses. Then you put your thumbs in our eye sockets. We should just throw up a white flag and surrender.

Treasures; yesterday, today, tomorrow

2010-07-08T17:45:00.003-04:00

While we were visiting in Kentucky we looked at some things from your mom's childhood. There was a little doll that she played with. From the looks of it, it was well loved. It had moveable arms and legs and blond hair. There was also a little dress that she wore in a very cute picture taken when she was about your age. We gave your mamaw pick of outfits that you had outgrown. She chose your first pair of blue jeans and a shirt that went with them. They were a gift from one of your cousins. She also kept a pair of white cordoury pants and a sweater that were your 'mall clothes.' Oh, the good times you had in these clothes. You were a fashion icon in these outfits. Your mamaw will keep them with the treasures from your mom's childhood. I also got something to treasure. We visited over Father's day weekend and I got my very first Father's day card from you. I will treasure it always.

Going Low Tech part 2

2010-07-07T18:03:00.003-04:00

We made the journey to Kentucky to visit your Mamaw. When we got there she was ready for you with some old-fashioned toys. These were the type of toys that showed creativity and making do with what you have on hand. The first toy was some clothes pins in an instant coffee jar. We think of "instant coffee" as making a trip to Starbucks, but this was the original convenience coffee. Not quite a latte, but it was fast. All you needed was hot water and you could have coffee in an instant. You could make it as strong or weak as you needed. You played with this homemade toy, shaking it vigorously. You liked the sound the clothes pins made inside the jar. The next toy was a simple plastic milk jug. Milk jugs are great toys because thay have a handle that makes it easy for you to grip and hold on to. You crawled all around the floor carrying it with you wherever you went. You could beat on it and not hurt yourself. One good thing about these toys is that they dont require batteries.

Pool Party

2010-06-30T11:34:00.003-04:00

Summer is here and so is hot weather. Nothing better to beat the heat than a pool party! I filled up your pool with water and let the sun warm it all day long. It was just the right temperature. Then we put on your yellow bathing suit, floppy hat, sunglasses, lots and lots of sunblock, and got into the pool. At first you didn't quite know what to think of it and almost cried. The pool was a lot bigger than your bathtub. When we brought out your favorite yellow bathtub ducky you knew everything would be fine and you started to relax and have fun. You noticed the octupus and sea creatures on the bottom of the pool and tried to get them. Splashing me became the cool thing to do. First you splashed with your hands and then with your feet. The kitty was curious about what we were doing and watched from the sidewalk. Mommy directed the fun, scooping grass out of the pool, watching out for mosquitoes, and taking photos for posterity or blackmail when you get older. You even got her a little wet with your splashing. She was also in charge of drying you off when we got out. I was your lifeguard, swim instructor, and I made sure you didn't wrinkle up like a raisin. I also watched out for sharks and was prepared to welcome any dolphins or mermaids just in case any decided to show up. None did, but maybe next time.

Class Reunion

2010-06-28T06:39:00.003-04:00

In the year 2027 you are going to be graduating from high school. I can't begin to imagine all that the next 18 years will bring us and you. First day of kindergarten, class plays, field trips, driver's ed, the prom, the SAT's, and finally, your own graduation. twelve years worth of experiences. Your mom and I graduated in 1985, during the last century. Her 25 year class reunion was recently held. It was neat seeing how people had changed and grown up, or at least grown old. Not bragging, but we were two of the youngest looking people there. I guess we were just well-preserved. Noone could believe she had you just 9 months ago. Some of her classmates were already grandparents. If we had stayed until the end of the party we would have won a prize for having the youngest child. Instead we lost to someone with a three year old, but we would rather get back home with you.

The Tortoise and the Hare

2010-06-25T06:48:00.003-04:00

Your crawling progress has reminded me of the fable of the tortoise and the hare. You went from being a slow moving turtle crawler to a quick moving diaper wearing bunny rabbit moving all over the place! You are really moving fast now but remember slow and steady wins the race, so the fable says. Your mom sings a song as you move: "Ain't no stopping her now." It is a song suriving from the disco era, just like the tortoise made it from prehistoric times to the present. You have a look of determination on your face as you crawl all around the room, getting faster and faster with each passing day. "Ain't no stopping her now, she's on the move."

Learning To Crawl

2010-06-24T17:49:00.004-04:00

You officially learned to crawl at the beach while we were on vacation, each one of us being in various stages of particularly nasty upper respiratory infections the whole time. Our entire vacation was spent coughing and feeling bad but at least the three of us were all together. You are such a good baby that you didn't even let being sick keep you down and learned to crawl in spite of feeling bad. Moving backwards and zig-zagging was cute in its time, but you became a full fledged crawler. At first you dragged one leg and foot under you while the other set did all the work. You were slow but steady and straight and true on your course. On the warmest day we let you actually crawl on the beach just like a cute little crab. You liked the sand so much that you even tried to eat it! We just tried to keep it between your active little toes!

Going Low Tech

2010-05-13T20:28:00.004-04:00

We played with some old-fashioned tried and true toys this week. Your mom and I pulled you through the neighborhood in a little red wagon yesterday. This was lots of fun. You really enjoyed it, stretching out and getting comfortable just enjoying the view. It was a gift from your great aunt. I had a wagon almost like it when I was a child. You did good until we were almost home and then you wanted to pull yourself up on the sides of it and stand up. We couldn't let you do that. Kissing the pavement would not be a good thing. A Jack-in-the-box was another classic toy that amused you this week. No matter how many times we played it, you were always taken by surprise when we got to the point where jack pops out. Pop goes the weasel never gets old. You even cranked the handle a few times on your own. The classic toy phone was another fun toy that you loved. This is a rotary phone on wheels with bright blue eyes that blink up and down as the phone is pulled by a string. I'm not sure what it is about this toy that is so appealing, but children love it. The eyes look a little creepy to me, but you seemed fascinated by them. You also liked the rotary dialing function, letting your little fingers do the dialing. I don't think that you will ever use that obsolete technology, but I will describe it to you one day. It will be as by-gone as switchboard operators. Everything will probably be voice automated by the time you get old enough to use a real phone. Maybe one day children will play with toy cell phones from "the good old days." These low tech toys are something from my childhood that I am glad you enjoy. Battery operated toys are nice but its also fun playing with things in which you provide the energy and imagination yourself.

From A to B

2010-05-07T06:34:00.006-04:00

I'm pretty sure I remember from Geometry or some math class that the shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line. I thought about that as you zig-zagged across the floor learning to crawl. I won't go to the trouble of plotting points on a graph to show the course you made as you moved from point A to point B, but rest assured, it wasn't a straight line. Not even close. You moved in all directions, sometimes even backwards. I will just say that you were taking the scenic route, or as Robert Frost once put in his famous poem, "The road less travelled."

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference"

Keep taking the road less travelled, even as you become steadier and more skilled at crawling and then walking. Be a trail blazer but take time to smell the flowers along the way. Who knows what you might find along your journey, and remember that the real journey begins where the path ends. The shortest distance from point A to point B may be a straight line, but it is not always the best path.

Foot In Your Mouth

2010-05-03T06:36:00.003-04:00

Your foot sometimes becomes your own personal teething toy. Those toes of yours sometimes seem to be just the right size to do the trick when your pacifier or anything else just don't seem to satisfy. When you are nurturing an incoming tooth it seems that you need a variety of options to assist in the process. I like to watch your technique for stretching your leg to put your foot in your mouth. It is enviable to a former yoga enthusiast like myself. Keep stretching. Don't forget to breathe as you stretch that foot closer. I would love to be as flexible as you are. It is something you don't want to take for granted. Don't forget the taste of it either. I seem to forget the taste of my own foot. It is usually in my mouth quite a bit, but in another sense. Your foot is literally in your mouth. My foot ends up in my mouth proverbially. More often than I would like. I do believe that this makes for totally different tastes indeed!

A Funny Thing You Do

2010-04-27T06:34:00.004-04:00

A funny thing you do is to pound your fist on the table, high chair, or whatever flat surface you are close to. When you do it I like to yell "Order in the court!" like you are a judge just about to have everyone thrown out of the courtroom for misconduct. Where is that bailiff to do your dirty work?

This Time Last Year

2010-04-19T06:43:00.003-04:00

This time last year your mom and I went on our last big outing, just the two of us. Almost just the two uf us; we took one of the dogs. It was to Charleston, SC, to celebrate our anniversary. This year we are taking our little anniversary trip a little bit later. The big change in our little get-away is that we are also taking you, so get ready to feel some sand between your toes. Get used to that feel of sunblock against your skin. Couldn't let that soft pink skin of yours get burnt. I even have a special pair of baby sunglasses ordered just for you. You have to look cool, just like us.

Twice As Nice

2010-04-13T13:14:00.002-04:00

You hit another milestone. This one was doubling your birth weight. Way to go. You seem like such a big girl now. Now that you have achieved this just don't start growing exponentially!

The Clapping Song

2010-04-11T21:06:00.005-04:00

3, 6, 9
The goose drank wine
The monkey chew tobacco on the streetcar line
The line broke, the monkey got choked
And they all went to heaven in a little rowboat

You learned how to clap today. When I got home from work your mom told me you clapped for her. It wasn't long before you clapped for me too. Looks like this has become your favorite new show-off trick. Now I may be bragging, but isn't this a sign of being a genius at 7 months old? Hold your applause until the end, please. Wait, you just learned to clap so go ahead and do it when and where you want. Where did you learn how to clap? Was it at Church during praise and worship or at school imitating the other babies in class? Anyway, it's a marvelous new thing that you have learned. Keep practicing. We will start clapping to music soon. We can learn to do the Hand Jive. We might even learn The Clapping Song.

Clap, pat, clap your hand
Pat it on your partners hand
Right hand, clap, pat
Clap your hand cross it
With your left arm
Pat your partners left palm

It's Gerber, Not Gourmet

2010-03-31T06:44:00.003-04:00

As you grow you have developed an expanding sense of taste. I knew it was true from the first time I saw you eat those delicious sweet potatoes. That tongue of yours has baby tastebuds! You ate your way through the vegetable world, and soon discovered the joys of fruits; applesauce being an early favorite. From there it was off to baby yogurt, which tastes a lot like adult yogurt. Now we are tasting proteins. It is still a mystery to me why they mix meats with all the side items but you seen to love it. We served you your first tastes of thanksgiving all from one jar last week. Turkey and sweet potatoes go together pretty well, even in a pureed form. The jar didn't mention gravy or dressing or cranberries. Those are my favorite parts of the thanksgiving meal. It is fun to watch your expression when we pop a new flavor into your mouth. It is also fun to watch your mom's face too as she tries a taste of it. In the rare event of leftovers, I may also try a sample myself. Eat well my child, for I have already declared that you are going to have to learn to eat what your mom and I like; and we dont live on hot dogs and chicken nuggets!

Reaching Up, Reaching Out

2010-03-30T06:14:00.005-04:00

Your movements have become so much more coordinated now. You are doing some pretty good waving when you see someone exciting. When you want to be picked up, you have started reaching for your mom or me. We come over, arms go up. It is pretty cool to come over to you and see those arms extend for us to pick you up. There have even been a couple of times that it seemed like you even hugged my neck when I did. That was really cool. Your motor skills are developing quick, but in moments of sheer excitement your arms and legs are still all over the place. I am still waiting for you to give me a black eye or another bloody nose when they flail about wildly. Your face pinching and hair pulling skills could become the next olympic sport though. You are refining your technique.

To pinch, or not to pinch? That is the question.

2010-03-18T06:51:00.005-04:00

To pinch or not to pinch? Leprechauns Would be proud of your efforts. What about hair pulling and face grabbing? Or mouthing my arm like a teething toy? It makes no difference to you whether I wear green or not, your always after me; pinching, pulling, grabbing, and mouthing. St. Patrick's day or any day of the week. I guess it is just normal for a baby to do these types of things. Still, in your little green legwarmers and green trimmed outfit, you had a mischievous gleam in your eye just like a little leprechaun. Now please lead us over the next rainbow to a pot of gold. Or at least to a nice patch of four-leafed clovers.

Bringing Home Baby

2010-03-15T15:10:00.002-04:00

Your Mamaw was with us this weekend for your dedication. It has been 6 months since she has seen you and we were so excited that she was coming to spend the weekend. When your mom picked her up she told her that she was going to send her into your classroom and have her pick you out, and that she had better not bring home the wrong baby! We had a good laugh about that. When the time came, she sure enough picked you out of all the babies in your class. I knew she would remember you.

Popularity Contest

2010-03-06T07:16:00.005-05:00

It's official, we've been downgraded in popularity. Used to be any time we went out we were recognized by people we know. Last night when the three of us went out to have dinner, someone behind us that we didn't know recognized you. We were just the people you happened to be with at the time. It was one of your classmates and his parents. His mom talked to you before talking to us, asking you where that smile was that she was used to seeing every morning. Now we are getting accustomed to you stealing all the attention when we visit family. I even let you make the obligitory phone call to your mamaw when you were having a particularly talkative and outspoken moment. She would rather talk to you than us, even if it is babytalk. At church the same thing happens, and it is fine. Whenever we open the door, people come running to greet you before us. This is to be expected. You are an extension of us to these people, something fresh and exciting. We are probably like yesterday's news to them at this point, old and boring. Even, gasp, predictable! We've become downgraded to just part of your entourage. They all want to see and talk to you. Now you have usurped us in popularity even among strangers. Dont gloat just yet though, miss popularity, the same thing used to happen before you came along whenever I took the dog places!

Conversation Hearts

2010-02-22T12:18:00.003-05:00

I'm posting a few days late but your first Valentine's day has come and gone. In a few years we will probably go to a traditional Father/Daughter dance around Valentine's day. Although I'm not much of a dancer, I'm rather looking forward to it but I'm a little bit nervous too. What will we talk about on that big night? Will we still talk so freely when you become older and I teach you how to expect a gentleman to act when he is escorting you? That is what these dances are really all about; fathers demonstrating to their daughters the way that they deserve to be treated by future suitors. I can't imagine you becoming a teenager and dating. 6 months has flown by faster than I ever thought possible. Right now I can pick you up and waltz around the kitchen with you in my arms. You love this. It makes you giggle. You are becoming quite conversational with your sweet little baby talk. Talking and dancing with you like this is nice. When we go on our first Father/Daughter dance we can get all dressed up. It will seem so formal. I hope I can still make you giggle when you are that age. What will we talk about when you are that old? Time will only tell, but you have all the makings of becoming a real sweet talker. For now we just dance around the kitchen in our pajamas, and the conversation flows rather organically without any of the pressure of life's valuable lessons.

Dropped off by Daddy

2010-02-12T13:10:00.003-05:00

Lately I've been noticing more and more just how many dads do the morning "drop-off" routine at your school. Seems like this is the "guy thing" to do, the dropping off. Mom gets to be the hero and rescue you at "pick-up time" at the end of the day. You don't seem to mind being dropped off one bit. You only cried once when I dropped you off, and that was simply a fleeting whimper that ended before I had reached the door. There is too much to see and do when I drop you off for you to become fussy. You are usually noticing the other babies or playing with whatever toys I give you when I put you down. We greet all the other babies in your class each morning. I want you to be well socialized. Then we play for a few minutes but I could stay for hours if I weren't so disciplined. As much as we may play or giggle in the mornings, there is always something else to grab your attention once we are there so you won't get upset when I leave. Your face actually lights up when we walk in the place. Then I call your mom, tell her who was there, give the fashion report, and finally head to work. Even after all these months the dropping off is still tough. Why do you think I am always late for work. All of the other dads probably have the same problem too.

Sweet Potatoes, Food Of The Gods

2010-02-03T20:14:00.003-05:00

I wish I expressed as much enthusiasm and joy about my diet as you did with that ambrosia that we started serving you this week known as Sweet Potatoes. You just simply loved them and made the most rapturious faces when you tasted them. There wasn't much food on your face either. Sweet potatoes were too good to "feed your face" with. They pretty much all went directly into your mouth. That mouth opened wide just like a baby bird's mouth does. Then in goes the spoonful of sweet potatoes and you look like you have just tasted a culinary masterpiece. I teased you with the spoon a couple of times, getting you to move your head all around, transfixed on the orange colored contents. Then when you had enough of that I gave them too you. Don't get me wrong, your mom and I enjoy sweet potatoes too, but it is pretty obvious we don't enjoy them quite as much as you do. Just wait until you taste them with brown sugar and cinnamon. Or sweet potatoe pie! Or candied yams! I don't usually put marshmallows on top of candied yams but I suppose I will just for you. Well, your mom actually likes them that way too.

Reunited, and it feels so 1985

2010-01-31T19:46:00.006-05:00

Your mom was bursting with the news about her high school reunion. June 5, 2010. 25 years! I did a little digging and found out that mine is in October 2010. 25 years! 1985 seems so far away and high school is a but a faded, distant memory. We went to two of her class reunions but none of mine. Today I actually registered on an alumni site to keep up with mine because I think I finally want to go to one. The website was pretty interesting. It had our senior pictures online for all the world to see along with a bit of information about what everyone has been doing since then. The pictures of my classmates seemed like some kind of time capsule, everyone trapped just the way I remember them in a mid-1980's cool pose. Then I read some of my classmates current bios and screeched forward to the present time. Some of the people we graduated with have kids in college! Some are even grandparents! Here we are with you not even having cut your first tooth yet. We probably have the youngest child of our classmates. I think we can count on you to keep us young while the rest of the class of 1985, how shall I say it, ahem, matures and grows old gracefully. We will grow old kicking and screaming while hauling you off to music lessons, swim practice, birthday parties, church stuff, and anything else your little heart desires. Nothing graceful about that but the reward will be worth the cost and effort, no matter how undignified we appear in the process.

Thrill Jockey

2010-01-26T20:09:00.004-05:00

I hope that you don't become too much of an adrenaline junkie. If you do it is entirely our fault. It will probably lead to a lifetime mantra of Faster, Daddy! Faster! We like to keep you in motion. It seems to help you settle down. I guess all that walking your mom did when she was carrying you is where it really all began. You have always liked to be moving. A baby on the go. When it is time for a nap we put you in your swing in the living room. You just move your little head around to the side in your cozy spot, rub those eyes, get in tune to the back and forth motion of the swing, and go to sleep. When we put you in the swing I count down silently from five to zero. By the time I get to one the motion of the swing has usually carried you away off to dreamtime. Now could this be the start of jumping out of airplanes, snowboarding, surfing, race car driving, bungee-jumping, rollercoaster riding or any thrill seeking activity to get your adrenaline rushing? If it is, and you become some kind of thrill jockey later in life, we can always say that you started young.

SuperGirl!

2010-01-22T06:46:00.005-05:00

We caught you trying to become an infant superhero this week. You had your bib going behind your back like a cape. I guess you were becoming SuperGirl! Well, you did move up to the next class in your school this week and that required some amazing baby superpowers, didn't it? And you are going to be sitting up on your own very soon too. And you also have great natural musical abilities. You are starting to try and sing and your mom let you play some notes on the piano already. And you are a pretty great giggler, although I am not sure if this constitutes a baby superpower or not. Let's not forget about strength...and the all times you socked me in the nose and pulled my hair. You must have been just practicing for fighting bad guys. Now we just have to wait and see you spring into action in the event of an emergency. We don't have phone booths anymore so you will have to do your costume changes on the bed or on a changing pad. All that's left to do is to find the perfect Infant Superhero Theme Song. Then the bib becomes a cape and you become SUPERGIRL!

Cereal Killer

2010-01-16T13:46:00.004-05:00

You started eating rice cereal this week and love it! Your teacher said she thought you were getting ready for it. You have also been watching how your mom and I eat with much interest lately. Your doctor said we could go ahead and try to start feeding you a little rice cereal so that is what we did. You were ready. Afterall, baby can't live by bottle alone! It wasn't exactly snap, crackle, and pop, but you seemed to enjoy it all the same. We fed you that first bite with a purple coated spoon. First you tentatively stuck out your tongue to taste it, and then decided to just go for it. Bon Appetit, baby! We gave you a few bites and then some bottle to chase it down with. You ate with gusto. You had pretty good manners too, not making too much of a mess; but then again how much of a mess can you make with just 2tablespoons worth! Just keep those manners up. We don't want you talking with your mouth full or putting your elbows on the highchair or anything like that.

4 Glow Worms Glowing

2010-01-14T20:18:00.003-05:00

Who would have thought that Glow Worms would have made such a comeback? I never had one as a child but they were popular once upon a time. Our friends and family must have had lots of nosalgia for them because you got 4 of them for Christmas this year. The good thing is that they are all different. Two seahorses and two glow worm babies. The even better thing is that you seem to really like themand with 4 of them around, there is always one at hand whenever you need one. We have a seahorse glow worm in your bassinet in our room, a glow worm baby in your bed, a glow worm baby downstairs, and a seahorse glow worm in your room reserved for take-a-longs. You like the lullabies that they play, and your face just lights up when they start glowing. Your favorite is the one downstairs that has big blue eyes. I like the seahorse that is in your bassinet. I'm going to incorporate them in the Twelve Days Of Christmas next year. I'll sing "4 Glow Worms Glowing!" Glow worms are such soothing, happy relaxing things. I could just push the button on one and chill myself.

Days and Nights

2010-01-13T06:39:00.003-05:00

You have been doing so well at sleeping through the night that I hate to brag on you for fear of jinxing this. You haven't been sleeping as much at school either but I don't think that has anything to do with it. I think you are just growing up and settling down. This little pattern has also kept you in a really good mood too. So pleasant to be around. Most mornings you get really cozy as I take you to school and try to fall asleep. It has been really, really cold so my truck has warmed up to a nice and toasty temperature by the time we are ready to leave. I try to keep you from falling asleep until we get to school so getting out of the warmth won't be such a shock to a sleeping baby. Then after we get there you stay awake about an hour and then nap for an hour or so. Then cat naps through the day but nothing like your power naps you took when you were younger. After mom picks you up in the late afternoon and we all get home you go to sleep until the time your mom and I eat dinner. Then you wake up for a while and we play. Then you falling asleep again around 8:30p.m. or so. You are so sleepy that you don't usually wake up when I change your diaper before we go to bed. Then it's lights out until around 5:30 a.m. Then it's tomorrow. And we do this all over again. Mommy appreciates the sleep. Daddy does too.

Razzberries

2010-01-06T09:42:00.005-05:00

I am pretty sure you are growing a tooth or two. At least you are happy about it so I won't complain. Slobbery drool is pretty much a constant thing with you now and anything article of clothing directly below your chin is usually wet with it. Bringing Shakespear down to your level, "To bib, or not to bib; that is the question!" If we have you covered with a blanket, it is certain to become a wet blanket. Blame it on teething and slobbering. Your cheeks have a rosy hue to them because they are getting a little chapped from us constantly wiping off this stream of saliva. The phrase "Finger Lickin' Good" has taken on an entirely new meaning. It doesn't just apply to KFC anymore, at least not when you are teething. If we aren't careful you even go for our fingers and knuckles, trying to get them into your mouth! Just wait until you discover dipping sauce or catsup! We even got you a special raspberry teething pacifier. It is really cute. The outside end is green and has leafy designs on it. The business end (the end that you put in your mouth) is red and really does look like an actual raspberry. It has bumpy texture that is supposed to help you with teething. That is what the packaging says anyway. It is a perfectly cute thing for naive, well-wishing, good-intending parents (like us) to buy. The only problem is that you aren't exactly crazy about it. I think you like to improvise and come up with your own teething tools. I have even caught you chewing on your lip and tongue sometimes when nothing else is available and all clothing, bibs, blankets, and fingers are out of reach. This morning as we were playing I caught you sticking your tongue out at me. This wasn't merely an accident or a just a fluke because you did it several times. In adults and older children they call sticking out your tongue at someone 'giving them a razzberry.' You were probably just teething, but if I didn't know better I'd say you were giving me a razzberry!

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T06:50:00.004-05:00

We celebrated the New Year low-key this year. Usually I am up until midnight to see the old year out and usher the new one in. This year it didn't happen. No fireworks, confetti, or Times Square ball-drops for me. No Dick Clark or champagne toasts or party horns either. I was actually sleeping at midnight when it all transpired. People asked me if you were going to be up to help see the new year come in. I told them I hoped not. You were sleeping, thank goodness. The big debate is what to call this new year. 2010 can be called Twenty-Ten or Two Thousand and Ten. I'm with the first group. Afterall, it wasn't the One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twelve Overture. It was the Eighteen-Twelve Overture. We didn't party like it was One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine, we partied like it was Nineteen Ninety-Nine. They called this past decade the decade from hell. It started out with Y2K and ended with financial meltdowns. We encountered terrorism in the U.S., natural disasters, bailout programs, number one albums from the Beatles, the latest Elvis 'comeback', and wars inbetween. Still there were plenty of good times to be found if you simply looked for them. You were born in this decade afterall, so it wasn't all bad.

Christmas Memories 2009

2009-12-29T19:38:00.003-05:00

We racked up some memories this year. There was the trip to sit on Santa's lap at the fire department. You were didn't even flinch. The shopping trip while you stayed with mamaw and papaw. When we came back the house was filled with cousins playing together. The Christmas Portrait of the three of us that didn't quite happen. It was OK though, we got splendid pictures of you before your big meltdown! Seeing the cool pictures they took at school. Sending your picture in our Christmas cards. Making the cool ornament and package to send to your mamaw in Kentucky. Hearing her open it was so much fun. The lack of baking in our house. I had good intentions, even making a list of the things I hoped to bake but they just never materialized for lack of time, energy, and willpower. Reflecting on the test your mom took last Christmas Eve and the sudden turn of events that completely changed our lives. The bottle of wine we got for a friend on Christmas Eve. It was time for you to eat and we were looking at the bottle of wine when you got all big eyed and started reaching for it like it was your special big bottle. The look of frustration on your face when we took it away. How congenial and good you were around everyone at the Christmas parties. Then getting overwhelmed and having a meltdown opening your presents at home. We had to take a break and open some the next day. And the day after that. It is more blessed to give than recieve!

'Twas the night before Christmas

2009-12-28T06:25:00.003-05:00

"twas the night before Christmas and we were all at home together. We napped on the couch. You actually let us sleep, being quiet as a mouse. The stocking were hung, filled to the max. We were all stretched out sleeping, just trying to relax. Your mom and I always open our gifts on Christmas eve. There is always so much to do Christmas day and so many places to go and people to see. We kept the tradition this year, opening our gifts to each other while you continued to sleep. We took a longer nap this year than we usually do before opening presents. We needed it. Christmas can be exhausting. Some gifts just didn't get wrapped this year. It is the thought that counts, right? This year there were more gifts for you under the tree than gifts for ourselves. Probably it will be that way for a long time.

Snow Angels

2009-12-23T19:12:00.005-05:00

Lamentations 3:23 says "His mercies are new every morning." That is a beautiful promise from scripture. The snow reminds me of that. Generally speaking, snow causes lots of people to get anxious as it is falling. There are long lines at the grocery stores and nervous drivers leaving work early to get in accidents and cause traffic problems. Snow is not something we experience often here. When it happens, or is forecasted, it can cause a panic in people. Then when we wake up in the morning we can see how beautiful it really is, uninterrupted and covering the world in freshness. It is pretty amazing once we just accept it and let it happen as we sleep, giving up trying to plan around or control it. If it is going to happen, it's going to happen and you cant stop it. Everything looks different covered in a blanket of snow. Dogs and children get excited by it. Cats and old people step through it tenatively. You saw your first snowfall this week. You gave a peek and seemed rather nonplussed by it. A dusting of snow is so fresh and perfect in the morning and then by the end of the day it has either been trampled on, melted, or turned into something creative like a snowman or a snow angel. People are fresh creations with God's mercy. Just like the snow covering the yard, turning it into something unexpectedly beautiful and totally different than what it was before.

Yes, (Insert Name Here), There Is A Santa Claus

2009-12-15T19:57:00.007-05:00

Santa Claus is a controversial figure, but I want to raise you to pay heed to the spirit of generosity that this season reflects. If it takes a fat man in a red suit being led from house to hacienda all across the world by a team of reindeer to show generosity to All Men then, that is something that I can work with. Generosity sometimes needs a flamboyant larger than life example, and sometimes Santa Claus is that person. I'm all for examples of inclusiveness to show this point. You know there are a lot of bad children out there that don't deserve gifts, but they get them from Santa just the same. Even the children that we think of as being self-centered little brats. All they do is ask and they recieve. No, make that demand and recieve! Santa seems like a pretty generous fellow to go through all the trouble to do all this, but nobody ever thanks him or gives him a second thought until Christmas. Now I know that I'm not at all deserving of any of life's rich blessings that I have recieved, but they were poured out to me anyway. Not by any noble act or accomplishment on my part. Not by any right or entitlement, or even by demanding, but just by humbly asking for the gift. Then I even got some gifts that I didn't even ask for. Those turned out to be the really good ones. I'm all for the generosity that we show each other and even to total strangers, especially at Christmas. Angel trees, salvation army bell ringers, and even random carolers entertaining shoppers at the mall are all ways that strangers are evangelized to by people who love to give. Christmas is most definitely not about the gifts but the Spirit by which they are given and the kindness that we show each other in doing so. We may call these people crazy, roll our eyes, or try to avoid them, but we are glad that they care enough to do these kinds of things. All for total strangers. I'll bet that if these giving people put this much effort on total strangers then they must really know how to shower their own families with love. Sometimes these people are thanked for their giving, often they are not. They do it regardless. Giving just makes you feel good and people like to feel good. One year I went on a mission trip to West Virginia to deliver Christmas gifts to a very poor community. We collected bikes, baby dolls, any kind of toy you could imagine. We also gave coats and lots of clothing too. These people literally had nothing of material value and lived under a cloud of shame because of their living conditions. We gave many fuel vouchers so families could have warmth in their homes or even finally have their gas turned on for the winter. We also gave bags of groceries to each family. The hope they recieved along with these presents was life changing in that moment. Hope like that is what people need just to make it through the day. Giving those gifts was certainly life changing for me. Giving hope can change your whole perspective on gift giving. Undeserved gifts, gifts of generosity to fellow men, life changing gifts, and the gift of hope. These are what we really give and recieve at Christmas. Sometimes people will respond to gifts like that from Santa and noone else. For that reason, I put up with it...and yes, Virginia, it may even take Santa to help demonstrate God's unconditional love for us sometimes.

Over The River and Thru the Woods

2009-12-14T06:49:00.002-05:00

Over the river and thru the woods, off on a shopping date your mom and I went. You had your own fun at grandma's house. I don't think I ever seen the mall so crowded before. We got a cool ornament to send to your mamaw in Kentucky that said 'grandma's first christmas.' At the entrance of one store we saw at least 8 strollers parked with babies in tow and tired looking dads keeping their eyes on them. Most of the stores were so jam-packed that it would be strategically impossible to navigate a stroller through them. I don't think you are ready for that kind of outing yet. I know I'm not. Good thing grandma's house is on the way to the mall!

Who's Afraid Of Santa Claus?

2009-12-13T09:09:00.007-05:00

We took you to the local fire department to have your picture taken with Santa. There were plenty of babies there but none so cute as you. Some were dressed to the nines, at least as far as babies go. Newborn girls in tights, velvet dresses, shiny patent leather shoes, and those horrible headbands that look like some kind of garter belt on their little bald heads. Little boys in corduroy pants, sweater vests, button-down shirts and ties. Those kids were mostly all teary-eyed and flustered by the prospect of sitting on the lap of a man wearing a red furry suit in front of a fire truck. Hope they aren't scarred by the experience too badly. In your practical but stylish pink snowsuit, you just kept your cool composure throughout it all and shined like the diamond you are. Heck, you probably would have even ridden in the fire truck with Santa if we let them put your car seat in there. I would say that you 'glowed' for your picture, but glowing should be reserved for a more reverent experience.

Naughty Or Nice

2009-12-11T07:02:00.001-05:00

Good thing for you that the measure of naughty or nice isn't determined by the number of diapers and sleepless nights generated!

This Time Last Year

2009-12-11T06:48:00.002-05:00

This time last year I was in a baking mood. I baked and decorated soooo many gingerbread men for people's children that I lost count of just how many I made. The house smelled like Christmas on any given day because of all of the spices and molasses I used to bake with. I was also into wrapping presents. Some of them rather intricately in fact. I thought I was really in the Christmas Spirit. Your mom was settled down on the couch napping or wondering why she was so tired all of the time. This year the holiday baking has not begun yet though I do have plans, and your gifts are pretty much the only things wrapped and under the tree. Your mom would still like a winter's nap but it probably isn't going to happen any time soon!

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BPA Free!

2009-12-03T07:22:00.002-05:00

Only you would hold your pacifier in your fingers while gnawing on your knuckle. Your way of "going organic" and staying BPA free! True Story.

Too Many People To Dance

2009-12-03T06:57:00.002-05:00

About once a week we stop in Starbucks for coffee on your way to school. The place had just decorated for Christmas and everyone was in an extra chipper mood. Could have been the caffeine in the air or the Christmas Spirit, I'm not sure which. Suddenly Frank Sinatra came on the music system with his cool big band swing and you just lit up, beaming and bopping your head. Cool. We swayed since there were just too many people in there to dance. I could have put you in your carseat, we could have started dancing and swinging to Ol' Blue Eyes, and we could have knocked over people like so many bowling pins if we felt like it. I wasn't in the mood to be kicked out of a coffee shop this morning though, so we just swayed with you in my arms.

Ego Booster

2009-11-27T21:17:00.008-05:00

Ever want to feel important? Just let yourself be recognized by a baby. Move over Mr. President. Hollywood and the red carpet celebrities have nothing on you if a baby's face just lights up the moment you walk in the room. If you ever want to feel like a Superstar, just make a baby giggle and squeal. Then you are the funniest entertainer on the planet. You are the ready to sell out shows from coast to coast and maybe even play the half-time show for the Superbowl. That is the power of your entertainment. Ever want to feel loved and needed, just let a baby rest her head on your shoulder and then go to sleep. Then when you start to put her down and she whimpers to stay on your shoulder, that's when you know that you are loved and needed, that's for sure. All these things are great ego boosters, but if you ever want to feel really, Really, REALLY IMPORTANT-clean up after a blowout diaper. Your wife will be glad you did. You will be Number One in her book. And your baby will think you are cool too.

Tiny Hands, Little Feet

2009-11-27T20:25:00.003-05:00

We got a card today in the mail. At first I thought it was a shower invitation but then I read it and discovered something great. Your grandma made a missions gift in your honor. Your tiny little fingers are exploring now, going into your mouth, learning to pick up and hold onto things. Pinching my nose, sometimes even pulling mommy's hair. Your little feet still shun shoes and will hardly tolerate a pair of socks. These little things of yours are part of a much bigger thing, and are being used as the hands and feet of Jesus somewhere far, far away. Still, you have delivered sermons to me here at home more powerfully than any preacher ever could. You have delivered to me Joy from your smile, Praise from your sweet baby babble, Peace from watching you sleep, Trust from your knowing that every need is going to be met, Passion from an uncontrollable tantrum, Desire from the way you look at me and Empathy from a tear glistening down your cheek.

What Your Made Of

2009-11-24T22:00:00.003-05:00

It's no fun being sick. You got to experience that today firsthand. To your credit, you tried to carry on as normal as possible in spite of congestion. There was a grin here and there. Still a little time to play and enjoy yourself between naps and coughing fits. You probably haven't been programmed yet to milk being sick for all the pity that it is worth. I don't like to honor pity. A pity party is usually a party for one, and that person is the guest of honor. You don't seem preoccupied with things like that. Even though you are sick you would rather continue on as though nothing was wrong, making the best of it. When you get to be an adult they call that 'denial.' I call it showing us what you are made of!

I <3 MOM (AKA YOUR GRANDMA)

2009-11-23T16:01:00.002-05:00

I now have proof that your grandma always liked me best. She came to school and saw you. She didn't do that with your cousins. She said she was going to be coming to town and asked if she could come visit you at school. I gave her our code to get in the building and told your teachers that she might visit. She did. They said that you had a good time playing with her and introducing her to your friends. More proof that she liked me best is that I have her cell phone number. Your uncles don't. Maybe I will get 'Mom' tattooed on my arm inside of a heart. It will be our secret.

School Pictures

2009-11-20T23:46:00.002-05:00

Today was your first school pictures. And they were Christmas pictures! Of course we had to try you in three different outfits for the occasion. Everything had to be just right. I took my own pictures of you in the different outfits too. Cant have too many pictures, now can we? When I dropped you off at school I couldn't believe my good luck. They were ready to take your picture and I got to see the whole thing. You were giving it your all! Big smiles here and there. Lots of personality. A couple of different poses. I Cant wait to see the results, even though I know you are beatiful already.

Smiling In Your Sleep

2009-11-18T18:41:00.004-05:00

I just love to watch you sleep. I love waking you up too, just to watch what you do. I like to tickle your neck and chin. Blow in your ears and face. You make some of the most fascinating expressions during these times. Sometimes your brow get furrowed, like you are thinking about something really hard. I'm not used to you looking so serious and contemplative. Sometimes you puff our your cheeks and make fish lips. When you do this you usually raise your arms high and draw your knees into your chest. Sometimes you roll your eyes sleepily and then drift back away into sleep. The dreams you have usually lure you back to them unless I am persistent in my attempts to awaken you. If I am really lucky I catch you smiling in your sleep. I wonder what kind of dream you must be having when you smile in your sleep. Is it a dream of something we are doing together? Maybe reading nursery rhymes or playing in your swing? Are you and mommy playing together? Tummytime perhaps? Dancing to your lullabies? Your arms sometimes move as you sleep. So do your feet and legs. Off come those socks! Could it be that you are not in a dream at all, but in the company of Angels worshipping in the Throne Room of God?

Growing Pains

2009-11-15T16:14:00.005-05:00

You must have been having serious growing pains this weekend. The plan was to do some Christmas shopping Friday night. Cancelled. Due to Fussiness. Then Saturday the plan was to do some Christmas shopping. Cancelled. Due to Fussiness. Then Sunday you were fussy in Church, and that is something that is just not typical. Then we discussed doing some Christmas shopping. Discussing the plans seemed the prudent thing to do, considering the stalled state of our plans so far this weekend. Then, you guessed it, Cancelled. Due to Fussiness. At this rate we just might be doing our shopping online or risk becoming like Scrooge. Bah Humbug! I told your mother you must be going through some Growing Pains. Just don't grow up too fast because of them. One question. Because we are so entwined in your growing pains, does it mean that we are growing too? If so I'd really like grow up instead of out. We'll probably 'grow as parents' or 'grow in parental wisdom' or something like that. Why can't our gratification be instant instead of being squirrelled away like some hard bit of gleaned knowledge to pass along to you? I guess these are my Growing Pains.

The Kid Whose Dad...

2009-11-14T07:13:00.005-05:00

Your the kid whose dad...
-Drops you off in the morning, making sure to let you greet all the other infants in your daycare class. I don't care if you are the most popular, but I do want you to know how to socialize and communicate. You being the best dressed is my perogative.
-Chooses to carry you in a carrier rather than use a stroller, just so we can be extra close. You seem so far away in a stroller.
-Sends cards for every holiday and "just because" with your latest and cutest pictures to grandparents, cousins, and friends.
-Always has new pictures just developed and showing them, hot off the press.
-Holds you in my arms during Praise and Worship at Church so we can do it together. I even color coordinate what I am wearing your outfit so we don't clash.
-Reads Mother Goose in different voices and sings the rhymes whever possible to make it more fun! Reconnecting to my childhood is soo much fun!
-Hung a "Baby on Board" sign up in the car weeks before you were born.
-Makes music mix-tapes to listen to with you in mind. Not lullabies either.
-Calls people when you hit milestones, such as laughing, rolling-over, etc. It is just fascinating to me and I can't help but share these things.
-Doesn't call you 'princess' because I don't believe in that, but will always be your knight in shining armor.

I'm that dad...your that girl!

BigTime

2009-11-13T06:40:00.003-05:00

For a little girl, you like to do things big. Who would want to sleep in her crib or bassinet when you can sleep in the comfort of our big Queen sized bed? You have this knack about waiting for just the prime moment after nursing when everyone is resting. Then you get this angelic look about you that makes it hard to put you back in your bed. I keep waiting for a halo to pop up over your little sleeping head. You have figured out how to playing our heartstrings like a fiddle. Who would want to wake the sleeping baby, right? Just look at her. Awww! Now how can a little girl take up so much room in a big bed? Stretching arms and legs. One morning I saw your mother on about a two-inch wide edge of the mattress with you all sprawled out in the middle of the bed. Still waiting for that halo to appear.

Another thing you really love to do big is bathtime. Sink baths are for babies now that you have been in Deep Water. We still have a brand new infant tub just for you that has never even been out of the box yet. It is quietly tucked away on a shelf in the linen closet. The deep water of the big bathtub is where you want to be and I dont blame you. Afterall, daddy wouldn't fit in the sink or your infant tub. Even if I were able to fit in the infant tub with you there probably wouldn't be room for the ducks. Or penguins. You really love it when I hold your head and support your shoulders and let you float. Kicking and splashing are also so much fun in the big tub while mommy gives you a nice shampoo. Afterwards we both smell so good. So far you haven't pooped on me in the big tub. Even if you do it will be easy to clean up!

Roll-Over

2009-11-12T06:00:00.004-05:00

You learned how to roll over on your own, hurray! At daycare, AKA "school", one of your teachers told us that she thought you would be rolling over any day now. Well it turns out that she was right. We were lying in the floor with you playing last night and you rolled right over. You were so proud of yourself for figuring it out. You had been quite frustrated during the process, trying to get your arm out from under your belly and not quite being able to roll over completely because of it. You were so happy when it all clicked that once we put you on your back you rolled over again. And wiggled. And giggled. Holding your head up proudly. So defiant! I told your mother that you were going to be dangerous now. We thought we were the first to witness this and I was excited to tell your teacher the next day. She said that she forgot to tell us that you did it yesterday in the crib. Killjoy!

Segue-"Naked, Covered With Blood And Screaming" or "Life On The Outside"

2009-11-10T21:57:00.005-05:00

Dear Reader, There has been a gap of about twelve weeks since the last posted vignette. Let's just say I've been a little distracted; preoccupied, if you will. Not that this past quarter hasn't been without it's own daily stories. I will get on to telling those tales eventually. Until then they will be mulled over and made ferment in the tumblers of my heart and mind, eventually becoming a series of midnight vignettes. Soon the memories of those times will become all smooth, like stones from the river of life. One slight problem...the details and rough edges are what really happened and what make things interesting. The truth is you were born the way we live our lives: naked, covered with blood and screaming! This is your story. Life on the outside.

You were born on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 10:32 p.m., weighing 8 lbs and 4 oz, being 20 and one half inches long. It was a remarkable day. Your mother was very ready for you to come. You were already a couple of days late. I had heard from some latino friends that spicy foods could trigger labor so we had Wendy's chili on Wednesday night. At 5 a.m. on the dot the next morning your mother's water broke. She harbored a fear that this would happen during a most inappropriate time such as at work or while we were sleeping. We had bought a mattress pad just in case it happened while we were sleeping. I don't know how we would have managed the situation if this had happened anywhere else but while we were sleeping. Your mom likes to tell people that she has never seen me get out of bed that fast before. She probably never will again.

If labor has two sides I saw both that day. Your mother looked absolutely beautiful. The contractions were manageable, meaning few and far between. We took our time getting ready. Siezing the opportunity that may never surface again, I asked her if she was sure that she didn't want a picture of her pregnant belly. It could be just for us I told her, and it turned out beautiful. In fact, we were proud to show it off to people. This was the pretty side of labor: giddiness on the way to the hospital with packed bags, birthing ball, and carseat secure in place. Hair and make-up done perfectly and wearing stylish albeit comfortable clothing. We listened to worship music during parts of your labor.
The other side of labor was not so pretty. Helplessness and pain from a rough patch of chemically enhanced contractions that just would not let up, but were not producing the much desired effect. An epidural that did not properly take. A second epidural administered between a series of hard contractions as she was sitting on the side of the bed. Coping. Breathing. Crying. After such great efforts, a C-section was the birthing method that was performed. The C-section was pretty neat in some ways. I was in the Operating Room next to your mother's head comforting her. The doctor asked me if I wanted to "see." "Sure", I said. I stood up and witnessed the whole thing up-close-and-personal. Note to other dads, don't worry about passing out if this happens to you. It was so fascinating that I told your mother that they could put me on the payroll at the hospital. Then they held you up and you cried. Your mother said it was the most beautiful cry.

When you were declared a girl we were thrilled! All during the pregnancy we just knew you were going to be a boy, but we are delighted that you are who you are. Before we left the hospital I tied a garish pink ribbon to the antennae of the car. It's still attatched and blowing in the wind freely. Your grandma brought two "coming home outfits." One for a boy, one for a girl. Although you are a girl, we will not be dressing you exclusively in pink. I quickly tell people that you look good in ALL COLORS! Ruffles and frills are not our style or yours, and neither are those ridiculous and impractical little dresses that certain people love, and that I love to hate. I also hate, Hate, HATE those headbands they place on little girl babies and will not permit them to be in your presence. Those things are for bald babies that don't look like little girls or boys.

The first thing I saw when you were born were those fingers. They were moving, clutching air as your arms waved wildly. Then were the toes, oh my, I've never seen such toes. Toes that resist shoes and socks almost as much as mine. Our Auntie says you are the only one she knows who can give the "peace sign" with their toes! It has been established by family members that you will be a piano-playing swimmer by virtue of the length of your fingers and toes, and by how much you like to kick.

After you were born (and we recovered) I made sure to spend lots of time playing with you, moving those little arms and legs; Making you "ride the bicicyle" and playing "Pat-a-cake." Nibbling on those little ears, fingers, and toes. I did this not only because it was fun and you were irresistable, but also to demonstrate that you weren't some delicate china doll. I had to show that you were a real live little person who needed lots of playing with. I needed to prove that you weren't going to crumble and break into a million pieces like some piece of glass. You needed touching to be stimulated and we needed to touch you to become confident that we could actually do this. The more relaxed and comfortable we became with you, the more relaxed and comfortable you were with us. All of this touchy-feelyness has been good, and we still haven't stopped.

I have learned how to take a good picture, thanks to you. I have taken more pictures the last twelve weeks than I have in the last twelve years. I even photographically preserved your first shot at the pediatricians office, tears and all! It seems like you learned pretty quick how to pose. Not just some dumb,stiff-looking "cheese" photo pose either. You have developed a knack for giving me expressions and natural poses.

Now it's time for the thank-you's. Thanks nurses in labor and delivery. We wouldn't know how to change a diaper without you! You all were wonderful. Except for the one that was stupid. Thanks OBGYBN. We are going to miss those appointments! Thanks lactation consultant. You are awesomely encouraging. To everyone in our childbirth and breastfeeding classes...let's have a reunion! Bring the babies!

Oh and for anyone who thinks that you have me trained and wrapped around your finger, or that you are spoiled already, I have a famous phrase that I keep repeating. "I don't believe in spoiling children. I only love and take good care of them. We never spoil them, because I dont believe in spoiling children!"

That was the whole ball of wax, in a nutshell. More daily midnight vignettes to come.

39 Weeks, 5 Days... Rollercoasters

2009-08-18T22:21:00.003-04:00

We went for your appointment today. They did a non-stress test on you. You started out like a galloping horse. Then you got bored and took a nap. Baseline heart rate was perfect, 150 beats per minute. Next we had an ultrasound and were checked to see if your mom's body had started changing enougth for you to be born. The doctor kind of had us thinking that today just might be the day. Your mom got excited and asked me if I thought we would be able to go home first before being whisked away to labor and delivery. I told her I thought so. Well, the doctor broke it to us as gently and tactfully as possible. She said that if there were any sign at all that you were in distress or not getting what you needed that they could help you be born today. There was no such sign. The good news is that you are just perfect. It was still a letdown. Today just wasn't going to be your birthday. What a rollercoaster ride of emotions we were riding. We did see a cool ultrasound picture of you with chubby cheeks though.

39 Weeks, 4 Days...The Evidence

2009-08-18T22:16:00.003-04:00

I was talking to a friend after church about you moving around and stuff and how cool it was. She declared that anyone who wanted to see evidence of God just needs to witness the miracle of a baby being alive and moving around in the womb, kicking and growing like crazy. This truly has been a life changing and life-affirming experience. And that is just from my point of view. Just ask your mother about it one day. I'll bet she could just go on and on and on about it.

39 Weeks, 3 Days...Breakfast and the Social Graces

2009-08-16T20:02:00.003-04:00

I promised your mom I would take her out to breakfast this morning. We had a delicious breakfast at Panera Bread. It is not the first place to think of for breakfast or for kids, but we were surprised by the number of people with kids there. I definitely want you to know the taste of good food and not just horrible happy meals. There is much better food and we want you to eat a variety of stuff. I also want you to know how to handle being out and about in public without misbehaving. Not too badly anyway. Social graces never go out of style. You will thank us for it one day. And we will thank you in advance for not acting up!

39 Weeks, 2 Days...The Rub

2009-08-16T19:55:00.003-04:00

Your mom got a massage today to ease the pain in her hips. She didn't get a tattoo. It wasn't that kind of massage parlor. It was a very nice massage therapist in a respectable office downtown. And it provided some needed relief, which was the main thing. Your mom was walking faster than she had in several days. Mall walkers, watch out; She could give you a run for your money! Speaking of massage, I have heard that touch therapy is very effective on infants. I'll have to read up on baby massage. Sounds like a good way to spend some quality time with you. A few years ago your mom actually went to a dog massage therapy class and she sometimes does those techniques on our dogs. Maybe she will do some massage on you!

39 Weeks, 1 Day...Finishing touches

2009-08-16T19:47:00.003-04:00

I hung the blinds in your room tonight. They are very cool, made of bamboo, and give the perfect jungle effect that we were looking for. And then your mom and I put some decorative animals on your closet door. That was right after I hung some cool monkeys that have hooks for things like diaper bags, your outfits, and anything else with a handle. All these finishing touches are in place. You have got to come soon. I'm running out of things to do.

39 Weeks...Checking the Mileage

2009-08-13T22:10:00.005-04:00

Your mom is pretty darn uncomfortable. 39 Weeks into pregnancy and this hip pain has put a damper on her activities, both walking and diving. Her "big nights out" this week have been 1.To the library. 2.To Dairy Queen and the drugstore. Tomorrow-I will take her to the hairdresser. We're quite the jet-setters, eh? It is so unlike her to be immobile and inactive. I kidded her and said I would check the mileage on her car to see if she went anywhere while I was at work. She replied that she was saving gas money for daycare. If she didn't laugh, she'd cry!

38 Weeks, 6 Days...Shave Before Sleep

2009-08-13T22:04:00.003-04:00

I'm taking the advice a friend gave me: shave before going to bed. Just in case you decide to come in the middle of the night I will look like myself in the pictures. So I am giving myself the "babyface" before going to bed. I got to admit it is a time saver in the mornings. Maybe you are just waiting for the chance to come in the middle of the night when I didn't shave so I will look like a wild man in the hospital pictures. My friend said that his brother looks crazy in his pictures when his baby was born in the middle of the night. I sure wouldn't want that to happen to me.

38 Weeks, 5 Days...Dr. Says...

2009-08-11T21:05:00.003-04:00

The Doctor says that your mom hasn't dilated any yet. That's right, not at all dilated. Zip, zero. None whatsoever. So... they told us that they wouldn't let her go over 41 weeks before inducing her, if needed, to get you to come on out. As if that is supposed to be any consolation! What makes it worse is that persistant hip pain that she is experiencing makes it hard for her to move around. We had to go get a few things after the appointment and her movement had slowed down tremendouly. She even pushed the cart to help take some of the pressure off her hip. The mall-walkers could probably pass us at this point if she had the stamina to walk the mall. She is used to being active and not in pain whenever she moves. Baby, please hurry up and get here and stop with the lessons on patience already!

38 Weeks, 4 Days...No Egg Rolled

2009-08-10T20:54:00.002-04:00

Well, despite several contractions during dinner in the Chinese restaurant and some coincidental lucky numbers you did not choose to come. It is OK, I guess you are teaching your mom and myself patience. I made sure most of the laundry was done and thought about any necessary things to take to the hospital that weren't packed before we went to bed. I even got some sleep. When I woke up I knew that it was business as usual. The business of the past 9 months, that is.

38 Weeks, 3 Days...Good Fortune

2009-08-09T10:23:00.003-04:00

Tonight we ate Chinese food for dinner. Between random contractions we enjoyed egg rolls and cashew chicken. Did I mention contractions? Well, there were a few but they were random. The lady at the restaurant was also expecting around the same time we are. It was nice talking to her and comparing the experience. I ate my fortune cookie for dessert, which I hardly ever do. My fortune read "You will inherit a large amount of money." My "lucky numbers" were 0-8-8. Could this mean that tonight is the night? Afterall, this is the Eighth day of the Eighth month. By the way, did I mention contractions?

38 Weeks, 2 Days...Your Biggest Fan

2009-08-09T10:13:00.003-04:00

Today your uncle helped me put a ceiling fan in your room. It is a very cool fan, picked out just for you. It has small blades but they can create quite the cool, chilled out effect that we want. The light is bright enough without being blinding. Cozy, yet practical. It is the perfect overhead lighting system for your room. If we need stronger light we also have the lamp that I designed for you with the animals on the shade. We thought you might like a little "atmosphere" and "mood" enhancement in your room. As if we haven't created enough atmosphere in there already. You can supply the mood. Preferably a good one.

38 Weeks, 1 Day...Full Moon

2009-08-07T20:49:00.002-04:00

Are you going to howl at the moon tonight? Someone told us that the full moon just might ease you into being born. Well, tonight starts the full moon. The moon causes the ocean tides to rise and fall. Will it be the same for you? They also say that when the moon is full strange things happen. Hospitals are busier than usual. I don't think I want a bunch of superstitious people hanging out at the hospital when you are to be born so hold on for a few more days, please!

38 Weeks...One More Wednesday

2009-08-07T20:47:00.002-04:00

We made it to another Wednesday, and you know what that means! Only possibly 2 more Wednesdays to go before you are born, if you can hold out that long. Mom's been feeling a little more bulky this week so she has worked from home some. It is a nice option for her. Especially at a time like this.

37 Weeks, 6 Days...Statistically Speaking

2009-08-07T18:56:00.003-04:00

I heard an interesting stastic today. It was that in this country births are actually on the decline, down 2%. It seems that you will be a maverick, a real rebel. A trendsetter instead of a trend follower. In a time when births are on the way down you will be on your way to making your mark in this world. This stastic will ultimately means less competition for you. You are going to be another statistic in our family too. You are going to be the tie breaking kid. You have 4 cousins. 2 boys and 2 girls. Statistically speaking it is also strange, me being the oldest having the youngest child. I was the oldest child, oldest grandchild, and oldest great-grandchild. Now you will be the youngest grandchild and youngest great-grandchild.

37 Weeks, 5 Days...No Monster

2009-08-06T07:20:00.002-04:00

We went to the doctor today to see "just how big that baby is." Well they said what I knew all along, that you weren't the monster baby they thought you were going to be. The ultrasound said you were 7 lbs, 1 oz. The doctor said that you would be around 8 lbs at the time of delivery. So there you have it, a good size baby. Enough weight to be able to hold body temperature well but not huge either. Big enough to hold and play with and not be afraid of. We are using one of the dogs as a reference point. He is 8 lbs too.

37 Weeks, 4 Days...A Matter Of Taste

2009-08-04T20:57:00.004-04:00

Today after church we got the much craved hamburgers. They were so good. I'll bet you grow up liking them as much as we do. Once I got mine topped with BBQ sauce, mushrooms, and jalapeno peppers. If you have extravagant taste you will take after both of us. Don't get me wrong, simple things are wonderful, but special things are just our style. I like many special things. Fish tacos, tomatoe and cheese sandwiches, grits with hot sauce, peanut butter and cheese sandwiches, potatoe chips and catsup, pizza with hot sauce. These are just a few special things I like. Your mom likes special stuff too but her taste is not as unusual as mine. She calls my taste "acquired" but I call it "refined." A general rule of thumb to remember is that if catsup doesn't make it better then try hot sauce. If hot sauce doesn't help, then it must need cheese. Maybe if you get fussy about your food I'll dip your pacifier in peanut butter or hot sauce and see if that pleases you (just kidding)!

37 Weeks, 3 Days...Blowout

2009-08-02T10:10:00.002-04:00

Baby, I don't know much about changing a "blow-out" diaper but I know how to change a blow out tire. In fact, I had to change a blow out on my way home from work this very afternoon. Either way, it is something that requires immediate attention. When you get a blow out tire, there is nothing to do but change it unless you just want to sit on the side of the road immobile. You can either do it yourself or call a roadside assistance service to come and change it. With the blow-out diaper, if you don't change it you may regret it. Either with a bad case of diaper rash, leaks running down the babies leg, or a screaming baby and a mad mommy, there is bad news if you don't do something quick. From the horror stories about blow-out diapers it is too bad there is not a service like AAA to come take care of it! Either way it helps to have a spare. Whether it is a spare tire or more diapers in a diaper bag, you need supplies to change it. Blow out tires are not an everyday thing. Hopefully blow-out diapers aren't either.

37 Weeks, 2 Days...Mellow

2009-08-02T09:56:00.004-04:00

Mom said you were a little mellow today. She said that at work you moved around a bit but not as much kicking and boxing (or tap dancing and jumping rope)as normal. We hope you are a mellow baby and not a fussy baby. I have seen my share of fussy babies. Babies who scream bloody murder and throw a tantrum whenever they are in public. The parents of these babies either look stressed or indifferent, no matter the fuss that the baby is creating or the dirty looks that they are getting. I have also seen babies who are just happy as a clam looking around at the big world and being a part of the scene. Those parents look peaceful and attentive to the baby. All parties look like they are enjoying themselves with this kind of baby. We are shooting for the latter of these two extremes. I can be peaceful, can you?

37 Weeks, 1 Day...More, please!

2009-08-02T09:51:00.002-04:00

Got some more stuff for you. This stuff was stuff from me. A lion clock that looks great in your room and a monkey hamper for your dirty clothes. Also the green Baby Bjorn carrier for me to carry you around in. Also a pillow designed to prevent "flat-head synrdome." We want you to be in all dimensions, not flat! I also picked up the perfect "bring me home from the hospital" outfit. Hope you like it!

37 Weeks... Attention Please!

2009-07-31T21:37:00.005-04:00

Your mom said that she was tired of being the center of attention today. Not that she is a spectacle or anything, but she also said that she is feeling Very Pregnant! This came after a restless night and a very muggy day. There are just so many times that you can answer the same questions over and over again. People keep coming out of the woodwork asking her how she feels, remark that you are coming early, and can't believe she is still working. She is still running into people who didn't even know that she was expecting. I have a feeling that once you are born we will both fade into the background though. We will just blend in with the scenery and you will be the star. At some point we will lose our names. We will just be X's mom and dad. One day in the not so distant future we will actually long for someone to ask us how We are doing. And when they do ask us that question we will probably eventually make You the subject of the conversation.

36 Weeks, 6 Days...Shhh!

2009-07-31T21:28:00.002-04:00

Don't tell anyone. It can be our secret, OK. Nobody knows it but I'm practicing up on my superman skills. I have been working on my cat-like reflexes. Who knows when I may have to use them. You may challenge me to save you from falling once you start getting mobile. I also have been working on my hearing. I've got ears like a bat. Not a sound will be made that I don't hear. Even in the middle of the night. I also have been working on my eagle eyes. Well, I do need to go to the eye doctor in a few weeks. Maybe he can help me out with that one. But for all other superman deeds, see me. I don't wear a cape. Capes just get in the way and cause you to be recognized. I am superman, incognito.

36 Weeks, 5 Days...Is There A Doctor In The House?

2009-07-29T21:30:00.005-04:00

We went to your doctor appointment today. Doctor says you are just dandy. Next week is another ultrasound to check your size and everything, but today your mom was measuring right where she ought to be. She was measuring a week ahead last time and we had to watch certain foods. So that meant fewer things like cake and bread. We managed to sneak a bite of ice cream here and there but we paid for it by being good the rest of the time! The doctor checked to see if there was any dilation and there was none. So to all who say you are coming any day now, we listen to you and the doctor!

36 Weeks, 4 Days...Long Night

2009-07-28T09:40:00.002-04:00

We made it through a long night. You mom was sick and had a few contractions. They were not the 5-1-1 type(five minutes apart, 1 minute long, lasting for 1 hour), but we wanted to be as ready as possible just in case it was time to go. I guess this was a dress rehearsal of sorts. At least now you have a freshly laundered outfit and your mom has a few things in her hospital bag. All the excitement was over as the doctor pronounced over the phone that it was a virus, not pregnancy related. Your mom caught a few Zzz's as side effect of the medicine to settle her stomach.

36 Weeks, 3 Days...The Nitty Gritty

2009-07-28T09:28:00.003-04:00

We went shopping today for a few things that we didn't get at your showers. It was fun, picking up a few things that we picked out when we registered. It seems like so long ago when we went through the stores with a list of things and a scanner to pick them out. All that is over, now it's time to get down to the nitty gritty. Your mom got sick tonight and I started packing a bag, just in case. I washed a little outfit for you to come home in and some things for her to wear in the hospital. We have tried to plan things all along, and now that it is crunch time we don't want to be caught by suprise if you decide to come a little early.

36 Weeks, 2 Days...Mini-me

2009-07-28T09:09:00.003-04:00

Today I thought about your appearance, how I imagine you to look. I would like for you to have my brown eyes and eyelashes, but not my eyebrows. My nose would be fine, but not my ears. You can have my toes but not my wide feet. Either my curls or brown hair, but not both. And definitely not my forehead. Some freckles would be nice, but fairer skin than mine. You will be a beautiful baby girl, or a handsome little man.

36 Weeks, 1 Day...Christmas in July

2009-07-26T13:47:00.003-04:00

Baby it sure has seemed like Christmas in July around here lately. Tonight is the last of the parties and showers. A group of your mom's friends are taking her out and celebrating you. If you get very much more stuff we will be taking your room and you will need ours! It is nice to have such a big circle of people who are happy for us. Every baby should be so lucky.

36 Weeks...Getting there

2009-07-25T09:54:00.002-04:00

Baby your almost here. Got 4 more weeks. Just enough time for us to do some final things and then relax until it is time. People get me nervous sometimes with their constant talk of you coming early. I will go with the signs that you are giving your mom and the wisdom of our doctor and not popular opinion. Afterall, you will be the one calling the shots. You did start to drop a bit though. Don't listen to the crowd. Come when it best suits you.

35 Weeks, 6 Days...All You Wanted To Know (but were afraid to ask!)

2009-07-22T20:37:00.005-04:00

We had the breast-feeding class tonight. It was a very informative class. We hope to be able to feed you this way. It is supposed to be better for you and for mom. Found out some things I did not know. Breast milk cannot be microwaved. It can be frozen for several months. There are three stages of milk. The instructor compared them to skim milk, whole milk, and cream. The first milk produced (cololstrum)is like cheesecake. Babies are not usually starved immediately after being born. I personally think that I would be hungry after going through something like that. A babies stomach is smaller than their fist when first born. In the first few days it grows a lot. It goes from the size of a marble to the size of a golf ball pretty quickly. Babies feed from a bottle completely different than a breast, so breast fed babies should not be bottle fed for the first three weeks. That way they dont get confused. The texture of a rubber nipple can also confuse them if they aren't used to it. Don't worry baby, I plan on feeding you once you are able to take a bottle. You just learn how to do both and we'll have it made.

35 Weeks, 5 Days...Tantrum

2009-07-22T07:39:00.003-04:00

Your mom said it felt like you threw a tantrum today! She said you pounded in the same spot several times. What were you upset about? It has been harder for her to get comfortable lately. Maybe it was you throwing the tantrum for her!

35 Weeks, 4 Days...Family Shower

2009-07-22T07:32:00.002-04:00

Today was the day for the family shower. Your mom's friend who is a baker made a lovely cake with the same animal theme as your room. The shower was very nice and well attended. You got some cool things that we needed. Everyone seemed happy for us and can't wait to meet you.

35 Weeks, 3 Days...Listmania!

2009-07-22T07:27:00.002-04:00

Baby, the lists keep coming but this may be the final one. So far the lists I made have kept us on target in preparation for your arrival. The newest one includes: a plan for the dogs, more thank-you notes, packing a bag, a trip to use a soon to be expiring coupon, touching base with daycare, and a class tuesday night. Oh, and did I say PACK A BAG! According to a lot of people it wont be too much longer!

35 Weeks, 2 Days...Date Night

2009-07-21T07:30:00.002-04:00

Had one of our last Friday night date nights as a couple. Well, technically you tagged along too. Wasn't exactly dinner and a movie, but we managed to have a good time as usual. Your mom got a few new things to wear for the final few weeks.

35 Weeks, 1 Day...Word On The Street

2009-07-19T14:00:00.002-04:00

People have lots of opinions about you. Everyone tells us that your mom isn't going to make it for 5 more weeks. The doc didn't say anything about you coming early though. Lots of people have asked if there is more than one baby. There are a couple of twins on my family tree, but there is only one baby due for us in 5 weeks. Ultrasound confirmed this. People have a pool going on whether you are going to be a boy or girl. We have our suspicions, but everyone has a fifty-fifty chance of being right. That's the word on the street.