Then when I didn't update my blog I felt a little guilty. I used to write all the time. Sometimes it was interesting, I think, and sometimes it was just to write.
Now when I don't update my blog I'm OK with it. I'm busy balancing 2 jobs and being a 1st time daddy. I'm sitting around playing with my baby, changing diapers or trying to quiet the baby.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Peaks & Valleys!
Tuesday I took a personal day from work to stay home with the wife and kid. Sara had a doctor's appointment and I decided it was time for a mental health day. So I slept in a bit, cuddled with the wife and kid and enjoyed the unusually mild weather.
Then the capper on a great day was that, while Sara was at her appointment, I took the daughter on our 1st ever Daddy Daughter Date! Liverpool FC was having a soccer match and a local Irish pub always shows the games. This past season I've tried to pay attention more to the English Premiere League Soccer season. So I packed up the baby, a diaper bag, change of baby clothes, and a bottle of freshly pumped breast milk and headed off to the pub. My plan was that Evie Sue would sleep for most of the game and I would be free to enjoy a pint or two, and some Guinness BBQ Wings! Unfortunately, the bartender, an Irishman who roots for a rival team, came over to talk smack about my Team Jacket and his boisterous Irish Brogue woke the baby. Her eyes popped open, she looked around and started to whine. So I scooped her up in my arms, started pacing back and forth while cooing in her ear as the game started.
She was great!
Evie Sue was quiet, amicable and actually seemed to watch some of the action. She wasn't, of course, but I pretended. Then I finally got her to fall back asleep right before the 2nd half of the game started. She nearly awoke at each goal Liverpool scored because her daddy would stand up and cheer loudly before remembering her sleeping nearby. Sara showed up after the appointment, all clear, and watched the rest of the game with us.
The weather was beautiful. The game was a victory. Evie Sue and I enjoyed our day and I dreaded going back to work the next day.
Then came the next day!
A Double Shift! I went to school, and then the evening job! UGH! Working with the students, some of whom are ungrateful and disrespectful, when all I can think about is my family back home is difficult. Then to move on to my 2nd job and work another 7 to 8 hours is brutal. I was exhausted.
I was complaining to a coworker - a rather peaceful-minded fellow - when he said, "Hey man, it could always be worse. This weekend a friend of mine died. He was camping and a tree fell on him. He's dead."
Yes, he was right. I guess it could always be worse.
Later on, as I was talking to the same coworker. We were talking about work, paychecks, travels, and careers when this grocery-stocking Confucius said, "They've got it right over there in Spain, man. When I was there they told me, 'Americans Live To Work but we Work To Live!' And they do, man. They do."
Then he said, "Your job is what you do not who you are."
It was a very interesting conversation. Made me think about spending the day before with Evie Sue, about how I'm working two jobs, exhausting myself and wishing I was home more. It made me wish, yet again, for a way to find an answer... to every little question that plagues me; every single one.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Then the capper on a great day was that, while Sara was at her appointment, I took the daughter on our 1st ever Daddy Daughter Date! Liverpool FC was having a soccer match and a local Irish pub always shows the games. This past season I've tried to pay attention more to the English Premiere League Soccer season. So I packed up the baby, a diaper bag, change of baby clothes, and a bottle of freshly pumped breast milk and headed off to the pub. My plan was that Evie Sue would sleep for most of the game and I would be free to enjoy a pint or two, and some Guinness BBQ Wings! Unfortunately, the bartender, an Irishman who roots for a rival team, came over to talk smack about my Team Jacket and his boisterous Irish Brogue woke the baby. Her eyes popped open, she looked around and started to whine. So I scooped her up in my arms, started pacing back and forth while cooing in her ear as the game started.
She was great!
Evie Sue was quiet, amicable and actually seemed to watch some of the action. She wasn't, of course, but I pretended. Then I finally got her to fall back asleep right before the 2nd half of the game started. She nearly awoke at each goal Liverpool scored because her daddy would stand up and cheer loudly before remembering her sleeping nearby. Sara showed up after the appointment, all clear, and watched the rest of the game with us.
The weather was beautiful. The game was a victory. Evie Sue and I enjoyed our day and I dreaded going back to work the next day.
Then came the next day!
A Double Shift! I went to school, and then the evening job! UGH! Working with the students, some of whom are ungrateful and disrespectful, when all I can think about is my family back home is difficult. Then to move on to my 2nd job and work another 7 to 8 hours is brutal. I was exhausted.
I was complaining to a coworker - a rather peaceful-minded fellow - when he said, "Hey man, it could always be worse. This weekend a friend of mine died. He was camping and a tree fell on him. He's dead."
Yes, he was right. I guess it could always be worse.
Later on, as I was talking to the same coworker. We were talking about work, paychecks, travels, and careers when this grocery-stocking Confucius said, "They've got it right over there in Spain, man. When I was there they told me, 'Americans Live To Work but we Work To Live!' And they do, man. They do."
Then he said, "Your job is what you do not who you are."
It was a very interesting conversation. Made me think about spending the day before with Evie Sue, about how I'm working two jobs, exhausting myself and wishing I was home more. It made me wish, yet again, for a way to find an answer... to every little question that plagues me; every single one.
Wouldn't that be nice?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Getting Much Sleep?
But still more than the wife is! Just think, teething is just a few months away. So we've got that to look forward to...
Saturday, January 21, 2012
My New Favorite Thing
Waking up, sitting in the nursery recliner, with my daughter in my arms. It's a great way to start the day even if my day is starting before 6 AM.
There've been a couple of days this past week when I've been called up for diaper duty around 4 in the morning, and then I sit up with Evie Sue until she goes down again. Inevitably, daddy falls asleep, as well, and then wakes up a short time later, smiles, kisses the baby, and then moves the precious cargo back into her bassinet.
In other news, the baby appears to have reflux. She was crying at times when she was clean, full, and not tired. Turns out she was crying because she couldn't say, "Holy crap, this hurts! Hey you two, I've got heartburn! Hot bubbling magma in my esophagus! Hey! Hey? Why aren't you helping me? Oh, I see how it is. That does it! Next time you change my diaper I'm going to poop all over that changing table! Jerks!"
Now we are aware of the problem and we can do our best to combat the reflux. We keep her upright for a longer after feedings, have her on an incline when we lie her down, and just pay attention more to her squirming, fussing, and gurgling. Looks like we won't be leaving her home alone anytime soon. (That's a joke. She's very independent. for a month old infant.)
There've been a couple of days this past week when I've been called up for diaper duty around 4 in the morning, and then I sit up with Evie Sue until she goes down again. Inevitably, daddy falls asleep, as well, and then wakes up a short time later, smiles, kisses the baby, and then moves the precious cargo back into her bassinet.
In other news, the baby appears to have reflux. She was crying at times when she was clean, full, and not tired. Turns out she was crying because she couldn't say, "Holy crap, this hurts! Hey you two, I've got heartburn! Hot bubbling magma in my esophagus! Hey! Hey? Why aren't you helping me? Oh, I see how it is. That does it! Next time you change my diaper I'm going to poop all over that changing table! Jerks!"
Now we are aware of the problem and we can do our best to combat the reflux. We keep her upright for a longer after feedings, have her on an incline when we lie her down, and just pay attention more to her squirming, fussing, and gurgling. Looks like we won't be leaving her home alone anytime soon. (That's a joke. She's very independent. for a month old infant.)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
No More Reinforcements?
Here we are. The 2nd week of January 2012 and this is my 1st post of the New Year! It's been quite an adjustment having this little baby person come into our lives. The crying! The fussing! The crankiness! The pooping! The crying! And that's just me and the wife! (Rim-shot)
Anyway, we're parents. We were fortunate enough to have Sara's mom here for the 1st week or so of Evie Sue's life and that help was immeasurable. Then we had a few weeks to do the parenting thing on our own before Sara's best friend flew in from Minnesota and lent a hand. Her help was, once again, immeasurable. Just having someone in the house who's done this sort of thing before was very calming.
Now we're on our own again, at home anyway, and still trying to find our normal. How do we spend our quiet time? How often should the baby sleep? Eat? Cry? Why does she always soil a freshly changed diaper. Slowly but surely we're figuring things out.
I hope...
Anyway, we're parents. We were fortunate enough to have Sara's mom here for the 1st week or so of Evie Sue's life and that help was immeasurable. Then we had a few weeks to do the parenting thing on our own before Sara's best friend flew in from Minnesota and lent a hand. Her help was, once again, immeasurable. Just having someone in the house who's done this sort of thing before was very calming.
Now we're on our own again, at home anyway, and still trying to find our normal. How do we spend our quiet time? How often should the baby sleep? Eat? Cry? Why does she always soil a freshly changed diaper. Slowly but surely we're figuring things out.
I hope...
Saturday, December 31, 2011
So Long 2011! Hello 2012!
Another year gone! Where has the time gone?
It occured to both Sara and I tonight that the last few New Years we've been happy to see the old year pass. I reviewed my blog and noticed my posts seemed to echo that sentiment. This year was different.
It wasn't a perfect year, by any means, but it was an eventful one! The pregnancy and birth of our daughter has made this year one that we will always remember. It also has had the strange effect of making me feel... what's the word?... Hopeful! I feel hopeful. Optimistic! I'm actually looking forward to the coming year and seeing what amazing things will happen with this wonderful little girl we are living with. She has changed our lives so much in the short time we've had her and I can't even begin to imagine the changes that still lie ahead.
It occured to both Sara and I tonight that the last few New Years we've been happy to see the old year pass. I reviewed my blog and noticed my posts seemed to echo that sentiment. This year was different.
It wasn't a perfect year, by any means, but it was an eventful one! The pregnancy and birth of our daughter has made this year one that we will always remember. It also has had the strange effect of making me feel... what's the word?... Hopeful! I feel hopeful. Optimistic! I'm actually looking forward to the coming year and seeing what amazing things will happen with this wonderful little girl we are living with. She has changed our lives so much in the short time we've had her and I can't even begin to imagine the changes that still lie ahead.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Best Xmas Gift Ever!
It wasn't the most exciting of holidays but the addition of Evie Sue to our family really made this year special! I cannot imagine what today would have been like, or even what this last week would have been like without her in our lives. (This is apparently the post where I make completely obvious observations!) Words fail me to express my love for this wonderful little lady, or her mother.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Update!
So Much Has Happened Lately!
It has been one wild ride this last week and according to everyone I've talked to it is just the beginning. This is my 1st post as a parent! (Can you believe it?) The baby came 6 days late but when she decided to show up she made a dramatic entrance.
Our official due date was December 10th but, as you can see from the last post, we didn't deliver on time. We were scheduled to induce last Friday the 16th but when I arrived home Thursday night, Sara was already in labor! We putzed around until 4 in the morning when the doctors said it might be time to come in, and then we had to triage and see if we were indeed in labor or not! We were so they let us stay!
Around 11:30 AM we were still in labor but not a lot of progress had been made - I mean besides the epidural, and the 7 CMs dilation but the labor hadn't been moving along as they'd hoped. The baby's heart rate would drop whenever the doctors tried to speed things up so they decided that a cesaerean section was needed! Wham! That was it! 'Here's a jumpsuit and a mask! Follow us into this tiny little room where we will numb up your wife, and 'gently' retrieve the baby from the womb.' (Actually I was surprised by all of the shaking, tugging, not very gentle yanking that seemed to be happening on the other side of the curtain.)
Through it all Sara was a warrior. Even though she was terrified she held it together. Eventually there was a pause, a cry and then the anesthesiologist said, "I hope you were expecting a girl." I sprang to my feet peeked over the curtain and all I saw was this little gore covered goblin being held up before my eyes. There are no words to express all of the millions of thoughts that rushed through my mind in that instant although I do remember thinking, 'Wow! There Really was someone inside there all this time!'
Anyway, Evie Sue was brought into the world at 11:42 AM on December 16th 2011! She is wonderful! From the start she appeared to be alert, her beautiful eyes open and looking all around! I still have a hard time believing that I am a father to this amazing little person! It boggles my mind.
Our stay in the hospital was a little longer than we had anticipated, due to the surgery, but we brought our little girl home on Monday. The 1st couple days have been an adjustment, obviously, but thankfully with my mother-in-law's help we have been figuring everything out... for the most part. Sara's recovery is slower than she would like but everyday she seems to get stronger, and more accustomed to her role as 'Tap Wench'. Thankfully Dad took Tootsie for a couple days so we didn't have to deal with a neurotic dog on top of everything else.
Xmas is a few days away and we haven't really shopped at all. We are looking forward to spending time with family and introducing Evie Sue to her cousins, and Tootsie will eventually come home to discover how the hierarchy in the household has changed. The mother-in-law will stay through the holiday and then return to the Midwest to relentlessly torture our extended family with pictures and story of her beautiful new granddaughter! Luckily I have one more week of vacation from school and will cherish every minute I get to spend home with my family.
That is all for now.
It has been one wild ride this last week and according to everyone I've talked to it is just the beginning. This is my 1st post as a parent! (Can you believe it?) The baby came 6 days late but when she decided to show up she made a dramatic entrance.
Our official due date was December 10th but, as you can see from the last post, we didn't deliver on time. We were scheduled to induce last Friday the 16th but when I arrived home Thursday night, Sara was already in labor! We putzed around until 4 in the morning when the doctors said it might be time to come in, and then we had to triage and see if we were indeed in labor or not! We were so they let us stay!
Around 11:30 AM we were still in labor but not a lot of progress had been made - I mean besides the epidural, and the 7 CMs dilation but the labor hadn't been moving along as they'd hoped. The baby's heart rate would drop whenever the doctors tried to speed things up so they decided that a cesaerean section was needed! Wham! That was it! 'Here's a jumpsuit and a mask! Follow us into this tiny little room where we will numb up your wife, and 'gently' retrieve the baby from the womb.' (Actually I was surprised by all of the shaking, tugging, not very gentle yanking that seemed to be happening on the other side of the curtain.)
Through it all Sara was a warrior. Even though she was terrified she held it together. Eventually there was a pause, a cry and then the anesthesiologist said, "I hope you were expecting a girl." I sprang to my feet peeked over the curtain and all I saw was this little gore covered goblin being held up before my eyes. There are no words to express all of the millions of thoughts that rushed through my mind in that instant although I do remember thinking, 'Wow! There Really was someone inside there all this time!'
Anyway, Evie Sue was brought into the world at 11:42 AM on December 16th 2011! She is wonderful! From the start she appeared to be alert, her beautiful eyes open and looking all around! I still have a hard time believing that I am a father to this amazing little person! It boggles my mind.
Our stay in the hospital was a little longer than we had anticipated, due to the surgery, but we brought our little girl home on Monday. The 1st couple days have been an adjustment, obviously, but thankfully with my mother-in-law's help we have been figuring everything out... for the most part. Sara's recovery is slower than she would like but everyday she seems to get stronger, and more accustomed to her role as 'Tap Wench'. Thankfully Dad took Tootsie for a couple days so we didn't have to deal with a neurotic dog on top of everything else.
Xmas is a few days away and we haven't really shopped at all. We are looking forward to spending time with family and introducing Evie Sue to her cousins, and Tootsie will eventually come home to discover how the hierarchy in the household has changed. The mother-in-law will stay through the holiday and then return to the Midwest to relentlessly torture our extended family with pictures and story of her beautiful new granddaughter! Luckily I have one more week of vacation from school and will cherish every minute I get to spend home with my family.
That is all for now.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
+ 5 Days
So, here we are, 5 days overdue! Not a big deal, I'm told by countless others who apparently know so much more about 1st time pregnancy than I do. 5 days seems like an eternity! As long as it feels for me I'm sure it seems even longer to Sara, who has been dealing with everything like a champ. She's been incredibly strong and patient.
Tomorrow morning we will head into the hospital and get this show on the road. Sara will be induced, and hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be in labor! I'm not sure how things are going to play out. Neither one of us is sure of anything except that this thing is going to happen and we are just going to hold on for dear life and ride the wave.
Tomorrow morning we will head into the hospital and get this show on the road. Sara will be induced, and hopefully by this time tomorrow we'll be in labor! I'm not sure how things are going to play out. Neither one of us is sure of anything except that this thing is going to happen and we are just going to hold on for dear life and ride the wave.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Nothing Yet!
Damn! Saturday - this one that just past - was our due date! No baby to speak of, not yet anyway. Everyone we speak to seems to have an opinion on when the baby will come. Some said the full moon. Some say, of course, we'll go late the 1st time. Others reassure me that Sara could go any minute.
No one knows anything.
Now I, as a 1st time father, am impatiently waiting - patiently - on this baby! One frustration in a long, long line of frustrations to come I am told.
When asked if she's 'sooo ready' to give birth Sara will just smile, tear up a little and say, "I'm just ready to meet her." I couldn't agree more, but I'm being selfish. Sara's carried this baby around for +9 months and I want a chance to carry something, to hold something, and to be a bigger part of this. We'll see how I do with the messy diapers.
No one knows anything.
Now I, as a 1st time father, am impatiently waiting - patiently - on this baby! One frustration in a long, long line of frustrations to come I am told.
When asked if she's 'sooo ready' to give birth Sara will just smile, tear up a little and say, "I'm just ready to meet her." I couldn't agree more, but I'm being selfish. Sara's carried this baby around for +9 months and I want a chance to carry something, to hold something, and to be a bigger part of this. We'll see how I do with the messy diapers.
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