Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The truth about babies and dogs
Well, the truth about Sophie's feelings for Amelia was finally revealed today. Sophie, our normally rambunctious, happy dog, looked like a crazy-haired version of Eeyore when I walked in for lunch today. I can count the number of times Sophie hasn't greeted me at the door on precisely zero fingers. However, today, she didn't even lift her head from the couch when I walked in. It was the most pathetic sight I've seen in a while. If it doesn't get any better when Amelia leaves tomorrow, I'm going to have to find some puppy anti-depressants.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Mother's Day
So, I know I haven't posted in quite awhile. I have just been enjoying Randall's posts, and I've been just a tad bit busy these days. It seems that when I have some down time, I just want to zone out. Sometimes I feel like I've run a marathon. Too bad it's not having the affect of a marathon on my physique.
Anyway, as I prepare to go back to my job, I can't help but wonder if I'm better at my job or at being a stay at home mother/wife. I mean, I have mad skills when it come to cleaning, but my cooking leaves a bit to be desired. I usually approach cooking like Goldie Hawn in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay8dU4tg-BI.
But I can say that while I may not be the best mother by other's standards, I sure have enjoyed giving it my best shot. And if I do say so myself, Amelia seems to dig my style. Over the last 11 weeks I've not only gained a daughter, I've gained a best girl friend. Every day, I wake up, look over in the bassinet and see that smiling face. Maybe she's happy to see me, but she probably just gets a kick out of waking me up. I undo her swaddle and watch her have a big stretch and a smile. She savors a mug of Similac and then we begin the day with some tummy time and girl talk.
Then, we pick out our flyest gear and she sits in her bouncy while I do my hair. Then, we fluff out her mullet and head out to run errands and visit Target. We make it home to meet Daddy for lunch which is the highlight of our day and soon after he leaves she takes a nice long nap while I clean and answer email.
At 4, we wake up, have more smiles and girl talk, and of course more Similac while we wait for Daddy to come home. Finally, he comes through the door and we start dinner (see above). Later at 8, we take a bath, more girl talk except this time we let Daddy in on the fun. We put on her jammies and we all (including Sophie) go in the nursery for bedtime. I rock her while her cd of slow jams softly plays, and by 8:30, she is a sleeping angel.
As I close the nursery door at night, a part of me takes a deep breath and looks forward to some down time with Randall, but another part of me can't wait for the morning to see that smiley face again. It truly is the perfect day every day.
I am the luckiest mom in the world. I have had the opportunity to love the prettiest, funniest, sassiest girl I've ever known. I have a husband who I absolutely adore who makes me feel so special every day and a dog that at the very least always alerts me to visitors at the door and makes sure the contents of my diaper bag are safe.
God has given me the most perfect little life, but it's only perfect because of the people he has allowed me to share it with. I hope I give them some clue of how grateful I am to get to love them and be loved by them every day.
Anyway, as I prepare to go back to my job, I can't help but wonder if I'm better at my job or at being a stay at home mother/wife. I mean, I have mad skills when it come to cleaning, but my cooking leaves a bit to be desired. I usually approach cooking like Goldie Hawn in this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay8dU4tg-BI.
But I can say that while I may not be the best mother by other's standards, I sure have enjoyed giving it my best shot. And if I do say so myself, Amelia seems to dig my style. Over the last 11 weeks I've not only gained a daughter, I've gained a best girl friend. Every day, I wake up, look over in the bassinet and see that smiling face. Maybe she's happy to see me, but she probably just gets a kick out of waking me up. I undo her swaddle and watch her have a big stretch and a smile. She savors a mug of Similac and then we begin the day with some tummy time and girl talk.
Then, we pick out our flyest gear and she sits in her bouncy while I do my hair. Then, we fluff out her mullet and head out to run errands and visit Target. We make it home to meet Daddy for lunch which is the highlight of our day and soon after he leaves she takes a nice long nap while I clean and answer email.
At 4, we wake up, have more smiles and girl talk, and of course more Similac while we wait for Daddy to come home. Finally, he comes through the door and we start dinner (see above). Later at 8, we take a bath, more girl talk except this time we let Daddy in on the fun. We put on her jammies and we all (including Sophie) go in the nursery for bedtime. I rock her while her cd of slow jams softly plays, and by 8:30, she is a sleeping angel.
As I close the nursery door at night, a part of me takes a deep breath and looks forward to some down time with Randall, but another part of me can't wait for the morning to see that smiley face again. It truly is the perfect day every day.
I am the luckiest mom in the world. I have had the opportunity to love the prettiest, funniest, sassiest girl I've ever known. I have a husband who I absolutely adore who makes me feel so special every day and a dog that at the very least always alerts me to visitors at the door and makes sure the contents of my diaper bag are safe.
God has given me the most perfect little life, but it's only perfect because of the people he has allowed me to share it with. I hope I give them some clue of how grateful I am to get to love them and be loved by them every day.
Mothers
Today is the 30th Mother's Day of my life. I haven't always thought much about it as I speak to my mother nearly 7 days a week. She knows that I love her and appreciate her. I try to make it a point to let her know this the other 364 days as well. However, this being my 1st Mother's Day as a parent, it has given me reason to pause and really consider what being a mother means. I've pulled from the examples set forth by several mothers that are important in my life... my sister, my mother, my wife, my aunt, and a host of others.
A mother cares for you before she ever even meets you.
A mother can make any boo boo better with a kiss.
A mother sets the standard for all the women in your life.
A mother is strong enough to raise a family alone after her husband passes away.
A mother is soft enough to convince you that it will inevitably be alright.
A mother inspires you to be the person she always thought you were.
A mother puts herself through school against the odds to provide a better life for her child.
A mother believes you are innocent until proven guilty....and if proven guilty, believes there must be a mistake. They just don't know her baby like she does.
A mother knows the exact remedy when you are sick, regardless of ailment.
A mother works manual labor jobs because that's what it takes to feed her family.
A mother made the choice to bring you into this world and as I've heard in the past, reserves the right to take you out.
A mother loves you as much, if not more, on your worst day as she does in your finest hour.
A mother was once a teenage girl...and occasionally, she gives you a glimpse into her youthful days.
A mother will one day be your grandmother's age...and occasionally, she gives you a glimpse into the woman she said she'd never become.
A mother tries harder than you will ever know or fully be able to appreciate.
A mother deserves more than she will ever get in return for her efforts.
A mother can never be told too often how much you love them. So, go ahead and let yours know.
A mother cares for you before she ever even meets you.
A mother can make any boo boo better with a kiss.
A mother sets the standard for all the women in your life.
A mother is strong enough to raise a family alone after her husband passes away.
A mother is soft enough to convince you that it will inevitably be alright.
A mother inspires you to be the person she always thought you were.
A mother puts herself through school against the odds to provide a better life for her child.
A mother believes you are innocent until proven guilty....and if proven guilty, believes there must be a mistake. They just don't know her baby like she does.
A mother knows the exact remedy when you are sick, regardless of ailment.
A mother works manual labor jobs because that's what it takes to feed her family.
A mother made the choice to bring you into this world and as I've heard in the past, reserves the right to take you out.
A mother loves you as much, if not more, on your worst day as she does in your finest hour.
A mother was once a teenage girl...and occasionally, she gives you a glimpse into her youthful days.
A mother will one day be your grandmother's age...and occasionally, she gives you a glimpse into the woman she said she'd never become.
A mother tries harder than you will ever know or fully be able to appreciate.
A mother deserves more than she will ever get in return for her efforts.
A mother can never be told too often how much you love them. So, go ahead and let yours know.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A day in the life
Tick.
Alarm.
Tock.
Say Good Morning to Meggan.
Tick.
Drag out of bed.
Tock.
Brush teeth.
Tick.
Shower.
Tock.
Head to work.
Tick.
Meet the girls for lunch.
Tock.
Back to work.
Tick.
Home for dinner.
Tock.
Bath time for Amelia.
Tick.
Insert Lullaby CD.
Tock.
Bedtime for Mia.
Tick.
Spend time with Meg.
Tock.
Let Sophie out to potty.
Tick.
Head upstairs.
Tock.
Shower.
Tick.
Brush Teeth.
Tock.
Crawl into bed.
Tick.
Sleep.
Tock.
Alarm .....
like clockwork.
If you want a routine for the baby, you need a routine for yourself...and believe me, you want a routine for the baby.
Alarm.
Tock.
Say Good Morning to Meggan.
Tick.
Drag out of bed.
Tock.
Brush teeth.
Tick.
Shower.
Tock.
Head to work.
Tick.
Meet the girls for lunch.
Tock.
Back to work.
Tick.
Home for dinner.
Tock.
Bath time for Amelia.
Tick.
Insert Lullaby CD.
Tock.
Bedtime for Mia.
Tick.
Spend time with Meg.
Tock.
Let Sophie out to potty.
Tick.
Head upstairs.
Tock.
Shower.
Tick.
Brush Teeth.
Tock.
Crawl into bed.
Tick.
Sleep.
Tock.
Alarm .....
like clockwork.
If you want a routine for the baby, you need a routine for yourself...and believe me, you want a routine for the baby.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
America's Most Wanted
Crime Scene: Entry of house
Crime(s): Vandalism, Destruction of Property, Breaking and Entering, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Generally eating diaper bag items that do not belong to her
Estimated Value of Damage: Trust is Priceless
Primary Suspect: Sophie
Mug Shot:
Suspected Motive: Jealousy, Boredom
Possible Sentencing: Minimum: Chew toy suspension ; Maximum: two night boarding in the dog pokey.
Defendant's argument: All evidence is circumstantial. Claims this is some form of racial, inter-species profiling
Plaintiff's argument: Prior history of chewing pacifiers; beard fur found at the scene.
We are asking that any eyewitnesses come forward so that no more diaper bags have to suffer. Any tips, please e-mail:
givemeabreak@whyinthehellwouldyoupulleveryitemoutofadiaperbaganddragitacrossthefloor.com
Saturday, May 2, 2009
History is made
It took 9 weeks and 5 days, but I finally did it. I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen. What is this grand accomplishment? Tonight, I finally found something that Meggan was afraid/didn't want to do with Amelia that I took care of...trimming Amelia's nails. Meggan has about 150 of these things over me so far. She knocks out most dirty diapers, nose suctioning, and thermometers in the nether region. So, imagine my surprise when Meg had no interest in getting anywhere near the nail trimmers. I was excited because this was something I could do. I mean, how hard could it be to trim some fingernails? That was BEFORE I went to clip them. Holy crap, those are tiny nails and let's just say Amelia didn't voluntarily order the manicure at Salon-de-dad. She was very content to keep her hands in constant motion while balling up her fists. I'm not sure how it looked, but I'd say a good visual representation would be the scene in Karate Kid where Daniel-son is trying to catch flies with chopsticks...if chopsticks were blades, he loved the flies, and was desperately trying not to hurt them. In the end, we were able to get the job done without incident. And, I have finally found the one time where dad stepped up while mom watched.
Good Samaritan
This is the dialogue from an encounter I had the other day while bringing the stroller into the mall to meet Meggan and Amelia.
Lady outside Barnes and Noble: (fairly serious tone) Sir, do you realize there is no baby in there?
Me: Yes, I left her here last night and am now coming to pick her up.
Lady: (look of slight distaste for my humor)
Me: I'm kidding. I just find this thing so much easier to push without her in it.
Lady: (looking as if her day was better before she met me)
Me: I'm sorry. I'm going in to meet her and her mother.
Lady: (walks away looking as if I have forever stained her desire to help people)
So, in the end I felt a little bad for being sarcastic with her. Plus, I suppose I CAN see a situation where, in a hurry, you could accidentally head inside forgetting to actually get your baby out of the car. If that situation ever comes and I walk past this particular woman again, I'll be the sorry boy who cried wolf. That said, I'll take my chances that I won't forget Mia in the car. I mean, what kind of dad does that?!? What's that you say? The same kind of dad that drops her on her head??? Oh no.
Lady outside Barnes and Noble: (fairly serious tone) Sir, do you realize there is no baby in there?
Me: Yes, I left her here last night and am now coming to pick her up.
Lady: (look of slight distaste for my humor)
Me: I'm kidding. I just find this thing so much easier to push without her in it.
Lady: (looking as if her day was better before she met me)
Me: I'm sorry. I'm going in to meet her and her mother.
Lady: (walks away looking as if I have forever stained her desire to help people)
So, in the end I felt a little bad for being sarcastic with her. Plus, I suppose I CAN see a situation where, in a hurry, you could accidentally head inside forgetting to actually get your baby out of the car. If that situation ever comes and I walk past this particular woman again, I'll be the sorry boy who cried wolf. That said, I'll take my chances that I won't forget Mia in the car. I mean, what kind of dad does that?!? What's that you say? The same kind of dad that drops her on her head??? Oh no.
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