I know I do not post on here. But if you do run across this post, I would like to commemorate a full year with my daughter! Adelaide is now official a 1-year-old! It has been a long year for me, with a lot of adjusting. But when I look back, it has seemed to go by quickly. To be honest, that worries me. I don't want to miss any of my daughter's life, but at the same time I don't want to miss my own. I have a feeling adjusting is something that is ongoing when it comes to kids.
Today we went to the Greenville Zoo. We have a membership there, so we do go rather often. Today, however, it was very busy. I let Addy walk around on her own most of the time, and I tried to take pictures, though it is certainly difficult to take a picture of a squirmy, inquisitive little girl while trying to prevent her from falling off ledges and tumbling down stairs. She also fed some of the animals (or attempted to at least) and she had her first sandwich, french fries, and snow cone! Pictures have been taken... who knows, perhaps I will post some?
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, June 19, 2011
First Father's Day
So today is my first Father's Day as a daddy! We're just spending it relaxing at home - the real celebration was yesterday. We went into the nearby city, Greenville, and hung out downtown. We even got to see Shakespeare in the park! It was a pretty good day - I could get used to this.
However, fatherly duties do not go away on father's day. Adelaide is 2 1/2 months old now and getting bigger. She's also starting to eat a lot and cry more than she used to, particularly when she gets tired. As her now primary caretaker, she's taking just about all of my time and I'm really craving adult interaction. Since my writing has taken a hit, I've found that I want to roleplay more, but no one around me plays the game I want to. Still, Adelaide is my first priority. I'll just have to take whatever time I can get to do my writing, even though it means it'll take longer than I thought.
However, fatherly duties do not go away on father's day. Adelaide is 2 1/2 months old now and getting bigger. She's also starting to eat a lot and cry more than she used to, particularly when she gets tired. As her now primary caretaker, she's taking just about all of my time and I'm really craving adult interaction. Since my writing has taken a hit, I've found that I want to roleplay more, but no one around me plays the game I want to. Still, Adelaide is my first priority. I'll just have to take whatever time I can get to do my writing, even though it means it'll take longer than I thought.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Milkpocalypse
Lesson 24: Do not put anything of value near the baby at any time. Especially if it's paper or electronic.
I narrowly avoided disaster with this one. For a while I have been putting Adelaide in my lap while typing on my laptop (yes, they will both fit just fine). It's really the only way to make her happy and allow me time to write my novel. Now, I think this may have been causing some pains in my forearms, but there is another reason not to do this.
This morning, I was considering looking up my email after feeding Adelaide, but thankfully I turned my computer off last night and was feeling too lazy to turn it back on this morning. I then considered getting my PS3 controller so I could do something while keeping her upright after she ate. You should keep a baby upright for a while after eating to minimize spitting up. Now, this doesn't always work. Adelaide's stomach has developed a way of becoming dormant, not processing any food until the exactly moment you lay her down. This could be 2 minutes later, or 2 hours later. Either way, once you lay her down, spit up will soon follow. Unfortunately, this is not ALWAYS the case.
Thankfully, I decided against getting the PS3 controller. We're trying to keep her from watching too much TV or looking at our computer screens, which is going to be hard on us. I did, however, put on a movie and turned her away from it. So here is the sequence of events. First, I fed her in a mostly upright position, a position I was told was optimum for feeding and keeping food down. Then, I burped her. She always burps twice, though the word "belch" might be more appropriate. I find she always expels gasses vociferously. After burping her, I sat her upright in my lap until he fussed for more milk. I fed her again, burped her again, sat her upright again. Seems I was doing everything right. Then, without provocation or warning, she lets loose a slurry of off-white vomit akin to a Las Vegas fountain. It reminded me vaguely of the scene in a certain Alien movie where a large, black, Gigerian claw skewers the android known as Bishop. I could physically feel her get lighter as the milk pours out of her and down my leg. It forms a pool of putridness around me in the chair. The ottoman is hit, the carpet is covered, and my clothes are soaked. I half expected her little head to swivel around 180 degrees, look at up me, and spit a volley of curses in latin and other languages, most of which had been long forgotten. I am convinced that the stomachs of babies are the one exception to the law of Conservation of Mass and Energy. There was no earthly way I put that much liquid into this small child. This was just as my wife pulled up in the car. I used the burp cloth to try soaking up as much of the mess as I could so I could open the door for her.
While I was in the shower, it occurred to me that, had I been on my computer, or had I been holding a playstation controller, the device would have met an untimely demise. Babies and electronics do not mix. It is like having a small explosive device near you at all times. You must keep it close, care for it, clean it, feed it, but at any moment it could go off and destroy that which you just spent several thousand hard-earned dollars on.
So, I am going to have to learn to put the baby down and NOT pick her up when she fusses. It is the only way to get her to learn that we are still here and she is still perfectly all right. And if I don't, I will never get anything done. I will lose my ability to write and with it, my sanity.
I narrowly avoided disaster with this one. For a while I have been putting Adelaide in my lap while typing on my laptop (yes, they will both fit just fine). It's really the only way to make her happy and allow me time to write my novel. Now, I think this may have been causing some pains in my forearms, but there is another reason not to do this.
This morning, I was considering looking up my email after feeding Adelaide, but thankfully I turned my computer off last night and was feeling too lazy to turn it back on this morning. I then considered getting my PS3 controller so I could do something while keeping her upright after she ate. You should keep a baby upright for a while after eating to minimize spitting up. Now, this doesn't always work. Adelaide's stomach has developed a way of becoming dormant, not processing any food until the exactly moment you lay her down. This could be 2 minutes later, or 2 hours later. Either way, once you lay her down, spit up will soon follow. Unfortunately, this is not ALWAYS the case.
Thankfully, I decided against getting the PS3 controller. We're trying to keep her from watching too much TV or looking at our computer screens, which is going to be hard on us. I did, however, put on a movie and turned her away from it. So here is the sequence of events. First, I fed her in a mostly upright position, a position I was told was optimum for feeding and keeping food down. Then, I burped her. She always burps twice, though the word "belch" might be more appropriate. I find she always expels gasses vociferously. After burping her, I sat her upright in my lap until he fussed for more milk. I fed her again, burped her again, sat her upright again. Seems I was doing everything right. Then, without provocation or warning, she lets loose a slurry of off-white vomit akin to a Las Vegas fountain. It reminded me vaguely of the scene in a certain Alien movie where a large, black, Gigerian claw skewers the android known as Bishop. I could physically feel her get lighter as the milk pours out of her and down my leg. It forms a pool of putridness around me in the chair. The ottoman is hit, the carpet is covered, and my clothes are soaked. I half expected her little head to swivel around 180 degrees, look at up me, and spit a volley of curses in latin and other languages, most of which had been long forgotten. I am convinced that the stomachs of babies are the one exception to the law of Conservation of Mass and Energy. There was no earthly way I put that much liquid into this small child. This was just as my wife pulled up in the car. I used the burp cloth to try soaking up as much of the mess as I could so I could open the door for her.
While I was in the shower, it occurred to me that, had I been on my computer, or had I been holding a playstation controller, the device would have met an untimely demise. Babies and electronics do not mix. It is like having a small explosive device near you at all times. You must keep it close, care for it, clean it, feed it, but at any moment it could go off and destroy that which you just spent several thousand hard-earned dollars on.
So, I am going to have to learn to put the baby down and NOT pick her up when she fusses. It is the only way to get her to learn that we are still here and she is still perfectly all right. And if I don't, I will never get anything done. I will lose my ability to write and with it, my sanity.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
8 weeks old
It's strange that I can hardly tell the difference day by day in how much Adelaide is growing, but other people tell me all the time that she's getting bigger.
It's also strange that people ask which of us she looks like the most. Can't they see? I mean, she doesn't really have many features that aren't hidden by baby fat, so how are we supposed to know who she "looks like more"?
But one thing I must say. There is no better conversation starter than a really young baby. Just walking around the normal crowd at church brings oohs and aahs and people wanting to tell their own anecdotes (some of which aren't too encouraging). Now if only she didn't have us wrapped around her tiny little finger already...
It's also strange that people ask which of us she looks like the most. Can't they see? I mean, she doesn't really have many features that aren't hidden by baby fat, so how are we supposed to know who she "looks like more"?
But one thing I must say. There is no better conversation starter than a really young baby. Just walking around the normal crowd at church brings oohs and aahs and people wanting to tell their own anecdotes (some of which aren't too encouraging). Now if only she didn't have us wrapped around her tiny little finger already...
Saturday, May 14, 2011
School's Out
I finished the semester last week. Finally. Now I am taking care of Adelaide more so that my wife can work and so that she can go back to pursuing her PhD.
It is a bit of a challenge. We are learning together, but since Amy has been doing most of the baby-chores, I am now having to pick them up and learn how to do everything on my own.
I have to say that two things are a major, major help. One of the biggest problems I have is that Adelaide doesn't want me to put her down. If I do put her down, she cries after a few minutes. Now, I am not ALWAYS holding her, but she is being held for a good deal of time. This makes it difficult to get her bottles ready, to prepare my own food, to look for work, to write my story... to do anything that requires either getting up and moving or using my hands. In other words, I've become an expert at watching TV. The first item, however, lets me carry her around while keeping my hands free!
The Ergo Carrier is like a backpack, worn on the front, with a baby in it. She's up against my body, so she gets my warmth and smell and all of that which she likes. It also keeps her up tight, so she feels safe and will often go to sleep or at least stop fussing when she is in it. I can bounce, which bounces her, which calms her. I also have two free hands to let me take care of Amy, her, and myself. The one disadvantage is that putting the Ergo on is difficult to do without a partner. It is not, however, impossible. The upper strap on the back has to be high enough that I can reach behind my head to clip it in, not behind my back. This will become easier as Adelaide grows.
The other problems we have been having is keeping her asleep at night. Now, she doesn't wake up all the time, but she gets hungry at about 9, when Amy goes to bed. So I feed her until about 9:30 or 10 or so. Then she starts to fall asleep, but will only stay asleep if I hold her. After about 30 minutes, I feel safe putting her down. That's when I get to work. In a little bit, she fusses because I need to change her, then I need to feed her again, and the cycle repeats until 1 or 2 in the morning, when she gets more tired. She will still wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason other than wanting to be held. At about 4 or 5, she'll wake up wanting to be changed and fed. By that time, it's too late to try to go back to bed, so Amy just stays up and starts her day.
For the past few days, I have been swaddling Adelaide every night. It takes a little practice, but I'm pretty good at it now. The Miracle Blanket works very well! I'll put her in it at around 10. I then hold her, which is much easier when she's a baby burrito, until she falls asleep. Then, I can put her down and she won't wake up. In fact, she doesn't wake up until the morning, when she starts getting hungry. And usually a pacifier or my finger will be enough to tide her over until we want to get up. Sometimes she does wake up while being swaddled, but she's a lot less fussy and doesn't complain about things. She just sits that and looks around. Feeding her a cinch, too, since her little hands don't get in the way.
So, if you have been having the same troubles I have, try these two ideas: a carrier of some sort and swaddling cloths. It doesn't have to be these two exact products, either. Amy likes using a Moby wrap and a ring sling. Most of these carrier provide several different options for carrying the baby as well, such as over the back or at the hip. I have also managed to swaddle Adelaide in a particularly large burp cloth (which, by the way, are lifesavers). The secret to swaddling is to first bind her arms, then bind her feet. Finally, wrap the remaining cloth around the baby so that the two bindings are locked into place. It keeps her from moving and makes her feel like she's in the womb again.
It is a bit of a challenge. We are learning together, but since Amy has been doing most of the baby-chores, I am now having to pick them up and learn how to do everything on my own.
I have to say that two things are a major, major help. One of the biggest problems I have is that Adelaide doesn't want me to put her down. If I do put her down, she cries after a few minutes. Now, I am not ALWAYS holding her, but she is being held for a good deal of time. This makes it difficult to get her bottles ready, to prepare my own food, to look for work, to write my story... to do anything that requires either getting up and moving or using my hands. In other words, I've become an expert at watching TV. The first item, however, lets me carry her around while keeping my hands free!
The Ergo Carrier is like a backpack, worn on the front, with a baby in it. She's up against my body, so she gets my warmth and smell and all of that which she likes. It also keeps her up tight, so she feels safe and will often go to sleep or at least stop fussing when she is in it. I can bounce, which bounces her, which calms her. I also have two free hands to let me take care of Amy, her, and myself. The one disadvantage is that putting the Ergo on is difficult to do without a partner. It is not, however, impossible. The upper strap on the back has to be high enough that I can reach behind my head to clip it in, not behind my back. This will become easier as Adelaide grows.
The other problems we have been having is keeping her asleep at night. Now, she doesn't wake up all the time, but she gets hungry at about 9, when Amy goes to bed. So I feed her until about 9:30 or 10 or so. Then she starts to fall asleep, but will only stay asleep if I hold her. After about 30 minutes, I feel safe putting her down. That's when I get to work. In a little bit, she fusses because I need to change her, then I need to feed her again, and the cycle repeats until 1 or 2 in the morning, when she gets more tired. She will still wake up in the middle of the night for no apparent reason other than wanting to be held. At about 4 or 5, she'll wake up wanting to be changed and fed. By that time, it's too late to try to go back to bed, so Amy just stays up and starts her day.
For the past few days, I have been swaddling Adelaide every night. It takes a little practice, but I'm pretty good at it now. The Miracle Blanket works very well! I'll put her in it at around 10. I then hold her, which is much easier when she's a baby burrito, until she falls asleep. Then, I can put her down and she won't wake up. In fact, she doesn't wake up until the morning, when she starts getting hungry. And usually a pacifier or my finger will be enough to tide her over until we want to get up. Sometimes she does wake up while being swaddled, but she's a lot less fussy and doesn't complain about things. She just sits that and looks around. Feeding her a cinch, too, since her little hands don't get in the way.
So, if you have been having the same troubles I have, try these two ideas: a carrier of some sort and swaddling cloths. It doesn't have to be these two exact products, either. Amy likes using a Moby wrap and a ring sling. Most of these carrier provide several different options for carrying the baby as well, such as over the back or at the hip. I have also managed to swaddle Adelaide in a particularly large burp cloth (which, by the way, are lifesavers). The secret to swaddling is to first bind her arms, then bind her feet. Finally, wrap the remaining cloth around the baby so that the two bindings are locked into place. It keeps her from moving and makes her feel like she's in the womb again.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Almost a month!
Yes, it has been a while since I last posted. And there is a good reason. Everything is fine, I've just been swamped with school! It ends soon, so my attention will then turn to finding a job while my wife studies for/passes her comprehensive exams for her Ph.D. So, please bear with me. :)
On Easter, Adelaide turns 1 month old! Yays! And her uncle will get to meet her for the first time! Double yays!
I'll make a more robust post later, but for now, I leave you with this Princess Bride tidbit:
Amy: We'll never succeed. We may as well die here.
Spencer: No, no. We have already succeeded. I mean, what are
the three terrors of the first month? One, the cry
spurt. No problem. There's a popping sound preceding
each, we can avoid that. Two, the glue-like spit-up,
but you were clever enough to discover how to clean
that, so in the future we can avoid that too.
Amy: Spencer, what about the P.O.U.S's?
Spencer: Poopies Of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.
On Easter, Adelaide turns 1 month old! Yays! And her uncle will get to meet her for the first time! Double yays!
I'll make a more robust post later, but for now, I leave you with this Princess Bride tidbit:
Amy: We'll never succeed. We may as well die here.
Spencer: No, no. We have already succeeded. I mean, what are
the three terrors of the first month? One, the cry
spurt. No problem. There's a popping sound preceding
each, we can avoid that. Two, the glue-like spit-up,
but you were clever enough to discover how to clean
that, so in the future we can avoid that too.
Amy: Spencer, what about the P.O.U.S's?
Spencer: Poopies Of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Week One
Adelaide is now a week old!
It has been a harrowing week, surprisingly. She almost died, we thought she had jaundice, we've had problems with breast-feeding, and there have been times when I thought I would go insane... and it's only been a few days!
At the moment, my parents are here and helping us with chores and showing us other ways to care for the baby. They'll leave tomorrow, but it was good to have them here! Already, Addy has met both sets of grandparents.
Next, we have to figure out the baptism. Do we get her baptized where we live, or 600 miles away where our families are and where we grew up (and may move back to)? If we decide to down here, we need to make that decision soon, as the next time to get her baptized is on Easter. Our church back home will baptize on any week, so it would be more flexible.
Also, we need to decide who the godparents are going to be. Do we chose friends or family? I'm thinking we might choose friends, because the family will always be there to help guide her, but having friends as godparents gives us a good reason to keep them as friends over the years.
I have applied to a lot of work this past week. 10 hotels now have my resume, and I've sent my resume in for a technical writing position. That would be the best option for me. I've also talked with my previous employer and gave them some old work of mine because they are trying to get a technical writing contract.
It's pretty amazing how much I feel the need to provide. I know it's the typical "father role" and is somewhat unnecessary, especially since my wife will likely earn more money than I will. But due to our circumstances, I definitely need to start making some money.
I will be taking some time off from school in order to give Amy the greatest opportunity for getting her PhD. After she passes her comprehensive exams and write the paper she needs to complete, I'll consider returning to school. But, it depends on if I get a good job first. And, if the job if good enough and wants to hire me right away, I may need to drop out of school entirely. Whatever is best for the family. And no matter what happens, I will continue to write, to pursue my dream of being published.
So, it's been a long week and next week, I think, will be even longer and harder (especially since I need to make-up a week of school). But I'm sure we will make it, and before we know it, we'll be celebrating Adelaide's first birthday!
It has been a harrowing week, surprisingly. She almost died, we thought she had jaundice, we've had problems with breast-feeding, and there have been times when I thought I would go insane... and it's only been a few days!
At the moment, my parents are here and helping us with chores and showing us other ways to care for the baby. They'll leave tomorrow, but it was good to have them here! Already, Addy has met both sets of grandparents.
Next, we have to figure out the baptism. Do we get her baptized where we live, or 600 miles away where our families are and where we grew up (and may move back to)? If we decide to down here, we need to make that decision soon, as the next time to get her baptized is on Easter. Our church back home will baptize on any week, so it would be more flexible.
Also, we need to decide who the godparents are going to be. Do we chose friends or family? I'm thinking we might choose friends, because the family will always be there to help guide her, but having friends as godparents gives us a good reason to keep them as friends over the years.
I have applied to a lot of work this past week. 10 hotels now have my resume, and I've sent my resume in for a technical writing position. That would be the best option for me. I've also talked with my previous employer and gave them some old work of mine because they are trying to get a technical writing contract.
It's pretty amazing how much I feel the need to provide. I know it's the typical "father role" and is somewhat unnecessary, especially since my wife will likely earn more money than I will. But due to our circumstances, I definitely need to start making some money.
I will be taking some time off from school in order to give Amy the greatest opportunity for getting her PhD. After she passes her comprehensive exams and write the paper she needs to complete, I'll consider returning to school. But, it depends on if I get a good job first. And, if the job if good enough and wants to hire me right away, I may need to drop out of school entirely. Whatever is best for the family. And no matter what happens, I will continue to write, to pursue my dream of being published.
So, it's been a long week and next week, I think, will be even longer and harder (especially since I need to make-up a week of school). But I'm sure we will make it, and before we know it, we'll be celebrating Adelaide's first birthday!
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