Day 50 - That's How I Roll

So I've been working on a definitive list of the worst experiences in the world when having an infant.  All of the researching skills I learned from my sixth grade report on Christmas in Botswana have been put to use in compiling this list so you know it's good.  It's thoroughly researched, meticulously detailed, and comprehensive to boot.  So here we go.

• ·         When you're waiting in line at the bank behind the old lady who takes thirty minutes to open her new CD and then you do the exact same thing in six minutes.  All while desperately trying to entertain your child.
• ·         Blowouts and vomit - Because no one loves touching another person's bodily fluids
• ·         Mayonnaise and Mustard - Just because I hate those things whether or not I have an infant
• ·         An unhappy baby on a long car ride - I'm relatively certain this is how characters in the 'Saw' movie series must have felt
• ·         Running a fever while attempting to take care of a baby - Just not even fair.  Especially when you totally soak your bed with your own sweat...twice...in one night.  At least my wife took one for the team and watched Ellie
• ·         Epic Infant Gas - "Yes, I know that you're screaming because you want to burp.  Yes, I'm holding you vertically and slapping your back.  Now just burp.  For the love of all that is good in the world, just burp."

Now, I'm certain that there are more things that will undoubtedly be added to this list as time goes on.  No research is ever completed.  If it was, then why are new textbooks constantly needed?  I definitely got to experience the fourth item on this list in spades over the past few days.  Bethany and I spent the weekend in Nebraska so Ellie got a three-hour car trip on both Friday and Sunday.  Then, I rolled up to Savannah for the day to help my dad work cattle so she received an additional set of one-hour trips.  Now, you're probably asking yourself, "Um, did Ellie help?"  The answer to that is a resounding 'No.'  Although the mental image of Ellie sitting in her bouncy seat with a sorting stick duct taped to her arm is endearing, but in reality, I'm pretty sure it would constitute child abuse.  Therefore, Ellie spent the afternoon hanging out with both my mom and my grandma enabling them to get some quality one-on-one bonding time.

It's actually really important to me that Ellie develops a relationship with both sets of her grandparents.  I have fond memories of growing up with my paternal grandmother living right across the road.  So she was basically there for a lot of moments in my life.  From school plays to sports teams to my high school and college graduation.  It's awesome to see her getting to interact with Ellie thus far and I'm hoping that they'll have many more years together.  In terms of my parents and Bethany's parents, I love just how much the digital age has helped to bridge the mileage gap that exists.  Yeah, it's possible to strap her in a car seat, point the car north, and settle in for a loud car trip (Especially when you consider my radio is busted).  There's no guarantee that they'll get to see the really special moments during one of those trips.  You know, like Ellie crawling or walking or playing the Cello.  

Maybe Ellie will learn the harpsichord instead...

The great thing about this age is that those moments are just a quick message away.  Tonight, Ellie decided she wanted to master rolling over.  Now she's done this a couple of times before but definitely strained to do so.  Tonight, we set her down for tummy time and within fifteen seconds, she had rolled onto her back.  Wanting to preserve the moment, Bethany grabbed her cell phone, rolled Ellie to her stomach, and rolled camera.  Twenty-seven seconds later, Ellie was happily laying on her back.  The great thing was that we were able to immediately share this footage with each of our parents.  Just hearing the excitement in their voices as they watched the footage was pretty awesome and definitely makes me want to say thanks.  

• ·         Thank you Bill Gates for starting Microsoft
• ·         Thank you Steve Jobs for making Apple a household name
• ·         Thank you Al Gore for inventing the internet

#DaddyWrite

Day 49 - Time Keeps on Slipping (Into the Future)

Ah, 1996.  So many huge world changing events occurred that year.  From the 'Deep Blue' computer winning a chess match against a human adversary to the O.J. Simpson Murder trial to the Summer Olympics held in Atlanta.  And those are only the tip of the iceberg.  But perhaps 1996 is known best for one thing and one thing alone.  No, I'm not talking about Bill Clinton winning re-election over Bob Dole.  Side note, I'm impressed with the fact that I recalled Bob Dole's name without looking it up.  No, 1996 marked the theatrical release of one of the most important films of the 20th Century; 'Space Jam'.  Yes, the iconic film marking Michael Jordan's film debut and Bugs Bunny's return to the silver screen.  What?  Ok, maybe I'm overselling it slightly.  Just follow along, I'll get to a point soon; I promise.  Released alongside the film (and its strangely everlasting website), was the soundtrack featuring none other than Seal singing 'Fly Like an Eagle'.  The opening lines of that song clearly state "Time keeps on slipping into the future."  And that largely marks how I feel about the first four months of Ellie's life.  Yes, Ellie turned four months old yesterday.  Told you I'd get to a point soon...

Glad someone had the courage to say it...

 

Honestly, I hadn't really thought much about how much Ellie was changing so fast.  I was more excited to see her learning and experiencing new things.  I also love the way that she is now able to express herself in various fashions whether it be vocally or just with her face.  When she smiles directly at me, it lights up my face every time.  Except for those smiles that I'm relatively certain are only meant to mock me when I'm irritated with her.  This morning as I fed her a bottle, I had a startling revelation set in.  Simply, this used to be much easier.  What do I mean by that?  It used to be Ellie would sit in my arms for ages and happily fall asleep there.  Now, I can barely keep her sitting still long enough to get through half of a bottle before she's wanting to get away.  I actually find myself pining for those days of being stuck holding my baby for hours on end because she won't sleep otherwise.

Unfortunately, Ellie has also learned the "angelic 'Who Me?'" face...

With that revelation hitting me, I realized the importance of making certain I'm taking in and enjoying all of the little moments.  Now see, there are times where I don't really take the time out to stop and smell the metaphorical roses (or the literal poopy diaper for that matter).  Today as Ellie and I went on a walk (taking advantage of that 80 degree weather), I grabbed an apple and a bottle of water from the fridge with the intention of finding a nice place to stop and sit on our walk.  About a mile and a half in, I found a nice bench in the shade outside a local church.  There I sat with Ellie facing me, to eat my apple, and just otherwise enjoy my daughter's presence.  With Ellie reacting to everything around her and squealing in delight at my funny faces, I realized that simple moments like this are going to be things that stick with me long after she's grown up and gotten out of my house. 

But I said it out of love...

Now please excuse me because I've been serious for too long. It's time to go introduce Ellie to the remainder of the 'Space Jam' soundtrack.  **checking the back  cover**  Ok, maybe this thing isn't as good as 1996 Jesse remembered.  Man, he was young and stupid.  #DaddyWrite

Day 47 - The one with the healthier baby...

So to lead off, I just want to admit that I love my daughter.  You know, love?  Meaning that I'll care about her no matter what she does.  How hard she screams.  How much she poops.  Doesn't matter, I'll love her just the same.  Unconditional is the term that I'm looking for.  However, there are days that come across where my mindset is one of, "You know, I'm just tolerating you right now because I love you.  That's why you're not having to fend for yourself. "  And then there's those days where my thought patterns are more like, "You're so much fun to be around right now baby!  No wonder I love you."  Luckily, today was one of the latter rather than the former

If you read and follow along, then you know that Ellie has been fighting off her first illness.  Now, if you didn't know that, then shame on you (Just kidding).  So needless to say, she has been very disagreeable over the past couple of days.  I was kind of expecting today to be no exception to the rule.  I figure that if I build things up to be terrible in my head, then maybe I can be pleasantly surprised by how they turn out.  Anyway, as the alarm went off this morning, I rolled out of bed with trepidation and headed to Ellie's room to relieve Bethany so that she could get ready for work.  As soon as Ellie heard my voice, she immediately turned her head in my direction to catch a glance at her daddy's epic bed-head.  At least, I'm guessing that's what she wanted to see.  Shortly thereafter, Bethany would hand her to me to watch which was met with a big smile from Ellie.  Once again, probably the epic bed-head.

After Bethany would leave, I would lay Ellie down on her playmat where for the first time in two days, she actually enjoyed an lengthy session of batting at her hanging toys and hugging Leon.  Hearing her laugh (at the epic bed-head?) and play was actually a great relief based upon her emotions lately.  Once she began to yawn, I placed Ellie in her swing, turned it up to three, and watched her go back and forth.  Once her baby blues finally closed, I headed upstairs to grab a shower and get rid of the epic bed-head once and for all.  Upon my return, I found her still asleep and proceeded to take a nap of my own.

This afternoon went just as well.  Once Ellie woke up from her morning nap, she wanted nothing more than to play and to be near me.  It seemed that everything that she did was met with pure laughter on her part.  I guess I can confirm that she wasn't laughing and smiling at my epic bed-head earlier then.  After her afternoon feeding, we even got out of the house for a little bit to run some errands.  Get some groceries, go to the library, relatively simple stuff I know but it can test Ellie's patience at times.  Luckily though, she was so happy to be feeling better that nothing could really phase her.

Is it weird that one of the best parts of Ellie being sick is that we know have a baseline to work with in the future when she falls ill?  We know how she's going to react to things.  What will comfort her and what will make her even angrier.  In addition, now knowing just how happy Ellie is post illness is pretty much worth it.  That being said, Ellie don't get sick again soon.  For the love of everything good in the world, Ellie, just stay healthy.  I implore you, your mother implores you, society implores you.  Well maybe not society, but you get the picture.  #DaddyWrite

FYI: I seriously hate those times when pictures and videos fail to work.

Day 46 - The one with the sick baby...

Poor little Ellie.  I don't mean that in a sarcastic or condescending way.  At least not today anyway.  She's actually having a rough go of it.  Outside of sleeping for about 42 of the past 48 hours, she's now taking part in a new first for her.  Her first fever.  And not the kind Garth Brooks sang about...

Is it bad that I feel like Ellie actually makes this face quite often?

 

Due to Ellie's epic exhaustion (try saying that five times fast), we put her to bed around 7 last night thinking that was probably all that we would hear from her until 2 am or so.  We were actually pretty wrong about that though.   Right around 10:30, I heard loud shrieks emanating from Ellie's baby monitor.  As I'm apt to do, I always wait a few minutes so that I can verify if she's actually awake and needing help or just having a nightmare.  Very quickly, I realized that she was actually awake and really upset so I bounded up the stairs to check on her.  Side note, it's still totally bizarre to me that Ellie has so many nightmares.  What in the world can possibly scare a four month old so badly that she'd resort to epic screams?  I wouldn't think she'd be scared of the dark or anything.  I haven't read her ghost stories around a campfire yet.  I haven't even let her watch 'The Blair Witch Project'.   #GoodDad

No 'Blair Witch' lady, Ellie's still too young to watch you.

Right as I headed into Ellie's room, Bethany came out of our bedroom to check on her as well.  These weren't screams that we had actually heard before from our daughter however.  They were more guttural in nature.  Definitely screams of discomfort.  After changing her diaper and offering her some food, Ellie's moans continued.  At this point, we realized just how warm our baby had become.  Taking her thermometer out of the box and stuffing it under her armpit, we patiently waited for what felt like an eternity but was probably only ninety seconds.  Squinting at the digital readout in the dark, we were dismayed to read 101.4 degrees.  Ellie definitely had her first fever.

At this point a small degree of fear kicked in for us, well at least for me.  I'd been around Ellie when she's been unhappy before but never when she's actually sick.  Nerves were definitely running wild for me.  Not certain if we needed to be worried, we proceeded to dial the afterhours lines at our pediatrician.  Leaving a message, we were told to expect a response in eight to ten minutes.  Waiting there in the dark with Ellie moaning, my heart was definitely breaking for her.  Finally the phone rang with the triage nurse on the other end.  While talking to her, it was pretty evident that there wasn't anything to be concerned about at this time.  Ellie just had a little fever and we just needed to give her a dose of Children's Tylenol and put her to bed.

I feel like it's times like this where I continue to realize that there's a lot of things that I don't know about child rearing.  I mean, I've barely figured out how to give Ellie a bottle without it leaking milk all over the two of us.  Seeing my daughter in that kind of discomfort and not having any clue how exactly to help her is not a good feeling.  At least I always have the internet.  Surely anything I find about how to comfort a child on Wikipedia is accurate, right?  #DaddyWrite

Honest.  I swear.