Our life

As dd and I sit, listening to the Big Band playlist on the iPod (frankenPod?), I figured I’d tell you about yesterday.

We originally planned on going to the Zoo with dd Friday. But then St. Paul went and set up their Irish Fair to open on the 8th. With C’s lineage being a good part Irish, and me having some Scottish¹ in me blood, it would be silly for dd to miss this. So we adjusted our plans. But first, we had some stops to make. This, of course, provided some fantastic photo opportunities.

After our first stop, we planned on lunch. Since we were in the vicinity of United, I knew of a place. So of course, I wanted my Chicago Beef from 7th Heaven. We foot it over there, since we paid for the parking and it was such a nice day. Then it happened. We reach the door, and what do I spy with my own eye?

The sign. “Chicago Style Hot Dogs”. Oh no! Now what? As I’ve briefly mentioned, I’ve been on a hunt for my “hot dog joint”² since I moved up here. So now I’m faced with a decision: “Da Dog” or “Da Beef”. This will prove to be the biggest problem I faced that day. I made my decision, without regret.

Oh do I ever ♥ this joint.

C loved it too, though I’m not sure as much as I do.

Little side note: the last time we were here (also the first), I was able to sneak getting C+dd a present. Its the one on the bottom left.

So after a fantabulous lunch, we headed out.

As we cruised down 7th towards St. Paul, I saw this box on a chair…

… Get it? *nudge nudge* huh? See, cause there’s the saws… and the box… *crickets*…

Heading back, I thought of a photo op that I just couldn’t pass up. Back on July 3rd, as we were waiting for dd to show up, we went for a walk. On that walk, I took one of several of my favorite pics of C.

There’s just something so telling, so warm, about that picture to me. Well, I wanted to update it

We headed in afterwards to look at the gift shops that C didn’t get to see. In the second one, I saw this cute little sign hanging on the mirror, and thought for a second..

I already do. DD got hungry, so we fed her, then finally headed out to Target to get her a sun hat and pick up some other items. Plus, we wanted to take a test drive with the Baby Bjorn we picked up a few weeks ago.

Worked like a champ. For those that are doubtful, get one. Granted, I’m sure the other slings and carriers work just as well, but we liked the Bjorn. So after putzing around Target for a while, and not finding her Sun Hat, we departed. Quick stop at Walmart proved to be fruitful. 2 sun hats, on clearance, $1.00 each! Bonus!

So at long last, we make it to the Irish Fair. As we’re getting things ready, some poor fella asked me for a coat hanger. He locked his keys in his car, while it was running. Alas, I had no coat hanger. But I was able to assist him in at least shutting the car down (smaller hands. Able to get the hood open). Someone else called AAA, so we left.

Finally make it into the Irish Fair. We make a trip around the grounds, then into the vendor booths, where C was able to get some earrings, and I was able to document it. I think 75% of the reason we go there is to check out the vendors. Everything from earrings to swords. Genuine Medieval Gaelic Swords, made in China. Irish folk music, flutes, guitars, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats and kilts. A veritable smorgasbord of genuine consumer goods, straight from Ireland, by way of a dozen countries.

After our run through, we went and rested for a while on the lawn, just watching people. I think the Irish Fair is one of the only times that folks get to dress that way here in Minnesota. Men in Kilts. Women in… well, practically nothing. One of the cooler things about the fair is that dog owners can bring their pups. So you always see some cuties. I, of course, was only concerned with taking pics of C+dd.

After some rest, we decided to head out. Had dinner over at Cedarvale Cafe in Eagan (seasoned sour cream + waffle fries = YUM!), hit another Target to pick up a night stand, and then home.

It was odd, having C around for my day off, but it was great! All day, we both kept thinking it was Saturday. Yet another perfect day with my perfect wife and perfect little girl. Does it get any better than this?

1. I’m a mutt. But the parts I know of right now are Scott, Russian and Dutch. [↩]
2. pronounced “hah (very short last h) tdog joint [↩]

I’m sorry folks! I have been slacking so terribly on my posts since going back to work. I have excuses, but no real reason to not post. Tired and lacking motivation are the biggest ones. So here’s a quick update while I’m still feeling guilty.

DD and Mommy are doing fantastic as the second week C being a “stay-at-home mom” draws to a close. They’re working out a routine that benefits them both. Surprisingly, dd’s calling the shots there.

Holy crap, I just realized how quickly this week flew! Here’s some highlights:

Saturday, we were all hanging out in the living room, just lookin around. It was almost noon, so I thought it would be a good time to go hop in the shower and actually start the day. As I’m standing, facing the window and C+dd, I see a pickup truck cruise by slowly, with their right blinker on. They make a slow left turn to the street directly in front of our house (still with the right blinker on), and continue to go slow. I figured it was just someone lost. So as I continue talking to C+dd, I see another truck creeping along, out of the corner of my eye. Glancing up, I see it. My initial thought was “holy crap, I need the camera!”. So I grab it, explain the situation to C with a quick volley of incoherent words that ended with “look out the window”, and jet outside in my PJs, camera in hand, to catch this:

Yes, that’s really what I saw. Only in a small town, eh? Even Mr. B couldn’t believe his eyes…

One big thing happened to me though. I was making faces at dd, as she was lying on my lap facing me. Typical dad faces. Well, she must’ve really liked one of them, cause she gave me just the biggest damn smile I’ve ever seen on her. What a cool feeling. Camera was nearby, but she decided she didn’t want to smile for the cam. Ah well.

As Saturday progressed, and we ended up over at G&G’s for obligatory dd time. Artsy pictures were taken…

Twins game was watched…

And cards were played. Once again, the great and powerful Oz won. I tell you, she is a force to be reckoned with!

Sunday, nothing was accomplished. I mean nothing. We barely made it out of bed. It reminded me of the old days at the apartment with the Chicago crew. Just no hangover, smoke and video games (*sigh* I miss Halo). It was fantastic!

Monday, it was back to work. But Sunday night, dd kept mommy up all night¹ fussin and crabbin. We hoped it would get better during the day. It didn’t. Even Oz came by to assist. But DD traveled quickly through a downward spiral into a full fledged “we should maybe call the doc” moment. I hear new parents tend to overreact. I consulted “teh internetz”, and it told me we’re fine. But dd isn’t their child. So the doc appointment was made for Tuesday AM. Monday night was another sleepless night for all, though not as bad as Sunday night.

Tuesday morning, I got up with her and changed/fed/consoled her so that C could sleep a bit. Off to the doc at 845, where we found out that (again, surprisingly) babies get sick. DD has a cold. We were given advice and some tips and tricks. More stuff to add to our arsenal of information. By the time I got home Tuesday night, she was feeling better. Oz hung out with us for a little bit, then cruised on home. After a late night, she slept through til almost my alarm at 400.

Allow me to divert our path for a second here: I do have one very important point to make. Oz is the best damn mother-in-law in existence. Some folks might think (Oz included) that by her being around so often, I would get fed up with her. That I would perceive her as “meddling” and being one of “those” mother-in-laws. Quite the contrary. I absolutely adore her being around. Her knowledge is vast and necessary, and her laugh is infectious. Her mere presence lightens any mood. She is a downright wonderful human being, and I love her for being her. Wednesday night, I missed her being there, even if only for a moment. I can only hope that dd learns from her as much as I have about how to live life to its fullest. She is the embodiment of the phrase “love like you’ve never been hurt”. The world needs more people like her.

Okay, back to the week. Wednesday night, I found out that dd is starting to like Louis Prima and Lou Monte more than Sinatra and Satchmo². She was fussy last night, but I found that if I dance with her, she quiets down. But it has to be the faster, jazzy stuff; like:

• Lou Monte – Lazy Mary
• Louis Prima – Oh Marie & Buona Sera
• Bobby Darin – Little Bitty Pretty One (Why the hell didn’t anyone tell me this song was Bobby Darin before?)

She’s developing pretty good taste in music. That was a great time (I’m listening to Lazy Mary as I type this, reminiscing).

Moment of reflection: We have one cool kid. I tell you, it is awesome being parents! Just plain awesome. She’s 5 weeks old tomorrow, yet I barely remember a time without her. Everyone told us that we’re going to love it. They were right. So we’ve graduated from the class that hears the words to the class that tells them. If you’re not a parent yet, but are planning to be, let me tell you: it is awesome. You will love it. Its not easy by any means. But amazingly rewarding! I can only think that the way we’re feeling right now is exactly as Mom and Dad, Momma and C&M’s dad, and Oz and MC felt when they all became parents.

And so the torch is passed.

1. Thank you, hon, for taking care of her overnight without even thinking about it. I’ll never be able to truly explain how much that means to me. [↩]
2. This might be a problem. I think I’m going to have to prescribe 1 hour of Rat Pack, twice daily [↩]