Our life

My how time flies.  Why, just yesterday, it seemed like it was 戊子¹, but I digress.

As dd grows, we’re finding that she’s not the only one who’s learning here.  Now granted, she has learned far more than we have over these past few months, such as:

• How to eat solid foods like mashed potatoes, green beans, peas, apples, bananas, strawberries.
• How to drink from a sippy cup (still a work in progress).
• How to cross the living room floor via rolling and inching.  She’s almost ready to crawl.
• How to giggle on command.
• How to properly get and maintain mommy and daddy’s attention.
• How to hack into an unpatched XP machine.

But in the same, mommy and daddy are right there with her, learning that:

• There are truly not enough hours in the day.
• dd sleeps very well for her age, but that doesn’t mean we’re not deprived. (UPDATE – Teething pain began in full force)
• That bright green, blue, and red go really well with our decor of mostly earth tones. 
• The terminal velocity for a falling toy, how often it needs to be returned to the dropping hand, and how many foreign objects can get stuck on said toy in that short trip.
• What foods do what to her poop (still in progress).

I’m learning how to not be surprised by noises that come from within bags, boxes, and other carrying apparatuses.  It didn’t throw me off one bit Friday night when I grabbed the reusable Target bag and it sang “C is for Cookie” on the way out to the car. 

Mommy is learning how to make her own baby food.  Saturday night, we were up late boiling, peeling, mashing and packaging Bananas, Peas, Carrots and Peaches². She has also made 2 sets of just awesome cookies.  Her latest batch, the macadamia nut cookies, just get better with each cookie. In fact, the last one I had Saturday was the best yet. And to think, LOD could’ve had that one. 

Lastly, we’re both learning patience well beyond what we thought was possible. But I have to say the biggest thing we’ve learned is truly how cool it is to be a parent.  Its just awesome. 

1. thank you, wiki – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Astrology#Table_of_the_sixty_year_calendar [↩]
2. Save those baby food containers (we used Gerber).  We filled at least 40 that night [↩]

I’d like to brag for a moment, if I may. Professionally, I’m a computer security guy. I hold the CISSP and GSEC certificates, along with a couple other very specialized certs. I build very secure computers for very specific needs. I also deal with a handful of administrative and managerial tasks within the security organization, and still offer up my technical knowledge to those who ask for it. For once in my career, I work in a position that I take pride in, as well as feeling like what I do can make a difference.

Outside of my corporate job, I am a web developer and independent consultant. One of the local businesses relies entirely on my knowledge and expertise to make sure their IT infrastructure continues to operate as expected. And this year, I was invited to become a SANS Mentor, asked to host a community education event, and speak at one of the business luncheons regarding wireless security.

But all of this pales in comparison to my latest endeavor. The pay is less than expected, but the rewards are endless. As I sat here this morning, still trying to wipe the sleep out of my eyes and snot off my shoulder, I was rewarded once again. Watching some show on engineering drilling platforms in the Gulf, I listened to dd’s feint snore/snortle on my left shoulder as she slept. Rubbing her back and hearing her breathing patterns change. Realizing that I help create this little child of ours.

Yes, folks, I have an amazing job. I am a husband and a father. Everything else I’ve done and do pale in comparison.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear DD, Happy Birthday to you

Kinda funny here sweetie. I’m writing this post a little early (though later than I wanted). As I started, it was 330AM November 3rd. Just about this time 4 months ago, you were preparing your journey. What an awesome ride it has been! I’m still amazed by both of my girls. Your mommy, for being the mommy that she has become; and you for being the daughter you are.

3 simple words: So, so cool.
3 more simple words: we love you.

Today is a very important day for 3 reasons, dd. The first is that its your 4 month birthday! You are officially 0.333333333333333333 years old! How cool is that?

The second is the fact that mommy went back to work today. I know you’re too young to understand yet. But one day, you may have to make the same choice. Just know that it was far harder on your mommy than it may have been on you. Its only a short while. Before you know it, you’ll be saying goodbye to mommy in the morning before running off to school, and giving her a big hug and a kiss when you get home. We will see you soon!

And the last reason today is important is its Election Day. You still have 17.666666666666666666 years to go before you get to do the same thing we are, but I bet you’ll still get a sticker when mommy and daddy go to vote!

Okay sweetie, daddy’s lunch is all done. He has to get back to work now. But we’ll see you in just a little bit, okay? I hope you had fun today at daycare. I know its different than what you’re used to, but it’ll be fun. You’ll see.

We love you very much dd!