Our life

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!

According to my calculations, calendar, and the “Ages & Stages” email, DD is 16 weeks old today. Both mommy and dd are doing fantastic!

The big thing that’s happened over these past few weeks with dd: she has found something that was missing since birth. You see, since birth, she could honestly say “her s**t don’t stink”. Yes, there were a few times here and there where it did. But as an average, it wasn’t bad. Tolerable. I’ve smelled worse. We’re not talking flowers here, but we’re not talking gagging either. Slightly fragrant. More cute than anything.

That’s changed…. completely. ɹǝʌo ʇɥbıɹ pǝddı1ɟ. What was white is now black. Good lord. Its like once we started mixing in a bit of that rice cereal into her food, and she got through the “oh crap, something’s stuck” stage, all that stink showed up. Every single bit of it. Even her farts are room clearing.

All was once cute and cuddly, like a kitten tryin to walk for the first time. Aww… the widdle kitty fall down. Now, that cute and cuddly stumbling kitten has turned into an angry tiger with 4 extra claws that has spent a month being poked in the eye with a stick. She’s angry, and she’s letting us know.

The first time I changed one of these weapons of mass destruction, I got wobbly. Yes, I actually did get wobbly. What did dd do? She smiled. I’m not sure if that smile was “look at daddy. he’s funny” or “sucker”. Even the cat left (I think with that tiger). The dog knew better.

My friends, the playing field has changed. I now feel like Michael Keaton in “Mr. Mom“. Someone toss me some gloves.

But hey, with the bad comes the good. Just this week, she learned how to play “peek-a-boo”. As luck would have it, I was able to witness this event today. So dang cute. So I guess that outweighs the other situation.

And in other news…..

We helped Sonja celebrate her 19th 21st birthday about a week ago.

Little shindig set up by JfaP¹, MiniMe (mustang?) and LoD over at Casper’s in Eagan. Sonya’s theme was Strawberry Shortcake (should I change the name here?). You’d be surprised how hard it is to find Strawberry Shortcake stuff in the store these days. I recall when SS was all the rage (shut up. I had 2 little sisters…. and i liked dolls). Ah well. I guess that’s what happens to icons these days.

Good food, good people, good times. But I think being a parent ages you by 36 years. We were all wiped out by 9pm. I recall a time when 9pm meant we should probably get ready to start the night. Funny how life changes.

Speaking of change, I think I’m going to try to depart from the structured posts. Ditch the weeklies, as I’ve had the toughest time even keeping up with them. I try to save this event and that event for the weekly, then I get tied up doing 400 other things, and forget what it was I wanted to tell you. I just can’t post like Matt Logelin or DadGoneMad. Would you guys be okay with us just posting as we think about it? After all, I do this for you (well, and maybe me too). What would you like to see? Let me know in comments.

In closing, please keep our family in your prayers. If you’re not the religious type, at least think of us. dd’s Great Grandpa (C’s grandpa, Oz’s pop, RP’s hubby) LP went to the E.R. a few times this week. It’s been a touch and go kinda week for him. Things look to be on the up and up now, and he should be home soon. But still keep us in your thoughts.

Gallery pics:

1. Sorry J, couldn’t think of something cutesy yet today [↩]

According to my calculations, calendar, and the “Ages & Stages” email, DD is 14 weeks old today (or 3 months, 5 days). Both mommy and dd are doing fantastic!

Milestone #1: DD, like both of her parents, has learned that side sleeping is often much more comfortable than back sleeping. She’s found how to get there all on her own, and does it regularly. Very cute.

Milestone #2: DD’s also learning how to talk more. While she’s not quite using the Queen’s English, she is making noises that, when responded to in a conversational manner, can be taken as conversation. I’m glad she has her Babelfish in her ear. I just wish she’d get us one too.

Now, while these are both truly awesome milestones… . ones that we totally cherish and just find super cool… there is a problem: She’s learned these roughly at the same time. Why is that a problem? I’m glad you asked. You see, dd uses opposing weight/power to roll to her side. She kicks one leg up in the air, while pushing off with the other leg. The motion carries her over to her side, where she’s now comfy. Since we swaddle her at night, that limits her ability to kick off like that. Before milestone #1, she would simply just fall asleep. That’s not so much the case anymore.

This past week really was uneventful. Friday we did the Garage Sales and Mankato thing. Saturday, we started to tackle the garage. Seems I left a few things out. Saturday night, we did dinner and a movie over at Oz’s. Dr. D came by. We watched Juno. Really good movie.

I started to get the sniffles during the movie. Well, those turned into sneezes which turned into violent explosions from the nose. Figuring I was getting sick, I stayed away from C+dd the rest of the night. Sunday, fully aware that I was sick. I kept my distance from C+dd. Sucked.

Huge congrats to ML and GL on the birth of their daughter, GL Tuesday morning.

In closing, this past week put things into perspective. Its hard to believe Monday was a year since he was taken from us. We all miss him terribly. I can’t say it any better than KP said it: The world is a different place without him. Tell those you love that you love them, and tell them often. You never know when you won’t have that chance again.

We just can’t believe it. It was 3 months ago today that you came into our world. Where has the time gone? We remember it like it was just yesterday, leaving to head up to the hospital with the feeling of “maybe we should just get checked out”. Our parents (your grandparents) were right: being a parent is just awesome. You are such a perfect child. Even if imperfect, we would still love you more than most people can imagine. We will try our best to keep you the happiest and most loved baby on the planet. Mommy and Daddy love you very very much, and we hope you have fun today with us!

Now excuse me for one minute honey, while I apologize to everyone. You see, back before you came into our lives… back when you were still in mommy’s tummy, daddy used to tell everyone what was going on with you and us and the family and the pets and everything else. Right after you came, daddy typed ALOT on here. He would tell them about your every hiccup, burp, fart and poop. Because of that, quite a few people would stop by here on a semi-regular basis to check in, see how we’re doing.

But then daddy had to go back to work. Being at work, daddy didn’t have the free time to post here that much. But he still tried. The daily posts went to every few days. The few days went to once a week. But lately, the once a week seems to be hard for him to keep up with too. But he still tries. So now, lets apologize to our readers, and see if we can catch them up. Okay sweetie? You can help once you get up.
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