Another merger

This merger I’m in control of (unlike the one at my job) so I’m enjoying this change. We are moving Josie’s site into mine because it’s impossible to maintain two blogs and the content was starting to blend anyway. It’s called Hello Motherhood and I realize that doesn’t leave a ton of room for Ben, who was so good at chronicling for this blog, but he’ll still post when he can. One blog makes sense too since he is home with Josie every day before work and has little time to do anything for himself, much less blog. Enjoy. She’s an entertaining and already mischievous little soul so there’s lots to keep up with even after this address is done.

Technical difficulties (again)

We’d do a much better job updating this blog if our computer would quit crashing. Although, this time I believe it’s really dead. The hard drive is shot and the fan is even messed up. It lived a full life. Three years old is, I think, ancient for computers nowadays. It was a grad school graduation present from my Dad and Stepmom and built by his cousin. It will be missed, especially because there’s no way we can afford a replacement right now since we’d like to get a Mac.

Anyway, we had a STUPENDIOUS vacation with Ben’s family. First time Grammy and Grandpa had both their sons home together in two years! Josie just fell in love with her almost two-year-old cousin Henry (as did mom and dad). And I know the feeling is mutual. I jetskied for the first time hanging on with Ben’s daredevil turns and wave jumping. Then with me in the driver’s seat and Ben’s daredevil encouragement from the backseat to push that throttle. I’m glad I listened.

We took a family portrait (first in maybe two decades) that was part of a surprise present for Ben’s parents’ 40th wedding anniversary. We used the same photographer who did our wedding because she absolutely rocks!

This was also Josie’s baptism weekend with Godfather Uncle Sam. (Godmother Kelly sent her love and support from Indiana). Josie looked angelic in her white lace gown and seemed unphased by the new experience. As usual, she was most interested in jumping on mom’s lap, eating her fist and talking to the bright lights on the altar.

Whew…a memorable vacation! Our camera (so far) works great so while we may not post as often as we would like, keep checking out Josie’s photo gallery for updated pics.

Nightshift lullaby

Rock-a-bye baby
You woke up too soon

It’s 6 a.m.
and Daddy needs sleep

He worked until midnight
Mom is off to work

So, please lie down baby
One hour will do

She eats with a spoon!

Ah, life is back to its new normal. Not traveling has made my 9-5 grind seem like a piece of cake! I’ve even had plenty of relaxed time to teach Josie to eat rice cereal. This has been a whole new joy for her and I. Every feeding she gets less on her bib and more in her mouth. She likes to take the spoon and gnaw on it for awhile too. She does this right before she starts fussing to let me know she’s done eating. Just like the milk she drinks (tasted the formula. too creeped out to taste the breastmilk), it tastes horrible. But she loves it.

 

Right now I’m feeding her when I get home work and soon Ben will add a feeding in the morning. Then next month it’ll be time to try food like bananas and sweet potatoes. Those I’ve tried too. And they don’t taste horrible!

Thank you, grandparents.

Day 4 of the single life, and I’m in a better mood, despite having a “discussion” with my mom.

Josie is down at my folks’ house, while Kim is in DC and I’m at home, doing home improvements during the day and working at night. Kim says she’s feeling better and fighting through that illness. I feel things are starting to sew themselves up.

As for Grammy and Grampa, it’s been a long time since they took care of a baby. The last one with me, and that was 35 years ago. Things have changed since then, but all-and-all, my mom and dad are doing a great job. I think they have forgotten how exhausting it can be taking care of an infant. It’s ironic that it was my mom who told me that raising a child is tough. And now, it me reminding her of that very fact.

But Kim and I can’t thank them enough for what they are doing. I owe Josie’s grandparents (including Kim’s mom) the world. After all, Kim and I are trying to raise Josie the way we were raised. That’s a tall order, because they set a pretty high bar.

And as for that “discussion” we had earlier in the day? Well, I can relate. Sleep deprivation can do nasty things. I think the key for my parents to remember is to enjoy having their grandchild in their house. They need to relax and not put so much pressure on themselves to take care of Josie. Our daughter is a strong and vibrant little girl. She also shows signs of independence. Josie teaches me that everyday.

Well, the TV repair man show be arriving soon. Not that we needed the TV.

Missing my girls

It’s been more than two days, and I already miss my wife and daughter. Kim, who is battling a nasty virus, is struggling in D.C., while Josie is at Grammy and Grampa’s. I sure do miss them and worry about them.

I know Josie is in good hands, My folks have been there before. And Josie is such a good kid. She’s been rolling around and giggling a lot, according to Grammy Von. I guess Grampa John took Josie for a walk, and grammy said he had a “proud look” in his eyes.

It’s Kim I’m worried about. She’s had a fever since last Thursday and the antibiotics don’t seem to be working. She wakes up in a sweat, and she told me she’s struggling. I just wish it’s easier on her. She doesn’t deserve to be going through this. She’s so good with Josie, and she’s a great wife. She just needs to take it easy. I wish she were home — not that the house is in any condition.

Painting should be done by Friday night, and our new dishwasher should be installed, too. Also, we finally get our TV fixed tomorrow!!!!

What a week!!!!!

WHEW! Where do I start!

Well, we could go back to about 3 weeks ago when we bought a new dishwasher only to find that I had to rip out some of the ceramic floor to get the old dishwasher out and the new one in.

Or we could go to Saturday when I noticed an 18-inch hole in front of the house where the siding was pulled away do to storm damage.

Or, better yet, we could look back at Sunday when I took Kim to the emergency room because she had a fever of 103 and a throat that looked like her tonsils were about to catch fire.

(Keep it together, Ben)

But, of course, Josie kept it all together and smiled. It was like she knew that things were kinda tough and she didn’t want to make them tougher. And, thanks to some great next door neighbors, Mike and Lauri, Josie was in good hands while mommy and daddy were in the emergency room.

So here we are now. Kim felt good enough to take Josie down to Grammy and Grampa’s house, while she takes a work trip to Washington D.C. And I’m at the house, trying to clean up the mess we are in. The good news is that Mike is painting our living and dining room while Kim and Josie are gone, and I have contractors coming to make estimates on the damage. I also plan to take out the ceramic tiles around the dishwasher so we can finally have clear and clean dishes!!!!!

Oh, did I mention that I’m still without a TV untilThursday? That’s two weeks from when my Samsung HDTV went dark. (Keep it together, Ben). I had to get a little stern with some people, or I would have had to wait until Monday.

(Keep it together, Ben)

Somedays, I just don’t know

It seems that on some days, I wonder if I’m doing the right things to help my daughter develop into a smart and healthy little girl. Am I cut out to do the job? Is this what my life has become?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about taking care of Josie during the day. I love hanging out with her, watching her play and being interactive with her. But do I talk to her enough? Is she getting the right amount of stimulation? Is she learning? Is she getting enough to eat? Do her clothes match when I take her to daycare? Am I using too many (not enough) diapers? Is she napping enough? Did I put enough sunscreen on when we go for walks? Is she active enough? Is she reaching her milestones? etc. …

I always said to myself before we had Josie that I wanted my greatest accomplishment in life to be a good dad to my kids. Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself. Or maybe I should just suck it up and not whine about it.

I guess it’s just one of those “Somedays.”

Josie’s first vacation

I’m not a very good blogger. There’s hardly any pictures of our trip. I wish that I had not packed the camera away or forgot about it entirely during many precious, funny, aggrevating… moments of our vacation. This is another lesson I learned while traveling alone by airplane with a 4-month-old.

We had the best time though! Friday afternoon Josie and I navigated through the airport a bit anxiously. Neither of us familiar with this new way of traveling. Got through security just fine thanks to a courteous and strong TSA worker who can lift a stroller with one hand. Mom and baby did have a bit of a meltdown in the bathroom before boarding. She was hungry. I really had to pee. And this woman would not get off the toilet! It was the only stall big enough for my stroller and if she had been old or disabled, I wouldn’t have been so angry. But this was just some other mom taking her time. She wasn’t struggling to change her baby or waiting for a toddler to go – other excusable reasons. Nope. I could see her feet. I could hear her kid  cooing in his/her stroller. She was simply taking the longest time as if there wasn’t a screaming baby and a frustrated mom sighing loudly outside her door!

Yes, it sounds trivial now. But if it’s taking you that long. Give up and go back in later. I timed it. She was in there for nearly 7 agonizing minutes. I tried to be patient. Know that this moment would soon pass. Zen failed. The urge to pee along with Josie’s bawling were too much. When she opened the door, I said “Finally!” I didn’t take time to see her give me a dirty look or talk back because I shoved that stroller into the stall and slammed the door. Give me a medal for immaturity.

Once on the flight, the bathroom rage subsided and Josie enjoyed playing with her toys on my lap. TRAVELING WITH BABY TIP #25: Pack small toys, burp cloth, pacifiers in a plastic baggie for easy access during flight. She would smile at the lady across the aisle and then hide her face in my shoulder. She did this a few times. She even dozed. Aunt Kelly and baby-bump Auntie ‘Tine greeted us and got to meet the little one for first time.

If only Josie wasn’t too excited to sleep, Saturday may have less taxing on our eardrums. She entertained Gran with her morning grins and giggles. And had too much fun meeting Grammy Phyllis, who’s indoor house renovations look fabulous by the way. But then halfway through our lunch outing she clearly needed to give into sleep yet refused. She gave me her first restaurant tantrum. We tried everything from toys, pacificer, rocking and even the parrot trick (blanket over carrier to block world). Nothing worked.

Took home the red-eyed child and  then I said, “Well Gran, she’s all yours” and rushed off for Mai-Tais with the pr gals. Just kidding. I was home for about couple hours before I handed her a wailing baby for the night. The story goes that I cried for the first three months of my life, so one night with Josie was a breeze for Gran.  

She finally slept that night. And slept all Sunday morning. She probably could’ve slept some more (actually she did: slept on the plane home too). And as soon as we arrived at Auntie ‘Tine’s baby shower, Josie concluded that she didn’t like anyone approaching her. She scrunched her face and wailed at each hello. First thought it was just certain people like Dan, for instance. Kidding! But no one was spared her discomfort.  Feeling shy? Overtired?  Who knows.

It’s taken me a few days to post because as I’ve said, I’m a bad blogger. And also because I’m sort of sad it wasn’t a longer trip. Silver lining…overall Josie was an excellent traveler and that means we’ll just have to go again soon.

And they’re back!

When Josie’s daddy took his first airplane ride, he was 13 years old. Josie has him beat.

Just four months old, Josie flew with little problem, according to her mommy. And now they are back safe and sound in good-ol’ Minnesota. I’ll let mommy tell more of the story in a future post.

From my end, it was great to see my little girl again after a long weekend of actual work and work on the house. I even didn’t mind taking almost an hour to put her down to sleep last night.

As much as I enjoyed my time alone, it was sure nice to see my family again. I know I’m getting kinda sappy, but I’m just so happy to have my girls back.