April 27, 2009
April 22, 2009
Happy Birthday Caleb!
It's hard to believe that Caleb turned one month old today! While time has certainly gone by quickly, it is difficult to remember what life was like before we were parents. Our days have become focused solely on our little man and keeping him happy...which in some cases is impossible. We no longer plan our evenings around shows we want to watch or our weekends around where we want to go out. Instead, our evenings consist of trying to keep to Caleb's schedule and our weekends consist of trying to watch his every facial expression.
We have learned so much in the last month and, more often, have been humbled by what we didn't know. Every day is new and every day he does something different. Over the last week he has made many attempts at smiling. While there have been many, many moments of frustration they are certainly outweighed by these precious smiles that he shares with us. He is sleeping for longer periods and starting to be easier to put to sleep. Of course he cries and can be quite fussy for amazingly long stretches but we are beginning to learn how to handle most of it...okay some of it...well a few times we have succeeded.
Our love for him has truly grown stronger every single day. What's even as enjoyable is seeing how Allison and I have grown together through all of this. We told each other from the very beginning that even when things get tough we would work together. There have been many times when we have been tested on this and despite a few sleepless moments we have succeeded. It's a lot more difficult than we could have imagined to be "nice" to each other when it's 11:30 at night and your baby has been crying for three hours.
So after a month, Allison and I are so proud of our little man and can't wait to see what will happen over this next month. We have enjoyed sharing our stories with everyone and look forward to sharing many more.
We have learned so much in the last month and, more often, have been humbled by what we didn't know. Every day is new and every day he does something different. Over the last week he has made many attempts at smiling. While there have been many, many moments of frustration they are certainly outweighed by these precious smiles that he shares with us. He is sleeping for longer periods and starting to be easier to put to sleep. Of course he cries and can be quite fussy for amazingly long stretches but we are beginning to learn how to handle most of it...okay some of it...well a few times we have succeeded.
Our love for him has truly grown stronger every single day. What's even as enjoyable is seeing how Allison and I have grown together through all of this. We told each other from the very beginning that even when things get tough we would work together. There have been many times when we have been tested on this and despite a few sleepless moments we have succeeded. It's a lot more difficult than we could have imagined to be "nice" to each other when it's 11:30 at night and your baby has been crying for three hours.
So after a month, Allison and I are so proud of our little man and can't wait to see what will happen over this next month. We have enjoyed sharing our stories with everyone and look forward to sharing many more.
April 20, 2009
April 19, 2009
Happy Times
We have been so excited to be able to watch Caleb smile. The only hard part has been trying to catch it on camera.April 16, 2009
It's Been Way Too Long....
First off, I have to apologize for my way delayed blogging. It has taken a while for me to adjust to being a new mother, even though I am still adjusting, but the main reason is I just LOVE reading Chris' thoughts because he is so much better at this than I am. Nonetheless; I am back.
Big step this week? My sweet baby boy is slowing beginning to smile!!! It if few and far between, but when it happens it makes my heart break just a little. These past few weeks Caleb has not felt well at all which has made this mother transition all that much more difficult and I hate to say the main thing on my mind, besides getting my little guy better, is how much I am ready to go back to work. Well, that changed yesterday when for the first time...Caleb smiled at me. And it was an actual smile. Not an "I"m gassy" or "I'm busy making another dirty diaper for you to change momma" smile. A real smile. It all happened when I leaned down to give him a little momma kiss on his oh so sweet lips(which I have promised both Caleb and Chris that I will not do that when Caleb is old enough to be embarassed at the fact that his mother is kissing him!) However, this promise might be null and void at the fact that he loves getting kisses.
Well, now that I am back in the swing of blogging, Caleb is awake and sounds hungry. I must go for now but we will post some pics after this weekend when Caleb will hit yet another milestone...he will be 1 month old!!!
Big step this week? My sweet baby boy is slowing beginning to smile!!! It if few and far between, but when it happens it makes my heart break just a little. These past few weeks Caleb has not felt well at all which has made this mother transition all that much more difficult and I hate to say the main thing on my mind, besides getting my little guy better, is how much I am ready to go back to work. Well, that changed yesterday when for the first time...Caleb smiled at me. And it was an actual smile. Not an "I"m gassy" or "I'm busy making another dirty diaper for you to change momma" smile. A real smile. It all happened when I leaned down to give him a little momma kiss on his oh so sweet lips(which I have promised both Caleb and Chris that I will not do that when Caleb is old enough to be embarassed at the fact that his mother is kissing him!) However, this promise might be null and void at the fact that he loves getting kisses.
Well, now that I am back in the swing of blogging, Caleb is awake and sounds hungry. I must go for now but we will post some pics after this weekend when Caleb will hit yet another milestone...he will be 1 month old!!!
April 14, 2009
More than Parents
A monumental occasion occured this last Friday night that we have failed to acknowledge on our blog. Allison and I were able to spend some time with our friends!!! That's it. Now to some of you this may not sound like such an occasion to be considered "monumental", while to those of you who have also recently become parents you surely understand.
A little over three weeks ago Allison and I became "Caleb's parents" and no longer "Allison and Chris". Don't get me wrong, we absolutely love being "Caleb's parents" and are overjoyed with the opportunity to introduce him to everyone. We have enjoyed spending every minute possible with our little man and have honestly found it difficult to make time for anything else.
I know that as much as I enjoyed the time out, this occasion was made especially joyous for Allison who has dealt with pregnancy for many months and now a new mother. I know that she truly appreciated being able to talk about things other than dirty diapers and doctor visits.
So thank you Wesley and Allison for having us over. It was great to be "Allison and Chris"... even if for a few hours. I have mentioned before how proud I am to watch Allison as a mother but it was so nice to see her as just Allison again. We will eagerly look forward to next time.
A little over three weeks ago Allison and I became "Caleb's parents" and no longer "Allison and Chris". Don't get me wrong, we absolutely love being "Caleb's parents" and are overjoyed with the opportunity to introduce him to everyone. We have enjoyed spending every minute possible with our little man and have honestly found it difficult to make time for anything else.
I know that as much as I enjoyed the time out, this occasion was made especially joyous for Allison who has dealt with pregnancy for many months and now a new mother. I know that she truly appreciated being able to talk about things other than dirty diapers and doctor visits.
So thank you Wesley and Allison for having us over. It was great to be "Allison and Chris"... even if for a few hours. I have mentioned before how proud I am to watch Allison as a mother but it was so nice to see her as just Allison again. We will eagerly look forward to next time.
April 10, 2009
Proud Husband
Twenty minutes after Allison left the house to run a couple errands last night it hit me...I had to use the restroom. Sounds kinda strange to write about but not so strange of a concern when you are home alone with a crying baby. I was only home alone with Caleb for about 30 minutes last night and struggled multiple times to complete the easiest tasks.
Waiting for the opportune moment to strike, I ran quickly to the restroom hoping that Caleb wouldn't even notice my brief escape. He caught on. With the patio door open, all I could imagine was people walking by hearing the cries and think "what an aweful parent".
It was at that moment that I gained a new level of respect for Allison...and a new appreciation for casual trips to the restroom. Allison has not only been alone with Caleb this week, she has been alone with him while he has not been feeling his best. She has dealt with the cries when nothing would calm him, nursed his eye back to normal, finished loads of laundry, fixed lunches and even used the restroom! It makes me so proud to watch her with Caleb and see her patients, love and intuition grow each day. While each day comes with new challenges it also comes with a deaper love for my wife and our little man.
Waiting for the opportune moment to strike, I ran quickly to the restroom hoping that Caleb wouldn't even notice my brief escape. He caught on. With the patio door open, all I could imagine was people walking by hearing the cries and think "what an aweful parent".
It was at that moment that I gained a new level of respect for Allison...and a new appreciation for casual trips to the restroom. Allison has not only been alone with Caleb this week, she has been alone with him while he has not been feeling his best. She has dealt with the cries when nothing would calm him, nursed his eye back to normal, finished loads of laundry, fixed lunches and even used the restroom! It makes me so proud to watch her with Caleb and see her patients, love and intuition grow each day. While each day comes with new challenges it also comes with a deaper love for my wife and our little man.
April 7, 2009
Poor little guy
Yesterday afternoon Allison noticed that Caleb's eye was starting to get a little "gunky". After blotting his eye with a warm wash cloth several times throughout the day, we decided that it wasn't getting any better. Allison took him to the doctor today to find that he has an infected tear duct. No fun at all for him but he should be okay within the next couple of days. Now we get the joy of putting drops in his eye and "encouraging" his tear duct which consists of gently massaging his already painful eye. Pray for Allison as she has to do this alone while I'm at work. She is doing an amazing job but watching Caleb cry all day in pain is certainly wearing on the nerves.
The joys of parenthood!!
The joys of parenthood!!
April 6, 2009
Promised pictures
I promised in my previous blog entry to post a few pictures over the weekend. Another lesson that I have learned is that with a two week old baby, some things get put on the back burner. Since I did not get around to posting any pictures from our camera, here are a couple from my phone to hold everyone over.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to visit every Target in Jacksonville in search of this bouncer. It actually turned out nice to get out of the house all day and prove to Allison that there was still things to do and see besides nursing and changing diapers all day.
On Saturday we had the opportunity to visit every Target in Jacksonville in search of this bouncer. It actually turned out nice to get out of the house all day and prove to Allison that there was still things to do and see besides nursing and changing diapers all day.
Our little Georgia has surprised us with getting along great with Caleb. We were very worried that her jealousy would get the best of her. She enjoys sniffing him out and giving the occasional foot bath to him. 
So far neither Caleb or Georgia really know what to do about each other but I'm sure they will make great friends.
So far neither Caleb or Georgia really know what to do about each other but I'm sure they will make great friends.April 3, 2009
The hidden use of a car seat.
Within the last couple of weeks we have tried just about every idea out there to calm Caleb when he is fussy. Many of the suggestions we have received have worked...sometimes. We have learned the look that he gives right before things are going to head south and we jump into action. Most of the time it's a matter of changing a diaper, nursing him or trying to put him to bed. The latter of the three is where the trouble comes in. While Allison and I are begging to get as much sleep as possible, Caleb on the other hand wants to stay awake for it all.
Last night was one of these moments where he evidently didn't want to miss anything. One of our nurses at the hospital told us that sometimes "babies just want to cry". What she did't tell us was their ability to cry for so long. As things were getting quiet last night and it seemed like a good night was in store for us, we laid him down and all three of us went to sleep. Within minutes he realized our evil plot to sleep and decided to end it (an 8 pound baby can easily overtake two grown adults). A couple of hours later Allison and I were still searching through our arsenal to take back our sleep and calm our little man. We changed his diaper, fed him, burped him and even resorted to the Gripe Water after the hiccups kicked in. With none of this working I decided to take him for a midnight drive. It was amazing!! He could not resist our efforts this time. With Coldplay blaring through the speakers and me calling my older sister for some midnight advice(thank you so much Tami), I suddenly realized something. He was quiet...he was asleep.
After a few miles around the house and a few minutes of dad, mom and baby calming down; I was able to return home with Caleb sound asleep. Once inside the house it was quickly realized that removing him from this magical device would only start the battle again. So whether right or wrong, we let him sleep in his magical car seat. I carefully set it by the bed, tucked a blanket around him, made sure that nothing was within reach of hurting him and we retired from our victory.
Thank you magical car seat for last night's rest.
P.S. I promise to post some pictures this weekend instead of these long winded thoughts.
Last night was one of these moments where he evidently didn't want to miss anything. One of our nurses at the hospital told us that sometimes "babies just want to cry". What she did't tell us was their ability to cry for so long. As things were getting quiet last night and it seemed like a good night was in store for us, we laid him down and all three of us went to sleep. Within minutes he realized our evil plot to sleep and decided to end it (an 8 pound baby can easily overtake two grown adults). A couple of hours later Allison and I were still searching through our arsenal to take back our sleep and calm our little man. We changed his diaper, fed him, burped him and even resorted to the Gripe Water after the hiccups kicked in. With none of this working I decided to take him for a midnight drive. It was amazing!! He could not resist our efforts this time. With Coldplay blaring through the speakers and me calling my older sister for some midnight advice(thank you so much Tami), I suddenly realized something. He was quiet...he was asleep.
After a few miles around the house and a few minutes of dad, mom and baby calming down; I was able to return home with Caleb sound asleep. Once inside the house it was quickly realized that removing him from this magical device would only start the battle again. So whether right or wrong, we let him sleep in his magical car seat. I carefully set it by the bed, tucked a blanket around him, made sure that nothing was within reach of hurting him and we retired from our victory.
Thank you magical car seat for last night's rest.
P.S. I promise to post some pictures this weekend instead of these long winded thoughts.
April 1, 2009
Perspective
Well things have certainly changed alot for Allison and I. With our little man changing every day we are starting to notice changes in ourselves. The things that stressed us out before amazingly still stress us out. The things that we worried about are still daily concerns for us. While Caleb brings us so much joy and wonderment we have definitely learned that a baby doesn't suddenly make things "happy". Instead the changes that we have seen are in our daily perspectives. When we stress about money it is only because we want to provide for him. When we stress about sleep it is only because we are trying to balance rest while not missing anything he does. While work brings on stress it is only the stress of being away from him. While bad drivers still cause "road rage" it is only because we are fearful of our little man getting hurt(so don't honk if I am doing the speed limit).
It is truly amazing how "me" is not even really a concept in our daily lives anymore and even more amazing how I don't even miss it. It's not that we were really selfish before...well maybe sometimes...it's that we just didn't really take the time...or I should say I didn't take the time. I really felt pretty good about myself before. After all, I have spent over 28 years perfecting my "craft". Though it only took one look from my wife a little over two years ago when we met and now that first look from my son that really shook things up. Allison gave me the confidence in who I had become and Caleb has challenged me without words to become more. I've never been one of those that wanted to be rich and have everything and somehow I have become exactly that. While it may sound cheesy...which I know it does... I have become more than rich and I have more than everything. I have a family. I am a father. No amount of money or things, while great or small, will ever be able to change that.
It is truly amazing how "me" is not even really a concept in our daily lives anymore and even more amazing how I don't even miss it. It's not that we were really selfish before...well maybe sometimes...it's that we just didn't really take the time...or I should say I didn't take the time. I really felt pretty good about myself before. After all, I have spent over 28 years perfecting my "craft". Though it only took one look from my wife a little over two years ago when we met and now that first look from my son that really shook things up. Allison gave me the confidence in who I had become and Caleb has challenged me without words to become more. I've never been one of those that wanted to be rich and have everything and somehow I have become exactly that. While it may sound cheesy...which I know it does... I have become more than rich and I have more than everything. I have a family. I am a father. No amount of money or things, while great or small, will ever be able to change that.
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Our growing boy!
