Say Cheese

I hereby dub today the day of baby VOMIT! Mama is having fun learning how to not to get covered in baby spit up after every feeding. This morning in particular was a riot...

11:30 AM Olivia grunts and squirms in her bassinet; Mama picks her up; Olivia spits up on Mama.
11:35 AM Diaper change!
11:40 AM Olivia takes in her first course of lunch and promptly gives it back; one burp cloth retired.
12:00 PM Olivia takes in her second course of lunch.
12:20 PM Diaper change!
12:25 PM Olivia spews forth an eruption of regurgitation all over herself and Mama! Another burp cloth retired, plus Olivia's diaper, Mama's pants, and an extra towel for the floor.
12:30 PM Bath time! Sponge baths for the baby and the mama. :)
12:50 PM Olivia takes in her third course of lunch.
1:00 PM Mama's prayers are answered, and the peanut is back to her burping, squeaking, contented self.

My intention was to make it to the 1:00 PM Mother/Baby Hour at Meriter. Olivia's intention was to eat, puke, eat, puke, eat, puke. Alrighty, then! Hehehe...this mama is happily resigned to the baby's schedule.

Nonetheless, we made it to the playgroup...at 1:50 PM! I was so proud. I wonder what adventure is in store for us next week...

Three Amazing Weeks...

Three weeks today. For three weeks, I have been a Dad. It’s an indescribable feeling, and yet the experience, I am learning, is surprisingly universal. I stumbled across this site in my searching, and quite a few of the essays rang true with me. Read “First Month Reflections” and “Dads breastfeed too”. These sum up my experience pretty well.
Here is a link: http://www.daddyshome.com/

I am glad that I came across this site. It was good to read how other men experience this amazing part of life. I am comforted knowing that other men feel the same as I do.

I want so much to be a good, loving, present Daddy to Olivia, and have made every effort in this since I watched her born into this world, cut the cord, and absorbed her presence along with Lee when she was placed on her chest. I am honored and humbled by the fact that I get to be this beautiful little girl’s Daddy!!

What, exactly, does that mean? To be a Daddy? I, like so many of my generation, really have no idea. My Father is a good man, and I am happy to call him a friend, but things being what they are, he never really showed me how to be a Daddy. I have other possible examples in my life; Grampa, Ryan (with his boys), Ron. I have the ultimate example… and maybe that is where this innate sense that I seem to I have comes from? Thing is, as is the case with all things regarding God, I am too easily distracted. I have a sense of what it means to be a good and loving father, but ideas of the world inevitably push them aside, and of course, I allow them to, for a while.

I feel as though what it means to be a Man has been lost to us in our culture. I said something to Stef, our Doula and dear friend, not long ago. She was talking about “Men” being afraid of infants. My reply was that any “Man” who is afraid of an infant is a boy. And yet the cultural idea of the “Man” being the provider and the rule giver in the family, having a very hands off role with the children, is still very prevalent. I am glad to see that there are more men out there reclaiming what it means to be a man.

My hope is that in the next few generations, we can get away from the idea of “the man of the family” as the detached, Ward Clever-esque, rule giver, based on the ridiculous conception of God from the fifty’s (or was this idea based on the cultural reality?), and move towards the idea of the supporter, the caring, strong shoulder to lean on, the guy who makes sure that the family has fun every chance they get. Something a bit closer to my experience of God. And it is also my hope that I will be able to show my little girl this kind of Daddy, and this kind of God, more often than not!!

A Summons for Blessings

Today's recipients of the KLASS Award (Keeping Lee Alert, Sane and Smiling) are Miss Lavinia Spalding and Miss Aimee Ringle.

Lavinia gave me a book this past fall called "The Diaper Diaries: The Real Poop on a New Mom's First Year". (Yeah, just the title is enough to make you laugh, right?) Cynthia Copeland wrote it with the express intention of reminding new moms that while taking the rollercoaster-worthy learning curves of motherhood, laughter is a habit worth acquiring: "Despite the exhaustion, frustration, and sheer terror that accompany new parenthood, there are funny moments to be cherished and shared". I have been laughing my way through this book all day, and not a moment too soon! This afternoon, Olivia and I are spending less time on each other's nerves and more time in each other's arms.

Aimee came to Madison this past weekend and gifted the Hayes family with four new mix CDs. God bless Ringle mixes! For anyone who has the honor of owning a Ringle mix CD, you will no doubt agree with me that they are truly the creme de la creme of mixes. For the past couple of days, I have been cycling through Belated Wedding Mix, Mix for the New 'Rents, Lullaby Mix for Olivia, and Hella Cool Mix. The music alternately inspires tears, laughter, dancing, smiles, held breaths, deep breaths and all throughout, great, great Love. Aimee, I'll weave your words back to you: "When I need to remember that the sacred, the beloved, and the friggin' nifty delights of life can be found all in one place, I think of you."

Thank you, ladies!

Presenting Miss Olivia Lee Hayes!

Today was Olivia's big debut in Verona! Gramsy and Franpa hosted an Open House this afternoon to introduce Olivia to our family and friends in the area. Mama made sure the wee one was full of milk going into it, so she slept like an angel for most of the time, allowing the star-struck guests to let their eyes glaze over and smiles melt onto their faces as they took turns holding the little peanut. Mama and Pappa's eyes were pretty glazed over, too, as Gramsy had ordered a 12" Craig's cake to help celebrate this sweet occasion (for those who don't know about Craig's Cake Shop in Verona, WI, please contact us for details). Our official family photographer was able to attend and took some more wonderful pictures: stay tuned to the Hayes Family Photo Galleries for the latest and greatest!

3AM Cravings

I rarely had cravings for any particular foods when I was pregnant. Sure, there was the occasional wistful moment of pining for the verboten, but otherwise I was content with the bounty before me. (I'm sure being in Boulder for a good chunk of time had much to do with it!) Now, however, being awake at all hours of the day and night, I find myself especially ravenous at my 3AM(ish) feedings. Lately, graham crackers with peanut butter are a MUST HAVE. Curious, no?

Two Week Check-Up

Yesterday we took Olivia in to see her pediatrician for her two week check-up. Olivia is growing fast! She now weight 9 lbs 7 oz (maybe even more today!) and is 21 inches long. Her eyes, ears, nose and throat look great, and her heart rate is as strong as ever. This was her last "easy" visit for awhile - we'll start the shot series in March...eek!

The Mighty Babe Ventures Forth

Olivia shows off her superinfant strength:

What a honey!

Olivia got all dolled up for Pete's visit this afternoon! Thanks to Stephanie Harpt for the cute outfit:)

In the works...

Our Blog is just getting started. We will do all that we can to get it going soon. in the meantime, since the whole idea of a Blog is truly egotism at it's core, here is a link to some photo galleries of our wedding and Baby Olivia posted by Grandpa Franson, er, I mean Pete!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/peterfranson

ENJOY!!!