Mia's Adventure thru Babyland.

Back in Buisness

2010-01-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

I realize that it has been almost a year since our last post from Babyland and for those that did, are or have been reading I offer you a most sincere apology. The majority of my off time has been dedicated to the Army, school and starting up my photography business -- Shameless plug here--- www.petriemax.com. Much like the little M it has been evolving quite fast.

NO EXCUSES though! We are back with a toddler vengeance blog hard, nap hard and write on the walls with crayon till someone picks us up and loves us!

Where to begin? Well the little M is wonderful she is adorable and mischievous and all the things I imagine a two year old should be. We were worried about her speaking as she has been taking her time but she is showing a great progression. She is still way behind our friends and some of her younger friends but she could probably knock there diapers off in the octagon so it's a level playing field.

This has always been a photo-centric blog so lets get started:

I know she is freakin adorable right? Full head of curly hair teeth and curiosity I mean what more could you ask for?

So here we are back and at em! Please check back regularly because we will be here.

And here is some holiday love.

Welcome to Toddletown

2009-02-07T15:36:00.000-08:00

Forgive me dear readers your humble narrator has been silent for far too long.

The Littlest M's trek through Babyland has kicked into second gear, where she no longer walks but imitates what we the mobile would call running. Her crashes are no less dramatic however we seem more damaged then she ever does. Hopeful it will always be that way...

She has padded her way through the infant stage and has landed whole heartily as a toddler. How did this happen so fast? I worry less about her survival and more about her development. I am convinced we are going to raise a child to be everything we stand against like a communist or a Jankees fan!

Alas we continue to work solely on instinct and hope the best shines through.

She tries to put on her own shoes and socks. Sometimes on her head, but she is just "thinking outside the box." Still she is "the smartest baby in the world!," even if she isn't actually smart. Yet she is aggressive and I often find that to be more important in my life!

Her independence frightens and excites me, I have infinite hope it means she is unafraid to meet life head long and take on any challenge -- except dating. None for us thanks. Is it to early to talk about a nunnery?

Well, reader the little M. says hi, although its sounds more like "bdDa!"

Let us not stay away for so long.

Tabula rasa -- The parent artist

2008-12-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

Tabula rasa is Latin for blank slate. It is a philosophical theory that all persons are born without any mental content, and all their resources and knowledge are simply all the things they process through experience, and sensory perception.

We are born a blank slate to be molded like clay.

OK this scares the crap out of me. Give an artist clay he makes the thinker. Give me clay and you get a cheap looking ashtray.

If we believe this theory (and I might a little bit), Trixie and I will be directly to blame for EVERYTHING, because we filled the little m's brain with her learnin.

Jeez the pressure. What if we imprint something bad on her little hard drive? Will she grow up to have an irrational fear of wood stoves, dog bowls and dog beds because I don't want her to have burnt hands, a face rash and malaria!

Oh crap she saw me in the bathroom does she have PTeSD?

Now I can't believe everything is a learned response. For instance animals in the wild will circle around in the grass a few times to pat down a nice bed and a view of danger. I see domesticated animals circle their own little spot on the carpet tons of times. They don't have predators...

and well as much as she pretends the little m. is not a domesticated or wild animal.

Perhaps I should take an art class....

The Bravo One Eight List

2008-12-13T11:05:00.000-08:00

I wanted it to sound important with a military ring to it. Simple easy to say. So, from here on out, it will only be referred to only as the Bravo One Eight List.

I am good at the moment. I have an ability to look around and "smell the flowers" if you will. Take Trixie and my wedding, somewhere between the vows and the wedding cake I stopped looked around at my new wife, my family and friends and thought wow, what a moment. Even in some darker hours, like a concrete bunker in a foreign land with people I don't know clinging to me like I could somehow deflect the mortars that are dropping like hail on an August day. My first thought of course is gee I hope I don't die but my second is wow, what a moment.

Having said this, with the Little M. I often try to rush the moment to get to the next one. I can't wait till she can sit up, crawl, eat walk and talk. So I have to remind myself to remain in the moment enjoy the snuggling and the random giggling. Enjoy her enjoying us, and life.

I have an idea, a list. Ten moments I would like to share with the Little M. Moments that may help make her life more fulfilling, enrich her, teach her a bit about life. Or simply ten things we would like to do with our daughter before she turns 18. The important part of this list is that it is all American. Certainly travel has helped me learn and have a great deal of moments and I am sure that will happen, however the Bravo One Eight List is also about helping her see why her America is great.

So here we are in no particular order:

10.) Infiltrate the Magik Cingdom and all it's Bushy gardens and aquatic worlds. Save the princess and frame the mouse. (look it's a gimmie who doesn't want to take their kid to the commercial kingdom?)

9.) A fall excursion: Army football game at West Point. RV perhaps? (My time at West Point was breathtaking. everyone should see it's beauty and history. Not only that but it's a secret chance to plant the "west point seed." So she is a girl, this is an incredible college and I have a huge reverence for anyone who attended.)

8.) The biggest Zoo in all the land. Right now I think that would have to be San Diego. I will certainly research it when it's time. (Trixie and I love the zoo. We go whenever we can. The Sydnee zoo, down under was certainly the best but hey this is an American list.)

7.) Christmas in New York . I truly heart NY. FAOh Schwortz, the lights, the bustle. Ice Skating at the rock, carriage through central park, the nutcracker at radio citee. (There are better places to go ice skating then rockafella center, but that moment, there with all the tourists! Besides that's where Trixie and I got engaged so I want it to mean something to the Little M. as well.)

6.)Space Shuttle Launch, at cape canivirel. (This may sound kind of lame but think about it, that dang hunk a metal is going in to space. I mean outer space like off the planet, looking down. It means something.)

5.) The Lincoln Memorial, The whole D.Cee. experience really, but I still remember being there with my dad. There is something breathtaking about the statue and the man. (I was back there recently and it was no less breathtaking as an adult.)

4.) Fenway Park, "Buy me some peanuts and cracker Jahks" (This I can't wait for and hope we check off the list often, how cool is it going to be sitting in the sun talking baseball to my little girl? Up until she starts rolling her eyes at me I guess!)

3.) San Fransisco Treat, There is no lack of things to do in this city. Fun for adults and kids I assume -- because I am just a big kid at heart. (best part is my sister Cali lives out there so we can have some nice bonding time with her aunt.)

2.) Adventure Race, Now this can be a bike trek "across" the state, a half marathon, a fun run, triathlon, the Bataan death march or the dang eco-chhalllannggeee, as long as it's a challenge and we do it together. (The trick is staying in shape for such things.)

1.) The Appalachian Trail and Khatadin, Not the whole thing are you nuts? Just a part, and the hike up the mountain and subsequent camping. (My hope is to get my longtime friend Duff & wife and his little girl Annabelle to join us on this trip.)

That's ten folks, in no particular order, I could easily add about a dozen more and maybe there will be additions or a foreign lands list down the road but it's our baseline. We welcome you to join us on any or all of our adventures through baby land and beyond.

The Little M gets her Revenge

2008-11-27T12:34:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!

2008-11-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

Family

2008-11-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

I remember being in college not so long ago. I was in a dorm room with four friends. Each of us were busy doing separate things in the room. One girl was working on a ridiculously large desk top computer amazed that she could "Chat" on the computer with another student on the campus. The other girl was doing some form of homework, the third person well I don't remember what he was doing but I looked up from the book I was reading, The Stand by Stevy Kings. In retrospect I probably should have been reading a college text book seeing as my college career was short lived and this is the only college story I care to repeat in polite company.

Anyway, I look up from my book and I am struck with the feeling of family, of closeness. Here we four are. All doing something separate and we don't having to acknowledge one another or converse but can still enjoy the time, the moment with each other.

Standing in my kitchen some 15 years later I have that same feeling, only better and more complete. At some point in time this past month or so we ceased being two people who loved one another to three people who love one another. I know the little M. has been around now for over a year but she was more something we cared for and loved but still we had to constantly watch and maintain the food/sleep/burp/comfort rotation. This thing has now taken on a mind, a personality of her own.

Trixie is preparing the meal we will eat after the Little M is in bed, I am looking through the never ending onslaught of bills and Mia is in the living room/playroom walking from toy to toy finding new ways of beating them until they submit to her will. She isn't looking for us to tend to her every need. At this moment she is a separate person in the room enjoying the moment. This closeness, our family.

Christmas Card Rejects Part II

2008-11-13T19:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas Card rejects, originally uploaded by petriemax.

Well, I was right days later and the Little M. is walking. It's as if she found her center of gravity and she is going forward. She's not ready for a marathon yet, a few steps here and there, but it's as cool as I thought it would be. She takes a few steps and gets this giant grin on her face like she has done something wonderful, indeed she has.

For your entertainment -- another Christmas card reject. thought it was fitting for this post as she is standing. I like it because it looks like she got caught in a Christmas trap, and really haven't we all at least once or twice. Caught up in the lights and the snowman.

Poor kid is doomed, as I have her hard at work being my model and Guinea pig for my photography endeavors. Good training because you have a small window to get the shot before the Little M. loses interest.

She is doing well though. She doesn't nap well at day care -- makes me wonder about day care. She does OK though without the sleep, like her dad , she just wants to stay in the game! The big scary ear tubes "surgery" happens in about a week. I swear the poor kids had some tough breaks. I would cry foul if I hadn't been there to see it first hand. She is going to be bionic by 6 at this rate. More on the ears as I learn more about it, somehow it prevents the ear infections -- and she has more than her painful share.

Look for your cards soon, Trixie the Little M. and of course yours truly hope your holiday season kicks of with much love and happiness. If you find your missing any come by our way we have plenty to share.

"Really, do we need lights? Geez!"

Christmas Card Rejects

2008-11-11T15:16:00.001-08:00

Christmas Card rejects, originally uploaded by petriemax.

One of this years Christmas card rejects. We never got around to mailing them last year due to the little M being so, well -- little. I won't beat my good friend care-e but we will be out on time! More thurs, with some other X-mas rejects.

The missing thing

2008-11-05T14:10:00.000-08:00

I am in love with my daughter.

I look at her and I am filled with excitement and joy and happiness and love just a ton of love.

I am smitten. I feel bad when she bumps her head and cries. I saw a big giant tear fall off her face and hit the carpet the other day and my heart broke. I can still see it in slow motion and my heart breaks again.

It's cheesy and big bad firefighter/soldiers probably shouldn't be so emotional and trite. Alas I can't help it. In the very beginning I was committed and excited but truth be told I felt a wee bit worried because I wasn't overwhelmed with love and bonding and the desire to work 80 hours a week for your kid. Now I am thinking 80 is that it. This kid is awesome, I may never get to see her but at least she can afford nice shoes. So be it.

The Little M, what can I say if her pictures don't tug at your heart then I dare say you might need to go see a cardiologist.

I am glad she has afforded me the opportunity to love so openly and so absolutely. It's so different from what Trixie and I have or what I have with my family. Not better, well.... OK fine not better but wholly wonderful.

Wind in your hair

2008-11-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

I am not tired daddy, really., originally uploaded by petriemax.

We're helmet free. The appointment is officially tomorrow, but based on our own opinion and by looking at her head we made an executive parental decision We are pleased with the results and are happy to allow her to be a non-helmet wearing child.

She is right on the verge of walking, I mean right there. It looks like she wants to. Struts around with her little car all day and has no trouble walking while holding on to mommy or daddies hand. My guess is that we are days away from her branching out on her own. Trixie thinks she will be able to see better without the helmet. Her peripheral vision won't be blocked and she will feel more comfortable.

The Little M is currently clear of the ear infection, helmet free and cold free. I am enjoying the moment before the next thing. I assume there will always be the next thing. Be it tubes for her ears or boys and fast cars.

She went trick or treating for the first time, she put the helmet to good use and went as a football player --Pictures soon. I have to get them from others because I am still no good at managing her and a camera by myself. I am getting closer though. She was in true form very cute and fell asleep in my arms during the treating process. The long walk down the street must have worn her out.

What challenges will walking bring. Stay tuned.

Seasons

2008-10-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a month since our last contribution and I apologize for the silence. The past month has seen some joyful times and unfortunately some very very sad times as well.

When last we met the Little M. was gearing up for a trip to the left coast to see her Aunt Cali, finally get married off. The trip was not without it's pitfalls. 3 hour delay in Newarc, time changes for someone who doesn't know what time is and of course close quarters combat in a plane with an 11 month old.

All that aside however the trip was a success and we were happy to be with family and celebrate my sister and new brother in-laws nuptials. We wish them much love.

The little M. enjoyed the wedding so much in fact that she fell asleep on the dance floor to AC/DCEE and was mystified by the string quartet. Who knew?

Now she is one. On Oct. 16 she made the big leap out of fractions and into whole numbers. She is not as I imagined ready to rake leaves yet, though she does try to eat them.

Her one tooth that poked through without a whimper was followed immediately by three more that did more than whimper. Oh the poor little m. She is taking her lumps early.

She gets her helmet off in a week which is wonderful but due to her newest double ear infection, she needs to have tubes put into her ears. Surgery for such a little creature. My hope is that we are getting all the colds, infections deformities etc. out of the way and she will come through stronger in the long run. Alas, what else can you hope for?

She still remains impossible cute and a continued joy in our lives. More on the continued saga of the Littlest M. soon.

Grandpa...

Martin Francis Laughlin 1948-2008

The Helmet and the less Flat

2008-09-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

As most of you may know and can see from the pictures all through our little blog here, the Little M. wears a helmet. Not for her protection, although it does help, but for a condition that she has called Plagiocephaly. That means she has a flat head!

See The Helmet and the fl at

Well, she had an appointment with the flat head specialist today and IT'S WORKING!!!! She had a three millimeter correction from her last visit! Now I know that doesn't sound like a lot but it's clear to us and the guy who gets paid for his opinion that things are looking much better. He recommends one more month which will make a total of four months as opposed to the three we had hoped for. One more months' not so bad and I will be very happy to see that thing go.

But I have my fears...

First is the protection issue, that girl is afraid of nothing! The thing really helps against the plops and tumbles and face plants. The hope is that in another month she will be a little more stable on the earth. Probably not.

Now here is the craziest thing; We take the helmet off for about an hour every night and wash it and bath her right before bed. The other night we are playing in her room and I hand her the helmet and she looks at me, back at the helmet and then tries to put it on.

I am not sure why this simple act moves me so much, and I mean I am moved. Dumbfounded again by the Little m. Is it because this is the first act of her doing something effectively for herself? Is it her trying to do something she thinks I want her too? Or has she just become so attached to that dammed thing that she wanted it back on?

Perhaps I read too much into things, I think differently because she's our baby...?

When people hear your expecting a lot will say "Oh having a baby changes everything!" My initial reaction is "Duh I am not an idiot of course it changes everything. Geeez" Of course I just smile and thank them. The kicker friends is this...

Having a baby changes everything.

Puppy Love

2008-09-24T16:27:00.000-07:00

Oh the adventure continues and the good days are outnumbering the difficult ones. Even though I literally have to pin the Little M. down to change her diaper and the most fascinating things in the entire house are the electrical outlets and the oh so clean dog bed. Not to mention our 130 pound grumpy old woman --No not Trixie, but Melle! It would seem as though Melle only mildly tolerates the newest edition to her bed. Despite the numerous attempts by the little m. to make her presence known said beast has yet to offer up her slobberly affection. Only time will tell and neither of them are lacking in persistence!

Add two top teeth with out a fuss, grump or cry!

Add grilled cheese, mak n cheese, gram crackers and wood chips. Yes, wood chips her favorite snack while playing at the local school s jungle gym. Lets just hope their rich in fiber.

Add that she is on the very brink of standing on her own and quite possible unleashing her little fat baby legs on dogs everywhere. It's amazing to see the transformation and the leaps she is taking toward becoming.

I won't say she spoke her first word but I will say she is starting to imitate sounds. When she falls which she does quite frequently I usually say "PLOP!" Well she fell and I said "plop" she looked at me and said "blop" and then scampered away saying "blopablopablopablop," leaving daddy not knowing whether to laugh, cry or both! Who could have guessed that an onomatopoeia could make a grown man weak in the knees.

We have our first big family trip planned for next week, out to cali for my big sister cali's wedding. I have no idea how we are going to manage the flight out there and then the time change for a week. We will find a way, it's what we do. Find a way.

Forgive my rant...

2008-09-18T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have seen a lot of conflict in my life, sometimes very violent and life changing. So, I tend to avoid it until it is absolutely necessary, frankly I often adopt a "go along to get along" mentality to steer clear of said conflict. This blog in and of itself has a sole purpose of being a baby blog and not a forum for me to discuss politics, war and pop culture.

That being said I intend to break some of those rules in this entry.

America is broken and I am afraid. My heart hurts for my daughter and the men and woman who have fallen for our stars and stripes. OUR stars and stripes.

We The People.

We need change and we need a plan and we need to execute that plan. We need to hold ourselves accountable as well as our leaders. This is not a popularity contest or a talent show it's a hail Mary pass hoping the guy that catches the ball can lead us out of the darkness and into the open. For God's sake vote, vote with your heart and your mind.

Because my daughter deserves the America that I love.

I have seen America from the wreckage of the World Trade center, America hung its colors from their windows and doors and on their front lawn. They sang from their steps and they believed. We need to stop blaming and start believing.

Great fine it's all Bush's fault. He caused terrorism and bank greed, he caused the medias frenzied parasitic sensationalism, he may have even killed Nicole Simpson.... fine but now what.....

I can't turn on the television without hearing the same story three different ways the government may be lying to us but so are our televisions. So are our candidates.

Look I don't have an answer, my heart says McKayne but my head says Ohbahmah. I have this.... Vote Vote vote vote. Because We are the people, it's our flag it's our country and we have to hand it to my daughter.

We made this...

2008-09-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

Dial-Up drama, please stay tuned for an update, for now here she is! -- In case you forgot how cute she is without the helmet.

Baby Bomber

2008-08-31T06:53:00.001-07:00

I often wonder what to blog about. What do our readers want to hear about? I see the Little M. on a regular basis and am amazed every day at all the little things she does. Like how her slow crawl has turned into a good scramble or even how she LOVES her yogurt. So I wait for a major milestone or something that inspires me to write.

Two thing lately have been tumbling around in my head. One is her new found bruteness. I mean she is a thug, a brute. Tales are surfacing of her heavy hand at daycare when there is a toy or item that strikes her fancy. Just yesterday her twin cousin came to town, Avery. Please see Twin Cousins for more info on adorable little Avery. Well, Avery came to visit our home with Sheila's brother and sister-in-law and started right in playing with Mia's toys. It didn't matter if it was a toy Mia never ever cares about, she would shuffle on over and make her toy dominance known. Even in close proximity to each other the Little M. had no issues with throwing a hip or grabbing Avery by the back of the shirt for a good natured tug to the ground.

Now, I would never ever let Mia think it's OK to be a bully. Nobody likes a bully and I am sure we all have one tale or many of someone who has done us wrong at one point in our lives. That being said I can' help but smile and silently chuckle at our little beast. She has the advantage not in size but with the helmet. She is free to throw right hooks and hay makers all day with her face and head protected from a counter attack. Why even her helmet echo's the statement "float like a butterfly" Lets hope she doesn't "Sting like a bee." What to do though? Again me completely ignorant on how to stop this behavior and promote peace love and all that hippie hand holding. No I don't want a bully but teehee for standing your ground and going for what you want.

Second of the things in my head is this; I see me reflected in her. What a cool thing that is. As an adopted kid I had limited exposure to people that looked like me and their qualities that may or may not have mirrored my own. I feel for Trixie and even a little for Mia because she bares the closest resemblance to me at this point. I am sure in time this will change, and we will have equal representation. for now though I am often moved at creation and this thing that continues to develop as a product of us. To be as cheesy as possible -- a miracle.

Lastly as an update to her flat head. (The Helmet and The flat) The specialist says there has been no change in the month in a half with her helmet on. We and others who see her disagree and can see some rounding. The specialist cored out some of the helmet around the flat to help promote more rounding, but it looks like we may have a couple more months of the cranial band. More hay makers so keep your guard up!

Figuring you out

2008-08-15T13:31:00.000-07:00

This picture is similar to another recent one, but I am posting it because of the look she is giving the camera. She is not only noticing things but now she seems to be figuring them out. Or at least trying too.

She definitely has begun to understand that for most of her actions there is an obvious reaction. She hits a toy it makes a noise, she pulls the drawer it opens and of course if she cries we come running. I was thinking about this the other day when I realized I had no idea what I am doing, I mean none. There I said it.

I mean really, are we loving her too much or not enough? Should she play alone or should we be there? Should she eat that? Is she getting enough sleep, is that necessary should we do that? My answer to all these questions and more is -- Duh....

This morning I was driving to work listening to Guyns nd Rosis singing Nitetrain at a volume that is assuredly not helping the ringing in my ears and I am thinking "Wow, I still really love this band, I should play it for the Little M." Even that has me thinking wow that's good parenting play 80's hair metal for a 10 month old baby, the heck with Showpan or Baytoven.

Alas, I imagine most parents go through this ordeal. We haven't broken her yet, dented a little see The Helmet and the flat, but she is still in there, figuring out all that she sees in her little portion of the world. We will just keep showing it to her -- Axil Rows and all.

The terror from the crib

2008-08-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

They say that adversity builds character, that challenges in life make you stronger. Well after these past two weeks we are going to have one strong in character little girl! As you all know things started off with the flat head and her awesome crash helmet, which by the way I recommend to everyone now for the safety factor -- face plant away lil one! There was of course the angry emergence of her little bottom teeth. Then we had a little incident with a bug bite that turned into a spreading rash, lotion antibiotics fixed her up but that led us into her stomach bug.

It's Friday night and I am living the weekend dream, put the baby to bed and sat down to watch "The Fog" (I love scary movies esp. corny ones) and I hear a little cough from the baby monitor. Huh, I think she just went to sleep about 10 minutes ago she is probably fine I won't be that dad, I will just sit here and watch my movie. OK, so I am that dad and off I go at the slightest little sound --Don't tell Trixie!

I walk into the little M's room to see her sitting up in her crib starring at me as I enter the room. OK, so I was watching a scary movie and that freaked me out a little, as this is the first time I have seen her sit herself up on her own and secondly because she is motionless and silent. OK first red flag.

So I walk over and remind her that it is bedtime and it's much easier to sleep when you are lying down, she is a baby she may have forgotten. I reach in the darkened crib to find her binky only to find a fair amount of moisture. Red flag.
So on come the lights and wouldn't you know, Lynda Blare had come to visit and Pea Souped it everywhere! Crib, rails, helmet in the Velcrow of the helmet, blankey, binkey, sheets, lions tigers bears oh my! Oh Trixie where for art thou?

Well after much clean up and from both ends, her ends that is, and a week of bad baby blues we wondered if she would ever get better. She did not, her demeanor was going down hill and she was not the care free love bug we have grown to adore.

Back to Dr. Rockstar. Dr. Roockstar says baby has ear infection! What's next the plague! Oy Vay! Well, good friends we have her on the mend and her smiles are outweighing her frowns.

So, I am not really sure who the adversity affected Trixie, day care or myself but she is still one cute little cookie despite acting like a zombie who hasn't gotten a good supply of brain in some time. Ah parenting who knew it would be so fun. Still if I wasn't me I'd want to be me!

Mia Crawls

2008-07-25T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well we have a lot to talk about all of the sudden.

As the title implies the little M. has indeed crawled, much like life with a whimper not a bang. Two sightings of a modified Army high crawl, this is exciting stuff, I equate it to being 13 and getting your parents car alone for the first time. Places to go people to see and crashes to have. We have been a bit off with the photography and getting them online but rest assured dear readers we have some very adorable pictures of the little M. doing all types of things.

Speaking of new things, the helmet and the flat have added a new dimension to our lives. The upkeep and maintenance is minimal and she seems to be enjoying her new purple and pink butterfly illustrated new hat. She is so adorable in it and to be honest I rest a little better knowing that she has a hard hat protecting her head from the constant flopping on the floor that she does. Every kid should have one.

At the end of the night she gets to take it off for an hour while we clean it and her. The first thing that we do is rub her head with both hands and she instantly looks like a baby on heroine. Her eyes roll back her body goes limp and she literally looks stoned. Like a dog who is getting his belly rubbed, it looks like bliss. I promise a picture of that next as well.

No posts last week as I was away again. I know, I know "You went away again?!!?" How could I? Yeah yeah she is a saint I know. Well, I went to be a counselor at the CT. children's burn camp. This camp is for any burn victim from the age of 8-17, and there were 70 of them who attended the camp. All I will say to those naysayers is this; In order to be the kind of role model that my daughter deserves, we need to continue to embrace the things that are important to us, the things that define us and what will ultimately help mold our daughter into the kind of person that we all hope she will become.

Look for pics in the next couple of days.

Irony and Parenting

2008-07-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine writes a very good semi-political blog that makes my little baby blog feel well babyish. Check him out at Borrowed Suits. His "domestic partner" and I were talking recently. Her name is Jayme and she complimented Trixie and I. She said she thought that it was nice that we didn't lose our identity as individuals when we became parents. She and I decided that that happens far too often in both parenting and marriage or relationships.

People tend to lose their identity to mold to the new relationship. That seems to go to the root of my dilemma with raising a child in today's society. We live in a world where every kid is so super special and everyone gets an award and no one keeps score and everything little Joey or Jane does is wonderful. Their whole childhood everyone is telling them how special and wonderful they are, and they are led to believe that they are "kind of a big deal."

Now, I don't think that we need to be mean to our children but I feel like we are doing a severe injustice to them. It's too easy to become arrogant and narcissistic with whole lives devoted to making kids feel special. Our lives have natural changed and we have adjusted to Mia's needs and will continue to do so, and of course I want her to feel special. Where does it end? I also want her to know what it takes to be dedicated to something, to being good at something, to be modest and sincere and humble -- to a certain extent.

Another friend of mine says she stumbles through parenting, she doesn't think anyone really knows what to do. She hopes that if she gives enough love then when her child is older she will know where to go to get affection.

I guess the comment about identity struck me so soundly because it's so true in life and just the opposite of what is needed. We are three separate people and should not be defined by each other only augmented, perhaps bettered.

Let me lastly point out the irony and my own hypocrisy. The blog by nature has a pretentious assumption that people are dying to know your opinion. And this blog is solely dedicated to tell all those interested parties how special and wonderful the Little M. is.

Right with the Lord

2008-06-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

We scheduled Mia's Baptism for the first Sunday I was home. That passed about a week ago and the event went swimmingly.

Our good friends the Duffs, and their lovely daughter Annabelle were in town for the weekend as well. They had their daughter baptized on Saturday and asked me to be the Godfather. An honor I take on with great happiness and excitement.

Daddy Duff and I have been friends since roughly the 4Th grade, well perhaps not friends till a little later in the Boy Scouts, but you get my drift. He is my oldest and closest friend. He introduced me to my wife and more or less dared me into the Army. Two of the biggest undertakings in my adult life. I was the best man at his wedding and floundered the speech. I know it's suppose to be my thing but I got a little overwhelmed. He was the best man at my wedding and hit the speech out of the ballpark. I mean wow it was a good speech. He and I have daughters that look just like us and they are 7 weeks apart. (See the Annabelle entry for more info.) So, it's only right that he should be the Godfather of the little M. Now they are Godsisters! I know he will be a great choice.

So both events were quick and to the point; holy water, blessings and an abundance of pictures.

Mia actually seemed to be having a good time as the center of attention and in the holy bath. It's good for her considering I am getting her enrolled in the nearest nunnery just as soon as she old enough! Just kidding--Maybe.

As I was busy being the Godfather and Daddy I was negligent in my picture taking. I think Grandpa got some, so as soon as I can gather them up I will post the good ones.

Last two points:

1. Baptising my daughter means that the catholic church is going to be a baseline for our daughters spirituality. However she finds her way to God and her own inner voice is mostly in her hands. We will continue to show her a path with church, C.C.D or Sunday school, but in large her relationship with God will be a personal choice.

2. Annabelle on the other hand is my God daughter and I will take a more formal approach. I think that Daddy Duff and I have similar views on most things and I will line up however he needs me to in order to help his daughter grow and develop into the church.

Amen

A letter to Mia.

2008-06-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

So what is to follow is going to be a letter to the little M. Now, I had a little trouble trying to figure out if I should address her now as she is, all cute and basking in her babiness or if I should address her as someone who would actually read and comprehend a letter from her father. I haven't mentioned but we would like to collect all the posts from the first year and send them off to a company that makes blogs into books. So considering we wouldn't give her the book untill she is a teen. It solves my problem I will address her as such.

Dear Mia,

I wanted to write you a letter about the here and now. I often wonder about my own years as a baby. My life is a young child was not typical and there were a lot of challenges for me. I spent a lot of time moving around. Eight different foster families in fact. That includes different schools different friends and different personalities.

What I hope for you is something very different. I need you to know how happy our world is now that you are here. In a very real sense you fill an empty space that I have always tried to fill. Your that missing thing in our lives. So far we have stumbled our way through the first eight months of your life. We guess a little about what to do. We argue a little and meet somewhere in the middle of what we both believe to be right, but we are never without an abundance of love for you.

We love you very much.

Your a very happy baby, and beautiful. You have big giant eyes that already melt the hearts of everyone who sees you. One of our friends referred to you as impossibly cute. I agree. Yesterday you laughed, giggled out loud at something we were doing and it was as if the world stopped for a moment and we held our breaths. Ask me about it, I will remember it till the grave.

The world will forever be in turmoil, sides will always bicker. If you get one thing from me I pray that it is hope. Hope that if we do our best, and give our best that it will always be enough. I hope for you that you are the best part of me.

Forever your Father,

Petrie

The Helmet and the flat

2008-06-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who has had any personal time with the little m. will know that she has a flat head. There I said it, her head is flat. Anyone who has had any personal time with me may understand why I would like to do everything in my power to ensure that she has every chance at a nice little round head.

I know what your saying oh she is so cute it's really not necessary etc. etc. Thank you, your right she is lovely! Yup were still doing it.

So the process to correct the flatness will require three months in a helmet for 21 hours a day. It's a cute helmet, got little butterflies on it and everything. we will have a ton of pictures for you to enjoy.... I said enjoy laugh with not at. I know who you are.....

Well, I don't have pics right now but we will be sure to keep you updated with the before during and after. Plagiocephaly as the Dr calls it is fairly common these days, even an epidemic according to one smart Doc.... My dad! It has become an epidemic due to the risk of SIDS and the need to keep kids on there back to sleep.

So make sure you tell her how nice she looks in her helmet!

Home

2008-06-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

So I am tempted to give you a nice long post with all the newest and greatest, but I learned in my recent stint away that I should break em down and keep you the two readers I have interested and not overwhelmed. So you will get four or five posts in the next two days, YIPPEE!

So here I am home again. How wonderful to see the Little M. and Trixie again. I pulled into my driveway after the three months away and the 10 hour drive home. I had to park 9 feet up from the end of the driveway because that's where the plow was blocking the driveway. When I pulled away in late March that's how much of the driveway the Snow mountain had overtaken.

Anyway I pulled into the driveway and the first thing I saw waiting for me in her stroller was the very big baby M. The effect was a little startling. I had just seen her in person not three weeks ago, but here was a very big and attentive smiling baby. Well everything was wonderful that night there was giggling and smiles, cuddling, and playing. All things in the world were good again and I had the happiest baby in the world. So, everybody is happy and off to bed. I, thanks to Trixie slept like a man who has slept in a tiny little bunk bed for three months and is just meeting a king sized bed for the first time.

Then there was morning... "wait you were up every hour after midnight?"

"Who's demon child is this and what do you mean your going to work?!?!"

Then began our day together. It was nice she didn't want to be put down but it would be nice to have a free hand. Finally about noon when the green snot faucet was working and the feeding was not, Trixie mandated I bring the little M. to the Dr's office.

Dr said she's fine..... Yeah she sure is. So daddy's out of practice forgot the little thing called a diaper bag. Who wants to get changed have a snack and a toy to play with? Daddy does at the very least. So yeah she's fine.

Well nobody died that day but people were tested perhaps some feelings got hurt, who can say. What I can say is that two little teeth down there on her little gums were suddenly where they were not. And suddenly after two days our baby returned.

Even with all that said I am happy to be home. I am happy to have traded my big green duffel bag back in for a Baby Bjorne (yup spelled it wrong on purpose)

So what I want to close with is this. We are dealers in words and I use them as well as the next guy. We typically know what to say to people to make them feel better to hurt them and yes, to sometimes manipulate them. So sometimes the words seem not enough, so I can't help but not want to use them. In particular when it comes to Trixie and how she dealt with my absence and how she cared for protected and provided for my one and only child. She had help to be sure, which she also had to organize and task. I hope there is a way for me to make her know how important it all really is to me.

It's a shifting of weight. She has the baby squarely on her shoulders like Atlas had the world. I am standing here nudging my way in and for the most part she is giving me my fair share, but I can feel her not wanting to let go. Not all together ready to share the full load. And I so get that, I love it, it's how it should be. So I will stand close and take my shared share and just keep being there.

Memorial Day

2008-05-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

I have reunited with Trixie and the little M. for the long weekend. We have met in the far off lands of Syosset, Looaawwnngg Island. It's actually a city ordinance that you pronounce it that way.

So thanks to our very generous friends -- Ima and Sethe ,who have two young girls of their own, we were able to plug the little M. in and have a nice quasi-relaxing weekend. As relaxing as things get with three very young girls. There were some hiccups along the way. Ima and Sethe's daughters Maya and Elle both came down with a stomach flu, so we were never far from a bought of good natured vomiting. We are thankful though that as of right now they haven't shared their bug with Mia.

So, it was a big weekend for the little M. she had her first airplanes rides and did wonderfully travelling with her mommy. She put on some baby sunscreen and enjoyed her first wade in the kiddie pool. Enjoyed lots of play time and walks around the affluent suburbs of Lawng Izsland.

As for me I was ecstatic to see her. I think she still remembered me which was a concern I was having. And I am sure she would have fallen back to sleep when she awoke at 5 a.m. had I not been so excited to pounce in and gobble up my sweet little turducken! She is a delight, she has her fussy moments and a little impatience as babies I am sure do, but daddy thinks she is amazing. Such a happy faced little sweet tart!

It was a tease though. We had a wonderful weekend we all got reacquainted and now here I am back at school anxiously awaiting the three more weeks till I graduate and get back home!

When I do get home in mid June stay tuned we are having Mia baptized at Saint Max, the 22nd at 12 noon. You all are invited to help us celebrate her, and join her at our BBQ directly after at the homestead.

Saying good-bye is never easy and I am still a little sad, but we are almost there. We draw near the end of challenge better for it and soon normalcy will be very well received!

Mia Mosiac

2008-05-19T04:06:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day!

2008-05-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Maryland! I feel like I have been neglecting everyone. All three of you who might check out the blog anyway! But I do, things have been very busy here and I will say only that I have 6 weeks left and I am touting a 94 average.

Now for the important stuff! Word is the Little M. is growing in leaps. She is holding her head up and looking around. Trixie says she has thoroughly enjoyed sweet potato (unlike ol Daddio) and some squash! Yuuummyyy! Of course the rice cereal and oatmeal are an ever present staple in Mia's diet.

Mommy and the other stand in caretakers are reporting that 4 p.m. continues to be a most difficult part of the day and stroll and car rides are helping the situation. Her teeth being very close to poking through may contribute to a bit of fussiness but for the most part she has my happy demeanor and mom's temper. (look out!)

A big point here. With mother's day here I need to reiterate the importance of this holiday and the huge assistance we have received from friends and family. It continues to be very difficult for everyone to be a single parent and this weighs on me immeasurably. I know that Trixie is busting her backside and literally her wrists to keep everything running around the house and in the little m's new world. I am very sad I can not be there to help but Trixie is doing such an amazing job. I want to thank her on this mother's day for everything that she has to sacrifice for me to be here. She is a saint and I love her for everything that she does. When I get home I am sending her out with her friends family, whomever wants to go out and help her celebrate her awesomeness!

Also to those of you helping around the house and with the little M. Thank you! A million times think you. Think what you want about the Army and the situation but thank you for helping me with my joy.

The countdown has begun, five weeks. I will be home to hold my ladies close and hopefully not have to leave them for a very long time. Stay tuned.

Happy Easter

2008-03-18T20:23:00.001-07:00

Journeyman

2008-03-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have packed my big green duffel bag and headed off to dozens of places. Sometimes only a few days and more often for much longer. It has never really phased me much. It's something I have always accepted as a part of who I want to be. This time however is very different. It weighs heavier then the worn bag on my shoulders. This is not the most dangerous trip nor is it the longest or furthest away, but it already feels like the hardest.

The obvious reason stares up at me with big shiny eyes and innocence unmatched. The little M. has been here for only 5 months and she does something new everyday. She looks at the big wide world now as if someone flipped on the computer switch in her brain and it constantly hums, embedding countless bits of information on a clean slate.

I can only imagine what she will be doing in another three months? I know there will be nothing monumental. No missed words or walking no analyzing War and Peace. It's always the little things that matter most though. One good thing I suppose is that she has the memory of an earthworm. She won't remember that daddy was gone. I am sure I will anticipate everyday --the first smile I get from her when I return. That will help.

I have a chance to be the kind of person my daughter can look up to and be proud of. That will help.

Let us not overlook mommy! She has to be a single mother for three months. To be honest I think her mission will be harder then mine in every other sense. The juggling of work baby home and all the mess that is contained therein. I know she will be amazing and that of course will help.

There are worst things in the world, so it is what it is.

Fear not dear reader we will still keep you informed via remote locations or from the well versed Trixie herself.

So, thanks to all who are pitching in and who have offered. Again your generosity is loved and accepted graciously.

She continues to do well and is growing ferociously. We are expecting to meet our good friends The Duffs with their new baby Annabelle and start their life long friendship and then off I go.

See you from the road!

Jackpot

2008-02-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

BOB* is out today and we are basking in it. Turns out the Little M. is a Cash Cow! She has earned the family her first payday. 300 smackers straight from the commander and chief and his merry band of do-righters. She is contempleting all the ways she can help stimulate the economy. A shiny toy, a sucky thing or some of the fanciest rice cereal. I told her to make sure whatever it is, it's American. It's only right. I don't have the heart to tell her she is probably going to have to pay it back with interest. When she sheds the "Little" to become a Big M that is. Untill then, we will have our day in the sun.

*Bright Orange Ball

Such a girl

2008-01-22T19:46:00.000-08:00

As a parent you can't possibly expect us to be impartial about our baby or even reasonable when it comes to our expectations. For instance sane people wouldn't swear that their little girl was already developing a personality at 4 months and less than 15 pounds. The little M. has already shown her quirkiness by breaking ties with Chico and the B. Once her only friends and confidants, she now shuns them and refuses to make even eye contact. Was it somthing they said?

She has found new and exciting was to communicate, which of course is a great relief to mommy and daddy. The crying is great and all but we prefer the babbling and motor boating. Yes, motor boating. Think thhhhhhhbbbbbbbtttttttttttttttt with a wet ring to it aka. the rasberry.

The first few months were less about entertaining and more distracting. As of late though we are happy to report giggling smiling and what would seem rapture to be watching her loving parents! Your darn right it's rapture, see I can be very sane and impartial.

Now, as for the loving part we are doing a ton of that. To be honest it's the only thing we are sure we are doing right. Some may say we are spoiling her and to those I give you a motor boat of my own TTTHHHHHHBBBBBBTTTTTTTTTT!!!!

Lastly on a sad note daddy has to go away and play G'I. Joseph for three months. Nothing inheirintly risky just a school, a school I have no choice but go to and a great oppurtunity. However, three months away from my new family. I should get a stipen for that, hazerdous duty pay at the very least sick call for my broken heart. No worries dear reader mommy will keep you updated and may be begging you all for help. Stay tuned for more tales from the crib.

Who me?

2008-01-22T06:53:00.001-08:00

Oh my goodness, what a cutie pop! Here are those eyes I was telling you about.

Tales of a House Husband

2008-01-14T05:21:00.000-08:00

So, here we are. This post will be a bit lengthy so I warn the casual reader. I have been slow in the updates lately and for those eager for them I apologize. I hadn't known so many people were checking in until they started reminding me that I had not posted anything about the Little M. in quite some time.

My goodness what a person she is becoming. At just over three months she is quite a sight. Right now she is babbling on about who knows what to her elephant Chico. Both of them have grins on their faces but neither of them are telling why. She is constantly eating her hand, and here I thought it would be some time before we started her on solids. Her best friend next to Chico is a bee. His name is B. Hey, we are a creative bunch. She is definitely interacting now with her toys which is to say she spends hours trying to get them in her mouth. And of course she is a beauty. She is starting to look like a baby and she has Trixies dramatic eyes. We haven't gotten a weight recently but the guess (and I am always wrong) would be about 15lbs probably less. Last night she slept a remakable 8 hours stretch, although my guess tonight she will be back down to her average of 4 or 5.

As for Trixie she is suffering her way back to work and hates being away from the babe. Having recently been promoted to House husband I can tell you that the years I thought house wives had it easy are years that I was severely misinformed. It is a joy and great privilege to watch our daughter do all the fantastic things she does it is also a blessing to be able to share all of the magic she is observing and life she is taking in. That being said it is work to keep up, keep entertained keep clean, keep fed and keep fascinated in said world. Wow, couple with that a terror of screwing it up or damaging the kid for life. I don't know how anyone does it much less a single parent. My diapers off to them.

I am a bad blogger to have kept you waiting for over a month when everyday there is something wonderful to report. My New Years Resolution is to keep you the dear reader captivated with many flax golden tales of the Little M. Till then gagga googoo

Punk Rock Prom Queen

2007-12-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

There is more to update you on and that will all come very soon. The little M. is doing wonderful and doing all the little baby things she can. The holidays have been very busy for us so expect more just as soon as I get a free moment. Just a little pic. to tide you over for now.

Ah, the twin cousins. Aren't they cute? Avery and Mia! The little M. looks great in her dress from annah and SAM-AH. We know it was more annah! Trixie likes it because it's cute. I like it because it looks PUNK ROCK!! Stay tuned friends more of the lovely little m. very soon!

Annabelle

2007-12-11T12:18:00.000-08:00

Duff, is a very good friend of mine. We stood up at each others wedding. I have known him since grade school, boy scouts, high school etc. I count him and his wife as two of the true friends you should be able to count on one hand. Eight weeks after little m. was born we help welcome the very lovely baby Annabell. So starts a new generation of Duff and Mo friendships. I certainly hope they won't have exactly the same adventures as we have but I do hope they have some adventures together. I will try my best to not project my own idea of how good a friends they should be. We all know how well pre-planned things like that work. As a daughter of Duff I assume if she found out there was a schedule or plan she would do the opposite. However, if mommy Stellie has contributed baby Annabelle is probably already organizing her toys. So, another girl in this growing field of babies in our lives. Time to get started on a boy? Probably not quite yet.

Christmas Kick off

2007-12-11T12:10:00.000-08:00

So here for your pleasure is one of the Christmas card rejects.

Growth Spurt

2007-12-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

"Growth Spurt, Growth Spurt" Trixie and I joke with each other whenever there is a feeding that is ahead of "schedule" or completely random, and there are many. Well little did we know that for the little m, growth spurts are equivocal to a little baby earthquake! With diminished sleep and feedings ever more frequent than every two hours our little one has hit this particular spurt with a vengeance. Coupled with a little gas we have learned a great deal more about being parents then the book implies. That this requires a lot of Patience and love. It is wondrous to see each new stage and new thing that each second of baby life brings, even if it brings screeching and crying and helplessness on both our parts. We have to remind each other as we quiver with doubt and fear to trust our instinct and just keep doing what we do. It appears to be working and screams abating. Seven weeks old and she is such a wonder. Her weight is in double digits my guess would be right around 11 or 12 lbs. Head control is better and she has found her hands her tongue and of course our hearts. (image "borrowed from web")

Twin cousin

2007-12-01T15:18:00.000-08:00

I am remiss for having not mentioned this earlier. Trixie's younger brother J.Laugh and her Sister in law D.Laugh had a baby as well! Wouldn't you know another baby girl. Here however is the fun part, Mia was born on October 16th at 09:54 a.m. Their daughter little Avery was born on October 16th at 08:56!! A little less than one hour apart! So, twin cousins it is. It will be fun to see how her side of the family contributes to these two little girls genetically. As of right now both girls are said to look like their fathers, but we shall see how that works out in the long run. Here they are on their birthdays!

Smiles

2007-11-27T16:05:00.000-08:00

The first documented smile. Well more of a grin here but you will have to trust us. Hopefully one of many. You can't see her cute little dimple here but she has one. As of right now it's only on her right cheek?

Raggedy Ann

2007-11-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

The Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls. How cool are they? It's something I haven't thought about in so long but such a big part of being kids around our age and earlier. It's like the fisher price record player with the little plastic records but so much more iconic.

As I said I haven't thought about the dolls probably since I was a kid. So I was floored when Mia was presented the Ann doll from Mrs.Duff. We made a short stop in on thanksgiving, so some of the Duff clan could meet little m. I am ecstatic that she now has that doll. Moreover when we arrived home I was checking the doll out and I had some vague memory of the heart of the doll. I couldn't remember definitively so I pulled up the shirt to find a hand sewn heart that inside reads I love Mia. Well golly, this deserves a very special mention.

People like the entire Duff family constantly move me. They are so wonderful that I almost feel undeserved. I am so thankful that Mia will have people like the Duffs, Prendiss, and LaFives in our life. There are more but just naming a few. So, in the spirit of thanksgiving we are thankful for Raggedy Ann dolls and the people who represent that type of childhood magic.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-27T05:39:00.001-08:00

We have a lot to be thankful for obviously.

Just a few points on our first big holiday with the little M. The day went well. We are so happy to spread the cute new baby wealth and again focus on family.

We headed south early to Trixies parents. Mia's great grandmother was there so we took the opportunity to get a picture of four generations of women on the Trixie line. How cool is that? I am going to touch on lineage again because I think it's such a neat thing. something I haven't seen a whole lot of it so it's another great aspect of having a baby. It's a little group or team that shares something wonderful, even in the picture they all look so proud of one another.

Our good friends SAM-AH and annah were home. This is always a treat for us, again the whole importance of friends and family. A little background on our friend is that he is huge, like see him in the street and get nervous, the really cool part is that the biggest person I know and the smallest person I know were instant friends. Coincidence or not the cooing started upon the Arrival of SAM-AH.

Later in the Day saw us at my parents house where there was more introductions to aunts and cousins. Thankfully our very wonderful cousin Marta took care of the babe during the meal so we were able to relax with the family. So again a big thank you to cousin M. Now auntie M. for Mia's sake.

All in all we had a wonderful holiday and look forward to more interactive ones in the future.

Sorry for the delay on the blog more today.

Discovery and breast feeding

2007-11-17T11:35:00.000-08:00

Everyone must know that parents are biased and probably a little crazed about their little ones. Rightfully so we say. Just the other day I heard myself saying "Oh look she has the cutest little pimples!" Pimples...? Yes, they were pretty damn cute! So, as you can imagine every little trait or moment of discovery is going to get a lot of ooohs and ahhhs. I mention this one because it's the first sign of her picking up on the outside world and I was very excited.

I sit watching the little M. like I always do as if it were the 10th inning of a Sox's Yankees game and David Ortiz has just come to bat. I notice her little hand in front of her face and her following it with her eyes. She is sitting in her car/carrier with the little frog and duck hanging down in front of her. Accidental i assume, she hits froggie with her hand and it makes a little ding. Froggie has a bell in his belly. She then proceeded to hit the frog with wide eyes over and over again. Do I assume a lot? Yes. Could it be like her smiles and mean something else like gas? Maybe. Am I any less amazed and filled with happiness? No.

OK, a brief note on breast feeding and some cold hard truth. For all the good it is, all it's magic, wonderful bonding, and plain old greatness it's just plain hard. It can be stressful and depressing. I know this is a touchy subject, and some opinion is quite adamant that you must breastfeed! Well, we say good luck to them we (by we I mean she) did a very wonderful job of trying it for as long as she possible could, we did our very best tried every angle, talked to many a nurse, lactation specialist and mom on the street. Alas, it's time for formula. May the lactation gods forgive.

Mia meets the aunts

2007-11-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

The older we get the more important friends and family become to us.

The idea of a big close knit family is a great for us. We want Mia to appreciate and have meaningful relationships (eventually) with the people that are meaningful to us. People that shape(d) our lives. That being said, we fully understand that life happens constantly and we each move in our own little worlds. For instance my sister Cali from the left coast who is here for the holiday, and my sister Kat from not so far away made it up to our cozy cabin to meet little M for the first time. It's great to see, it's their niece as much as it's our daughter. I hope that no matter how short or how great the distance we can do our best to bridge the gap.

Truly it takes a lot of hands to raise a baby. ( I refuse to quote a Clinton!)

It's another perk of all this to see sisters and brothers together with the new edition, and knits everyone just a little closer. Personally we think it's just peachy. Just peachy indeed.

Baby blues

2007-11-13T07:17:00.000-08:00

No, were not talking about the five o'clock waterworks, Thankfully that particular post partum anomaly only lasted a week or two.

I am going out on a limb here to say that we have a blue eyed baby! She is officially one month old today. A month already, if she were crying right now I would say it seems like three months, but for the most part it feels like we just left the hospital.

My professional doctors son opinion is blue! Mommy is elated as it's the first contribution from her that she can pinpoint. So far everything else has been attributed to me crankiness, stinky diapers and an affinity for the breasts. ...Glad I could help.

Blond hair blue eyes, is it to early to be worrying about boys? (more pics Nov, 14)

Famous baby

2007-11-11T11:04:00.000-08:00

Here is the Debut picture posted on the Maine Medical center website. Mia I am not sure how long it will be available but we had to put it on here for everyone!

Thank You!

2007-11-11T09:42:00.000-08:00

We are constantly moved by the generosity and genuineness people have shown us since they found out that we were having and had a baby. It is truly wonderful. We have received so many gifts for little M that we have hardly had to spend much to make sure she is properly set up for her adventures in babyland.

She has blankets that ding, and toys that ring
A mat to lay and a seat to play.
Heirlooms to save and diapers to brave!

See how we are getting into the baby/Seuss thing?

All of the gifts have been wonderful, cute and thoughtful. One of my personal favorites is a little pink onsie that says "Red Soxs Girl." Also her first pair of jeans, and cute red converse. She is all set up with a silver rattle and spoon. Both are engraved!

So, moms, dads, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and the rest of our family and friends, thank you!
From the very bottom of both of our hearts thank you. We are so grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives and we will make sure that Little M thanks you herself with many smiles and happy days.

The Nursery

2007-11-09T16:54:00.000-08:00

It's Cute it deserves some mention.

So there is a wonderful book called Guess how much I love you. I bought it for my parents when I was in my mid twenties. I thought it was sweet and a nice sentiment. Well, Trixie and I looked at a few houses when we were buying. In our house hunt we came apon the house that we would eventual buy and of course hope to have babies in. And wouldn't you know the nursery already had the illustrations from the book painted on the wall! Another sign that the house was a must have!!

I told you it was cute.

So, to add to the story, a very nice co-worker of mine gave me a little care package for the baby. It was very nice and very unexpected. I think you can guess the book was part of it. She said she reads the story to her kids and has been doing so since utero!

Far to early to tell if it has any impact on the little M, but I will say you shouldn't ignore the signs.

Welcome to the world!

2007-11-09T14:52:00.000-08:00

On October, 16th 2007 at 0954 baby Mia weighed into the world at 7lbs 4 oz. She made her first appearance a few days early but mommy was all to happy to get her out and breathing real air. As you can see from the pictures she was fortunate enough to come in as a cute baby. None of the pruneyness or typical baby complexion issues.

Delivery itself was fairly seamless. Of course the epidural was already in full effect, and the pushing took about 40 minutes. The labor portion on the other hand phew..... were are going to call it from start to full dilation -- 33 hours!!! You go mom! They started out small and tolerable, and then at about 21 hours in, there was a rather strong plea for drugs!

Today Mia is 3 weeks and 3 days old. Her weight is a little over 8 lbs and moving. She is still a beautiful baby. Her eyes seem to lighten everyday. The majority of the time I am convinced they will be blue and other time they hint of browns and greens. Trixie* has blue eyes and mine are hazel. Although my sister Cali* is adamant there green and hazel is just a cop out. Her hair remains a sandy blond and only as a teaser of what might be.

Pictures, videos, anecdotes and all the trials and tribulations are going to be posted just as fast as we can get to you so please keep an eye on us!!!

*Names have been changed to protect the innocent!