The year in review...

...and, oh, what a year it was! Here are just some of the highlights:

January: EM could feel Ellie kick;
February: I could feel Ellie kick;
March: We began birthing classes;
April: AK threw EM a baby shower;
May: Co-workers threw EM a baby shower, and birthing classes ended;
June: This blog goes live, and two weeks later Ellie makes her big arrival on Father's Day;
July: Ellie is christened, and I go back to work;
August: I came up with "Ellie's song" (a seemingly unimportant matter, except that I used it with much success, once again, just a few minutes ago to help Ellie go down for her nap);
September: Daddy daycare opens;
October: We go on our first family vacation;
November: Ellie starts solids, NC State beats UNC, and EM makes her first contribution to this blog;
December: I am deprived of Ellie's company for one long weekend, Ellie takes on an alter ego, and she finally rolls over.

Whew! I'm wiped out. With that said, I just know that 2008 will be even more compelling. So tune in from time to time, and I'll do my best to keep you up to date.

-ED

Xmas recap

Our Christmas celebration was essentially a three day affair. The highlights include: a gathering at aunt Brandi's house with my side of the family; a Christmas Eve brunch with aunt Katie, nanny and grandpa; Christmas Eve mass; and, Christmas day at nanny and grandpa's house. Missing: my dad and stepmom in Las Vegas and uncle Bill and aunt Dani in Philadelphia (in both cases, recent moves/home purchases ate into vacation times and budgets for travel). Ellie was lavished with cool new toys and plenty of clothes. Our gift from Ellie: after weeks of anticipation, she rolled over - on her own - not once but twice (followed up with another roll over this morning). As good as all this was, I can't wait for next year!

-ED

Merry Christmas!

Lots of love to everyone from Ellie, EM and ED!

7's are wild

On Wednesday we went to see Dr. Betsy for Ellie's six month check-up and immunizations. If you'll recall, our last such visit did not have the best of results. Anyhow, Ellie was wonderfully well-behaved as usual. Her crying during/after the shots was a little more pronounced but we expected that due to her increased awareness (and it still wasn't that bad to be honest). Her stats: 17lbs, 7oz.; 27in long; and, her head circumference is 17in - all of these put her in the 75th percentile or higher. However, the best thing about the visit (and aftermath): 48 hours later and there is no fever or other concerns. Hooray!

-ED

A message from Ellie....

"Hi! I'm Ellie PantHead. I like to wear pants on my head. My nanny taught me how to do this. But, enough about me. Today my mommy is 30. That's old in case you didn't know. It's ok, though, because I love her very much. Happy Birthday, mommy. I love you! Oh, and daddy says he loves you, too."

6M

Getting better

We've had Ellie practice sitting and standing for some time now. But, it seems that just in the last couple of days she has gotten much better at both. I'm not saying she can do either on her own right now, however, the improvement is evident nonetheless.

-ED

Please don't worry

We received a call today, from AK, expressing concern based on my last two posts re: the funk. It's nothing that Ellie's fans should worry with; it's just an explanation as to why my posts haven't been more frequent or perhaps more enjoyable. It is what it is, and I was just trying to explain that nothing is wrong with Ellie - she's wonderful!

-ED

Just the usual

Nothing new to report here. Still a little funky; EM is too. Ellie is wonderful. We blew leaves yesterday... lots of leaves. Ellie napped through the first half of it. During the second half she actually sat outside, in her stroller, and patiently watched us while playing with her toys. I don't have a picture of her doing so outside, but the pics here give you a basic idea of what she was doing - for an hour-plus. She's a good baby.












-ED

Sorry

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. As such, I haven't really felt like posting anything - I apologize. However, in case you were wondering, Ellie is doing wonderfully well and my time with her is the only time I feel relief from the funk. Thank you, Ellie.

-ED

Joy(?)

I got home this morning around 1am. I stopped by Ellie's room just to look at her and stroke the top of her head. I went to bed comforted by the knowledge she was home.

Then, around 7:30am, I was awakened by the sound of Ellie stirring. As I walked in her room, our eyes met and it was impossible for us to contain our smiles - what a joy to be reunited with my baby girl! This feeling, however, changed just a bit when I picked her up... and... felt... and smelled... the present she left for me. Blowout. Back to reality....

In any event, it's been nice to get back in touch with my little one. I swear she's taller than when she left. More vocal, too. Welcome home, Ellie. I missed you.

-ED

More sorrow

Ellie, EM and Nanny were scheduled to touchdown at 4pm today; and, though I have to work tonight, I thought there was a fair chance I could see them briefly before leaving for work. However, EM just called to say that the winter weather in the northeast has delayed their flight by an hour or more. As such, I won't get to see my baby (at least see her awake) until tomorrow morning. Sigh.

-ED

Sorrow (cont'd)

Now I can discuss...

Yesterday, EM and Ellie (and Nanny) left for Philadelphia. That's right. The mean old ladies (EM and Nanny) took daddy's baby girl, and left me here all alone (well, I'm not really alone - I've got two sad sacks for dogs moping around the house to keep me company - yeah).

The reason I couldn't talk about this cruel and senseless abduction (other than it being too painful for words) is that fact that they went up there for a surprise bridal shower. Uncle Bill and Aunt Dani are getting married in March, and so it was decided that now would be a good time for the shower.

Anyhow, I spoke with EM today and last night. Everything seems to be fine. Ellie handled her first flight pretty well. We think her ears must have bothered her a bit, though, since on the ride from the airport Ellie was a crying mess according to EM; but, other than that, she's fine albeit out of her routine.

The girls come back Sunday night, so I'm about half way through this ordeal. I hope Uncle Bill and Aunt Dani appreciate this gesture. After all, no tangible gift we give could compare to the generosity and sacrifice displayed this weekend by yours truly.

I miss you Ellie! Daddy loves you!

-ED