Much better

For those of you keeping score at home, I'd just like to note that day two of daddy daycare was decidedly better than day one. No significant fussing took place, and we even got a walk in today! It's still not as easy as I thought it would be, but that's OK. She's a very good baby, and I'm very fortunate to have this opportunity.

-ED

And the day turned to night

When Ellie cried herself to sleep, around noon, it didn't last long. However, it was just enough of a nap to get me through the next period of activity: I fixed myself lunch and heated her bottle. Her feeding went well and sated her enough that I could shower and get ready for the dentist without incident. Nanny arrived on time and I was off... only to have to take a long ^&*%#$ detour... thanks for the non-warning DOT! As such, I was five minutes late for my appointment. Aargh!

Anyhow, upon my return, I learned that Ellie napped for 45 minutes for Nanny and I walked in the door to find EM feeding a very content baby girl. From there Ellie did nothing but nap. I think the poor thing was tuckered out from fighting sleep, and me, for the better part of the morning. Also, in retrospect, I think she was a bit traumatized; after all, she'd never spent a day without mommy.

It'll be interesting to see if all of this late day napping impacts her sleep pattern tonight. Nevertheless, at least Ellie and I survived today and hopefully we both learned a little something that will help with the upcoming days so that they might be a little less trying for us both. Time will tell. I love you Ellie Rose!

-ED

The first morning...

Daddy daycare opened this morning at 6:30am. EM woke me up to let me know she was leaving and that Ellie last fed around 5am. Good start. That meant I could count on sleeping some more which is key for someone who got off work at 12:30am and crawled into bed around 1am.

Around 8:30am the little one started to stir. I got up, fixed her bottle and checked on her. More good news: as our eyes met, I was greeted by the most wonderful smile. I changed her wet diaper, and it was play time.

After about twenty minutes of interaction, Ellie decided she was hungry - not a problem since daddy was smart enough to get the bottle ready in advance. Ellie took almost four ounces, no problem. In fact, she was still making hungry faces when done with the first four so I prepared two more ounces. While doing that, I unloaded the dishwasher. As it turns out, I was so preoccupied with the dishwasher that I overheated her bottle. More good news: daddy and Ellie had more time to play while the bottle cooled.

Once done with feeding and taking it all in for a few minutes, Ellie started to fuss around five 'til ten. I'm pretty sure it was the "I'm tired, but I don't want to sleep" fuss; and, from there it was all downhill. I tried to get her to nap. She'd go about five minutes and then fuss again; this went on for twenty minutes. Then EM called to check on us which kind of set us back some more. Then while rocking Ellie, I noticed two neighborhood dogs running loose. I put Ellie in the crib and worked on corralling the little run-a-ways (I know this won't win me any parenting awards, but I couldn't let the doggies get hurt). By the time I got back in, Ellie was in full fuss mode. After trying everything I could think of without success, I finally decided around 11:30am to let her cry herself to sleep.

So here I sit, at 11:52am, and Ellie is finally sound asleep. The first morning of daddy daycare is nearly in the books, and it's been a full day already. I still have to shower, eat lunch, feed her, hand her off to Nanny and make it to the dentist by 2pm. EM should be home by 3:30pm to help out, so wish us luck and stay tuned for updates... as I'm not quite sure what it is I got myself into.

-ED

Uh oh

Today is EM's last day at home before returning to work... that means daddy daycare opens for business at 6:30 am - sharp! EM's upset. I'm nervous. And Ellie, as far as we know, is oblivious to it all. Fasten your seatbelts!

-ED

And the winner is...

...the Optimist Mom!!!

Many readers of this blog choose to remain anonymous and that's fine (heck, I try to maintain some level of anonymity myself). However, of the readers I know, I had a hunch the woman I like to refer to as RAA would come through. Anyhow, the answer to "the connection" was... song titles:

• Doctor, Doctor - Thompson Twins
• Tiny Bubbles - Don Ho
• Saturday in the Park - Chicago
• The Connection - Phish

This geeky little exercise of mine underscores my love of music. It's a love that I hope to pass on to Ellie. I can only hope such a love mainifests itself in my kind of music rather than strictly popular music (mind you, I'm not thumbing my nose at all popular music). Moreover, I would love it if she learns to make music as that is a skill that has always elluded me.

I do, however, have a knack for making up songs. It's nothing I would dare call, or equate to, writing music since all I really do is take the tune of a song and change the words. It is nevertheless, in my opinion, a talent (albeit a very small talent) that I possess. Take for instance my latest offering to Ellie (sorry, I can't remember which tune I borrowed):

Ellie Rose is a cute little girl

cutest little girl in the whole wide world

Ellie Rose is cute and sweet

from her two blue eyes

to her two little feet.

Even if it isn't talent, it serves it's purpose:





-ED

The Connection

Today's post is not really about Ellie even though I know that is completely contrary to the "mission statement" of this blog. Today's entry is about you, the reader. This little blog dedicated to one precious little girl is reaching a little milestone - 1,000 visits. In an effort to mark this achievement, I thought I'd have a little bit of fun* interaction with Ellie's fans.

This blog has been an entertaining experiment for me and I've been delighted with the results as well as the responses I've received. It's really neat to think about 10 weeks (that's right, she's ten weeks old and I guess I've just contradicted myself by making this post kind of sort of about her - oh well) of a new life being tracked, in this forum, by countless people - friends, family, acquaintances and strangers. I've noticed hits from all across the country and, even though I'm sure it was by accident, all over the world - thank you all for tuning in.

Now for the above-promised interaction. Your mission: tell me what the four most recent posts have in common (other than, of course, Ellie). The first one to correctly notify me, in any manner you choose, will earn bragging rights. Additionally, if you really push me on the issue of compensation, I could be persuaded to send you a framed image of your favorite Ellie picture (this might sweeten the pot for any non-competitive family members out there; otherwise, I could possibly be embarassed by an overwhelming lack of interaction).

-ED

*I realize this may be construed by some as a pathetic example of fun.

Saturday in the park

In June, we chronicled Ellie's first play. It is in that spirit that I now realize I forgot to chronicle another first - her first concert. Last Saturday, in the town square, we attended a big band concert with Nanny, Grandpa, his sister Ron (Veronica) and her family (in town from NJ). Once again, Ellie was very well behaved and fun was had by all.

-ED