A Tribute to Dads

I admit I was slightly nervous about some of the tasks that Mike would take on as a father--mainly diapers(if you saw our cat litter box you'd understand). However, Mike always ensures that Collin is promptly changed (and as he likes to remind me, he does most of it). Mike is a natural dad and despite early trepidation, it's evident that he loves fatherhood.



Collin snuggles with dad in bed and Mike reads him books, goes on walks, and gives our little guy lots of kisses. Rewind five years ago when we first started dating and Mike's choice evening would probably be out with his friends at a bar or restaurant, drinking beer and cracking raunchy jokes. Now most of our nights are spent watching a DVD with Collin in-between us and passing out before 10pm (believe it or not, it feels like a pretty sweet life).

Both of us were raised with supportive, loving dads that instilled important values in our lives, played and had fun with us, and helped us grow into responsible adults. I'm thankful that Collin will get to learn and bond from each of our fathers as well and of course he has a great role model at home.

No napping = Mom goes crazy

Lately Collin has decided he does not need naps. I should clarify; he has no problem falling asleep while eating, or in my arms, but once put in his crib will either a) start shrieking, or b) trick me into thinking he is actually asleep so when I begin to do some sort of activity he will start screaming shortly thereafter.

He will fall asleep on walks and on drives in his car seat but that's obviously not always convenient. I've tried reasoning with him (doesn't he know he's supposed to be getting 15 hours of sleep with day and night?) and begging him (he thinks this is funny). But alas to no avail, he triumphs with his quivering bottom lip.

Then of course there are all the so-called sleep expert advice: Swaddle him (he manages to be Houdini with a blanket), routines (he doesn't seem to care if 1 pm is supposed to be nap time); crying it out(any more than 15 minutes of screaming feels like forever and cruel for a 2-month old). I guess at this point all I can do is hope and pray and wish and whatever for Collin to decide this is a phase.

I know I can't complain too much because he's not a bad night sleeper. He has been sleeping in his crib for long stretches--two nights in a row of seven hours. Of course last night he decided it was time to party at 2 - 4 am. Still it would be nice to have a little "me" time during the day--which at this point usually means laundry, exercising, or working.

Now I will attempt to put the sleeping creature on my lap in his crib. Mwahhahaha (insane laughter erupts).

Coos and smiles

Lately Collin has become quite the conversationalist. If I actually understood his language he'd probably be saying things like, "Hey mom, give me your boobs I'm hungry," or "I'm sitting in my own poo here, help me out."

Hearing my baby's coos is no doubt one of the sweetest sounds. Complete with big smiles and even some laughs, Collin is definitely starting to grow into a little person. And finally do more than just sleep, eat and poop.

2 Months!

Two months in grown-up time is nothing--it's a countdown to a deadline or a vacation. But in baby time, it's leaps and bounds. On Collin's birth date he was a pink wriggly creature with eyes that barely opened. Now he has a peaches and cream complexion with chunky rolls of healthy baby fat. His cheeks long to be pinched and his sandy colored hair forms a perfect swirl. He has already outgrown some of his onesies and will hit the 15 lb mark in no time (instant arm sculpting/back breaking for parents). Collin is awake 70% of the time during the day and gives us a break with a few naps. He sleeps pretty well through the night and usually wakes once to eat.

His huge blue eyes look around in wonder and fixate on lights and faces. He opens his mouth wide to smile and lets out squeaks, grunts, and coos. His hands still operate on their own wavelength however he has figured out how to self-sooth by sticking a couple fingers or a whole fist into his mouth and has also started batting at toys. He seems to like his Infant to Toddler Rocker which vibrates like a bed at a cheap motel. The car seat is generally an instant "off" switch to crying and fussiness. Unfortunately he has decided the swing is some sort of medieval torture device.

In his second month Collin has spent lots of time with both sets of grandparents, met new faces, hung out with his Uncle Devin and continues to grow and discover the world every day. It's exciting to watch his little personality develop and see everything fresh and new through baby eyes.