Rolling Along...

Wow!  These past two months have been a blur.  Partially because time is going a little too fast, and partially because we have been suffering from sleep deprivation in this household for about a month.  It is hard to figure out if it is day or night sometimes.  Trying to remember what all has happened is a difficult task.  There is definitely an inverse relationship between memory and sleep!

Months 5 and 6 have been pretty remarkable months for Henry.

Month 5:

This month was marked more by first experiences than milestones.  We went on a mini-hike at the Botanical Gardens at UNCA and celebrated Nana's 46th birthday.  He also went to the lake for the first time.  He never made it on a boat ride, though.  He was having a rough day and didn't want to take a nap. 




















Henry traveled to the beach.  We went to Tybee Island for three nights in October with my mom.  While we were there, a pirate festival was going on.  Right up Sam's alley.  Henry scored us a bunch of beads because he is such a ladies man. He also lounged in the sun.  He really enjoyed seeing the ocean for the first time, but when it came to actually feeling the water, the concept didn't float his boat.  I am right there with you, Henry, the ocean is really big, especially when you are so little, and it was a little on the cold side!  He did enjoy the heated pool, though, in his hot ride.  He also really enjoyed playing with the kite string.

 Developmentally, Henry became much more social.  He learned to start cutting up with people.  He also learned what a camera is for and became quiet the ham.  His little personality is really starting to shine, and boy does it steal hearts!  Not only does he like to have a good time and always has a smile, but he is also pretty laid back and doesn't seem to get too upset over much.




His fine motor skills really began to develop.  He figured out all of the toys on his exersaucer.  He can twirl, spin, push, grab, slide, and shake with the best of them!

He didn't master the roll over this month, but he did find his feet!  They are so yummy in all their sock fuzz glory!


Month 6:

Month 6, however, has been a doozy.   The night that marks the end of month 5 and the official beginning of month 6, changed our lives as we knew it.   Henry was only waking one time a night, if at all, to eat.  This night, though, Henry began not sleeping through the night.  He woke 3-4 times.  A few nights in a row he would turn himself sideways in his bed.  One night he flipped himself all the way upside down.  We deduced that he was working really hard to roll over, which he did later that week.  Whew! We thought we were in the clear.  Finally, he has mastered rolling from his back to his belly, now he will go back to sleeping.  WRONG!  He would wake up because he didn't like being on his tummy, and he couldn't get himself rolled back over.  So, 3-4 times a night he would wake up crying for us to come in a roll him over.  We did this for about 4 weeks.  Just in the past few days, he has learned to roll from his belly to his back; however, this hasn't carried over to sleep yet.  We are just crossing our fingers for the night he rolls himself back over.  He did sleep a 6 hour stretch the other night, so that is promising.  He is also getting used to sleeping on his tummy some, so that also helps.

This month has been a big one.  There was a noticeable cognitive shift.  He began to differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar and form preferences. He has also learned to anticipate things.  He knows that when he rolls over on his belly in his bed that someone will come get him as he looks over his crib bumper longingly. He also notices EVERYTHING.  We think he also has developed a fear of the dark, so he has started sleeping with a night light.  When he wakes up during the night, he likes to be reassured that he is at home and everything is where he left it when he went to bed.  He wants to touch everything.  He loves watching animals; they make him laugh. He has also learned to cuddle, especially with mommy.  He gives me his rendition of a kiss which is an open-mouthed slobber bath.  I'll take it, though.  He really has such a bright, loving personality.  We are so thankful to have him!

Not so sure about this avocado business

The official mark of month 6, Henry started eating solid foods.  His first food was avocado, and I can't say he was too sure about it.  It might have been a texture hurdle he had to get over because the subsequent tries were much more successful and were accompanied by looks of enjoyment and enthusiasm instead of looks of disgust.  Also up on the menu for this month are butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, oatmeal cereal, and something green...

In other news, we voted and shared this experience with Henry.  He made all of the volunteers at the poll "ooo" and "ahhh."  I think he probably had a shot at beating out all of the candidates on the ballot.  We also took our annual trip to Pigeon Forge with Sam's parents to do a little Christmas shopping at the outlets.  Henry had a pretty difficult time sleeping.  We think that Starbucks got my order wrong and gave me a caffeinated pumpkin latte instead of the decaf that I ordered.  So, this would have been Henry's first run-in with caffeine.  Or, it could have just been that he was in an unfamiliar setting, in an unfamiliar bed, and sharing a room with us.  He has slept in his own room since he was 2 months, so he probably didn't know what to think of this.  Regardless, he was up almost ALL night long.  Sam's mom took the longest shift, sitting up with him most of the night, holding him while he slept.  Other than this, it was a good trip, there were still some pretty leaves on the trees, the weather was nice enough, and we got to enjoy some good food and a hot tub.  Henry also got to experience Smokey Mountain Knife Works for the first time, making Sam a proud papa.







Rewinding and unwinding a bit, Sam and I went on a date night in early October.  We went to Wine and Design and painted some pretty spectacular cows.  This was a fun outing for us as we got to channel our creativity and imbibe in a little libation.  We also through a Halloween party, baby style.  It was a little on the early side this year to account for baby naps and bedtime, but we had a good time catching up with everyone and seeing all the cute kiddos in their costumes!

 

 

Dear Henry,

First off, your Mother and I really like spending time with you.  We REALLY like spending time with you from the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm.  2:00am is a good time for sleeping.  Trust me, one day you'll see this.  Although the night awakenings have been challenging, I've tried to remember something your Mother told me she heard in yoga one day: "Wherever you are is where you are suppose to be."  I try to keep that in mind at 10:00 at night, and again at 2:00 in the morning, and again at....Well, honestly, it has been somewhat nice.  I've grown to look at those times as Father Son time.  Your Mother, ever the wise one, told me just this morning, "Look at it this way, he won't need us in this way forever."  Which, isn't exactly true, but it is true that I will no longer come in there and pick you up when you to settle your crying when you are a teenager.  

While I want you to realize that I want you to choose a career you will be happy with, and I am in no way trying to sway you into a career, I've noted a few observations that you may find useful one day when you are thinking about what career path to take.

1. Orchestra director/Animal the Muppet impersonator.  You have two drumsticks.  Sometimes you get one and wave it around as if you are conducting a symphony, a very up tempo symphony.  In a way, I guess you've also been directing your Mother and I around, too.  We move like notes in a symphony for you, or a cacophony.  Other times, you pick up both and hit anything and everything, much like the Muppet, Animal, who is a wild drummer.  Drool goes everywhere.

2.  Veterinarian.  You love animals.  Whenever you see Delilah, you almost hyperventilate.  The chickens make you do the chicken dance.  And you like to watch Gus run around.  Your only problem as a vet will come if you pull out all their hair.  Not all cats are as good natured/unresponsive as Delilah who just sits there and  as you pull out tufts of hair.

3.  Chef.  First, you really like eating.  Milk, sweet potatoes, avacado.  Everything.  I'd say you eat with gusto.  I also think you may have a future as an inventor of vegetable based face creams.  Lately you've been experimenting with spreading avacado all over your face to make an exfoliating mask.  Second, your favorite toys seem to be a spatula and a whisk.  However, the Health Department may take an issue with you constantly licking and chewing on the spatula and whisk.  

4.  Con Artist.  One evening, as your Mother and I were enjoying a brownie, you showed your talent as a slight of hand master.  I was holding you in my lap.  You were waving your drumstick.  You dropped the drumstick to my right.  I bend down to pick up the drumstick.  I went right, you went left - right towards my brownie!  Almost ate the whole thing!

I am also beginning to suspect you've conned me into giving you back or tummy rubs, mini-massages if you will, in the middle of the night.  The theme of your careers seems to be you directing us like a puppet master.

5.  Breakdancer.  I'm pretty sure you showed your Mother your talent for this in the womb.  Now, you roll all over the place.  Front to back, back to front, left to right, right to left.  You can do a sweet "Worm" dance.  Very realistic.  You also like to show off your moves jumping in the jumper.  Throw in a cat to the mix and it's a party.

A side note.  I also believe your first word was "Da-Da" which you said to me one day when I came home from work and was changing your diaper.  Your Mother, the Speech Pathologist may dispute this.  But I stand firm.  Especially since you still seem to prefer her above all other.  Give me this one.

Love, 

Dad

FALLING Behind on Blog Posts....

Here we are, officially fall.  The air has a crispness to it, and the garden is finished for the season.  Henry is 4 months old.  Sam has returned to work, and I have returned to school and clinical.  It seems like we have been in a month of transition, along with the transition of seasons. 

Month 3:  Henry progressively got stronger, more coordinated, and more vocal this month.  He got really good at holding his head up without being so wobbly.  He began to get the whole open-handed grasp thing down.  He actually found his hand, and it rarely left his mouth.  He still loves to kick his piano, but he developed the vocals to create a rich melodic accompaniment.  He must have gotten that from his dad because I have sure never developed the musical inclination.  I do enjoy listening to it though, especially him.  It is the most beautiful music I have ever heard.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Month 4:

This month brought bigger changes for Henry.  He found his feet, developed more core strength, and became much more aware of his surroundings.  He is also at the beginnings of making a few consonant sounds.  He is starting to close his lips and let air escape for a /p/ sound.  This is called a plosive, bilabial for those overflowing with curiosity.  He also definitely has the raspberry down with lots of drool bubbles to show for it.  Speaking of his mouth, he has much more coordination in getting his toys there.  He can, without missing, bring a toy to his mouth with both hands, holding it there for a length of time is a little more challenging though.  He was really working on getting his pacifier in his mouth before he decided that he didn't really want to take it anymore except when going to sleep.  He decided that on his own.  Perhaps he is going to be an independent little guy.  I was as a young one.
With the discovery of his feet, he has been able to really work on his core strength which has allowed him to start rolling over onto his side.  He hasn't made it all the way over yet, but I am sure that will come soon enough.  With the ability to rolling over, we will have to say bye-bye swaddle which we are hesitant to do because it does seem to help him sleep more soundly as he still seems to be startling himself awake.  Already, he has become much more wiggly, scooting himself around his crib. This month he has been able to utilize some of his toys that help him to sit up:  exersaucer and Bumbo seat.  His legs, however, are a little too big for his Bumbo seat which didn't allow us to get a whole lot of use out of it.  Big, though, with muscle!  He can pull up to standing from a laying down position and hold himself up pretty steadily.  He may skip crawling as he doesn't really like to be on his belly and go straight to walking.  That is what I did, but I am not ready for him to be mobile just yet and neither is our house. 
His sleep has been a little crazy this month. He hit a three month growth spurt about a week after he turned three months.  He didn't want to nap, and he became much more difficult to put down at night, not to mention he wanted to nurse all the time.  We are torn about the cry it out method as he still seems to need to nurse sometimes at night.  He occasionally gives us a 10-12 hour night without waking up, which is great, but if he needs to eat or have a little more mommy time, I don't mind getting up once with him in the night.  I have to get up to pump anyways.
He has really developed a personality this month.  Smiling and laughing at things and people he that he genuinely finds funny or satisfying.  He has the sweetest little laugh when he gets rolling.  He also likes to really belt out the noises when Sam plays the guitar.  Do I see a family band in the future?  Maybe I could dance...
He definitely notices when he is left alone now, especially when mommy leaves the room, and he is beginning to make the connection between people he knows and doesn't know.  He also seems to know when he is in public and that it is time to put on a show (smiling, making noises).  We think he is going to be a schmooze and ladies man.  He was definitely hollerin' at a shorty at Cracker Barrel the other evening. 
I could go on an on about Henry.  He has become so dynamic, and it is difficult, impossible even, to paint a complete picture.  He keeps us on our toes and surprises us with new noises and abilities daily.  My newest favorite thing he does is put his arms across my chest when I am holding him facing in; it is almost like he is giving me a hug.  Extra cuddles are much needed when the weather starts to cool down!


Returning to a full semester of school has been a little hard for me.  Luckily, this semester isn't as heavy as it has been in the past.  I am only taking 3 classes:  AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), Master's Project (which is an independent study), and my clinical practicum (which is only 3 hours a week).  My clinical placement this semester is at a Head Start program where I serve preschoolers.  Most of what I do is language based and in a natural environment.  I am working on social communication with some kiddos (turn taking, topic maintenance, etc.), using language whether it be verbal, signs, or pictures (a few are nonverbal but can imitate), and some articulation (how they say their sounds isn't as important when they aren't using words- the goal is just to get them to communicate).  There are two kids with down syndrome, one with cerebral palsy, and one with autism.  The other two are English second language learners.  I enjoy working with this age; they are super cute and fun.  It is mostly play-based, meaning I go into their classroom during center time and join them in their play.


Although I am only taking three classes, my time seems to be very chopped up with commuting and clinic, and it makes it hard to get anything done.  I stay late sometimes on Tuesday and Thursday to work on my Master's Project.  I have gathered all the research, and I will begin writing it this week.  It is due October 17th, but I hope to finish it beforehand and have that stress lifted.  I don't operate well knowing there is something to be done or something unfinished.  I like all the ends tied up in pretty little bows.  After I turn in the paper, I will present it  to an audience and panel of 2 professors in November.

With my return to school, I had to leave Henry.  While I know he is in good hands with grandmas, it was still difficult.  I get to be home most of the day on Monday and Wednesday and all day on Friday, so I am thankful for that time.  Tuesday and Thursday schedules take me away for a little longer because I have to commute to Cullowhee.  Being away from Henry has thrown some wrenches in nursing.  I have to pump while I am away, but the pump is not as efficient as him.  My body produces milk on an as needed basis, so if I am not pumping as much as he actually eats, my body will only produce that much milk which wasn't leaving very much to store up for when I am away.  I was running a little close for a couple of weeks, but I think I have my supply back up and have a good store of milk in the refrigerator for when I am away. It is hard to believe I am almost half way through the semester. I will not miss pumping!  It is inconvenient, but I guess it affords me some freedom and allows Henry to continue to get breast milk.

Besides Henry and school and trying to keep things going around the house (which is only possible with help from some awesome people), I haven't been into too much- there isn't time really.  I make to an occasional yoga class, usually bi-weekly.  I am looking forward to fall break.  It just so happens that Sam will also be on fall break for a few days, so we are running away to the beach.  This trip is much needed!  We have managed to get into a few things for fun here lately, though, with Henry.  We went to the LAAFF festival and saw some neat acrobats and then to French Broad Chocolate Lounge.  We also went to Wicked Weed and French Broad Chocolate Lounge (see a trend here?).  And just this past weekend, we went to The Hop for some lovely fall inspired ice cream (ginger molasses), walked at the Botanical Gardens and UNCA, and then for a birthday dinner for my mom at Cracker Barrel.  We like to get him out and about now and then.  It is good for him to get used to going places and good for us to get out of the house a little.

 

Dear Henry,

Well, first off, thanks for not pooping/peeing on me lately.  You've grown a lot and become more aware of the world, which has made life interesting.   

A few highlights:

8/10: Made Henry laugh with slurping noise.

8/18: Henry made pterodactyl noise.

9/3: Henry enjoyed reading of the nursery rhyme "Carrion Crow" from Mother Goose.

9/7: Listened to rain on the back porch.

9/8: Henry laughing at me when I got home.  

9/13: MASSIVE poop while at Wicked Weed restaurant.  

9/14: Henry fell asleep while I played him guitar.  Later that day, we listened to Unwed Sailor and hung out in the living room.  Very relaxing.  

9/17: Made Henry laugh rocking out on the guitar.

9/23: Watched a great sunset.

9/24: Made Henry laugh with Donald Duck noises.

9/26: Henry reached for me.

I try to play the guitar for you every day.  I usually stick to these songs, but am working on a few more:

"Jesse James"

"Streets of Laredo"

"Darlin' Corey"

"B'ile them Cabbage Down"

 We also go look at the chickens at least once a day.  The other day, your Mom got a little upset with me because since you didn't have your socks on, I let you put your feet on the grass.  You seemed to really enjoy rubbing the grass and the dirt, and I guess your feet got pretty dirty.  I tried to explain that that's just what boys do.  

I'm not sure what we are going to do for our afternoon walks now that it's gotten colder.  There's only so much room to walk around in the house, and no chickens to see inside.  

I think back to the night you were born.  You were just totally in shock and crying, as your mother and I were, also.  You just had no idea what the world was, and now, you seem to have a better idea and just laugh and laugh and smile and smile, as your mother and I do, also.  

That's about all to report.  It's been amazing watching you slowly become more aware of yourself and the world.  I love you very much and think about you all the time.  

Love, 

Dad

Growin' Like a Weed

So, Henry is two months old; it is really hard to believe.  On one hand, it seems like he has always been here.  He seems like an old soul. He has already met so many people (aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc.).  He has also already been on some outings and a road trip:  Urban Orchard, Asheville Pizza, Buffalo Nickel, Grandparents' houses, The Underwoods, Universal Joint, The Mall, and Nine Mile).  On the other hand, it still seems surreal and new perhaps because he is changing and discovering new things in his surroundings every day. 

The first month presented LOTS of joy and some challenges as well.  Challenges first in no particular order:  crazy pregnancy hormones, an online class, Sam going back to work for a couple of weeks before his summer vacay, having to start clinic when Henry was only three weeks....meaning... I had to start pumping week two probably a little too soon before I  had a well established milk supply....which led to painful nursing...on top of pumping....on top of pregnancy hormones...on top of having to leave Henry for a couple of days a week before I was feeling ready.  I had originally thought I would not begin my clinic placement until July.  However, this could have meant that I would have had to go 5 days a week from 8-5.  Therefore, when the opportunity for a 2 day a week clinic placement for only a couple hours a week presented itself, I weighed my options, and decided that this was probably the best one.  Although, leaving him didn't sound too much fun, period.  (is the word period followed by an actual period redundant?).  So all of that is behind me...smooth sailing now.  The waters definitely do not seem so rocky.

Month 1: Henry settled into somewhat of a schedule.  He began to sleep a four-five hour stretch at night, nurse, sleep another 2-3 hours, nurse, and then sleep another two hours.  This afforded us a decent night of sleep.  There was an occasional night where he would wake ever two hours ready to nurse, but he was really pretty consistent.  His morning routine was to wake between 6-7, sometimes later, nurse, and then chill in his swing listening to birds for about 20-30 minutes while Mommy and Daddy ate breakfast.  He is so considerate!  He also really enjoys that wake up time in solitude.  I wonder what he thinks about?

He became much more alert.  He began to notice things around him that were in close proximity or provided a big contrast like an open window with a dark frame around it.  He also developed a preference for the right side of his head which had us worried, but when we called, were told that unless it hurts him to turn his head to the left, it is developmentally appropriate.  He also gained a lot of strength.  He began to turn his head 90 degrees during tummy time!  He also began to explore making coo and ah goo noises.



Month 2:  This month has been much easier, from about 6 weeks on.  He started cutting his feedings down from 12 to 9 or 10 which has really freed up some time for me!  He started going 2 and 1/2 to 3 hours between a couple of his afternoon feedings as well as sleeping 6 sometimes 7 hour stretches which means he is typically only waking for one night feeding.  Score!  More sleep for us! *Sike!  update since I last wrote that...his new schedule is to wake up at 11:30, be soothed back to sleep, 1 o'clock to eat, 5 o'clock to be soothed with his pacifier again, and then 6-6:30 to eat*.  *Another update since we started writing this:  He slept for the first time in his crib last night.  It went great.  He slept from 8-2:30 and then until almost 7.  It was great for me because I am such a light sleeper and wake up for every little peep he makes in his sleep.  Video monitors are the BOMB*  (As you can see with all the updates, it has taken us several weeks to write this blog!)  He has also started noticing faces, social smiling (which is precious), making eye contact, and exploring the many noises he can make (high pitch squeal and sometimes raspberry with his lips which is accidental right now...I think).  Henry has also begun to make it to his mouth with his hands (first his right and then his left), grasp objects with his hand (he is so close to being able to see an object, move his hand towards it, but he doesn't have the whole open fist and then move arm thing coordinated just yet...any day!), hold his head up for longer periods while he is being held, push up and try to roll over during tummy time, support a little weight on his legs, and follow Mommy with his eyes every step she takes.  And, boy has he grown!  He is roughly 23 inches and weighs 12.7 lbs.  It is truly amazing!  He is out of his newborn clothes, plowing through 0-3 month, and nicely fills out 3 month clothes now!

He seems to like the songs Little Bunny Foo Foo, 5 Green and Speckled Frogs, and 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.  He also likes it when I vacuum.  He had his first immersion bath and loved it!  He went from cough-crying to instantaneous ahhhh and relaxation.  I really enjoy swinging him under the big tree in our yard.  I think he likes to look up at the leaves and see the light through them.  He also smiles when I make a ghost noise.  Creepy, I know.  Oh, the things we will do to make a baby smile!  He fills his diapers but also my heart!

He hasn't had his 2 month appointment yet, but we had to take him to the doc last night because his belly button was oozing and he had a lump in it.  Turns out it is a granuloma which is when the tissue doesn't form properly.  Instead of regular skin, skin like the inside of his mouth had formed in his belly button, and the doctor burnt it out with silver nitrate.  It didn't seem to hurt him, but his belly button and the surrounding tissue turned gray like zombie skin!

In not baby news:  Sam and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary at Curate and French Broad Chocolate Lounge.  FIVE YEARS!  Boy, has time flown...I guess that means we have had some fun!  We also checked out Addison Farm Vineyard in Leicester.  It was pretty impressive.  The wine was good and the scenery was beautiful, not to mention it is close to our house, and we don't have to go through the hassle to park downtown for a glass of wine!  Other things we have accomplished on our summer to do list:  badminton, sangria, grilling, eating a Buffalo Nickel and Rhubarb.  A note on Rhubarb: overpriced and you leave hungry.  It had a write up in Southernliving, but we were sadly disappointed.  Should have gone to Cracker Barrel.


A letter from Dad:

Dear Henry,

It's pretty strange to think about how you've only been in the world for about eight weeks now.  All the things you've seen.  The sounds you've heard.  The poops you've pooped.  I'm sitting here on the back porch watching you fight falling asleep.  It seems we spend most of the day out here, and the day just flies by.

Things you like:  Your Mommy.   I think it's fair to say you like her more than me.  And I think she probably likes you more than me also.  So I've been spending a lot of time hanging out with Delilah, who's also sadly been neglected.  But it's ok.  I've grown quite fond of you anyway.  I've always thought of myself as a fairly quiet person.  Your Mother has since informed me that I am actually rather loud.  She usually informs me of this when you are napping, and I'm just walking through the house (rather loudly apparently) and maybe shutting a door or cabinet (also quite loudly).  You also like pooping.  You get a big smile on your face after you fill your diaper.  We take our daily sojourns out into the garden and around the house.  Usually more than once a day.   I think you like our walks.  I tell you about the garden, the chickens, the trees, and usually try to give you some nugget of wisdom, but you usually like to fall asleep when I get to that part.  You like to listen to birds.  One time we were laying on the back porch and you heard a bird and smiled.  I mimicked the bird and you looked and me and smiled in, what I like to think was amazement.  You really like to look at your Grandma's ukelele that is hanging on the wall in your nursery beside your changing table.  Every time your Mom or I strum a few strings you smile and laugh.  I'm not quite sure if you like it when I play the banjo for your on the back porch.  You at least tolerate it.  Sometimes you like to grab my finger and attempt to crush it with your mighty grip.  Sometimes it seems like our world is the back porch and the yard and garden, but that's ok.  It's a good place to be.

Sometimes I worry you'll grow up to like terrible music, video games, or something lame more than all the cool stuff we have to teach you.  Gardening, yoga, carving, basketball, badminton, the outdoors, genealogy, Westerns.  There is so much cool stuff in the world that you can do and create.

Speaking of which, a few projects I've been working on this summers, when I have time, are cleaning old rusty tools, and especially axes.  I found an old rusty axehead in the yard one day.  I thought it was a rock, so I dug it up.  Turned out to be an old pitted, rusty axe.  I cleaned it, using electrolysis on the back porch.  Then with sandpaper and a wire brush.  My Dad helped me put a new handle on it, and it turned out pretty nice.  I found another old rusty axe in my Dad's shed.  Cleaned it up using sandpaper.  Turns out it was my Granddad's axe.  It is a Sager Chemical Axe made in 1944.  Found the date under layers of rust.  It cleaned up REALLY nice.  Still had the original handle, which we put Tung oil on, and it looks incredible.  I also cleaned several old rusty Army picks my Dad had and some old tools Kellie's Dad had.  I'm not sure your Mom understood why I did all of this, but maybe you will one day.  They are really cool.
                                
 My Granddad's Sager Chemical Axe from 1944 (picture doesn't do it justice) and some picks (before and after cleaning.  The axe was in as rough shape as the back pick.
 

I have also been slowly chopping away at two tree stumps in the yard with a go-devil.  Talk about good hard work.  And fun!  I just couldn't stand those things.  The yard will be so much better without them.  Won't have to mow around them.  It will look great when I'm done, and I'm getting close.

You're Mom and I picked a bunch of blackberries at your Grandparents' house last week.  Your Mom made the best blackberry pie I think I've every had.  I guess I helped too.  You'll enjoy blackberry pie one day. 

Well, I have to say, you've really changed our lives.  For the better of course.  It's hard to describe what being a father is like.  I guess it's like this:  Fatherhood is getting pooped and peed on in the middle of the night.  Changing a diaper 10 seconds after you finished putting a fresh one on - also in the middle of the night.  Getting spit up on.  And loving you anyways.  (Because of all the other stuff I mentioned earlier).

One last note about poop.  I was thinking, the other night as I was changing your diaper at about 12:30am, how, changing your diaper at 12:30am is not my favorite thing to do.  You really fight it.  But the next day, I was watching you try to hold your head up, and it wobbled from side to side, and I realized how much you're growing and how independent you are already getting.  I realized how fleeting this time is.