Aw, Shucks
(Mike cutting strawberries to add to some cottage cheese for Sam -- he's pretty excited)
S: "Daddy?... I think you are... just about the NICEST... boy in the whole wide world."
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February 23, 2008
February 16, 2008
Yes We Can - Get Things Done
Covers of the two books I'm reading:
Eerily similar, right? And both are great books which get through to me even in my sleep deprived stage.
But looking at them both on my bedstand got me thinking... Barry is looking for a running mate, why not David Allen? What does a visionary, big thinking, agent of change need more than a ruthlessly productive, tactical, organized productivity czar? Wouldn't this take all the air out of the 'no-specific-plans' and 'impractical idealism' criticism constantly hurled at him?
Imagined dialog:
"The people think I'm hopecasting (sigh). What's in my folder for 'never', David? Get off the Nicorettes? Exactly. At least nobody can say I'm taking on everything."
And what would Obama's workflow notes look like:
"(Context telephone) Next step in GOAL -- fix health care, restore America to world leadership, create unity between red/blue states, re-strengthen New Deal policies, exit Iraq -- call 10 superdelegates to beg for their votes". YES WE CAN.
February 12, 2008
Daddies and Girls
The newest Foster is here, and she has kicked things off well in the real-keeping department (if you consider pooping 5 minutes AFTER EVERY DIAPER CHANGE keeping it real).
In true family-blog form, I will share the details of the birth and then get on to what it means to me (pictured daddy above).
Part 1 -- details of the birth:
On Thursday night, Feb 7th -- beginning of Chinese New Year in the Year of the Rat, for what that's worth -- Becky started having some light contractions. She had been getting these every night, subjecting us to a handful of false alarms and sleepless nights prior to baby arriving. We watched LOST (Claire and Aaron are totally in the Oceanic 6) and Survivor (bye-bye Fairplay) and tried to settle down for bed. Not happening. The contractions got stronger and closer together, and we called the great DEBBI to come watch Sam at 3:15 in the AM.
Er, we tried to -- the great DEBBI was heading out to Boise on Friday and had put her cell phone(s) on vibrate in her purse. Panic ensued at ikeepitreal HQ as we tried to find a backup. Luckily, my stubborn persistence was rewarded as I got through to the great DEBBI on the 7th try at 3:30. She rushed over and we headed to the hospital.
Becky likes to joke about her 'birthing plan' being:
1) Get an epidural
2) Go to sleep
3) Drop that shorty
Ok, I tweaked #3 a bit, but I like it better that way. ANYHOO -- that's pretty much how it worked out. By 6:00 they gave her an epidural, we got a couple of power naps in, and a couple of units of Pitocin later Becky was ready to push. Only, the Dr. was in surgery downstairs :( The nurses thought the baby would come out quickly so they told Becky to "labor down" until the Dr. got out of surgery in 1/2 hour. I'm not a medical expert, but I believe that "labor down" means -- "hold your legs together and make sure not to drop that shorty".
Long story short -- Becky "labored down" for 1/2 hour, and pushed Kate out in less than 10 minutes (contrast that with more than 4 hours of pushing for Sam !).
Kate was born at 10:48 AM. 7 pounds, 1 ounce and 18" long/tall.
Part 2 -- What it means to me
Everyone says there is something special between Dads and baby girls and I'm starting to understand it. She is *really* special, and I have caught myself using a lot of language like "cutie-pie" and "sweetie". I still intend to push back a bit on tutu costumes and will drag her along to the Monster Jam with us, but she is nuzzling that fuzzy little head into my softest spots (and no, I'm not talking about the excessive girth in my midsection) quite effectively.
I'm home for a bit, the family is happy, and we're doing great. More to come on this channel.