I love my kids.

I have always loved being a father and having three children to raise is just about the coolest thing ever.

Starting over with an infant at this stage of our life has been surprisingly easy. Sure, an argument could be made that I am devoid of reason because of sleep deprivation, but it really has been, I guess, fun!

I would have never imagined that could be the case, but that is exactly what it is.

Fun.

It is fun to wake up and feed Emily and watch her learn who and what we are.

It is fun to figure out which formula is not going to give her a tummy ache and rejoice that soy seems to do the trick. It is also fun to remember that was the trick for the other two. It may have been more fun to figure that out weeks ago, but it is still fun none the less.

It is fun to see my son interact with his baby sister and thank God that our sixteen year old is learning lessons that will last a lifetime.

It is fun to see how my daughter copes with her fussy baby sister and to sneak up on her and catch her off guard.

It is fun to pack Emily up for a ride in the car and take her places to have people tell us how cute she is. We know, and we whole heatedly agree, but it is fun to hear it anyway.

It is fun to sit with my wife at 2 in the morning watching Northern Exposure on my laptop and remember what an interesting series it was. It is also fun to watch X files and realize we are old, but we don’t care becuase we are having so much fun.

It is fun, it is all fun, and I don’t care if I am kidding myself, I refuse to have anything but. I have had plenty of days where nothing was fun so just for today this is fun.

Way.too.much.fun.

Like I mentioned, I am sleep deprived.  Emily has her days and nights mixed up and although it is getting better, I am pretty tired most of the time.  I am sleeping in until Emily starts to cry–which is usually right around noon.   At this point, I have had it and don’t want to feed her anymore–I mean I was up with her all night and she wants to eat AGAIN? (Just kidding)

I have discovered that I can ask Alex, Beth or David (if he isn’t at work) to feed her at this time. I wake up, change Emily and then hand her off to one of the above for her feeding. Then I stumble to the shower and start my day.

Everything looks much better and feels much better after getting my shower in. I’m clean, I don’t smell like baby puke, and my hair is done. Oh sweet shower! How I love Thee! Even though I may be tired, I feel so much better that I don’t feel as tired as I am because of that little shower.

Then, after I shower, I pop open the fridge and open a Coke and then things are really good. I can deal with anything after my shower and a swallow of that sweet nectar. (I’m sleep deprived, remember?)

Beth can feed Emily…

Alex can feed and burp Emily…

Or my sweet husband can do it…

Thank heavens for showers and Coca-Cola!  (and for sweet husbands and children!)

Ever since we started getting ready for baby it didn’t take long for me to realize the only new things I would be seeing around here was going to have some element of pink in it.

So much pink. I kind of hate the color pink.

It is everywhere. In every drawer, on every counter, and in every room. Pink has even invaded my office and van and I swear I passed a pink car on the way to work the other day.

We also have some new blue stuff in the house. Most of the blue stuff is hand-me-downs from other families that also had new things Dad would be unable to use.

I think having blue stuff lying around you can’t use is even worse. At least with pink I don’t get confused thinking the package on the counter might be for me.

There are moments when I really don’t mind the pink all that much because of what gets wrapped up in it. I must admit looking down at that face, framed in pink and blue with the pink floral Boppy behind, that I can stand just about any color if it is in proximity to that sweet face.

Not to mention, she looks absolutely perfect in pink.

With all the new pink and blue stuff cluttering up the house, we discovered someone else making the most out of what is new.

Umm…. should we be concerned about this?

Looking at her face I think we can safely say Millie has found a way to cope with the new stuff and new baby and has found her happy place.

Oh God.  I am so tired.  Emily seems to think that night is day and day is night.  She also seems to have a lot of gas.  It is a continual symphony of farts down there, poor thing.  The formula she is on is called “Gentle Ease” and it is supposed to help with gas.  At least she is passing gas.   But it keeps her up a lot.

I am telling myself that this is just a season, and soon it will be over.  I am just enjoying time with my Emily at all hours of the night.