Back to Work

I (Sean) am going back to work this Friday (May 27) and will work half days for about two weeks. Tessa is going back Friday (June 8), working 3 days a week, hopefully through the end of July. Then the girls will be in daycare full time. I'll be hard, but I guess it's got to be done eventually. Wish we could stay home with them or afford a nanny, but c'est la vie.

The joys of parenthood

<>

Yesterday was a first--
Kate pooped such a massive amount that it not only leaked out onto her clothes (past the diaper, past the onesie, soiling the sleeper she had on) but also *my* clothes. I coped quite well, I thought. Got her all changed and washed up (while she screamed bloddy murder all the way) and got most of the stuff off my jeans with a wet washcloth. Once the incident had passed, and Kate was settled down, I decided that I needed to change myself. Tessa was feeding Corey, so I figured I'd haul Kate upstairs to the bedroom with me and let her lay on the bed while I changed. That's when the massive spitup happened. Not just on my shirt, but down the front of it. I have no idea how much it was, just that it was wet, warm, and enough to go neck to waistline. Ewwwww!!! Now if we ever hear Kate using the F- word, we'll know *exactly* where she picked it up, down to the date and time!! Maaaannnn!! I think that *may* have been the exact moment where I hit the lowpoint in my fatherhood. Not that I yelled at the baby or anything like that, just the low feeling of "so my life has come to this . . . covered in poop and puke . . ." and knowing that quite likely it wasn't going to be the last, or possibly even the worst. Even on the saddest binge drinking college days, I don't think I ever wound up soaked in someone else's puke, and I don't recall having poopy pants since I was in diapers myself. Ah, well, after a nice shower and a bit of a cry, Kate and I cuddled up a bit and all was good in the world again, even when she started pulling on my chest hair. Yowch!

So, all you parents out there, let me know--what's the worst you've had?

4 week check up

To the left: mom is quite the baby juggler! Kate is in the snuggli carrier sleeping while Corey is being fed. Isn't she great?

The girls had their four-week checkup on Wednesday. All was fine. Kate now weighs 8 pounds exactly, while Corey weighs 6 pounds 1 ounce. They had a hep B shot, which they didn't like. Right before leaving (just after getting dressed), Kate spit up an astounding amount of milk. Had to change everything plus give her a baby-wipes bath before going.

Tessa had her 1 month check up today with the obgyn. All is well with her, too, and she's free to do anything she did in her pre-pregnancy days. She's down to about 10 pounds over her pre-pregnancy weight already! Nursing (pumping, actually) for two has really taken it out of her.

Dad's really happy. Trying to decide whether to go back to work at the 6 week date or 8 weeks. We could use the money, but this is really a precious time that we'll never get back. And as my old boss (and Tessa's current boss) often has told me in the past: no one ever looks back on their life and wishes they spent more time at work and less time with their family. (My dad *may* be the exception to that, but I'm trying not to be a workaholic.)

The forgotten baby

Well, it finally happened--my sleep deprived brain made forget the baby. Kate, Ringo, and I walked down to the post office today. I tied Ringo outside and Kate and I went in (her in the stroller) to find a box for mailing the stuff I had to send to a friend in NYC. Since the place was packed, I parked the stroller at the edge of the mob and went the final 15-20 feet to the spot where the Priority Mail packaging was. From there I went outside and sat with the dog while I addressed the box and got it ready to go. I decided to call Tessa before going back in to stand in line. That's when she asked "How's Kate?" and I realized I'd left her inside!! I ran back in, and of course she was crying. I didn't dare look anyone in the eye to see what kind of "unfit parent" stares I was getting. All was safe, though, and she settled down quite quickly once I got her back outside. But, man, what a panicked feeling!! Of course, while Kate and I stood in line waiting to mail the package and Ringo was tied up alone outside, I was thinking "unfit pet owner". To top it off, after waiting 20 minutes in the self-serve postage line, the person ahead of me used up the last of whatever it is that allows the machine to work--stamps, labels--because it said I couldn't print postage, but I could weigh my package. At that point I gave up, handed $10 to the person behind me in line, and asked if she'd mail my stuff when she got to the front of the line with hers. And keep the change please. It was only afterwards that it dawned on me that she had no idea what I was mailing--coulda been meth, guns, terrorist plots--and I hoped that the postal employee didn't wind up questioning her about the contents. I guess we'll know if the friend in NYC ever gets the package!

Easter Photos

same spot

http://sandtplustwo.shutterfly.com

pictures

We've put some pictures up on shutterfly for you to view.
http://sandtplustwo.shutterfly.com