So I'm cleaning up the kitchen today while Charlie is taking an early afternoon nap, and I flip the TV to VH-1, and the show "Scott Baio is 46 and Having a Baby." Sometimes, it's fun to see your childhood idols in their normal everyday lives.
This particular episode is THE episode to catch from the whole season. His wife giving birth to their daughter. I always get sucked into watching baby birthing shows now. Sometimes, my DVR is even set to record "Bringing Baby Home" on TLC. Let's keep that between us, okay?
So anyway, Scott Baio freaks out throughout the episode. His wife is in labor overnight, and struggling to deliver the baby naturally and they finally decide to opt for a C-section.
There are tons of still photos from the delivery, and as regular readers of my blog probably know already, I couldn't stop my tears from streaming. I can still feel the emotions I had when Charlie was born.
If you're not familiar with the show, Scott Baio narrates throughout, and capped off this episode by saying something like, "The crippling fear I felt about being a father is no where near as powerful as the unconditional love I felt for my daughter the first time I held her." It was a nearly perfect way to express what most Dads go through in the delivery room.
All I can say is "Wa wa wa..."
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Daddy / Daughter Day
What's so funny to me is how much Charlie loves being with her Daddy when she has no choice. In other words, if Mommy is around, there's no better lap to sit in. No better shoulder to lie her head. Definitely no better voice to read her a good book.
Now I'm not saying that she ignores me when our family is all together. I'm just saying I had better have some cookies in my hand to attract her! :-)
Seriously though. I'm am so thankful for the opportunity Beck and I have to share in the care of Charlie. I really can't imagine not having my special days with her.
Today, after her morning nap, we went to Gymboree for "open play" and Charlie ran around amongst all the other kids with a huge smile. I felt so good every few minutes when she would noticeably glance around the room to make sure I was nearby. It's still funny how all the Moms in the class react to a Dad... especially one with a daughter.
Afterward, we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. Charlie was a perfect little angel. She ate 4 or 5 nuggets, and half a fruit cup. Two Moms sitting near us were talking quietly about Charlie until they caught my attention and told me how impressive it was that she was so well behaved while she eats. I said, "her Mommy has taught her very well." They blushed. So funny.
Did I have a point? I don't know. I'm just really proud of my daughter. She is an incredibly good little girl... even on bad days.
She's napping as I write this. I can't wait for her to wake up. She is now giving kisses when you get her from her crib. It's the sweetest thing ever.
Now I'm not saying that she ignores me when our family is all together. I'm just saying I had better have some cookies in my hand to attract her! :-)
Seriously though. I'm am so thankful for the opportunity Beck and I have to share in the care of Charlie. I really can't imagine not having my special days with her.
Today, after her morning nap, we went to Gymboree for "open play" and Charlie ran around amongst all the other kids with a huge smile. I felt so good every few minutes when she would noticeably glance around the room to make sure I was nearby. It's still funny how all the Moms in the class react to a Dad... especially one with a daughter.
Afterward, we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. Charlie was a perfect little angel. She ate 4 or 5 nuggets, and half a fruit cup. Two Moms sitting near us were talking quietly about Charlie until they caught my attention and told me how impressive it was that she was so well behaved while she eats. I said, "her Mommy has taught her very well." They blushed. So funny.
Did I have a point? I don't know. I'm just really proud of my daughter. She is an incredibly good little girl... even on bad days.
She's napping as I write this. I can't wait for her to wake up. She is now giving kisses when you get her from her crib. It's the sweetest thing ever.
Friday, February 1, 2008
House of the Unhealthy
What a week for the Davis household. Sunday was a great neighborhood playday. All the kids from our court came over to hang out, and even the Dads were involved! The fact that it was the off-week before the Super Bowl certainly helped. It was a great day (into the night) and all the kids seemed to enjoy the company.
Monday began normally, but by the end of Charlie's day, it seemed obvious that she was a little off. Monday night, she began vomiting and had a fever that was getting worse. We were all up all night trying to help Charlie be comfortable and at least get a few hours rest. Remember... this really is only the second time she's been sick in 14 months.
Tuesday began as normally as possible, considering we all only had 2-3 hours of sleep. Beck went to work after Charlie went down for her morning nap. I took the opportunity to catch up on some work, and make a doctor's appointment for Charlie that afternoon. Her fever was getting worse (102.9) and we didn't want her to get too dehydrated. We didn't want to take any chances. The doctors went well, and Charlie's fever broke Tuesday evening.
Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning were normal, but at some point after lunch, Beck suddenly started feeling ill herself. I was 2 hours away in Frederick when I listened to a message saying she had been throwing up all afternoon and had to ask her Mom to come and watch Charlie while she laid down.
I called back and got the update. Beck was in bed, and unable to move, throwing up in a bucket, and having violent cramps in her stomach. Obviously we were concerned for our unborn baby's health as well, so by the time I got home, we decided to go to the ER.
Our friends Kristie and Yaphet came over to hold down the fort while Charlie slept at home, and Beck and I raced to the hospital. During the ride, I began feeling a little queasy myself.
During Beck's triage, I suddenly was overcome and had to run through the ER halls to find a bathroom to throw up and get a splash of cold water on my face. I seemed to be only a few hours behind Beck with this stomach ailment.
Thankfully, Beck's Mom arrived at the hospital to help. With Beck safe and getting IV fluids, I had to go lie in the waiting room (for the padded chairs). The doctors wanted to get some fluids into Beck before checking the baby's heartbeat and see if the contractions would stop. Meanwhile, I had to go lie in my truck in the parking lot with the heat blasting.
With everything under control in Beck's room at about 11:00pm, I knew I absolutely had to get some sleep. I decided, if I were going to get home, it had to be now or I was going to have to spend the night in the hospital too.
Beck's Mom was comfortable that the doctors were going to release Beck within an hour or two, and said she would drive her home, so I made a break for it. I can't remember much of the drive. Scary to say, but I was so focused on just making it home, that it went by in a blur.
When I got home at about 11:30, I told my buddy Yaphet thanks for sitting with Charlie, and asked him to let himself out... I HAD to get to bed.
The next thing I know, it was 1:45am and I hadn't heard from Beck's Mom. I reached her phone, and she said everything was fine, and they were discharging her as we spoke. They didn't get home until 2:45am.
Thursday was a bit more peaceful, but still a day of recovery. Beck and I both tried to sneak naps in between shifts with Charlie, and by the end of the day, when Charlie went to bed, we both were finally able to eat a little bit of toast and cereal.
Friday (today), we all seem to be back on track. My body is still very sore and drained from the wretching and not eating. Beck feels the same, but is back to work today, the little bulldog that she is. Charlie and I are having our normal Daddy/Daughter Friday.
With another little one on the way, it is SO hard to imagine how in the world we'd be able to handle all of this with TWO babies in the house. My buddy Yaphet always says, "you just adapt... you have to." I suppose that's right.
Monday began normally, but by the end of Charlie's day, it seemed obvious that she was a little off. Monday night, she began vomiting and had a fever that was getting worse. We were all up all night trying to help Charlie be comfortable and at least get a few hours rest. Remember... this really is only the second time she's been sick in 14 months.
Tuesday began as normally as possible, considering we all only had 2-3 hours of sleep. Beck went to work after Charlie went down for her morning nap. I took the opportunity to catch up on some work, and make a doctor's appointment for Charlie that afternoon. Her fever was getting worse (102.9) and we didn't want her to get too dehydrated. We didn't want to take any chances. The doctors went well, and Charlie's fever broke Tuesday evening.
Tuesday night, and Wednesday morning were normal, but at some point after lunch, Beck suddenly started feeling ill herself. I was 2 hours away in Frederick when I listened to a message saying she had been throwing up all afternoon and had to ask her Mom to come and watch Charlie while she laid down.
I called back and got the update. Beck was in bed, and unable to move, throwing up in a bucket, and having violent cramps in her stomach. Obviously we were concerned for our unborn baby's health as well, so by the time I got home, we decided to go to the ER.
Our friends Kristie and Yaphet came over to hold down the fort while Charlie slept at home, and Beck and I raced to the hospital. During the ride, I began feeling a little queasy myself.
During Beck's triage, I suddenly was overcome and had to run through the ER halls to find a bathroom to throw up and get a splash of cold water on my face. I seemed to be only a few hours behind Beck with this stomach ailment.
Thankfully, Beck's Mom arrived at the hospital to help. With Beck safe and getting IV fluids, I had to go lie in the waiting room (for the padded chairs). The doctors wanted to get some fluids into Beck before checking the baby's heartbeat and see if the contractions would stop. Meanwhile, I had to go lie in my truck in the parking lot with the heat blasting.
With everything under control in Beck's room at about 11:00pm, I knew I absolutely had to get some sleep. I decided, if I were going to get home, it had to be now or I was going to have to spend the night in the hospital too.
Beck's Mom was comfortable that the doctors were going to release Beck within an hour or two, and said she would drive her home, so I made a break for it. I can't remember much of the drive. Scary to say, but I was so focused on just making it home, that it went by in a blur.
When I got home at about 11:30, I told my buddy Yaphet thanks for sitting with Charlie, and asked him to let himself out... I HAD to get to bed.
The next thing I know, it was 1:45am and I hadn't heard from Beck's Mom. I reached her phone, and she said everything was fine, and they were discharging her as we spoke. They didn't get home until 2:45am.
Thursday was a bit more peaceful, but still a day of recovery. Beck and I both tried to sneak naps in between shifts with Charlie, and by the end of the day, when Charlie went to bed, we both were finally able to eat a little bit of toast and cereal.
Friday (today), we all seem to be back on track. My body is still very sore and drained from the wretching and not eating. Beck feels the same, but is back to work today, the little bulldog that she is. Charlie and I are having our normal Daddy/Daughter Friday.
With another little one on the way, it is SO hard to imagine how in the world we'd be able to handle all of this with TWO babies in the house. My buddy Yaphet always says, "you just adapt... you have to." I suppose that's right.
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