We went to the Bootiflies Halloween celebration. We made spiders, Emily got a butterfly painted on her face, and we then went into the Butterfly House. Then Allie and Emily played at the playground and rode the carousel.

2006 Easter

4/16/06 - Easter - Allie had a very good day today. She started the day in her new dress skipping around the house saying "happy easter day!". Then Sam and Allie made some jello. Later we had an easter egg hunt all around grandma's yard. She kept saying "Oh my goodness!". She overfilled her basket several times to the point that they fell out but refused to let us hold any. So we resorted to getting them when she dropped them and didn't notice and stealing them for the reserve bag when someone else distracted her. To do otherwise meant and endless cycle of trying to fit more and more into her basket! Later, as it was time for bed, Allie said "oh, it was so nice of the easter bunny to leave all of those eggs!"

Sesame Street Live!

It was great! Our first outing together to a Sesame Street play. Lights in rings, Disco Ball, Explosions with confetti. We took some pictures. Seeing my little girl Allie watch in wonder made me teary-eyed like this whole parenting thing was really happening. Her concentration was surprisingly good for the first half and so-so for the second half. At intermission they came out with Elmo ballons. I made the mistake of saying I was going to get one. They were $8. Allie seems to also like Rosita, the spanish speaking monster.

Challenge of raising two girls

8/24/05 - Daksolis. Lots has happened since I was able to write last. Raising two girls is indeed a challenge. Last time I wrote, Emily had just smiled. As of Sunday August 21st, she giggled for the first time. It was actually her auntie Melissa that made her do that! So far, no one else has been able to do it.

The biggest challenge we have these days is trying to make Emily comfortable. We learned late last month that she has eczema, or dermatitis. Its a skin condition that causes the skin to be dry, hot, and itchy. Much of the time, most of her body doesn't feel like a baby's. Sometimes you can't tell by feeling her skin whether she is wearing clothes or not since it is often so course and leathery. Several things aggravate the situation. Although we know a few of them, we don't think we've found them all. We know that latex, polyester, most laundry detergents, and heat aggravate the situation. On the trip to Wisconsin a few months ago, she had a nasty heat rash and ever since then the symptoms have appeared. Beneath the dry skin she is a beautiful baby and happy when we are able to keep her away from irritants. We always wish we could do more for her.

Sam returned to work July 18th and has been busy there ever since. I've noticed she hasn't let things get to her there as much as she has in the past. I'm very happy about that. It probably has something to do with having so much to look forward to coming home.

Next monday, August 29th, Samantha's sister Carolyn will be visiting us from Alaska for a month. She's never met either of her two nieces so this should be a treat. She's looking forward to baby sitting and swimming at the local pool. We'll ask her if she still feels that way after a week or so. We plan on showing her all the sights here in St. Louis. It should be a fun time. I'm hoping to be able to get some exercise in with the kids being otherwise engaged.

Allie meets Emmie

Grandma took Allie in to see her little sister for the first time today. I got most of it on video tape. Allie didn't know what to make of her at first. She didn't give the response we are used to when holding another baby, or child: jealousy. She was curious at first and afraid to touch. After spending a little time to figure things out, she started touching her really quickly and pulling back her hand right after touching her. First she touched her on the forehead. Then we opened the blanket and Allie put her hand on Emmie's feet quickly and snapped them back. She turned it into a game you could say. Allie wasn't very understanding though about the fact that her mom wasn't picking her up. That she just has to live with for the time being. Allie was brought to the hospital by Grandma K. Auntie Melissa and Yolonda & Tom dropped by for a visit too. They got to hold both of my little girls and did fine. Allie had reached out for them initially.

Birthday 5/3/05

by DAKSOLIS - At birth, our beautiful new daughter weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and is 20.5" long. Momma and baby are doing great! They are both very tired but you can see the bond between mother and daughter quite clearly. Her Grandma K and her Auntie Melissa waited anxiously in the hospital room and got to see her when she was less than 1 hour old. Emily doesn't want to be away from Momma and the reverse is also true. Little Emmie has already opened her eyes and took a look around. This birth was so different compared with the one child we are used to, Allie. Instead of being surprised 2 months early, we knew exactly when the date was going to be and when we're expected to take her home (around Saturday). Sam will be in the hospital recovering from the C-section until then. When she comes home, I, the very proud father, will be home for another week to help out. Allie and Grandpa K hasn't seen Emily yet. Allie may see her tomorrow.
A few words about the name: Emily Rose means "Industrious Rose" which is quite fitting for the line of strong willed women in Sam's family. Emily is also the name of Chris's aunt, one of his oldest friends, and a name both of us like very much. Rose is Grandma K's first name. Runner up names were Ema, Gloria, and Julie.

12/30/04 Update - We leave this year knowing that like the New Year's Eve before Allie was born, this next year will be quite different from the last one. On Monday 12/27, we found out our next member of the family will be a little sister for Allie. To protect her privacy, we'll leave that picture off when I post the new ultrasound pictures here later next week. Wouldn't you know it, that day mommy already started nesting. She used the Home Depot card given by her father in law for Christmas to begin preparing the new baby's room. She purchased custom paint and some masking materials now that we've decided on the colors. But before any of that starts, we really need to clean out that room! Currently, that's the upstairs storage room so to speak. We have a twin bed, two dressers, all of the spare bedding, and the vacuums in there. The plan for a crib has to do with the fact that Allie will be 2 around the time the new baby is expected to be ready for a crib. So Allie will get a new bed (or we'll use the twin and attach rails) and the new baby will get the crib.

On Tuesday, we met with the high risk doctor and the talk was very informative. Next week we'll get back some blood tests to determine if we need to take any extra medications or precautions or if she'll just be watched very closely. Other than being very tired and realizing this one's kicks are stronger and more directed than Allie's, Sam is fine.