Picture of the Day: Resting in Daddy's Hands

Picture of the Day: Katie's First Trip to the Park

This picture was actually taken last Monday (August 24th) when Wife and I ate breakfast at Bryant Park. Wife wouldn't let Katie share my egg sandwich with me.

Picture of the Day: I Like to Sleep

Picture of the Day: Katie Doesn't Like Baths

Picture of the Day: Just Let Me Sleep

Picture of the Day: Enough Already, Daddy

Cutest. Kid. Ever.

Apologies to all other children, parents and grandparents, but we have the cutest kid ever.

Here is Katie on her third day of life outside the womb.

A Few Thoughts after the Birth of My First Child

* It's amazing how priorities suddenly change in a moment. As I looked into Katie's eyes for the first time, it struck me that everything but God and my wife just dropped a level on my priority list.

* Recently, I learned of the tradition of "push presents." I wondered what would make a good push present. Maybe a card? A gift for the baby? Now, I'm thinking maybe bowing down at Wife's feet in humble service for her great contribution would be more appropriate.

* Having children is a wonderful blessing (hey, I'm two days in...it's awesome). But it's a blessing that not everyone should experience. I recognize that parenting is a big responsibility. I have decided that having children should require passing a standardized intelligence test as well as passing a moral character and fitness examination. I, in my sole discretion, will determine and implement the criteria for these requirements. Looking around it seems that those with more children are less likely to pass these standards than those with fewer kids.

* Father's don't really get that much respect at the hospital. It feels like it is mother, baby and that questionable guy with them. Of course, the reasons why are obvious. It's just interesting to see that mindset throughout the process in both the medical staff and the hospital procedures.

* Wife and I are proud that Katie was born in a year that the Lakers are the World Champions of the NBA. That makes us a little too happy. It also makes us spend money at the NBA Store.

* Would it be inappropriate to quit my job and just gaze at Katie all day?

Katherine Grace

It is our pleasure to introduce to you Katherine Grace. Katie was born today, August 21, at 11:58 a.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 19 1/2 inches long. It was a long, hard labor (unfortunately few are blessed with short, easy labors). Wife and I went to the hospital after working almost a full day on Thursday. Wife's doctor told her to come in for some measurements because she was in the early stages of labor. We fully expected to be sent home after the measurements were done; however, her water broke on its own while we were at the hospital. It turns out Wife wasn't in the early stages of labor - she spent the day at work in full-blown labor with contractions coming every three minutes (she had only been counting the "really big ones").

Without a doubt, Wife was the most polite, stoic woman I could imagine going through labor - and I think the doctors and nurses would agree. She never yelled, she never screamed, and she was always polite to the hospital staff. Though her doctor insisted that for health-reasons she take pain medications for about an hour during labor, the remainder, including the last four hours, were completed without pain medication. I contributed to this labor process by offering my hand as a squeeze toy; it was a true joint-effort.

As the Baby Drops

Wife and I began our day with an early morning visit with the doctor for a regularly scheduled exam. Ten minutes into the appointment, the doctor announced that Wife must go to the hospital immediately for more tests. Depending on the outcome of the tests, the doctor said there was a 50-50 chance they would induce labor today (if the baby didn’t show up on her own before that).

Two hours into our hospital stay, a resident and a nurse confirmed that, yes, one way or the other the baby would be born either today or early tomorrow.

Four hours into the hospital visit, the doctor sent us home, telling us that she looked forward to seeing us again soon. We’re told that we might make our next hospital visit later today, or it could be another three weeks before Baby Girl comes. The doctor is of the opinion that something closer to the former is correct, but I have my doubts.

Lucky for us, we have now entered the phase where the doctor wants to see Wife twice a week.

Upon hearing that news, Wife and I both went back to our respective places of employment.

The Fortune Teller

This weekend Wife and I were walking down the street not far from Times Square. A woman had set up a little fortune telling booth on the sidewalk. On her little table was a small crystal ball and a stack of tarot cards. The woman tried to look the part, but it was hard to take her seriously. Why was it hard to take her seriously? As we walked by, she called out, "Come, sit down! Let me tell you about your little boy."

A Powerful Lens

This afternoon, I took a trip over to B&H (the best photography shop in the world). While I was there, I got to see the Canon EF 1200mm f/5.6 L USM lens. Wasn't able to touch it, but I came within inches of the thing. What, that doesn't excite you? You're checking this blog to read about something other than camera lenses? You don't even know what this lens is? In a nutshell this lens zooms in to take photos of stuff that is miles away. Only about 12 of these things were ever made. A used copy of this lens sells for $120,000. Here's a video to learn more about this exciting lens:

Nearing the End (maybe)

If doctors are to be believed, and I'm not entirely sure that they are, Baby A could be making her appearance at any moment. The "official" due date we have been telling people is September 3rd, but the doctor has always told us that it might be "slightly" earlier than that. A few doctor visits ago, we were told that the baby was definitely older than we thought - probably by about a week. At the last visit, we were told that it was looking like the baby should come about two weeks earlier than we had initially been told. Today, the doctor announced that the baby is more than a week overdue. One thing is for certain, Wife is ready for this kid to come. Which one is the REAL due date? Who knows. This mystery just adds to the intrigue.

FYI, I have a LOT more subway stories to share. I'm thinking of writing a post on our recent subway tales. For those interested, yes, there have been many people offering their seat to Wife recently.