1/18
Dad is not a huge fan of the color (and its cultural underpinnings), but he admits her pink sleeper is a nice looking compliment to Neiva's red Rumparoos. Our little valentine.
Mom and Neiva just flow with it: side lying feeding is a great success. Dialed in!
The diapers are neatly stacked, laundering and writing is apace, the kitchen is cleaner than it has been in quite some time, the fridge is full with leftovers, time for running and yoga, happy to see visitors, baby sleeping through most of the night. It seems too perfect.
After a few early fumbles, Dad is now crushing it with the pre-folds.
"No falling asleep at the wheel, Neiva!" Mom says.
Time for a bath! Did we wash out some of her hair color? Neiva's hair started dark brown. Mom thinks it is lightening a bit with a hint of red. Her eyes are slate, a shade darker than Dad's ice water gray.
Dad keeps true to his word, and makes Mom carmel rolls to celebrate one week. Dad is very celebratory and eats six rolls.
Neiva is a true Buddha baby, teaching Mom and Dad about non-attachment (to schedules, to routines, to that nicely wrapped diaper Dad just put on).
It is 3PM. Mom and Dad eat breakfast and have a serious conversation about whether or not they brushed their teeth yet today. But they are so happy.
Mom's favorite time is sleepy awake baby after feeding.
Grandma and Grandpa O fly in from Minnesota to meet Little Miss Wild and help out Mom and Dad with some cooking and cleaning.
Grandma O is fascinated with Neiva's long little feet. She brings Neiva sweaters and dresses (that Mom wore when she was little.)
Grandpa O is the gentlest burper yet, but his soft touch yields results. He would love to bring Neiva to her first day of school.
Mom and Dad are by now well aware of Neiva's Halo Effect. Everyone that holds her soon glow themselves with happiness.
1/19
The family sleeps peacefully under the soft blue glow of icicle lights. All is quiet with feedings at 9:00 PM, 1:00 and 5:30 AM.
Dad is on it today as he brushes his teeth before the sun rises. In fairness, he probably forgot to brush his teeth last night.
At the early morning feeding, Neiva moves slow and gracefully like a sloth, Mom notes. We really like sloths.
Dad knows something is up when there is nary a trace in Neiva's diaper after four hours. He applies a little fresh air and time, then the awaited blast. Like a geyser, a pause before the the main event. The shower curtain is now going into the washing machine. A new distance record.
Mom has left over Qdoba and a banana for breakfast.
Neiva's umbilical cord is drying out and looks like a fig newton.
Putting a onesie on a newborn is like paddling whitewater. You must work with the natural flow of movement and forces. Do not think that you can control or overpower Flow. Work within it.
Neiva is a beautiful girl, yes. But Mom and Dad also tell her that she is curious, and patient, and strong, and intriguing.
Dad feels a tinge of discontent dressing Neiva in overtly "girlie" clothes because she is much more than just a pretty face.
Mom is excited to see her abs returning. She is sure to point these out to Dad, who agrees that she is looking great!
Dad and Neiva discuss the Bible while sitting in the steamy bathroom to clear out her nostrils. Dad tries to present a fair overview of different perspectives but undoubtedly is progressive in his views. For the moment, Neiva plays her cards close to her chest.
The consensus is that Neiva has the O'Brien chin and the Abfalter noise. She gets her radiance from Mom, says Dad.
Mom loads Neiva into the Boba Wrap and goes for a hike along the base of South Table Mountain with Dad and Grandma and Grandpa O. Neiva insists on arcing her head back to bask in the sun.
Neiva has long strong fingers - perfect for playing the piano and rock climbing!
Aunt Lisa and the Wahlin cousins are excited to hear more detail and ask questions. How big is Neiva? Does she like to bounce? What does she eat? How did you come up with her middle name?
Dad really enjoys a turn with the Boba. He and Neiva wash dishes and get some work done on the computer.
Neiva has a bit of the sniffles and indigestion, having a rougher time getting to sleep. But Mom and Dad work together to get her down.
1/20
Neiva seems back on pace after a good long sleep.
Dad checks a few work e-mails in the middle of the night in between a diaper change and burping while Neiva feeds.
Mom appreciates that the long nights of January make it easier catch sleep when there is time.
Dad lays in bed and listens to Mom breathing on his right and his Daughter breathing on his left.
That may or may not have been a fleeting smile, but it sure looks like one to Mom and Dad.
Dad and Neiva steam out their nostrils at the edge of the shower and cheer on Mom as she takes off her steri-strips.
Neiva discovers that her hand is nice for chewing on.
Neiva tries on her ski hat that Dad first purchased back in 2009. It will be perfect for March snowstorms.
Neiva takes to signaling her hunger by woodpeckering Mom's shoulder.
Grandpa O reads The Snowy Day to Neiva, fitting as they both wear snowflake sweaters.
The official line is lower transverse unable to progress. After a week of observation, Mom's theory is Excited Leg Kicking Touchdown Pose with Strong Neck Arch. Neiva was just looking for the light!
Neiva is sleepy most of the afternoon; Grandma O believes the smell of roast simmering in the slow cooker is the cause.
We look through Neiva's baby book. Her long fingers and feet, O'Brien chin and Abfalter nose are now obvious in her 12 and 20 week ultrasounds.
After a thorough reading of the grandparent chapter of the Mayo Clinic guide, Grandma O recites all the best practices.
Mom and Dad have a straight-forward play book: right football, right cross, left football, left cross, side.
A busy day with long sleeps and hearty meals for Neiva. Mom believes she is on a growth spurt.
"Do I ever tell how much I love you?" Dad asks Neiva...for the 100th time.
It is hard to believe that Neiva is only nine days old. It feels like Mom and Dad have known her for much longer.
1/21/14
You know it is a good meal when you nearly get milk in your eyeball.
Dad's leaving on a jet train. He knows that he'll be back again. Neiva, he hates to go (back to work).
Dad's co-workers at CCD ooh and ahh as he proudly shows off his Week One Slideshow.
Neiva's cord falls off at ten days (mysteriously disappearing somewhere in her clothes for an hour). Mom likes to peak at her cute little belly button, thinking it will be an innie.
Dad asks Mom to text a picture update of Neiva. Half an hour later he requests another. With enough accomplished, he leaves work at noon!
At work, Dad realizes that he is humming Baby Beluga.
Mom goes out for some fresh air, and Dad and Neiva enjoy their first alone time. They doze in the arm chair, warmed by the afternoon sun.
Dad describes the ocean to Neiva. It makes you feel so small, he says, which makes you realize how wide and wonderful life truly is. It is the color of your teale Rumparoos, he adds.
Under eight pounds, it is easy to underestimate this little power house.
During tummy time, Neiva gets up on her haunches and drives her forehead into the carpet. Mom and Dad are much more excited about this development than Neiva.
Mom continues to recover quickly. It hurts less to laugh (which is a good thing when you live with Dad).
Yay Neiva! Good burp.
Dad swaddles Neiva (not her right arm of course); Mom tops her off. Sweet dreams!
1/22/14
3:42 AM and all is right with the world.
Mom encourages Neiva's flatulence by holding Dad up as an example: a mighty wind.
"Don't be sad; it's Dad!" Thanks for the measure of support, Mom.
"Can you stick your nose down there and check her diaper? It smells like a bit of a barnyard from up here." Sure, Mom.
After a short day in the office, Dad rushes home to take care of Mom and Neiva.
The Infant Tylenol ad features zero dads. Meanwhile, Dad rocks Neiva in his lap while checking work e-mail on his iPad, reviewing variance reports on his desktop, and taking care of Mom during her rough day. Time to get with the millennium, Tylenol.
Neiva naps like a champ in the Boba carrier while Dad calls 911 and struggles to keep Mom conscious. Scary! The paramedics arrive and take care of Mom.
Dad and Neiva cannot find Mom at first in the ER. "Yes I know I am at the right place. I followed the ambulance here, which just pulled up two minutes ago." "Okay. Let's wait five minutes to see if she shows up in our system." Really?!? (The hospital finally realizes it mistake in listing the last name as Erickson.)
Dad relaxes when they finally find Mom, and she is back to her normal self with her blood pressure and breathing stabilizing.
Mom is an all-star, breastfeeding Neiva in the ER.
The ER Doc assumes Neiva is a he because of her blue monster shirt. Neiva abruptly awakes from her nap to howl in protest, then goes right back to sleep. That's our girl, Neiva!
Neiva senses that Mom and Dad need her to take care of herself during the rough patch. She stays calm and sleeps all morning and afternoon.
"This fragile life we live is not ours to keep but ours to give. What in the world am I going to do should anything happen to you?"
1/23/14
"Don't worry about a thing. Every little thing is going to be alright."
Dad and Neiva cuddle Mom from both sides long into the morning to love her back to good health. It helps Dad feel much better, too.
Mom and Neiva talk to Great Grandad on the phone. He sends all of his love.
Snow outside the window prompts Mom to put Neiva in her snowsuit. Way too big but adorable, Neiva gets frustrated and Dad takes pictures.
Jaime stops by to support Mom (and Dad).
Neiva rediscovers that she can put her hand to her mouth and chew on it.
Wow Neiva, how does such a little person produce such an impressive green booger? Pardon your Dad as he takes some more pictures.
The third bath is still not the charm. Neiva shows Dad the growing strength of her lungs.
With some fresh snow and setting sun, it is time for a father-daughter walk. Neiva snuggles in for a snooze, wrapped under Dad's hoodie and puffy jacket.
Pizza Hut Party as a toast to life: to Neiva's new life, to Jenean's continued life, and to Great Granddad's life well lived!
It hurts when Mom laughs; quit it Dad!
1/24/14
"Sun comes up and we start again. It's all here today. All you have to say is be here now."
Neiva moves her arms like a windmill on the Minnesota plains. Or, like a dance machine.
Dad army crawls under the bassinet.
At her two week wellness check, Neiva weighs 7 pounds 13 ounces and measures 21 inches! Neiva is such a good eater that Dr. Francine tells Mom and Dad to let her sleep as long as she wants at night between meals.
Content with her solid performance report, Neiva kicks back and fills up her pants at the end of her wellness check. It sounds like the gurgling mud pots of Yellowstone.
The jeggings are not quite what Mom pictured.
Mom's check up gives her the green light and reassurance that everything is going to be okay.
The cats Bailey and Tanner take a passing interest in Neiva.
Neiva sleeps most of the afternoon; Grandma and Grandpa A love to snuggle her. And to show her the giant singing duck they brought her.
Grandpa A treats the family to Chinese. Neiva's fortune: A vacation to sunny shores is soon in store for you. Where are you going, Neiva? And are you taking Mom and Dad with you?
January 25, 2014
"It's now always easy, and sometimes life can be deceiving. But it's ways better together."
Another bluebird day along the Front Range. Dad dreams of teaching Neiva how to ski.
Welcome to Dad's Garage. Our premium services include diapering and laundering, burping, dancing, and clothing selection with style. We offer packages for Mom, too. Hugs and kisses complimentary with each visit. Please come again.
Drop your right shoulder, straighten your right leg and push your heel back, then drive your left shoulder and knee over and to the right. That is how you roll, Dad coaches.
Forget the Vitamin D drops, let's find something real. The morning sun feels warm on the skin and calms Neiva down.
Mom gets a well deserved nap as Dad eats roast for breakfast while Neiva lounges in his lap and Grandma and Grandpa A stroll on the mesa.
Dad temporarily loses focus at the moment of a massive milk spit up. "Whoa! Oh my..." But he quickly gets his game together. "Good job, Neiva! Good job. Yay!"
"It's crazy that we made this little human being," muses Mom. We are still not quite sure where you came from.
Always in between snows in Golden. Dad looks forward to better weather as he scopes out beginner sledding options in the backyard on a 50 degree afternoon.
Dad sends Jenean on a mandatory 90 minute mom-vacation. Grandpa and Grandma A watch over Neiva and Dad exercises.
Dad feeds Neiva her first bottle of breastmilk.
Week Three
Oh my, Dad fireman carries Mom down the stairs and lays her in the back of the Subaru. A long stressful evening in the ER but Mom fights through it like a champ.
Mom is tough as nails. Dad loves her so much.
Mason shares some of his milk supply with Neiva to help out.
"Wow look at those bright eyes!" says Room Service. "She is only two weeks?!? What the heck are you feeding her?"
Mom chills in the ICU and watches X Games Superpipe.
Jaime comes to stay with Mom and Dad in the hospital as Grandma and Grandpa A extend their stay a week to watch Neiva.
After losing more than her entire blood supply, two more surgeries, an infection, and six days in the hospital, a worn out but resilient Mom leaves the hospital and cautiously hopes to not return. Scary.
Dad feels like he too has been through the wringer, but now it is a new week.
Through all the struggles, Mom never missed a beat with pumping milk for Neiva Bean. Dang, that is nothing short of superhero.
There is at least one good thing from all of this: Mom and Dad truly realize how many people love and care for them, from family to friends to coworkers to doctors to nurses.
"Did I ever tell you how much I love your Mom?" Dad asks Neiva...for the 100th time.
In retrospect, it seems like a Chinese Fortune Cookie could hardly be more inaccurate.
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