1 Month Old

Today my baby girl turns 1 month old. It is so hard for me to believe that we have already reached this point. I have always heard that "they grow up fast," but it is really hitting home today. This last month I have had experiences that I will treasure forever. Praise the Lord that Kaylin is healthy and sleeping most of the night. She goes to bed around 11:00 or 11:30 and sleeps till around 5:00 or 6:00 most mornings. If we are lucky, she will sleep till 7:00. We have been so blessed.

On a different note, I have been asked to participate in a small group bible study/accountability group with some other men in our church. This has really been a blessing to me. I have been able to get to know some other guys in our church and learn more about Jesus too. I am really excited to see how God is going to use this group.

Next Saturday begins the 2009 Razorback football season. To say I am ready is an understatement. This season will be different for me since I have a new little Razorback. The plan for now is to go to the SEC games, with the exception of next week's game. I have high expectations for the Hogs this season. We will see how it goes. The schedule is brutal, however, not quite as brutal as last season. The difference this year is that we bring back a lot more experience. If you add to the equation that we now have, not one, but two quarterbacks who can be game changers, the Razorbacks could be a force to reckon with this year. Once they hit the field, all of the speculation and talk will end and we will see what we got. I am not ruling out a 10-3 finish. That is optimistic, I know, but I think people aren't giving Bobby Petrino and his staff and team enough credit. Call me wrong, but I think come November, the Hogs will have everyone's undivided attention.

GO HOGS!

A Week Old Already

Today, Kaylin is one week old. The time really goes fast. She is doing really well. We went to see the pediatrician last Friday. Kaylin weighed in at 6.67 lbs. The doctor said that she was doing really well. She did have a little bit of jaundice, but that was normal, especially in breastfed babies. According to the test they ran, her level was 12.8. The nurse said that a lot of times they see levels well over 20, so there was no need to worry. They wanted us to come back on Monday just to check her level again. So, yesterday Mollie took her back and the count had dropped to 9.3. We were relieved to see that.

We are also excited to see that Kaylin is beginning to develop a routine when it comes to eating and sleeping. She does best when we do a diaper change prior to eating, then feed, then sleep. Mollie seems to think she is catching on. Praise the Lord that Kaylin sleeps most of the night anyway. We are usually up only twice, sometimes three times at night with her. However, this is only to feed and do a diaper change. She doesn't cry a lot unless she is hungry or has a dirty diaper. We are so thankful.

Mollie is doing really well too. She is an excellent mom. I am so proud of her. Just to share a funny story, when we were in the hospital with Kaylin, they had to put her under a warmer to raise her body temperature a little. Well, as most of you know, we like it cold. We usually keep our air set on 67 degrees at night. Mollie was a stickler for this because she gets so hot at night. Well, now she is paranoid that Kaylin is going to get cold. When we went to bed a few nights ago I turned the air down to 70 degrees. When I got up the next morning I noticed that mom had moved it up to 73 degrees. My how a little one can change you! I have been ribbing Mollie pretty hard about that one. Too funny!

As for dad, well, I am doing well too. I went back to work yesterday. I will admit, I am a softy. When I picked Kaylin up yesterday morning and kissed her goodbye, I almost lost it. As a matter of fact, my exact thought was, "screw this, I am staying home," but I quietly put her down and scurried out the door. Today was a little easier, but I do get to go home and see her at lunch.

We have been blessed with really good friends. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends since Kaylin was born. The phone calls, emails, and texts have been very comforting. To those of you have have called, emailed, texted, came by, or brought food, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We can't thank you all enough.

Looking back on the events of the last week puts a HUGE smile on my face. It is funny how a child can change you. I never thought that it was possible to love someone so much. I will do anything, and I mean anything, for Kaylin. If she needs her daddy, he will be there. I tell her that everyday. I will do everything in my power to be there for her. I want her to know that. She puts everything into perspective for me. Thank you Lord for such a healthy and beautiful little girl!