OT: THis is what I have been up to this last month ;-)

[steri]

My wife and I had our first child!!!! I am very excited, and finally got a couple of pics on Photobucket. Our daughter, Kayla, was born on July 9, 2009 at 8:08 p.m. after 18.5 hours of labor. She was 9 lbs, and has been growing and pooping ever since :lol: Both baby and mommey are happy and healthy which is all a daddy could ever ask and pray for!

I love fatherhood, and I have adjusted pretty well to the lack of sleep if I do say so myself :lol: Here's a couple of pics to enjoy!

Daddy and Kayla
<a href="http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/kobeshaqsosafan/?action=view&current=DSC00102.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/kobeshaqsosafan/DSC00102.jpg" border="0" alt="Daddy and Kayla"></a>

Kayla loves her swing
<a href="http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/kobeshaqsosafan/?action=view&current=DSCN0258.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q226/kobeshaqsosafan/DSCN0258.jpg" border="0" alt="Kayla"></a>

I was going to post a picture of the first poopy diaper I ever changed, but I didn't think you or Kayla would much appreciate that :lol: I guess I'll save that picture for her boyfriend when she's 17 or whatever :lol: OH ya, I'm going to be THAT dad!

I am ready and willing to accept any and all tips and funny stories from all parents out there :lol:

One bit of advice (or story to consider) I can offer to other perspective parents........when my wife were shopping for things prior to Kayla's arrival, we were looking at the swing you see pictured. I thought it was insanely priced and made a huge stink about paying XXX$ for a swing when others were cheaper and seemed to do the same thing.

Well, the first time Kayla wouldn't stop crying (even after feeding, burping, and a fresh diaper, I put her in the swing and within 30 seconds she was quiet and asleep. At that moment, I gladly would have paid 10 times what we paid for this silly little device. The price I would pay for peace and quiet is endless :lol:

One proud daddy!

Steve

 

[Lmecher]

Congratulations daddy, she is absloutely beautiful! I miss the days when mine were small. Thank you so much for sharing : )

 

[badazztealcobra]

Congrats Steve...

 

[chicagophil]

Take the Knobs off the the Fish Stand-

Put a rocking chair near the fish tank-

I set up my Tank 3 weeks before my babe was born and it has been a God send. it keeps us both occupied. I'm comming up on one year and the little Man love the Fishies.

If you dont have it already- get an Auto top off system and an Auto Feeder. Since i got these i have so much more time to enjoy the fish and not worry about any crashes or Algae from over feeding like i used to.

 

[steri]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15503908#post15503908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chicagophil
Take the Knobs off the the Fish Stand-

Put a rocking chair near the fish tank-

I set up my Tank 3 weeks before my babe was born and it has been a God send. it keeps us both occupied. I'm comming up on one year and the little Man love the Fishies.

If you dont have it already- get an Auto top off system and an Auto Feeder. Since i got these i have so much more time to enjoy the fish and not worry about any crashes or Algae from over feeding like i used to.

When I put her swing or bouncy seat in front of the fish tank she LOVES it!

Ya, I must shamefully admit, the tank has been lacking some these days. I do have an autofeeder, which helps. Algae on the glass went 3 weeks before I cleaned it last week. That looked BAD! All the parameters are fine, the algae just makes the tank look bad. I know it's temporary.

I have had to suspend my never ending pursuit of the unwanted mantis shrimp in my tank. It's been three months now of him snacking on small hermits and I still can't catch him. haven't even baited the trap in about three weeks. The thing has been making noise in my tank for over three months now. It is seriously like my own personal Raven (Edgar Allen Poe reference), but there is just more improtant things to worry about right now.

 

[kd_lc]

Keep an eye out for the formula that you feed her. MY son was EXTREMELY colicky the first week and we found out it was the formula we were giving him so we switched and have been happy since. If shes breastfeeding its the best of both worlds just dont get too jealous cuz i did lol. Congrats!

 

[driftin]

Congrats!

What brand swing is that?

 

[steri]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15503957#post15503957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kd_lc
Keep an eye out for the formula that you feed her. MY son was EXTREMELY colicky the first week and we found out it was the formula we were giving him so we switched and have been happy since. If shes breastfeeding its the best of both worlds just dont get too jealous cuz i did lol. Congrats!

She's getting mama's milk, so formula isn't a concern for us right now, but thanks for the head's up!

 

[steri]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15503960#post15503960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by driftin
Congrats!

What brand swing is that?

Oh heck, I'm a guy, I don't know the answers to all these questions :lol:

Seriously though, I know it is called the My Little Lamb Swing.

Quick websearch told me it is a Fischer Price (My Little Lamb) Cradle Swing.

 

[HankB]

Re: OT: THis is what I have been up to this last month ;-)

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15503859#post15503859 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steri
...

I am ready and willing to accept any and all tips and funny stories from all parents out there :lol:

...

One proud daddy!

Congrats on the beautiful little girl!

If you're slacking on the tank to spend time with your daughter, you're already doing the right thing IMO. There is no substitute to time spent with the kids and it will make a difference when they get older. You can always resurrect a tank that has been neglected but you won't get another chance with Kayla.

best,
hank

 

[Dana19620]

Congratulations - she is beautiful!

Silence is not golden. Start reading to her now and talk to her about everything you're doing and include colors, shapes, sizes, bigger, smaller, etc.

This has now been proven through studies that in the long run, praising a child's effort, kindness, creativity, etc is better than praising how smart or great she is (ie - no: you're so smart yes: you really put a lot of effort into..... or no : you're so nice yes: I really like how you (shared, cared, listened to, worked out you disagreement with, etc). Children in the "no" examples feel bad about themselves when they fail to perform to the expectations these comments set up (a wrong answer, fighting with a friend, etc.) Children in the "yes" examples grow into more confident individuals.

Dana

 

[cas]

Congrats on the frag.

 

[Mr. Thingdoer]

Congrats! Daughters are the best

 

[JNye]

welcome to fatherhood, my daughter is 8 weeks now. Its been tough but its getting better, congratulations.

 

[lex211]

congraulation cute baby

 

[LatinoHeatCHI]

Okay - I'm glad God has Blessed you with a healthy beautiful baby girl! You will now truly know what LOVE at 1st site is! I love my boys but NOTHING compared to my daughter! Congrats! Remember the night before she was born? Well that was the last night of relaxed sleeping you will have for the rest of your life. As you will never be able to rest the same as you now have a young one to protect.

 

[JPSKI25]

Thank GOD for those swings!!!! I think I would have lost what little bit of my mind is left if not for it. My son used it until it was to the point of actually sagging due to him being to big. Many a night spend watching him in his swing and playing xbox. Congrats to the both of you!!!

 

[unicospollos]

Congratulation for you baby girl

 

[N3gative Cr33p]

Congrats to you and your wife, Steve! :beer:

 

[RumLad]

I'll be taking my baby daughter off to start her senior year at U of I (no, she got in on her own merits) next week. Cherish these days, and nights, that you spend with them. Time really does fly by with kids.

Congrtaulations Mom and Dad.