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The special request

7:11 am, Cheryl's waking me up, and I can hear Gwenny on the monitor making sounds. She says, "can you please bring Gwenny? You can leave the sleep sack off." OK
So, I go in her room, and as I approach the crib I can see her softly awake. She's looking at me, and then right on que, she stretches... it's the cutest thing I have ever seen (but being her dad, that changes everyday).

I pause for a minute, just to take in all I can. Smiling, I unzip her little sleepsack. The little onesie she is wearing underneath says:
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
DADDY
LOVE
Gwenny

It's wonderful and perfect. See for yourself.

First shots!!

Today was a day we had not been looking forward to. All of us except for Gwen. Even with us talking right in front of her about the inevitable misery, she was never worried about it. She's daddy's tough little girl.

We were not as tough.

We reluctantly went to the doctor's office for the 9:30 am appointment. Once in the waiting room, we felt we had a little cushion of time, there were several other people in there ahead of us. But then we were called right away. As we were walking to the door of impending doom, one woman said to her baby, "guess they forgot about us, sweetie." Hey, take our spot, please...

The nurse came in after a few minutes. She was preparing us for the shots she was going to give Gwen. She laughed as she told us about several parents that couldn't take it, "... and the mother had to leave the room while the dad, who was a big guy helped me hold the baby down. Then he passed out on the table! haha" Hmm.

Not comforting material for passengers just getting in the ride.

When the time came, Cheryl and I both held her down. It was awful. Cheryl and I were horrified and sad as the nurse stuck our poor baby with the needles deep (most of the 3 inch needles).

Gwenny screamed like never before. I couldn't wait to get her out of there.

We left the parking lot and I (for the first time) sat in the back with Gwen while Cheryl drove (sitting in front by herself). We'd joked about couples that did that with infants. Cheryl couldn't believe I was actually doing it, but I couldn't see one of us not riding in the back with her after this experience. Gwenny and I agreed it was best this time. Leaving the parking lot Cheryl starts going the wrong way... we're both still a little shaken. oh, and Gwenny too.

We get home and Gwenny is now asleep, clouds away from the horrible shots. When she woke up a little later, we gave her some acetaminophen for the pain which she took well, just like her brother Rich.

Sock size 0 mo. - 21 years?

We took these socks off today and noticed little red rings around her baby ankles. While she was wearing the socks, they seemed half-off already... the different colored heal of the sock was just over mid-way on the bottom of her foot.

Sadly, this must mean she is getting older.