Just about 3 months into the parenthood roller coaster now, our ride has been surprisingly mellow. Well, aside from the lack of sleep and everything, but that has gotten much better. The last few nights in particular Otis has slept up to 6 hours at a time. Thank god/buddah/satan/whotheflipever as the extra rest has been much needed.
Otis has started to smile, and the act is a gift that gives a feeling of happiness that cannot be matched. His smiling has added to the destruction of productivity around the house, we are luckily we have enough time to eat and use the bathroom. Sometimes we even get to shower! His laugh has started to form, previously it was like a kitten soundlessly choking in the desert, now its more like something between an elephant squeezing a rubber horn and a drunk hyena who is beginning to squeeze out a cackle.
Our dear friend Patrice visited us a few weeks ago to assist in our belated holiday photo shoot. We're still in the editing phase and excited to show off the final results, coming soon to a mailbox near you. Patrice took over 300 photos and gave us a couple of teaser shots to share with the extended family.
It's incredible and strange to notice to slow and steady growth of an infant. You get really caught up in the daily activities, changing diapers, cooking food, going to work, changing diapers, cleaning up baby projectiles, doing dishes etc. that the daily growth and changes happening can go unoticed. All of a sudden clothes aren't fitting right, an extra layer of baby fat has emerged from the chin and the legs get round and beefy.
The past week has been a little rough as Otis got his first bout of sickness. He has since gotten both Melanie and I sick and we've been pretty messed up ever since. It's quite sad when your baby is crying because he is confused about being so sick. The hardest part being that there is nobody to take care us, normally when Melanie is sick I can take care of her and vice versa. Who takes care of the family when every member is feeling like a dumpster truck filled with manure?
We've had another wave of great visitors! Crisco and Nicole, Brandon and Annie, and Caryn. It's been nice to see so many friends make the trek up here to meet the Dirty Diaper Prince. Otis seems to enjoy the social atmosphere and tends to be calm when alot of other people are talking wild. Plus the wine we drink helps him sleep:)
My Grandma has been coming by every Tuesday while I'm away at work to help Melanie out. We've been getting spoiled as she brings food with her every time and has done a number on weeds growing in our front yard.
I know it must be common for parents to think they have the best/cutest baby in the world, but we think we win!
We're looking forward to spring time, the hills are calling and I'm anxious to take Otis into the woods for some good hikes. I've basically missed/missing the mushroom season this year due to Otis being born, it's worth it though! Every time I see chantrelles at work I miss the Santa Cruz mountains. But sometimes we just miss Santa Cruz in general. I'm definitely missing my old friends at Beckmann's, relationships through work that special aren't easily attained. Even though we've been in the north bay for two years now, we are still in the process of planting our roots, making new connections, and extending our community.
We're also starting to plan projects for the house in the summer season. The biggest of the projects is getting a new roof. We're also going to be giving our master bath a makeover, the supplies are purchased, now it's just about timing with getting it done. Also Whitney Anderson has got me convinced that we can paint the outside of our house, we'll see if we can pull that out off as well. Apparently all we need is a keg of beer, some pizza, and the volunteers will come. Sounds fun either way! We've also been doing some OODE prep, taking our baby to Oregon for a camping trip is going to be a big new experience. Usually the car is packed to the gills with our own junk (and hooch), not exactly sure how we're going to manage getting all of it in our car along with Otis' big back of tricks.
Thats all for now folks, lots of love from the Stumbaugh's, more good times to come!
-TMO
We're also starting to plan projects for the house in the summer season. The biggest of the projects is getting a new roof. We're also going to be giving our master bath a makeover, the supplies are purchased, now it's just about timing with getting it done. Also Whitney Anderson has got me convinced that we can paint the outside of our house, we'll see if we can pull that out off as well. Apparently all we need is a keg of beer, some pizza, and the volunteers will come. Sounds fun either way! We've also been doing some OODE prep, taking our baby to Oregon for a camping trip is going to be a big new experience. Usually the car is packed to the gills with our own junk (and hooch), not exactly sure how we're going to manage getting all of it in our car along with Otis' big back of tricks.
Thats all for now folks, lots of love from the Stumbaugh's, more good times to come!
-TMO
