I present to you a chronicle of our first eight months with a baby, as told via Twitter and Facebook status updates. Minor spelling and grammatical edits have been made, marked with brackets for full disclosure. Analysis follows the list.
[Update: 4/8/2010 08:32] Looks like I missed about half of Nik’s Facebook updates, so I’m adding them in now. Plus, I bumped the starting point back to the beginning of the delivery day and also updated the analysis at the bottom.
ironsoap Re: Water breaking. @DixieGirl: “No one talks about how gross this part is!”Tuesday, August 4th 08:33
Nikki Hamilton Water broke this morning. Admitted to hospital. Started pitocin. Having a baby today!!Tuesday, August 4th 09:37
ironsoap We have multiple IV bags, pitocin being administered, some irregular contractions but no active labor. The waiting begins.Tuesday, August 4th 10:42
ironsoap Contractions are getting pretty painful for @DixieGirl. Giving it another 20 minutes or so before we pester the nurses.Tuesday, August 4th 11:40
ironsoap So at last check, 3cm with epidural installed and feeling good. Epidural was an ordeal though. They went for the pin-the-tail approach.Tuesday, August 4th 13:19
ironsoap OH @DixieGirl: “Seriously, I’m going to need a Western Bacon Cheeseburger after this is all done.”Tuesday, August 4th 14:27
ironsoap They’ve decided not to check the progress this hour after all. Everything’s still going well but they’re worried about GBS risk.Tuesday, August 4th 17:04
ironsoap Medication is wearing off, they just checked and there’s been no progress. Sending in the drug reinforcements and hoping for a late rally.Tuesday, August 4th 17:45
ironsoap Calliope Faith Hamilton. Born 8/4/09 at 6:41pm. 7 lbs. 7oz. 19 inches.Tuesday, August 4th 20:26
Nikki Hamilton Calliope Faith has arrived! 7lbs. 7oz, 19 inches at 6:41pm. She is beautiful and we are so in love with her!Tuesday, August 4th 22:36
DixieGirl Exhausted but too uncomfortable to sleep. So ready to get some of these tubes out of me and walk around.Wednesday, August 5th 00:30
Nikki Hamilton Paul has only been a dad for a little over 8 hours and he is already the best dad ever.Wednesday, August 5th 02:48
ironsoap The cutest/saddest thing I’ve ever seen is a one-day-old with hiccups.Wednesday, August 5th 14:38
ironsoap Maybe it’s the lack of sleep talking, but I’ve yet to hear something from hospital staff that wasn’t useless or contradictory. Bah.Thursday, August 6th 02:51
ironsoap I never thought that four hours sleep and a hot shower would be all I wanted for myself in the whole world.Thursday, August 6th 15:28
ironsoap Ready to be discharged from the hospital. @DixieGirl grabbing one last free ice cream and poking the spoon thru the bottom in her zeal.Friday, August 7th 11:04
Paul Hamilton is home from the hospital. Really wanting to catch up on email, FB, etc. but too exhausted right now.Friday, August 7th 13:37
Nikki Hamilton Home from the hospital. Exhausted and overwhelmed, but happy. Trying to catch up with emails and comments. Thank you everyone for your congratulations and well wishes! Callie is the most wonderful baby ever!Saturday, August 8th 00:23
Paul Hamilton Made it through the first night at home, just the three of us. Perhaps not surprisingly, everyone got far more sleep than we did at the hospital.Saturday, August 8th 10:23
Paul Hamilton Thankful that the in-laws stopped by this evening. I was able to get some much-needed chores done while they fawned over Callie.Saturday, August 8th 22:13
DixieGirl 20 minutes between one explosive diaper and the next. A new record for Callie at only 5 days old.Sunday, August 9th 01:48
DixieGirl I have porn star boobs and the scariest looking belly ever. So want my old figure back.Sunday, August 9th 23:31
Nikki Hamilton thinks the most beautiful thing in the world is watching her husband with her daughter.Sunday, August 9th 23:39
ironsoap Had a pretty good night last night, with minimal meltdowns and what I suppose can be classified as sufficient sleep.Monday, August 10th 12:04
Nikki Hamilton Calliope is one week old today! She went to her first check-up and has gained 10 oz since leaving the hospital last Friday!Tuesday, August 11th 14:29
ironsoap We had a great night last night. Of course, we have an appointment tomorrow morning so tonight we’re boycotting sleep.Tuesday, August 11th 04:26
DixieGirl Already tired of being told we are pronouncing our own daughter’s name incorrectly.Tuesday, August 11th 14:30
Nikki Hamilton Sleep deprivation is no joke. Experienced parents: please, please tell me that one day I will sleep more than two hours at a time again. I’m actually jealous of all of the “going to bed now” updates on facebook.Tuesday, August 11th 23:55
Paul Hamilton You know all those advertisements you see where a baby gets a bath and she comes out all happy and glowing and adorable? DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES.Wednesday, August 12th 11:16
DixieGirl Learning how to eat quickly. Can almost keep up with @ironsoap these days.Thursday, August 13th 16:35
DixieGirl Overwhelmed, emotional and exhausted. Caring for a newborn is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.Tuesday, August 18th 20:51
Nikki Hamilton Not a fan of cluster feedings. Especially when they occur between 3am-7am.Wednesday, August 19th 19:52
ironsoap Today’s shocking development: The pediatrician appointment frustrated and annoyed me. Bonus: We have to [be] back later today.Friday, August 21st 10:26
Paul Hamilton It is safe to assume that my status will be “is exhausted” until further notice. Expect this notice in or around 2027.Friday, August 21st 11:45
Nikki Hamilton Agenda for today: Pediatrician, lactation consultant, back to Pediatrician. I hope sleep factors in somewhere, but I’m not counting on it.Friday, August 21st 15:03
DixieGirl Thoughts of sleep consume my life these days. I would make a deal with the devil if it meant I could get a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.Friday, August 21st 15:14
ironsoap I didn’t anticipate all the assembly that was involved in fatherhood.Saturday, August 22nd 22:48
DixieGirl It is amazing (amazing!) what a couple hours of sleep can do for your mood. The day she sleeps through the night I will do a dance!Saturday, August 22nd 11:31
ironsoap I think the past three weeks have caught up to us and are making @DixieGirl and I delirious and giggly at the drive-thru.Monday, August 24th 16:35
Nikki Hamilton Venturing out by myself for the first time since having Callie to go to a doctor appointment. Hoping I’m ready for this…Tuesday, August 25th 13:31
Paul Hamilton Getting ready for an appointment at the pediatric cardiologist to get Calliope’s heart murmur checked out.Friday, August 28th 09:54
DixieGirl On our way to the pediatric cardiologist to get Callie’s heart murmur checked out.Friday, August 28th 10:44
DixieGirl Doctor says Callie’s heart is perfect! The heart murmur was just normal background noise. :)Friday, August 28th 12:21
Nikki Hamilton My kid is a super champ when it comes to eating. She’s averaging 5 ounces of weight gain every three days!Friday, August 28th 12:22
ironsoap Dear Leave Management Contractors: It makes my leave feel less leave-y if I have to talk to you every other day about it.Friday, August 28th 12:29
Nikki Hamilton Going on 48 hours of Callie only sleeping for an hour at a time. Delirious with exhaustion.Sunday, August 30th 03:23
Nikki Hamilton Callie already loves being read to by her daddy. Listening to Paul read to her and watching her stare at him in wonder is quickly becoming my favorite time of day.Tuesday, September 1st 22:11
ironsoap Coordinating sleeping schedules. In purely theoretical terms, naturally.Tuesday, September 1st 19:17
ironsoap The baby just gave Nikki a pretty good left cross on the chin, but she did drop her shoulder a little and left herself open for the jab.Wednesday, September 2nd 23:41
Nikki Hamilton Callie had her one-month check-up today. In her first month of life she’s grown almost 2 inches and gained over 2 pounds. The doctor says she’s doing great and is a healthy baby!Wednesday, September 2nd 15:36
Nikki Hamilton is secretly proud of herself for sticking with breastfeeding even though it has been difficult.Friday, September 4th 21:47
Nikki Hamilton For the past week Callie has cried on and off (and refused to sleep) from 11pm to 4am. Just in time for Paul to go back to work next week.Monday, September 7th 13:18
DixieGirl 5 weeks after her arrival, Calliope’s birth announcements have been ordered.Thursday, September 10th 15:20
ironsoap Aaaaand the baby spit up in my face. Was my mouth open? You betcha.Thursday, September 10th 17:13
Nikki Hamilton Sad that Paul has to go back to work on Monday. :( It has been so awesome to have him at home with us.Saturday, September 12th 14:43
ironsoap Trying to enjoy the last day of my paternity leave. I’m going to miss it.Sunday, September 13th 16:25
Paul Hamilton hopes that if he’s been distant or unreliable or unresponsive or cranky with anyone over the last six weeks that they can forgive him. It’s been… surreal.Sunday, September 13th 18:27
Nikki Hamilton The night before Paul has to go back to work Callie is refusing to sleep.Monday, September 14th 02:05
DixieGirl First day at my new job and I have the world’s most demanding client. Also, I don’t think I ever get to clock out.Monday, September 14th 11:47
Nikki Hamilton Ready for bed… too bad I never know when that time will be.Monday, September 14th 16:21
Nikki Hamilton Did not shower or change out of my PJ’s today, however I managed to brush my teeth. I’ll consider my first day as a stay-at-home mom a success.Monday, September 14th 18:54
Paul Hamilton Every single electronic white noise or music player Calliope has (at least 4) features an auto-shutoff that cannot be overridden or even adjusted past what I must assume is the industry standard of five minutes. Unable to comprehend the logic of this.Tuesday, September 15th 11:44
ironsoap Fairly certain @DixieGirl just got Callie to laugh. Either way, an adorable sound.Tuesday, September 15th 11:52
ironsoap Nikki: “Come on, kid, poop or get off the pot.” Callie: *FRNT*Wednesday, September 16th 19:42
Paul Hamilton Nik: “What’s higher than major?” Me: “Corporal?” Nik: “Dude, that was Corporal poop.”Friday, September 18th 11:13
ironsoap I didn’t sleep well last night, but not because of my newborn. There must be some kind of law against that.Friday, September 18th 11:31
Nikki Hamilton It is only 12:30 and we have already had two poop blowouts that required an emergency load of laundry.Friday, September 18th 12:35
DixieGirl Things we should buy stock in: laundry detergent, diapers, wipes and burp cloths.Friday, September 18th 13:05
DixieGirl My husband is encouraging me to relax in the bath with a glass of wine while he takes care of the baby. Because he is awesome.Friday, September 18th 23:20
Nikki Hamilton It’s always a nice surprise when rubbing your daughter’s back to stick your hand in poop. Today’s incident resulted in an immediate bath.Saturday, September 19th 17:55
Nikki Hamilton The phrase “No use crying over spilled milk” is clearly in reference to dropping 6 oz. of freshly pumped breastmilk on the floor.Sunday, September 20th 10:29
ironsoap I know I’m through the looking glass because I’m relieved they’re _only_ using a chainsaw at 8:00 in the morning.Monday, September 21st 08:29
Paul Hamilton The cat discovered the comfort of the baby’s crib last night. That straw may not have been the metaphorically terminal one for the camel, but feeling that Nik may view it as the one that slipped the disc between L4 and L5.Wednesday, September 23rd 11:24
DixieGirl Available to good home: Baby-repellent cat that sleeps in cribs and wakes up peaceful infants. Must love fur on everything you own.Wednesday, September 23rd 12:06
Nikki Hamilton wishes it wasn’t so warm out so she could go on a walk with the baby.Wednesday, September 23rd 15:07
DixieGirl I’m having trouble staying awake and Callie is having trouble falling asleep. Not a good combo.Friday, September 25th 16:18
DixieGirl Trying to figure out why the library doesn’t allow strollers.Saturday, September 26th 14:21
ironsoap Hey cashier lady: You know what’s more helpful for my crying baby than telling the same stupid story about cheese twice? Doing your job.Saturday, September 26th 21:02
Nikki Hamilton is feeling sad today. Not sure if it’s the result of a night full of nightmares or the fact that Paul has to start going into the office tomorrow and I will be on my own with the baby.Sunday, September 27th 10:47
DixieGirl Starving, but baby is snoring on me and Hubs is snoring next to me on the couch. Hoping everyone wakes up soon!Sunday, September 27th 14:04
Nikki Hamilton wonders how to get her 8-week-old baby to take better naps.Monday, September 28th 11:47
DixieGirl When my child is hungry, you feed her NOW. Or there will be hell to pay.Monday, September 28th 16:38
Nikki Hamilton First day alone with the baby and I went on my first outing without Paul. Thanks to the help of my awesome sister I braved Babies R Us!Monday, September 28th 16:47
Nikki Hamilton Trying to scarf down lunch before the baby decides she’s sick of the playmat.Wednesday, September 30th 14:40
Paul Hamilton Last night the offspring slept for seven hours, woke up peacefully to gulp down a meal, then went quietly back to sleep for three more hours. There was much parental giddiness this morning.Thursday, October 1st 11:38
Nikki Hamilton Callie’s newest way of signaling she’s finished with her meal is to blow a raspberry at me, ensuring I am covered in milk.Thursday, October 1st 11:56
ironsoap Hoping The Pixies, Wilco, T.Rex, Dead Kennedys, etc can loosen the children’s songs from their barnacle-like grip on my brain.Thursday, October 1st 16:36
Nikki Hamilton You know you’re suffering from sleep deprivation when you spray your outfit with Shout rather than Downy Wrinkle Release.Friday, October 2nd 08:03
DixieGirl Not looking forward to Callie’s 2 month checkup this morning. Many shots will be involved. And not the kind involving alcohol.Friday, October 2nd 08:06
Nikki Hamilton Sitting in the waiting room while Callie gets her vaccinations. Paul thought this was best.Friday, October 2nd 10:14
Paul Hamilton Wife says, “Can you watch the baby real quick? I’ll get you some breakfast.” Expecting toast, maybe oatmeal. She comes back with eggs, toast, bacon and coffee.Friday, October 2nd 11:19
Nikki Hamilton Calliope spends a lot of time grinning up at the ceiling. We like to think she’s smiling at her Great-Grandpa Follett and Great-Grandma Yoder.Saturday, October 3rd 13:05
Paul Hamilton Ugh. Got rear-ended by some jerk in a Mercedes because some other jerk made an illegal U-Turn. Nik was driving, Calliope and I were in the back seat. Spent the afternoon in the ER making sure everyone is okay. We all got a pass; even the car escaped surprisingly unscathed.Saturday, October 3rd 18:57
Nikki Hamilton Walked by Callie’s bed this morning just as she rolled over for the first time!Monday, October 5th 05:54
Nikki Hamilton It is a cruel irony that even if the baby sleeps through the night you still have to get up to pump.Wednesday, October 7th 11:34
Nikki Hamilton really, really wishes her baby liked slings or carriers so she could do baby wearing.Thursday, October 8th 14:31
Nikki Hamilton The thing that made the baby stop fussing and squ[eal] in de[li]ght? Sitting in her boppy on the floor watching “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”. Paul will be horrified.Thursday, October 8th 18:53
Nikki Hamilton cannot wait for Callie to be old enough to go to Disneyland.Monday, October 12th 18:19
Nikki Hamilton Rain falling outside, stew cooking inside, cozy baby sleeping = perfect day!Tuesday, October 13th 11:32
Nikki Hamilton It took 10 weeks, but I finally took my first completely solo trip out with the baby!Thursday, October 15th 16:47
ironsoap The baby steadfastly refuses to take her prescription so she spits it out onto her blanket. Naturally the cat is happy to lap it up. Rad.Thursday, October 15th 18:59
DixieGirl Cracking @ironsoap up with the crazy sounds I’m making at the baby.Friday, October 16th 15:59
DixieGirl I’m learning that one of the most difficult things about parenthood is that someone is always ready to tell you you’re doing it wrong.Saturday, October 17th 19:24
Nikki Hamilton I think my growling stomach just startled the sleeping baby.Monday, October 19th 11:57
Paul Hamilton In the span of five minutes the cat barfed all over the place, the baby spit up on me, Nik had a make-up incident and I gashed my finger open on a pencil sharpener. I can’t explain how exactly, but the end result of this is: We’re ordering a pizza.Tuesday, October 20th 19:49
Nikki Hamilton I spent the year leading up to Callie’s birth looking for a job to no avail. In the last week I’ve had two different people call me about a job opportunity. I suspect Murphy was involved.Wednesday, October 21st 10:35
Nikki Hamilton I don’t understand how I could have slept as long as I did last night and still be tired. In an unrelated note: I did it again. I made coffee minus the coffee grounds. :/Thursday, October 22nd 09:56
ironsoap Did a solo mish to the library with the baby this morning. It was almost—almost—disappointingly uneventful.Friday, October 23rd 11:54
Nikki Hamilton I’m wearing sweat pants with spit-up on them and I fully intend to go to the grocery store like this. Who says new moms aren’t hot?Friday, October 23rd 19:29
Paul Hamilton Enjoying a relaxing Sunday afternoon with my wife and daughter.Sunday, October 25th 18:01
Nikki Hamilton My child sounds like she is being tortured when she does tummy time.Tuesday, October 27th 12:58
Nikki Hamilton Callie is taking a much-needed nap and I am going in search of some much-needed chocolate.Wednesday, October 28th 19:52
Nikki Hamilton Callie really wants to be upset but she keeps getting distracted by the sheep hanging over her swing.Friday, October 30th 15:23
DixieGirl I have never seen someone have this much dedication to fighting sleep. Why can’t babies understand naps are a *good* thing?Friday, October 30th 16:47
Nikki Hamilton Callie aimed wrong and missed her mouth with her thumb. She decided that sticking it in her cheek would be the same concept.Friday, October 30th 16:52
Nikki Hamilton How long do growth spurts last? What I thought was one last weekend began again this weekend. Maybe I’m wrong and it’s something else?Saturday, October 31st 15:24
Nikki Hamilton The baby had a poop blowout that was so severe the onesie could not be saved. RIP Lucky Duck shirt. Guess you weren’t so lucky.Wednesday, November 4th 12:52
DixieGirl Relaxing in comfy sweats, watching guilty-pleasure TV with a sleepy baby in my arms. Life is good.Monday, November 9th 18:22
Paul Hamilton Overheard at the Hamilton’s: “Changing your diaper is like a rodeo.”Tuesday, November 10th 12:05
DixieGirl The baby makes noises like a zombie. I’m sure @ironsoap is so proud.Tuesday, November 10th 15:12
Nikki Hamilton is wondering when the growling will stop and the napping will begin.Tuesday, November 10th 15:42
Nikki Hamilton is really hoping the little one sleeps through the night tonight. It was a cruel trick to get us used to it and then take it away these past two weeks!Tuesday, November 10th 22:32
DixieGirl It appears my daughter enjoys it when you sing novelty rap to her.Thursday, November 12th 12:40
Nikki Hamilton Sick mom and (possibly) teething baby makes for an unhappy household. Luckily Paul is awesome and is keeping it together for all of us.Saturday, November 14th 19:58
Nikki Hamilton Turns out you can’t bribe a baby. If it did work she’d have a pony and a car by now, all in exchange for sleep.Wednesday, November 18th 22:01
Nikki Hamilton Turned around after throwing something in the garbage and Callie had flipped onto her stomach. She’s slowly getting the hang of the rolling over thing.Monday, November 23rd 18:22
Nikki Hamilton Wow, that was intense. Three hours of screaming and she’s finally asleep. I’m not counting on it lasting long. Hopefully I get at least a few hours of sleep…Tuesday, December 1st 00:36
Paul Hamilton Despite taking an extra month to complete it, I’m disappointed that Callie’s “Zombie Baby” Halloween costume turned out badly. Once again the creativity I see in my brain and the creativity I can produce with my hands does not sync.Tuesday, December 1st 15:42
Nikki Hamilton was planning on making homemade banana bread today, but Callie is having a rough day. Not sure how one becomes a supermom that does it all.Tuesday, December 1st 16:32
DixieGirl I want to go back in time and punch [P]ast Nikki for ever complaining about lack of sleep. She had no idea.Wednesday, December 2nd 08:48
Nikki Hamilton Thinking Callie will be braver tomorrow when she gets her 4-month shots than I was today getting my ingrown toenails removed.Thursday, December 3rd 15:42
ironsoap Heading out with @DixieGirl for our first date sans baby. Fairly excited.Saturday, December 5th 18:12
Nikki Hamilton 4 month stats (a few days late): 13 lbs. 14.5 oz and 24.5 inches long. She’s grown almost 6 inches in 4 months!Monday, December 7th 13:49
DixieGirl I should be cleaning while the baby sleeps, but after the difficult morning we’ve had I just want to relax for awhile.Monday, December 7th 13:50
DixieGirl You know what really helps a baby that has trouble napping? Construction on your apartment building.Monday, December 7th 14:33
ironsoap We’re out of clean drinking glasses. For a minute, I seriously considered drinking out of a baby bottle.Tuesday, December 15th 19:59
Nikki Hamilton Experienced my first out-in-public diaper blow-out complete with poop caked on baby’s leg and matching stain on my lap. So, so awesome. :/Wednesday, December 16th 15:26
Nikki Hamilton Rough day in the Hamilton household. Baby is definetly cutting her first tooth and is NOT happy about it.Wednesday, December 16th 17:08
DixieGirl Enjoying some time with the baby and Paul before he leaves for Missouri.Sunday, December 20th 15:02
Nikki Hamilton is sad Callie and I won’t be able to accompany Paul to Missouri for his Grandpa’s funeral.Sunday, December 20th 20:55
Nikki Hamilton Callie is suddenly mobile. She is rolling all over the place. I believe it is time to childproof the house.Wednesday, December 23rd 18:12
Nikki Hamilton is thinking Christmas Eve is probably the one night during the year that kids go to bed without a fight. Unless, of course, your kid is 4 1/2 months old.Thursday, December 24th 23:17
Nikki Hamilton Paul let me sleep in this morning while he watched a recorded Sharks game with the baby. Can’t wait to experience Callie’s first Christmas after we all eat some breakfast. Merry Christmas, everyone!Friday, December 25th 10:19
Nikki Hamilton wonders if it makes more sense to go to bed now and try to get some sleep before the baby inevitably wakes up, or just stay up until she does.Sunday, December 27th 00:38
DixieGirl I remember a time when Tool would be stuck in my head, now it’s The Itsy Bitsy Spider.Tuesday, December 29th 11:37
Nikki Hamilton Sigh. What we thought was a tooth (and even had confirmed by several parents) has disappeared. Now I have no reason for Callie’s behavior lately.Wednesday, December 30th 11:52
Nikki Hamilton Everyone have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve! 2009 was one of the best years of my life (second only to 1999 – the year that started it all). :)Thursday, December 31st 15:09
Nikki Hamilton Happy New Year!! 2010 started off with the baby sleeping until 9:30. A sign of good things to come?Friday, January 1st 09:59
Nikki Hamilton Callie is one month away from being halfway through her first year of life!Monday, January 4th 11:31
ironsoap Drank a 5 Hour Energy and then kissed the baby. She’s been really intense ever since. That stuff is potent!Monday, January 4th 12:03
Nikki Hamilton Paul and I started watching the sign language dvds my friend gave me. I can’t wait to teach Callie all of the signs.Monday, January 4th 16:46
Nikki Hamilton Listening to the baby blow raspberries at herself instead of sleeping. I’m guessing her face is somewhat damp.Tuesday, January 5th 21:14
ironsoap Having a coughing fit does not make rocking a baby to sleep easier.Thursday, January 7th 22:13
ironsoap Much earlier morning than usual due to doctor appointment for the baby. At least I have the day off.Friday, January 8th 08:02
DixieGirl You know who is a good candidate for vaccines? A crabby baby that’s overdue for a nap.Friday, January 8th 14:56
ironsoap Baby had a rashy, wailing reaction to a vaccine shot today. So naturally it was the first time @DixieGirl decided to stay in the room.Friday, January 8th 18:51
Nikki Hamilton Callie had a rough time with her vaccinations today. She ended up having a reaction to one of them and now has to get them one at a time.Friday, January 8th 18:57
Nikki Hamilton I love that my daughter saves the majority of her poop blow outs for when we’re out in public.Monday, January 11th 17:16
ironsoap Today’s Patience Mid-Term: Try to get a reluctant baby to take a nap while a gang of obnoxious morons tears the siding off your building.Tuesday, January 12th 10:51
Paul Hamilton Nik and the baby’s communication technique has devolved into growling at one another. Interestingly, this seems to be more effective than their previous efforts.Tuesday, January 12th 14:37
Nikki Hamilton My child does not want to eat today. I never have that problem.Wednesday, January 13th 16:11
ironsoap Dinner with friends was great. Fearing we will pay the price for disrupting the baby’s bedtime routine, though.Saturday, January 16th 20:36
ironsoap Well hello there, pre-dawn morning! It’s been, what? …24 hours? You haven’t changed a bit.Sunday, January 17th 06:36
ironsoap Hitting the workout room for the first time since the baby arrived. Future Paul is sure to curse my/our name.Sunday, January 17th 12:05
ironsoap Waiting at the fish counter, wearing a five month old with questionable intestinal control. It creates an interesting bouquet.Sunday, January 17th 16:30
ironsoap Turns out I don’t know the lyrics to very many lullabies. I’m sure my audience is indifferent, but I still kind of feel like an ignoramus.Monday, January 18th 18:09
DixieGirl Big thanks to the dude that watched me struggle to get in the door with a stroller and didn’t offer to help.Tuesday, January 19th 10:13
Nikki Hamilton thinks it’s going to be (another) long night. Callie has been having an exceptionally rough time sleeping this week. Both Paul and I are exhausted.Wednesday, January 20th 22:30
Paul Hamilton Snuggly babies may just be the perfect compliment to cold, wet mornings.Thursday, January 21st 10:10
Nikki Hamilton My toes are still throbbing after kicking Callie’s bouncer this morning. Found out upon inspection that one of them is a pretty shade of purple.Friday, January 22nd 00:42
ironsoap It would be a lot easier if getting up ridiculously early with a baby was energizing, like getting up to exercise.Sunday, January 24th 05:41
DixieGirl PSA: Please do not give sleep deprived parents your parenting tips based on any experiences you have had with your dog.Sunday, January 24th 16:01
ironsoap Huh. Forgot to eat this morning. You’ll have to excuse me, it’s been a long time since I saw this side of 09:00 without rocking a baby.Monday, January 25th 08:26
Nikki Hamilton The construction workers have the uncanny ability to begin all of their noisest work the second Callie falls asleep. Nap fail. Repeatedly.Tuesday, January 26th 11:17
Nikki Hamilton I could watch Paul play with Callie for hours. Not sure if me or the baby is more entertained by him.Tuesday, January 26th 19:20
DixieGirl How does one keep their child’s head warm if the child knows how to remove hats (and hates wearing them)?Thursday, January 28th 09:25
ironsoap New pet peeve: Establishments without changing tables in both lavatories. I’m not in the situation, but what about single dads? C’mon.Thursday, January 28th 18:51
DixieGirl It’s funny to me that sometimes Callie can sleep through an amazing amount of noise and other times the cat meowing wakes her up.Friday, January 29th 13:57
Nikki Hamilton Of course the construction guys are going to bang on the bedroom wall as soon as Callie fell asleep. Why wouldn’t they start work on the opposite end of the house that they were working on prior to her sleeping?Friday, January 29th 14:06
ironsoap I feel like the theme from “Cheers” ought to play everytime I walk into Babies R Us.Sunday, January 31st 16:26
ironsoap Tried to go to a new Me[x]ican restaurant tonight. Left hurriedly after asking, “Did we just bring our baby to a bar?”Sunday, January 31st 19:00
Nikki Hamilton Going to Oakland with my sister to pick up Callie’s birth certificate.Monday, February 1st 08:23
DixieGirl How do I time it to have Callie try to sleep at the same time as they’re working on our bedroom walls EVERY SINGLE DAY?Monday, February 1st 15:02
Nikki Hamilton Need ideas for free or inexpensive activities outside of the house. Callie and I are going a little stir crazy these days.Tuesday, February 2nd 15:34
DixieGirl In fur[t]her bad news: no public restroom in said coffee shop and baby with poopy diaper.Tuesday, February 2nd 15:42
DixieGirl There could be big money in a line of medicine safe for breastfeeding moms. Specifically cold and flu remedies.Wednesday, February 3rd 14:43
DixieGirl Accidentally took the baby to another bar. But who ever expects Togo’s to have a bar in it?Thursday, February 4th 14:00
DixieGirl Really not looking forward to 6 month vaccinations today, especially after our last experience.Friday, February 5th 10:38
ironsoap Extreme sports for parents: Four hour outings with no diaper bag.Friday, February 5th 10:53
Nikki Hamilton Trying to figure out what Callie and I are going to do all day on Friday. We have to be out of the apartment from 8am-5pm while the construction team installs new stairs. :/Sunday, February 7th 20:39
DixieGirl Amused that I cannot tell if that is Paul or Callie I am listening to snore over the baby monitor.Thursday, February 11th 23:18
DixieGirl Cannot believe I walked out of the house without a single burp cloth.Wednesday, February 17th 14:24
DixieGirl Disappointed that a large chain like @Starbucks does not have changing stations in the restrooms.Thursday, February 18th 16:33
Nikki Hamilton Dinner at Harry’s Hofbrau with my two favorite people. The perfect way to end the week.Friday, February 19th 19:14
Nikki Hamilton We have started child-proofing the apartment. I can no longer open anything.Saturday, February 20th 23:55
DixieGirl Can’t decide if it makes more sense to stay up until the baby wakes up or go to bed and try to get *some* sleep.Sunday, February 21st 00:10
ironsoap Three guesses why the whole family is still awake with four hours left before alarm clocks start going off. I’ll spot you the first two.Monday, February 22nd 01:25
Nikki Hamilton Doesn’t remember the last time she ate a meal at a normal pace. No, wait, it was about 6 1/2 months ago.Tuesday, February 23rd 13:10
DixieGirl Callie learned how to wave today. Now she waves at anyone that makes eye contact with her.Tuesday, February 23rd 13:55
DixieGirl My daughter has the habit of peeing all over the exam table everytime she goes to the doctor.Wednesday, February 24th 11:18
Nikki Hamilton Experience[d] parents, when did your kids start sleeping through the night? Did you do anything to help them along, or did they just start sleeping well on their own? Callie will be 7 months old next week and I need to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am so deliriously tired I am no longer thinking straight.Wednesday, February 24th 13:07
ironsoap In retrospect, taking a cranky, under-napped baby to a restaurant on a busy Friday night wasn’t our best idea. We made it happen, though.Friday, February 26th 19:30
ironsoap Somehow got bamboozled into “professional” portraits for the baby. Fully anticipating the hard sell in 5… 4… 3…Saturday, February 27th 14:44
ironsoap 7 month-old slept from 22:00 until after I left for work at 06:30, a first in weeks. #sleeptraining #lullababyWednesday, March 3rd 06:58
Nikki Hamilton Callie has decided her favorite form of communication is blowing raspberries. While completely amusing to us, it is slightly awkward when we tell her to say “hi” to strangers and she spits at them.Wednesday, March 3rd 10:21
Nikki Hamilton Exactly 7 months ago we decided we should go to the hospital “just in case” and returned home a party of 3.Thursday, March 4th 06:28
ironsoap It only took 45 minutes to get the baby to sleep last night–half the time as the night before–and she slept through again! #sleeptrainingThursday, March 4th 08:50
DixieGirl It would be awesome if the cat and the baby could both agree to stop spitting things up.Friday, March 5th 09:04
Paul Hamilton Nik to the baby: “I’m going to look for your money while you eat your hot dog, okay?” Me: “Can I hear that sentence one more time, please?”Friday, March 5th 20:59
ironsoap Had a bit of a setback last night, but tonight baby fell asleep in under 15 minutes with practically no fussing. #sleeptraining #lullababyFriday, March 5th 21:40
Nikki Hamilton Really wanted to workout while Callie took her nap, but it has been so long since I worked out last I cannot remember where the DVDs are. :/ Guess I’m rocking the post-pregnancy flab for at least one more day.Monday, March 8th 15:58
ironsoap After a week of steady improvement, the last two nights have been very difficult. #sleeptraining #lullababy #wellidontneedanytrainingkidTuesday, March 9th 22:21
Nikki Hamilton Took a nap while cuddling with Callie this morning. Even with the loud constuction on the roof going on, it was still the best nap ever.Wednesday, March 10th 12:43
Nikki Hamilton We took Callie to her first Sharks game on Saturday and found out the hard way that it scares her when they score. :(Monday, March 15th 00:14
Nikki Hamilton Signed Callie up for swim lessons. I guess this means I have to get into a bathing suit soon…. does a wetsuit count?Tuesday, March 16th 13:19
Nikki Hamilton The weather was so nice today we decided to have an impromtu picnic at the park for dinner. Callie was a bigger fan of the grass than the bubbles Paul was blowing.Wednesday, March 17th 22:01
Nikki Hamilton Daylight savings has turned Callie into a late bird. She gets up later every day. 10:45 and still asleep…Thursday, March 18th 10:42
Paul Hamilton Me: “How about that spot right there? Is that some pee?” Nik: (Sticks her hand right in it) “Nope, it’s dry.” Me: “…Dude. That was some pretty savage super mom action right there.”Sunday, March 21st 22:19
Paul Hamilton Aaand that’s why super savage mom action is not the way to go. On a related subject, what’s the best way to disinfect skin?Monday, March 22nd 20:01
ironsoap It’s hard to concentrate on this training while a cute baby is trying to play hide-and-seek with me. #workfromhomepitfallsWednesday, March 24th 09:54
ironsoap They said it couldn’t be done but I totally got the baby’s onesie off without undoing her highchair harness.Wednesday, March 24th 19:01
ironsoap Trying to fill a weird amount of time between the day’s various activities. Settling on trying to lull baby to sleep while @DixieGirl shops.Sunday, March 28th 12:09
DixieGirl You know you’re exhausted when you use a CT scan as an excuse to take a 30 second nap.Tuesday, March 30th 12:33
ironsoap Trying a different approach to our sleep strategy tonight. Last couple of nights have been pretty brutal. #sleeptrainingTuesday, March 30th 20:51
Now, by my count 30% of those were about sleep, napping, sleep deprivation or exhaustion. 22% are elated, contented, excited or relieved. 13% involve diapers, spit-up, going to the bathroom or changing a baby. The rest are assorted observations, anecdotes or announcements and honestly, that sounds just about right in terms of mapping to the amount of your waking thought is devoted to the various topics.
I also found it interesting that when referred to by name, we call our daughter “Callie” 64 times in these posts. By contrast we use her full name, “Calliope,” eight times. We use the generic term “baby” 82 times.
