Accents

Babydaddy has always enjoyed accents, and of course he always liked the English(UK) accent. Growing up in Canada, of course he was oblivious to Canadian accent, then moving to Michigan, who would have thought there was a Midwester accent? Going to college in Western PA he got exposed to Pittsburgh-ese, and of course moving to the Bean got him exposed to a whole new version of English, as well as the Irish brogue.

Come to think of it growing up in Toronto he also went to a school with a lot of Jamaicans, so he was definitely used to (one, two, tree, etc). Braveheart, Shrek(Mike Meyers), and Trainspotting got him into the Scottish accent.

Before babygirl could speak, he always wondered how she would sound-0f course it's sweet and totally cute. Happy to say she has yet to pick up any accent, if anything she pronounces things as she sees fit, and makes up her own words.

Of course the day Babymama reported that Babygirl has picked up on some of the subtleties of her daycare teacher, who's Jamaican, such as "wash yor hahnds," Babygirl also likes to say "you's." She also says "yah" like a Black lady. Babydaddy always though she would pick up a Scottish or English accent, since that's the accent most of her books are read in(what else is a dad to do when he has to read the same books over and over, might as well practice some accents).

Then again Babydaddy should have known, growing up in a city, and living in a diverse neighborhood, Babygirl was bound to pick up a hodge podge of accents. I'm sure it's only a matter of going to school she'll be exposed to a wicked good accent.

recent photo of our hipstah baby

Confessional

While Babymamma was out with friend, and while Babygirl were asleep, Babydaddy got stuck watching TV. Since it's a holiday week, there's nothing but bad movieson , but Babydaddy managed to sit through a movie he's seen several times.

There's something about a movie, that involved blue collar men behaving and doing blue collar work, like drilling into the ground to tap oil reserves. There's also something about space and flight that fascinates me, any space SciFi related movie(Star Wars, Star Trek, Aliens, Apollo 13, Top Gun, etc.). On top of all that you have actors who just play their interesting characters, nothing memorable or Oscar worthy, but nothing as bad as B movies. It also helps that you have a female character who's pale skinned and has dark hair(both my wife and mom have these features). Of course you have themes such as heroism, fate of mankind, love, brotherhood, trust, conflict, patriotism, underdogs, going rogue, a feel good ending, shots of ideal Americana, etc. Btw there's also a cheesy Aerosmith song that gets played at the end of the movie as well, and general likeable soundtrack.

Babydaddy could probably go on and on about the various scenes and dialogue that are compelling to him, but he'll save himself the embarrassment. Sure the science behind the movie, as well as the whole premise of the movie is highly unlikely, but it's a movie, and in the end it's compelling enough entertainment where you can get sucked into a movie and escape from the reality for a short period of time.

This movie was made in 1998, it has a cast of Bruce Willis, acting in a non cop Die Hard kind of way. You have Billy Bob Thorton playing a disabled man pre Monster's Ball. Ben Affleck before he started to over act, JLo or wife/kids and being a director. Michael Clark Duncan just playing a small roll, Owen Wilson playing a zany guy who gets killed, Steve Buscemi just getting into his character as he always does, and of course Liv Tyler.

If you haven't figured it out already, this movie is a Michael Bay movie called Armageddon.

So there you have it, what this says about Babydaddy, I don't know, but it's one of those movies when on TV, I can't just pass it up. Even though I keep telling myself, I'll just watch until this next scene, I just end up watching the whole thing. I'm a sucker. Babymamma knows I'm a sucker, and hopefully Babygirl doesn't know I'm a sucker yet.


*the most reassuring for Babydaddy is that he's not alone in getting sucked into this movie each time it's on TV, just read some of the reviews.

To: babygirl

Dear Babygirl, it's been awhile since I've written to you. Where has time gone? Almost every time I change your diaper, it seems you've grown, your legs are stronger, longer, and your clothes are getting much bigger or smaller.

It seems so long ago that I would have to rock you back to sleep, wait I still do that from time to time, but there was definitely a time when all you did was just want/needed to be held. These days your so busy that if I'm lucky I might get a hug and kiss out of you before I'm out the door.

Each day is certainly a new day, a new day of learning some new words, understanding new mechanical concepts, or figuring out how you fit into this world. It's been a such a delight to see your vocab increase, and your ability to communicate with us increase. Other times mommy and I have no idea what you're trying to tell us, but we eventually figure out. Like for some time you use to say "appasappadah" which after many weeks we figured out that it was your word for "applesauce."

I was certainly shocked when I reading the many books we repeatedly read before you go to sleep, that you actually knew all the words to the books. Well at least the last word of every sentence. Like I would read "A hog and frog cavort in a. . ." and you would definitely say "bog." Soon you were completing every sentence for almost every book, its interesting that you have the knowledge of these words, but only use these words in the context of these books, rather than every day language like the words "kitten, top, mitten, bog, work, etc."

What has also been great to see is what Mommy says is your recognition of details, always aware of which things belong to certain people. Even this summer you were able to recognize who's shoes were who's and would be able to bring them to the rightful owner. Like great-grandma, whom you only spent a long wknd with, you knew which shoes were hers, or what slippers she wore. You're also very aware of all the shoes that your pals at daycare wear, and always talking about who so and so is, and how "funny" they are, etc.

Another thing that's been great to see is your imagination/fantasy play work. George(Curious) has always been your pal since birth, but these days he's really like a buddy. He almost has to always travel with you now. You like to be fair and share all things with him, even knowing that he doesn't eat, you do feed him, and ask about food for him. You also will put some diapers on him from time to time, or push him around in a car/stroller, or anything that moves. George has been known to play "ring around the rosey" with you, dance, give you "high five and fist bumps," and you'll even "rock him like a baby." Of course the babydolls also get this type of maternal love from you, but George, he's your #1.

Along with caring, you also show budding signs of empathy. You're always quick to be very concerned when babies in public are crying. You'll often tell me that "he/she sad, need binkie." The concerned face you make is so serious, and you become so affected by their crying. You also express when your happy, and if someone is funny. Although, it seems anyone who's positive gets the "he/she funny!"

All these signs of caring, empathy, and playing mom has both mommy and I excited for the upcoming arrival of your sibling this spring. I know when you saw the ultrasound you thought and wishfully wanted a puppy, but I'm sad to say it'll be a little baby. Of course i suspect this will be quite a transition, but at the same time, I know that you're going to be great caring big sister. Perhaps you'll be the big sister that daddy always wanted when he was growing up.

You've begun to know/learn about Jesus. You love to have mommy and daddy re-read all the Bible stories. The act of praying before every meal and before going to bed is certainly a ritual you look fwd to, so this is all very promising, and positive towards raising you in a positive Christian home.

Needless to say, it's been a very active and busy past couple of months of development and growth on all levels. Despite daddy's crazy schedule, it seems we make the most of our time together. I certainly enjoy our Mondays together, and any chance that we get to watch football together(you always like to comment on people falling, and like the clapping that occurs in the stands, as well as the kicking and throwing of the ball).

Mommy and Daddy love you dearly, and excited that you're going to be big sister soon, whom you'll share and teach all these great things you've picked up along the way.

Love,
dad

<3

It's been awhile, but it's also been really busy. There's so much to report on, but the most exciting thing happened today.

For the first time to my knowledge, Babygirl said "I love daddy" while hugging the toilet. She wasn't sick, but nonetheless while we were in the bathroom, she said "I love daddy, I love mommy.

Pretty cool moment.

here's a cool pic of Babygirl

Loud and Proud

Babymama is a great mom, and wife. I don't often verbalize these sentiments enough.

It's been a long and crazy week for our family. While it is true Babydaddy has been reunited with his family with a car that runs, Babygirl and Babymama have probably not really enjoyed my company this week.

While still nursing my mystery viral illness, that is more bothersome that debilitating, my arrival at home Tues night, started my life back at home right in the middle of the week, or right at the start of my crazy schedule. Ya see the beginning of the week is very chill for me, with a couple of appts on Sun, followed by some good family time in the evening. Mon, no work at all, and spending most of the day with Babygirl. Tues I return back to the clinic, but Tues night I'm at home with the family.

Coming home at the start of Wed, 12AM, I was already officially "on call"status for the hospital. Wed morning I was due back at the clinic, now being away for 2 days, I was not looking fwd to the madness. To complicate things, Wed AM's I go straight to a school to see kids at school, let alone I need to be there by 8:30AM. Wed night had me at my private practice. Thurs back at the clinic, but before I get to my office, I go straight to an alternative high school to meet with teen for the first 3hrs of the day. Then Thurs night is another night at my private practice. This particular Thurs, due to lack of coverage, I had volunteered 2 weeks ago to help cover the ER to start my on call shift earlier and was officially "on call" from 8pm to 8:30AM Fri. Of course I got paged right at 8pm. So right after all my clients at my private practice, I was rushing to ER to eval a confused man. Only then to be paged again half way home that I had another eval. Needless to say, I finally got home after midnight.

Fri, fairly straight fwd day, 8hrs at the clinic, and then home to my family for the longest stretch of time I'll spend with them all week. Pretty crazy week, pretty crazy schedule, but typically manageable when I'm not stranded in NY for a couple of days.

Throughout all this, Babymama has been holding down the fort, keeping Babygirl happy, healthy and clean. Babymama has also not been feeling under the weather, as well maintaining her own work schedule, teaching schedule, lesson prep, lunch prep, feeding herself, buying groceries, washing diapers, folding laundry, etc. etc. I can't even imagine the amount of energy and patience that was required to get through this week with Babygirl, as well as coping with my absence. Throughout it all Babymama has not been vindictive, or outright frustrated with me, and truly shows what a godly woman she is, who exudes with much motherly strength. I am most thankful and appreciative of all these wonderful qualities that Babymama, and also very lucky that she is my partner and spouse in this crazy life we have together.

Away From the Fam

Usually it's the other way around, I'm left at home with Babygirl and Babymama is enjoying much needed time away. This time around, by chance, the girls managed to get whisked away and I got left in the dust. They're at home and I'm away.

Well it didn't really happen like that, but here's the story. The Family and I decided to attend a wedding in western NY. Great wknd, caught up with old friends, stayed with an old friend, and when the wknd was over we were headed home.

Not an hour into our drive, the car just died, couldn't accelerate anymore, so I tried to start the car again, and nothing. Called 911 for the first time for a disabled car that was not a true emergency, and also txt-ed the girl who got married for the cell number of someone who was also lives in the same direction as us.

Lucky enough, the folks that live near us, probably left Western NY about half hour after we did, and was able to scoop up the girls and deliver them home by night, while I stayed back for the tow truck and wait up the inevitable repair that hopefully wouldn't take more than a couple hours the next morning.

Well next morning has turned into 2 mornings, and I hoping that it doesn't turn into a 3rd.

Obviously this has been upsetting for my girls, as well as everything else that was suppose to happen this week. Luckily work is fairly flexible so I can just cancel appts, and reschedule them, but I'm ready to blow this pop stand and get on home.

I don't know what my life has become here stuck in my friend's apartment, that I'm totally thankful and comfortable in, but I miss the chaos of Babygirl, pagers going off at night, riding my bike to work rain or shine, eating PB+J, falling asleep next to Babymama, Reading Babygirl books, etc.

It's probably a blessing in disguise that I'm apart from my family while I have mystery cold/flu like symptoms. That and my car is going to be like totally refurbished and ready to roll into it's 200,000th mile of life and more.

Wishful thinking is simply nothing more than that

There are mornings when Babygirl decides to wake up at some despicable hour, well not really, but earlier and hour or half hour earlier than normal. Then again on Sun AM's anything before 9am is despicable. Lately Babygirl is good to wake up 7-7:30AM window, everyday. There are always those AM's when she decides 5AM seems like a great time to start asking for a bottle, or 6AM when she just start crying because she wants out of her crib.

Well this AM it was 6AM, when she was crying, and was not going to soothe her own self back to bed. It turns out these chilly overnights make it chilly for Babygirl who doesn't believe in blankets yet, despite dressing her in warm clothes (if only she believed in wearing hats to bed like she did a year ago, sigh). Well after rocking her back to sleep, I laid her down back in bed, and not even 20mins later, she was back up stating she had a "poopy" diaper, and also needed a bottle, since she was so thirsty.

After all that, she had no interest to go back to sleep, and Babydaddy had no interest in staying up. So in my mind, despite knowing the likely outcome, decided to bring Babygirl to bed with Babymamma and I. Lets just say Babymama and I have tried this numerous time in the last 6 months and she's never once gone back to sleep with us. Of course I think, she's a bit older than the last time, and I'm just as tired, so in my wishful thoughts I think, ya she'll fall asleep, especially when she get's under that down comforter.

WHAT WAS I THINKING? Wishful thinking is like a form of delusion, just flat out crazy. Babygirl did start off pretty calm laying there, getting all cozy, before she poked me in my eye, sat up, bothered Babymama, and declared that the sun was up, roosters had already crowed and surely we had to get up too.

After 20mins, Babygirl and I started our Sunday at 7AM. Good thing I don't think Babygirl is despicable, nor am I delusional for loving this girl, but boy do I miss sleeping in on Sun's.