Hand, foot, mouth, and sadness!

We are so bummed, Howie and Eleanor's Baker cousins have become sick with hand foot and mouth disease. The boy that Jenny babysits broke out with it, and then sure enough Evelynn got it too, poor little sweet girl. Evelynn's cousin, Maely, also got it. A few days later Henry started showing the symptoms too. Sadness.

Research and experience indicates this disease spreads like room-temperature butter, even through adults. So we sadly have to quarantine our little newborn from all Baker-side family. Boo!!! We're really bummed and really want to see our family, but such is life. We're probably extra paranoid, but just don't want to take any chances.

Time off, recovery, Howie & sis

I had anticipated returning to work part time yesterday. However, Katie needs more time to recover before I leave her alone with both kids. Katie is doing great, but this second c-section seems to be harder than the first, as she experiencing more pain and soreness. She was told not to lift Howie for a month after Eleanor's birth, so in order to stick to that I need to be home. Fortunately my boss is presently feeling very gracious, as he himself is now vacationing in Cabo San Lucas.

Ellie is such a good little girl. She is so peaceful even when awake. She loves to be held! When she gets sad, I just pick her up and she's soothed almost immediately. It's so precious, and makes me feel good to know that she is so comforted by me.

Howie is being very sweet to his new sister. He affectionately says "baby" to her all the time, seemingly recognizing her as a new constant in our home. We let him hold her on the couch and he's very gentle and cautious, except for the occasional nostril gouge. He hasn't acted very jealous yet, but that may yet come with time.

10 day old Eleanor

Eleanor is 10 days old today. We celebrated by making her favorite meal, several times.

One thing I remember now about holding a newborn is the juxtaposition of my strength with the newborn's helplessness. I feel so protective of her, and in a sense afraid of my own strength. I understand better the common storyline of a great monster befriending a human, and clumsily aiding in that humans affairs. I used to resonate with the human, now I resonate with the monster.

It's a lively house, now that there are two kids. Howie was already becoming increasingly vocal, filling the house with nonstop babble, and frequent grabs for attention. Couple that with a new competitor for attention, and I can see how things are gonna get interesting real fast.

Two kids feels like more of the family atmosphere for me. There are now as many kids as adults (or more, depending on how you categorize me), which makes me feel more like part of a group.

I also sense my role in life becoming humbler. I remember when Katie and I got engaged, feeling like I was the hottest headline in the country. I was in the spotlight, I was the thing to be excited about. With Howie came a shift. He was now the hot news, the thing to be excited about. I could feel my role as a headliner fading into obsolescence. Now with two, the feeling's even more pronounced. They are the big news. My new role is as caretaker to the two hottest headlines in the country. It's a privilege and a joy to be such, and I'm quite excited about them. When I look at them, I don't want to be in the spotlight any more, I want them to be.

As I write, Eleanor is sleeping by our bed in her bassinet, and cooing. So cute. Katie is sleeping too. Soon I'll be sleeping, and they'll be up having a snack. Fun times ahead!

Mission Statement

I'd frequently thought about writing a blog like this when Howie was born, but didn't. There are so many endearing, unforgettable moments raising a child, but I tend to forget them. This blog is to capture some of those moments for myself, and also share them with friends and family. Please stay tuned!