The Day My Daughter was Born

Abigail Elizabeth O'Leary
Born October 26, '06 @ 12:17 PM
8 lbs 11 ounces; 19.5 inches

"My water broke!" yelled my wife Rachel @ 3:40 am. Our neighbor Lisa came over at 4:15 am. We left for the hospital at 4:44 am. My mom came over at 5 am . My last words before we left the house, "Rachel, can you find my UNC hat?"

5 Highlights:
- Mom w/kids all day & Lisa arrival at 4 ("F*@# Incredible!" - Rachel)
- Rachel calls wrong number at 4 am. Rachel says, "Good Morning, Its time!" Unidentified awoken woman says "Great...Who are you?"
- Rachel in whirlpool during labor ("2 thumbs up!", says Rachel)
- Doula Services by Regina ("Phenomenal!", says Rachel)
- JohnnyO Baby Coaching Services ("You are Da Man!", says Rachel)

Scene of the Day
Nurse comes into the room to check on Rachel at 2:30 PM.
JohnnyO lieing on the couch. Rachel lieing in bed.
Nurse says "You must be pooped"
JohnnyO says, "Yeh, I am shot!"
Nurse says with a smile "No Dad, I was asking your wife"

The Fine Art of Conversation

In 4 years and 11 months, I never felt that David and I have had a phone conversation. Thinking about this, really hurts.

Our phone conversations are:
Me: "David, how was your day?"
David: "1, 2, 3"
Me: "David, I love you"
David: "thomas the tank engine pulls 3 freight cars"

Yesterday was our first real conversation:
Me: "David, how was your day?
David: "Great!"
Me: "David, I love you"
David: "I love you too"

David: "Dad, where are you?"
Me: "I am at work"
David: "Dad, Why are you always at work?"

Ah, out of the mouths of babes.
Question to myself - "Yeh, why am I always at work?"

Bike Riding

Jaclyn learned how to ride a 2 wheel bike on Saturday, October 14.

Well, she actually has been learning to ride for sometime (with my assistance). But she really mastered it and rode on the driveway by herself (with my guidance).

She was proud, quick, fast and laughing all the way. A pure joy except when she stops (we have to learn the fine art of stopping with grace).

I enjoyed every second of being with my daughter. This will be a milestone father and daughter will look back on with great joy.

Heart Aches

Seeing your son or daughter scrape a knee.....hurts you. Seeing your son under anesthesia after an operation.....mucho mucho heart ache. Seeing your son with a swelled up eye..... more mucho mucho heartache.

In the course of the week, JP had a swollen eye from an apparent insect bite and David had surgery to replace ear tubes. JP was amazing - swollen eye and all - happy as can be. During the week he even got his finger caught in the toy chest - but continued to play, clean up. All this while I applied ice to his finger. Simply amazing.

David was equally amazing handling the operation. Lots of scariness during and lots of post op hecticness, but he really bounced back well.

I know the pain on my heart with these minor setbacks. How will I feel when my daughter starts dating in 20 years (she is 6).