my mind's eye

According to the dictionary, a sentence is defined as follows:

a number of words forming a complete statement
Ironically, not a sentence...

Anyhow, the other day, I heard Penelope form a complete sentence for the first time. She very clearly said,

I want my momma.
Notice, if you will, the presence of subject (I), verb (want), object (momma), and adjective (my).

Later the same day, I could have sworn I saw her filling out college applications out of the corner of my eye...

So, one of my favorite pastimes is spending time with Penelope. There really isn't much that she does that isn't interesting. Crying is one exception, because it gets old pretty quick when she wails every time I try to change her diaper - she hates lying on her back because it limits her mobility, and I can't change a diaper on a moving target - but in most things, she is a very interesting person to observe and interact with.

This morning Penelope woke up earlier than usual and was awake while I was getting ready for work. She looked at me with the strangest expression on her face. I don't know how to explain it, exactly. Anyhow, it seems like every day she does something new and different that surprises me. Just a few months ago, she was a floppy baby that stared around kind of blankly. Now, she's a real person that will truly engage you.

I often find myself wondering what she's thinking.

I can't wait for her to learn some real words so she can tell me what's on her mind.

Penelope is 2 months old today. Here is a list of some of her best tricks so far:

• She can shove her fist in her mouth about 1/2 the time.


• She smiles when she's happy to see someone she knows.


• She makes talkie noises to have conversations with people.

She's really growing fast and I'm always amazed by the things she can do.

Today she had her 2 month checkup with the doctor. You may recall when you were young that going to the doctor when you didn't feel sick meant you were getting a shot of some kind. Penelope got three today, the poor dear (insert sympathy tears here). I'm heading home slightly early today to try to offset the trauma with some quality Dad Time.

It was bound to happen at some point. I had hoped to make it through a week or two first, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be. Popular opinion notwithstanding, it actually wasn't that bad. It's my own fault anyway for leaving Penelope's diaper too loose at the legs. That's right, folks...

I've been peed on.
The inside part of her diaper, which was hanging out a little, came in contact with my "God Squad" t-shirt which began wicking up the moisture. Even after I changed my shirt I felt gross, but I took a shower and now I feel fine. Final thoughts on the subject: At least she didn't get poo on me!

(...yet)

There is so much to tell, but I guess I'll start with the news:

It has been several days already, but I managed to find ten minutes in my day to let you all know that our Daughter was born on September 10th! We called her Moxie for so long, I know, but she has an actual name now. Her name is Penelope and she's as cute as a button! She has her mother's lips, my nose and big, beautiful blue eyes.

Her doctor says she's a perfectly healthy baby. Her mother and I are doing just fine as well. I was fortunate enough to be able to take a whole week off work to help get our family routine running smoothly. Let me just say that caring for a newborn is no picnic. I will spare you the graphic details.

That's all for now, 'cause I'm very tired. More later...maybe next week.