Sleeping Baby = Happy Parents

Lila continues to baffle our friends as she enjoys sleeping through the night. Amanda wakes here 2-3 times to feed her, but she sleeps soundly almost every evening. This no doubt has made Mommy and Daddy feel refreshed each morning as we tackle the day. I am beginning to see how lucky I am in this regard as many friends are sending me hate mail in jealous rage over her sleep habits.

She wore her orange for her first UT/Bama game on Saturday. It almost worked. I'm trying to convince Amanda to dress her up in the same outfit on Saturday night for good luck against the Gamecocks.

Rick and Cindy Shepard gave us these cool Crab Sunglasses that I put over Lila's eyes to avoid having to watch the Redskins play on Monday Night. Their front office antics read like a storyline from One Life to Live. Sad times in old DC, especially when a football organization can make Congress look like rational thinkers. We look forward to wearing these at the beach next year.

I asked Amanda how many diapers we went through in a day. I was astounded to hear that the number was as high as a finalist in a Krystal eating contest. Now I understand why our friends gave us diapers as baby shower gifts. Many thanks.

Lila Kate is officially 16 days old, or 2..28571 weeks. I've often been confused by how we refer to babies in days, weeks, then months up until their 2nd birthday. I don't refer to my car as 16 months old, or my TV as 37 weeks, but we do with our kids. I will inevitably yield to my wife for the proper disclosure of Lila's age, but am perplexed nonetheless.

Music update to follow in the next blog post, as Lila has been listening to a steady serenade of the baritone part from Angels We Have Heard on High. Daddy went back to choir practice last night, so we're caught up on our Christmas music.

Go Vols,

KP

Bama Week

Many of you have seen Lila's one week picture. Thanks to Emily Webb for taking the shot. We look forward to seeing the rest of her work over the weekend. Mom, Lila and I continue to do well. I don't what it is about the Ultimate Crib Sheet that Todd and Whitney gave us, but it sure does work. Lila has slept through the night for the past four evenings. Amanda is having to wake her every three hours to feed. Abby and I are sleeping like Lila and enjoying every moment.

As the title suggests, it's time for that annual fall contest between the Crimson Tide of Alabama and the Volunteers of Tennessee. Saturday will mark the first UT/Bama game that I've missed in Birmingham/Tuscaloosa since 1991, and the second game betwen the two that I've missed since 1990 (I was in Drew Fowler's wedding for a home game in 2000). I did educate Lila on some of the finer performances I've seen in the past 15 years such as the 5 OT game that gave Frank his name, Peyton to Joey Kent in 1995 and of course Peerless Price returning the kick in the 98 season. The past few years haven't been as grand. Our trip two years ago was only highlighted by seing my cousin, Paige Miller, and eating ribs at Dreamland. We'll be watching this Saturday hoping for an upset in what has been forgotten as one of the greatest rivalries in college football.

Our music lesson this week has included "1985" by Bowling for Soup primarily because the iPod mini can choose to be possessed by Steve Jobs and only sync up random songs. We didn't discuss the lyrics but rather the year in question. The World's Fair had come and gone, Reagan was in his second term and Mommy was three. Perhaps that's why she prefers Sublime to Spinal Tap. I referenced how Uncle Andrew's brother, David Johnson, played in the Sugar Bowl that year for Johnny Majors and the Vols. I was ten at the time and idolized Dale Jones and Chris White. I heard that Coach Majors spoke to the team yesterday. Maybe he can get them fired up.

In honor of today's announcement of their World Tour, we listened to some Bon Jovi. I know many of you were troubled that I didn't begin with my favorite rock band, but I wanted to wait for the right time. We had a triple shot of "Livin on a Prayer" "Keep the Faith" and "Someday I'll be Saturday Night." We've also listened to more Jack Johnson (good shhshing music) and also some Yo-Yo Ma. I've started her on the Bach Cello Suites. Hopefully, like my mother and father, she'll be able to pick out the cello when she hears it on the radio. I promised to Terry Wilson, my choir director, that I would play some Handel for her in the very near future. With the holidays coming up, she'll soon be hearing me practice the Songs and Carols for our church Cantata in December.

Amanda and I continue to be so thankful for all the cards, gifts, food and congrats from all of our friends and family. We so much appreciate all that you have done for our new family.

Go Vols!

KP

Here Comes the Sun

Great to see the sun come out this morning. It was a welcome sight for mom, Lila and me as we went to see Dr. Heather for the third straight day. We got some great news. Not only is Lila almost back to her birth weight, her jaundice has improved so much that we don't have to see Dr. Heather again for three weeks. Thanks to her for the advice and comfort for the new parents.

Lila continues to get many visitors. As I type this, Jeannie and Grandaddy are here to hold her. Since we've been home we've seen Aunt Shannon, Kiki, Pops, Papo, Aunt Melissa, Cathy, Bailey and Abbie Cate, Summer Webb, Grandma and GG, and Andy and John. Abby has appreciated all of the activity, and the visitors have allowed Amanda to nap and me to get some things done around the house.

Music Update: We listened to two selections yesterday, "Statesboro Blues" by the Allman Brothers Band and "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett. The Allmans were in Knoxville for a concert on Lila's birthday. I've seen the Allmans 11 times and told Lila that wasn't sad to miss them this time around. Dr. Chip did go to the concert and brought me back a nice concert T-shirt to add to my collection. Today we went back a little further than 1965 and liistened to the Second movement of Beethoven's 7th symphony. This work was written as Beethoven was losing his hearing. Very powerful and intense. Most people recognize the first movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony (da-da-da-duh) or the last movement of his 9th symphony "Ode to Joy". The 7th symphony also has specific significance for Lila. Andy and I listened to this symphony when we put her crib together. Just as the final note sounded at the end of the piece, we put the crib in place.


I'm especially glad today that Lila is sleeping through the Redskins/Chiefs game. The Skins have found a way to lose the worst team in the league for the third time this season. I think I may do the same.

64 hours later....

Baby Lila is almost three....days old. She's become a big fan of her swing and loves to be swaddled. I am as proficient in swaddling my child as I will be in wrapping her Christmas presents, which is below average. I did change my first messy diaper at about 3am this morning with little applause or reward. The dog did come into the nursery, yawn and walk back out. Thanks for the support, Abby. We went to see Dr. Heather this morning for our first road trip. Lila really likes the motion of the car. All is well minus a little jaundice, but not overly worried about it. We got to use the newborn entrance, which made us feel like celebrities. I wasn't able to see the old Maryville Pediatric offices. It's been about 15 years since I've been there. My sister and I did help pay the mortgage on that place. We're excited to have Dr. Heather and the others to help take care of baby Lila.







Four generations: Jean Lambert, Kathy Howard, KP and Lila Kate. Lila Clabough, our baby's namesake, was Jeannie's grandmother.

Amanda's grandmother, GG, looks at Lila in the hospital.

I love this picture. Amanda's sister, Melissa Webb, and her three daughters, Ella, Ava and Olivia. I really like Ava's outfit. She looks like an extra from Footloose. Uncle Matt was out getting KP and Amanda a much needed sandwich from All-American Deli when this photo was snapped. Thanks, Matt!

Good shot of Ella, Ava and Lila. Where's Olivia? Look closely and you can see her in the background.

Mom took this one yesterday while she was sunning in her Kiddopotamus.

I've made it a point to play a special song for Lila Kate each day on the iPod and sing and dance with her. We started with "Angel Eyes" by the Jeff Healey Band (it happened to be cued up on the iPod) As we listened to it, I explained to her that Road House was one of the pillars of American Cinema and we would later discuss some other Sam Elliott roles (Tombstone, The Big Lebowski) as well as Patrick Swayze's greatest film, Red Dawn). She ackowledged my soliloquoy with a burp. I'll take that as a yes.

Yesterday we had an audio doubleheader starting with "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz. It's a feelgood, upbeat sing-a-long. Lila and I danced in the nursery. Abby wasn't too crazy about it, but it woke me up a little bit. We then sat down for a little burping session and listened to "The Moldau" from Ma Vlast by Bedrich Smetana. This classical music selection is a standard that musically describes the flowing of the Vltava river in Prague from it's journey from the mountains down towards the sea. We have the Baby Einstein version, but I'm finding that since I have played many of those baby classical hits or have original recordings, we should try the real thing. It's really a great piece of music and very meaningful to me. I've been to Prague with my good friends, Ben, Lewis, Elgar, and Andy. What an awesome experience that was! Lila loved it, and again burped with approval.

We lightened things up today with the guitar anthem, "More than a Feeling" by Boston. My business partner, Hoy Grimm, and I had a lengthy conversation about rock albums over lunch last week, and he mentioned this band as one of his faves. So, today's song was an homage to him. I don't want Lila to be embarrased about her dad being an air guitar hero, so I'm starting her early. She even played part of the solo herself.

That's all for now. We'll continue to post more pictures and stories as the days and weeks progress. Thanks to all who called, came by, sent food, and smiled after the birth of our little girl.

KP

Four Hours into Fatherhood

As many of you probably already know, Lila Katherine arrived today at 4:36pm. She's 21.5 inches long and weighs 8 lbs. 2 ozs. Her feet and hands are huge (not a Painter trait) and we already accepting offers for basketball or piano scholarships.

Lila is behaving just as a four hour old should. She's nursing then sleeping, sleeping then nursing. Mom is feeling great after over an hour of pushing. The epidural expressway had to be revisited during the process, but she was amazingly strong through the entire day. Thanks to Cindy Hopson, our nurse, who kept Amanda (and me) informed and calm throughout the day. Kudos to Dr. Metelka for a perfect delivery. The Family Birthing Center here at Blount Memorial is a special place. The wi-fi is a bonus and has allowed me to stay in contact with the outside world on this day.

Thanks to all the friends and family who called tweeted, texted and Facebooked today. We are truly blessed to have such great support.

As I laid bed last night anticipating today's events, I wondered what I would write. This would naturally be an emotional entry, having just witnessed one of the greatest events of my life. How would I describe how I felt when I first saw her face or when I got to hold her for the first time?

When the alarm shook me awake at 6am, the day had the feeling that we were headed on a trip. I had butterflies in my stomach, but I have a long history of not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve or getting pumped up before a big football game. Amanda and I were packing our bags to head to the airport. Abby saw luggage and immediately figured out something was up (why else would be both be up at 6am?). Little did she know it was her last day as the main event at 319 Danielle Court.

As we were driving to the hospital, my butterflies were gone. Perhaps because I realized that I didn't have to get on a plane this morning, but more importantly because I knew that Amanda and I are embarking on a journey, one that will take us to Chuck E Cheese and American Girl doll factories, to the soccer field on Saturday morning and the ballet studio on Tuesday evening. This is truly a new chapter in our lives, and Lila is the main character. I am humbled, overwhelmed, blessed, and speechless at the same moment.

I saw our good friend and jeweler, Starr Bragg, last week. She asked me how Amanda was doing and if we were ready for parenthood. I told her that we had all of our bags packed and the nursery ready and that she was the only thing missing. She responded that I needed to get use to that, because this girl would control my life for the next 25 years. After spending a little less than five hours with Lila, she has me under her spell. I would buy her a convertible BMW if she asked me to.

I commented in my last post about how excited I was to be called Dad. I've often been compared to my father. I act like him, I vote like him, I even share his middle name. But today I'm honored with a responsibility that he took on to be a role model for me and my sister. I'm a Dad, and I'll do my best to make him proud.

KP

10.13.2009

Blog 1.0-Prelude to a Baby

Welcome to our blog!

With Lila due any day (Amanda hopes for today), I wanted to set up our blog so we can share pictures, stories, vacations, holidays, and the everyday excitement that comes with parenthood.

I want to share our journey with friends and family and create a lasting memory for Lila! I'll post pictures of baby Lila just as soon as Amanda will let me. Save this link or look for the blog on Facebook as many sleepless nights that lie ahead will create for some incredibly interesting blog fodder.

Thanks to our friends Will and Joy and Chip and Summer for showing us how to orbit in the blogsphere. I can't promise that I'll be as witty or have a host of pictures, but it will be fun. Amanda and I can't wait to share it with you.

I've been called a lot of things in my life, but I'm really looking forward to being called a Dad.

More to come,
KP