Happy Daddy Day!

Hi, it's me again, Kyle St.Clair.

 Can you believe it's been about a month since I last gave you all a peek into my life?  I've been really busy.  That's because I'm Daddy's right hand man.  He and I, we're stuck like glue. There's not a whole lot we don't do together.  You'll see....

I know most people think Daddies are supposed to help babies.  But, I'd like to think that I help Daddy just as much as he helps me.

To start off with, Daddy needs a lot of help waking up in the mornings.  I consider it my job to help him do that.  Really, all it takes is me throwing my "cute" into high gear and he's up lick-ity split.  Like this:

Then I help Daddy eat his breakfast.  I can't believe how long he waits to eat between dinner and breakfast.  That's just unheard of from my side of the crib.  I prefer a bed time snack and then my breakfast around 6AM.  Daddy tells me I'm a milkaholic.  Well anyways, here I am helping Daddy eat.  He's a little neater than I am, and he seems to not have any problems with what Mom calls "spitting up."  That's not what I call it; more like "ouch" and "yuck."  I know it annoys Mom but I really can't help it.  Oh bother, I'm on a rabbit trail now.  Back to the matter at hand.....

Occasionally we go to the pool after breakfast.  Sometimes I have to help Daddy swim and other times we just hang out by the side of the Daddy pool.  I just know he'd be in big trouble if I wasn't right there with him so, I don't venture away from him at all.  See, he doesn't even need his floaties when he's with me:

A lot of the time Daddy has to work.  That's no fun.  I miss him while he's gone all day.  He misses me, too; I know he does because he tells me so.  Sometimes Mommy takes me to visit Daddy at work.  If Daddy is working in the dining room, I help him wipe the tables and clean up after messy people.

When Daddy gets home from work he is usually very tired.  I help him relax.

Here I am at Daddy's softball game.  I like helping him by cheering him on.

Watching the news is a family event.  I prefer to sit with Dad and give my commentary.  We usually agree, although sometimes he has to spend a little time thinking through my bright ideas before he catches on.

On Sundays we go to church.  Daddy and I get all dressed up and we sing songs and then I help him fall asleep.  Oh wait, it's just me who falls asleep.  Well anyways, for now, Mommy and Daddy are happy when I sleep through church; that way I don't make a peep.  By the time we get home, I'm very hungry.  I don't know why Mommy made us stop and take a picture last Sunday but, she did and here it is:

Helping Daddy so much wears me out.

You're a great Dad.  I'm glad I can help you so much.  When I grow up, I want to be just like you.  

-Kyle

Quick Drop

As I was going through my photo archives this evening, I found this picture we took while we were traveling through Chiapas last spring.  No words are needed to describe this one!

Have a fun and playful weekend!

~Abby

St.Clair-Changito '48

In light of the ridiculously shameful photo scandal which has emerged out of Congress over the past two weeks, we are even more convinced than ever that our country needs some new faces in office.  Understanding we are biased, we are of the opinion that our son, Kyle, would be an honest and upright political figure given a few years to get out of diapers and learn to sign his name.

He is already practicing using discretion when signing laws into effect - well for now, just the church choir soloist list.

Consulting running mate Changito first, as to not make any rash decisions:

Going for it, after getting the approval of lifelong friend and colleague Changito:

St.Clair and Changito discussing the role of government in health care with their Senior Advisor:

Listening to the insight of renown political pundits like Bill O'Reilly:

"Hey, I was thinking that, too!"

Please consider casting your vote for St.Clair-Changito in 2048.

"I would be so much fun to have in office!"

-Abby

3 Months of Baby Love

Three months ago yesterday I really started having contractions.  I use the word "really" lightly because in the end, those "contractions" felt like a tap on the shoulder compared to the boxing match I went through in the end.  But, regardless, they started, coming on and off from 4 AM Tuesday morning.  In normal, not-anticipating-the birth-of-a-"late"-baby life, I likely would have slept right through them.  I was so excited, however, I stayed awake timing those whimpy things.  What was I thinking?!  Those hours of sleep would have come in really handy during delivery.

I had the idea that the contractions would start mildly and far apart, and simultaneously become stronger and closer together.  That is not at all what happened.  I woke up after only being asleep for about 30 minutes on Tuesday night to the most horrendous pain I'd ever imagined.  That statement is coming from someone who has also experienced a kidney stone.  Whoever dreamt up the idea that childbirth and kidney stones are comparable was a obviously a man.  Anyways, it took me a minute after the pain subsided to even remember that I could be in labor.  For all of you lovely young ladies who have yet to experience childbirth, I will spare you from detailed comments on its entirety.  I believe everything I think about the whole experience can be summed up like this:  I am surprised that all women don't just curl up and die in the midst of it.

God is rich in mercy and rewards our pain and agony not with death but with life.  Miraculous new, sweet smelling, soft, small, vulnerable, beautiful life.  I was unprepared for how I would feel about my own child.  Who could have prepared me for a love such as this?   All the time I realize a bit more of what it meant for God to give his only Son to save a wretch like me.  In my selfish, human heart I know there isn't a person on earth I would give my son to save.

I am cherishing these moments.  Even the middle of the night feedings, which still happen at times, I am trying to enjoy.  I love watching him smile at his daddy.  I love our round the clock nursing sessions during the day even though they put a kink in trying to do anything else.  I love sneaking into his room after he's in bed for the night and watching him sleep.  I love carrying my naked baby to his bathtub.  I even don't mind changing his never ending diapers.  I adore hearing him trying to talk.  I love that he burps as loud as a grown man sometimes.  I smile when his paci squeaks because he's sucking so hard.  I love that he crosses his feet while he's eating.

Good morning! I'm 3 months old today!

Jonathan and I agree that this is the sweetest time of our lives.  We are so in love with Kyle and basking in every moment of being parents together.  I can't imagine doing this with anyone else.  Kyle has a great and godly daddy;  I am so thankful for my dear husband.

Off to feed my little buddy.....Again.

~Abby