Baby Do's and Baby Don'ts

Baby Do's and Don'ts: A tribute to the first few days of fatherhood
(My favorite is "Waking Baby", what's yours?)

Josie Fun

Me, Josie, and Chloe hangin out on the couch.
Believe it or not, this was just after she rolled over by herself for the first time...at 4 weeks old!!
I turned her over, and she started sucking on my finger!
Somebody's sitting in daddy's chair!

The most amazing thing...

As I am learning day by day, the most precious thing in the world is a child. No matter how old, a child is so priceless. It all makes sense now. The word of God becomes clearer, the sacrifice of Jesus means so much more, and the innocence of a child is something you wish you could bottle up and cherish forever.

Tomorrow, Josie turns one month old. Over the past 30 days, I have grown so much as a person. There is something special about a child. There is something deep down everyday that triggers inside of me: "This is your daughter, God has blessed you with her. Take good care of her."

I know there are many people who struggle and suffer throughout pregnancy, with many losing their children to various reasons. I stumbled across the website "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep", and I realize more than ever how grateful I am to have my darling baby girl Josie. Another Website to check out is the "American Child Photographers Charity Guild"

God, thank you so much for her. She's a gift. She's a joy. God, bless those families who do not get to come home with their children. All over the world, many suffer the loss of a newborn. Give them peace.

Two Weeks Old, No More Sleep

Well, Josie is now two weeks old. Other than the fact she thinks nighttime is playtime, all is well. Of course, we still freak out anytime anything happens that seems even remotely like its not normal, but that's to be expected I'm sure.

It was hard being away last week while I was at camp, but I was able to come home each day and see Kristen and Josie for about an hour each day during rest time. A big thanks goes out to Kristen's mom for staying with her while I was away.

Schedule wise- we're still trying to figure out a pattern for us to get some rest at night. It doesn't help that next week we'll be traveling to Impact at Lipscomb University next week. We're not sure if Kristen and Josie will be staying with me in the dorm, or at my parents house near Nashville. Either way, it'll be another challenging week. After that, however, I don't have anymore big trips planned for the summer.

Here's a few more pics of our little girl:

Josie coming home/ First day at home

Well, its definitely not easier when you come home from the hospital. Josie slept all the way home from Crestwood, and then when we got home, she stayed awake from 10pm till about 6 am. Maybe tonight, she'll be a bit more cooperative. Even if we could lay down and get 2 or 3 hours, that would be great. She just loves to be held.

Here are some more pictures from the hospital and from when she came home.

Grandma Sims holding Josie

My sister, Mary Anne, her husband Kevin, and their kids Faith and John Derrick

Kristen and Josie and I, leaving the hospital to go home!

Chloe, our pug, watching over Josie, or "The thing that makes her really jealous".