Top 10 Things I've Learned . . .

This is really Laura's blog . . . I don't write stuff too often, but I thought I would post some of the things I've learned about being a dad. I'm putting Emily to bed and trying to write this so potentially it could take me over an hour to write 15 minutes worth of material (I've already stopped to put her pacifier back in her mouth three times thus far . . .)

Here are 10 things I've learned/love in almost three months of being a father:

1 - Baby cough-fart combo's are one of the funniest things I've ever witnessed - no matter how many times - I still shake/laugh uncontrollably when 'lil Emily offers one up
2 - Emily loves to "talk", coo, and laugh when she's on the changing table - I guess she knows she's getting the better end of that deal
3 - I must be a loud cougher/sneezer. My sneezes have always scared our cat - but that's why cats have the nickname "scaredy cats", because they scare easily. Well apparently, so does Emily. And I'm not talking about just a little startle - she gets downright scared - it even works when I'm in a different room.
4 - Emily loves playing the crying game in her swing. She'll spit out her pacifier and then cry until you put it back in. Most of the time she'll wait until you've walked back across the room and have sat back in your comfortable chair before she'll spit it out again and start the process over again. I frustrate her when I just stand next to her swing and keep my finger on the back of the pacifier - prohibiting said spit out and put it back game. While this tires me so, it often results in a quiet sleeping Emily.
5 - I'm an avid sport watcher. I love the Rangers (baseball in general) and college football. I've learned that you can not audibly cheer when you have a baby. The Rangers were playing the other night and made an awesome play, I instinctively let out a loud "Yeah!!!" - Emily was nearby enjoying one of her numerous meals and I scared her so bad that she cried - actual tear cried. (For those that don't know, most of the times babies cry (or at least ours) they don't have tears). I'm not sure why I'm writing disclaimers like the one prior - most of the people who'll read this know 100x more about babies than I do. None-the-less it's written and I'm too lazy to hit the backspace button . . .
6 - Be nice to Baby Mama - she holds all the power (not that I'm ever mean to her, just sayin' is all)
7 - Her smiles never get old - I thought they would, but they are always welcome
8 - Baby poo stinks - it doesn't matter if they're breast fed, bottle fed, formula fed or if you feed them roses, it all stinks. (I knew this before - just thought I'd restate)
9 - People told me that baby spit up and baby drool didn't bother you if it was your baby. While I won't toss Emily away as soon as drool hits my hand, I definitely reach for a rag at the first available chance.
10 - Emily already knows how to stretch like a grown up. As soon as we get her up from one of her naps, remove her swaddle blanket (or what remains) she makes fists and sticks them as far above her head as she can while arching her back. How do they know how to do this???? I didn't show her, but it's awesome - I'll have to get a video of it some day.
11 - OK so you get a bonus item . . . I love when I get to feed her. Usually I spot Laura one feeding at night time (or during the weekend if she has errands to run or wants to get away). not every feeding is fun, but it is definitely good father/daughter bonding time.

Emily is asleep, it's late and I have to work tomorrow.