Dear Ashley

Dear Ashley,

(writing this as you’re 2 months old)

You used to make this sound occasionally when you swallowed – it sounded like a water drop.

You chirp in your sleep.

I was afraid you were going to be cross-eyed because your eyes couldn’t focus for the first few weeks you were born – glad your brain and eyes got that worked out.

When you cried it sounded like a seagull squawking – now you just cry like a normal baby.

Your poop smells like pumpkin – not in a good way, obviously.

I was afraid to hold babies before you were born.

You grunt all the time which is why I call you “my little grunt.”

Her Valentine's outfit - LOVE!

You started sleeping through the night at 6 weeks – your mother thanks you tremendously.

Your record to date, for number of times in a day puking on your mother, is 6.

I never knew babies could fart like a grown man.

You’ve never taken a pacifier.

Your mother has clipped the end of your thumb trying to clip your fingernails – sometimes you don’t even notice – but it breaks your mother’s heart when it happens.

When you got your 2 month shots we couldn’t hold it together – it’s the first time you ever felt external pain.  We felt completely helpless trying to console you – my Facebook status read “Worst.  Moment.  Of.  My.  Life.” after that visit.

Everybody says “she’s such a pretty baby!” when they see you – I say that’s because you’ve got a pretty momma and KK.

Your hair has never fallen out which apparently is common for babies.

At 2 months you started finding your voice where you’d kind of respond to us when we’d talk to you.

This is me - ruined. Game, over.

You HATED bath time until about you were about 3-4 weeks old.

When we swaddle you, we leave your left arm out because no matter what we did when you were born – you always worked your left arm free.

You like to flex – front double biceps – when we change your clothes.

Your skin was flaking after we brought you home, we put lotion on you to help and when we took you to the doctor for your 2 week checkup she told us the lotion would make your skin dry.

Your mother does laundry every single day – for you.

Your mother stopped working to stay home and take care of you.

The bond you have with your mother is an answered prayer.

You slept in your bouncer for the first 2-3 weeks of your life.

You like to watch TV now – we think it’s the lights and movement.

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwnn...

You were born on the day your mom said you’d be – not the day the doctor predicted.  He said you’d be born on Dec. 23^rd meanwhile she prayed you’d be born before Christmas and prayed specifically for the 17^th.

We prayed – every single day – for the following: healthy baby, healthy momma, full-term pregnancy, easy delivery, short labor, quick recovery for momma, and that you’d have a sweet spirit like Levi (Jennifer McAteer’s 2^nd son).  Every single one of those prayer elements came true.

You sleep during praise-and-worship at church, and it’s really loud music!

Your mom can put you down to sleep much better than I can – when I put you down you wake up.

Aunt Hily had to give you a bath after your first poop because you muddied your clothes.   After she got you cleaned up she took you to the “beauty shop.”

Biggie has been curious and jealous ever since we brought you home.

Favorite picture in the world. Thanks Jennifer McAteer Photography!

You’ve had dimples since you were born like your cousin Mitchell.

You wake up if we put you down to sleep on your back.

You flinch when I answer mom’s questions – it scares you and you cry.

People brought us so much food after you were born we didn’t cook dinner for 5 weeks – an amazing blessing for sure.

You screamed bloody murder when we’d change your diaper or clothes for the first few weeks of your life.  Eventually you realized we weren’t hurting you.

When you were 4 days old I was rocking you, I wanted to go to sleep, and it was almost like I heard a voice inside my head say “Dad, I’m only going to be 4 days only once – don’t rush putting me down to sleep.”  I held you for 2 hours until you woke up to eat.

Your mother and I slept on the couch the first night we brought you home – you slept in your co-sleeper.

I sing “Jesus Loves Me” to you when I rock you.  Your mother sings “The Great I Am” when she rocks you.

Perfect pic

Cousin Blake cried on the ride home from the hospital.  Aunt Hily asked him why he was crying and he said “She’s just so precious…”  He stayed at the hospital with her long after everybody else left.

Cousin Brooks was asked “What do you think of her?” and he said “If anybody ever messes with her, I’m gonna beat ‘em up!” – he’s 4.

When you were born, it made me love your mother more.

My favorite moments in life are when you’re sleeping on my chest.

We call you our little “angel baby” and “little girl” all the time.

I’m sure I’ll think of other things, I’m sure some of these will be entertaining and embarrassing, but I wanted to write down some of the details of your first few months.

Love,

Daddy