Single Dad, Part III

Nessa had a lot of fun with her Grandpa and Grandma Brooks this weekend, and I was finally able to get some of it on film. Sunday evening after supper, things started with Grandma reading to Nessa.

But then Nessa wanted something to drink, and the tickle fingers started.



Pretty soon it was an all-out tickle fest, with Nessa squealing in delight!

Nessa kept trying to get away from Grandpa, but Grandma was doing just as much tickling (albeit with a few hugs mixed in). This went on for several minutes, giving me plenty of time to get some pictures, before Nessa had enough. She really enjoyed spending time with Grandma and Grandpa, and they with her.

Now Grandma and Grandpa are back at home, and so is Mommy! Nessa was very excited to see Tami when we got to daycare this afternoon. Tami was happy to see Nessa, and the rest of us, as well. Tami's still under the weather and very tired, but is feeling better than a couple of days ago. We're glad to have her back--we missed her!

Single Dad, Part II

As mentioned, my Mom and Dad are here for the weekend to get some quality time with their granddaughter and help me out while Tami is in NY. They're just in time, too. Nessa has a nasty cough which woke her up a couple of times Thursday night and once last night, so I'm short on sleep. I was almost dozing at my desk Friday afternoon. It's nice to have someone else here to watch/play with her since I'm not at my best at the moment. Thank goodness for grandparents. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

We went to the Children's Museum this morning, but my brain wasn't functioning fully, so I forgot to take a camera. Nessa had a good time, and Mom and Dad were really impressed by the museum. They have a great new toddler space that Nessa loves. Nessa was also enjoying the pin art, and kept pressing her face and arms into the one side and then running around to the other side to see what it looked like. She would then take the paddles, push the pins back, and start the process over again. Top it off with pizza for lunch, and it was a pretty good morning.

Unfortunately, Tami reports that she is not feeling well out in NY. We don't know if she caught something on one of the planes, or if she caught the same thing Nessa has before leaving, but she is not having nearly as much fun as she had hoped. Her friends are all doing what they can to help her feel better, but it only goes so far. I think she'll be glad to get home.

Big Girl Swing

Nessa and I were in the back yard playing last Monday, and for the first time she got on the big girl swing. Tami and Megan were surprised when they got home, and we got some great pictures.



Nessa can also climb up to the platform at the top of the slide by herself now. Pretty soon there will be no stopping her!

Megan's Art

As promised here are some photos of Megan's school art project that was displayed at the public library. Great job, Megan!

Easter

We've been so busy that we haven't had a chance to post any of the pictures we took Easter Sunday. (These were taken in the morning, before things turned into a sit-com.) Here's Nessa with the new hat that was in her Easter basket.

Here are some family photos with Grandpa and Grandma Brooks.

Happy Birthday, Nessa (Part II)

Nessa kept getting birthday presents for a week after her birthday, as her grandparents came to visit. Here's Nessa with her very own Baby Polly doll from Grandpa and Grandma Groth. (Megan's should be safe now.)



Grandpa and Grandma Groth also gave Nessa some clothes.

Grandpa and Grandma Brooks gave Nessa several things as well, including these letters and numbers for the bath tub. Nessa loves identifying the letters and numbers as she sticks them to the side of the tub!

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jo gave Nessa a Saxoflute, a musical toy where you build your own instrument. She opened it on her birthday, but we didn't get a good picture of her playing with it until later.

Thank you everyone for all the wonderful birthday presents!

Single Dad (That's Mr. Mom To You)

I'm flying solo for a few days, as Tami is in Syracuse, NY, for the ICAN conference. She left yesterday afternoon and will be back on Monday.

All is fine so far. Nessa and I had some practice runs for Tami-less bedtimes last week when Tami had to attend evening events for work, and I'm usually the one who gets Nessa up and dressed in the morning anyway. Nessa did wake up in the wee smalls last night, which is very unusual these days. But when I picked her up she snuggled into my shoulder and let me sing her back to sleep.

(Is there any better feeling in the world than having your child snuggle into you for comfort? Especially if they are trying to fall asleep? Every time it happens I am almost overwhelmed by the amount of trust and love implicit in such a simple act.)

My Mom is coming tomorrow to give her granddaughter some much needed spoiling. Dad may be along as well. Having a relief pitcher will allow me to do things like get out and mow the lawn (Yikes--it's only the middle of April!), but we also plan to have plenty of family fun time as well.

I'll try to get some recent pictures posted in Tami's absence, but if I don't, it's because I'm busy being a Dad!

New car

We are officially a two-car family again. Monday evening we took possession of a 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan. It has most of the bells and whistles, including a DVD player. In theory it's Tami's car (but you know who'll be driving it on any trip longer than 30 minutes or outside of the greater La Crosse area).

It's a metallic blue color. We were willing to settle for almost anything that wasn't red (except for that awful gold/pewter color--yuck!) so that we can tell Nessa "the red car" or "the blue car". I really like the color, and Tami says it's growing on her as well.

Megan rode in it for the first time today, and gave it her approval. Nessa got to climb around in it while we were at the dealership, but probably won't get to ride in it until the second car seat arrives in a day or two.

We're happy to have this car for many reasons. Tami feels more independent when she always has a car at her disposal. I'm looking forward to being able to get to work earlier some days, since Tami and I can now travel separately if we wish. I'm also looking forward to not having to break my back just to put Nessa into her car seat, and to not having her pushing against the back of my seat when she's bored. Hopefully the tinted windows will help Nessa when the sun is at the wrong angle, since she refuses to keep sunglasses on her head no matter how bright it is. And the DVD player should make long trips much easier on everyone.

Now we just need to get one of our girls to start playing soccer... :-)