The Daddies' Chronicles

I DO... I DIDN'T???

2009-05-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow is the day that the California Supreme Court Makes a decision on Gay Marriage. I really hope they realize that this is an Equal Rights issue, not a religious issue! Wish us Luck!!!

Sleeping, eating and pooping. Now she coos!

2009-05-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

Averi has turned the cuteness factor up a notch with the recent addition of cooing and smiling. Melts her papa's heart!

And Adds is being the protective big sister already. At a b'day party yesterday, a friend carried Averi away to show to some other moms when Addison followed her crying with arms outstretched wanting Averi returned. It was such an adorable sight.

Addison starts preschool in a month or so. She is so excited; as are we. Our next challenge is getting her birthday party planned. More to follow soon.

Whoa! What a ride.

2009-05-10T09:11:00.001-07:00

Well its been a busy time as you can well imagine. Averi has been growing well and Addison has been an angel!

We have all been adjusting to the new routine 0f our latest addition. Last night, Averi gave us a wonderful gift. She slept 8 hours (from 9pm to 5am) straight through at 2 months old! Even if it was a fluke, it was welcomed. Today, we are going to try to do everything the same as yesterday. We're even wearing the same clothes - in hope of a repeat!

Averi's biological mother requested a meeting with Averi last week. As nervous as we were, things went very well. Mom thanked us (through an intermediary, since we are doing this adoption as a 'closed' process) for taking care of her. It looks as though there won't be any snags (at least with her mom) as we move forward.

Its a beautiful day in San Francisco and we are off on an urban hike. The weather has been spectacular for the past few days and we are enjoying every moment. Off we go.

Great News!!!

2009-03-16T22:27:00.001-07:00

We just found out that we will be bringing Averi home four days early!!! On the 21st!!! The infection wasn't as bad as they thought!!! We are so happy, excited and grateful!!!

Averi Dalila,day 5!

2009-03-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I promise I won't blog about the girls every day! Only everyday until Averi comes home! She is doing VERY WELL, the nurses always comment on what a sweet girl she is. Do they say that to everyone? Nah, just us. I used to hear people say that babies change "every day". I didn't know they meant it literally! We can actually see a visual change. Amazing! She is so tiny and so cute, it was really hard to leave her at the hospital today. The bonding has begun!!! We get to take her home the evening of the 25th. Ten more days!!!

Addison has started bonding as well. It's so nice to see. We are sure to give Addison alot of attention, the last thing we want is for her to feel like "second fiddle". She was giving her kisses and cuddles today. It's just so damn cute!!! We've been amazed at Addison's growth too. She is talking like crazy, speaking in complete sentences, with words she's never used before. Everyday is something new. I LOVE it!!! We're just trying to keep up!!!!!

4th Day of Life

2009-03-14T17:33:00.000-07:00

We visited Averi at the Hospital again today, as we plan to do until she is released (on 3-25). She is doing VERY WELL! The nurse let Big Sister, Addison hold her. So precious!!!

BIG NEWS!!!!

2009-03-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

As some of you might know; Dwain and I have started the adoption process for a second child. Sylvia, our social worker, was here on Wednesday March 11th to update our Home Study. At the end of the "interview" she informed us that the only baby (we are looking for as young a child as possible) she knew about was going to be born in April. The Biological Mother was going to relinquish the baby at the hospital. We told Sylvia that we would be interested and asked her to check it out for us. She called a few hours later, her first words were "Are you sitting down?", and proceeded to tell us that the baby had been born that morning! That she had given the baby's Social Worker our Home Study, and that we were first in line to adopt the baby!!! We're Daddies again!!! We met her at the hospital this afternoon, she's beautiful, alert, and eating really well! She has an infection, which will keep her in the hospital for 12 more days to complete a course on antibiotics. Then, we pick her up from the hospital and bring her home!!! We are naming her Averi. No middle name yet. She was born 3-11-09 at approx. 11:30ish., weighing 6 lbs. 9 oz. We are super excited! I'll post more pictures when I get them. Love to all!!!

Spring is Springing

2009-03-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

I figured since Gary is laying off the blog, maybe I should step in and try to update things. We have really been enjoying the time together as a family. Addison is as sweet as can be and we are trying to keep up with her energy. March and April are the notification months for preschool admission in the Fall. We found out that we were accepted to EBI in Oakland and Holy Family Day Home in San Francisco. We are waiting on a Montessori program in the city. The final determination will rest on where we decide to live. We have fallen in love with the city again!

So far, we have ferried to Tiburon, trollied to the Embaracadero, Golden Gate parked it (aquarium and playground) and lunched at the Ferry Building. Yesterday we walked across the Golden Gate bridge and went to Coit Tower. It was a truly gorgeous day yesterday! This is why we live in San Francisco.

Addison tried out a gymnastics class today and absolutely loved it. We are trying to keep her as occupied as possible - makes her more compliant!!!!

Other good news is that I should finally be employed next week. Looking forward to my new job. The commute is going to be a BEAR, but I am fortunate to have found this job. The anesthesia jobs have all but disappeared in the Bay Area due to the economy. No one is immune.

Hope this finds you all well.

2009-02-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

The blog is suffering!!! I can't keep up, I just joined Facebook, between that and the blog... it seems to be too much. The blog is starting to feel like a "job". Not a good sign. Let's see, what interesting things have been going on? Well, we're trying to get Adds into Pre K. I've heard how competitive it is in the city, but until you're "in" it you have no idea. Two words: Waiting List. We've found a school in Oakland that we really like called, well, EBI for short. It's a Spanish immersion program. We really want her to learn a second language. In Preschool the teachers speak only Spanish to the kids. Sounds intense to me (I don't speak Spanish), but at this age the kids are like little sponges, they soak up everything. Apparently they do very well. We took Addison to her one hour "evaluation" last weekend. She did well, the teacher said, "Very Independent" as we were leaving. I took it as a compliment.

Our friend John Paul was it town last weekend. Addison loves her "Uncle Johnny"!!! We had alot of fun and alot of Food!!! Today we went to the Aquarium in Golden Gate Park. It was Great!!! Addison loved the Butterflies. One landed on her shoe. She was so happy!!! Other than that, not much is new. We're just trying to enjoy the Bay Area while Dwain isn't working. He's getting a little antsy, he'd like to start working sooner than March 2nd., but we're enjoying having him here!

2009-01-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

I'm laying in bed catching up on everyone's blogs. Sounds like everybody is having fun, except me! I'm still sick!!! Okay, so, I'm not in bed because I'm sick, I'm just feeling a little lazy today (that's not unusual for me). Plus, it's rainy and grey outside. A great day to relax, even if it's only for a couple of hours during Addison's nap time! As far as my illness, I just have that gross "Typhoid Mary" cough that tastes like I took a shot of bleach (too much info.?), where everyone slowly moves away from you when they hear it. I'm trying to get back to the gym, but I don't wanna be hacking up a lung on the treadmill. And now that we're working out at Gold's Gym in the Castro again, image is everything!!! It's more than everything! I feel like I need to be thin and buff BEFORE I go to the gym!!!

Addison is sick too. She has the same cough that I have. She also has some kind of eye infection, the poor thing. She woke up yesterday morning and her eyelashes were crusted together. She wanted to go on one of the Street Cars that run up and down Market St. We're always up for giving her a new experience. The next day we took a Trolley down to the Ferry Building where we looked at all of the goods, from organic honey to exotic house plants. She loved the tank of live lobsters! Personally, it made me want to barf. Anyway, I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you how dirty public transportation is. Alas, eye infection.

Don't get me wrong, we're very Happy. Albeit not very Healthy at the moment, except for Dwain, he never gets sick. I'm looking forward to stepping out into the world, among the living! SOON!!!

Peace On Earth...

2009-01-15T15:42:00.003-08:00

'nough said!!!

These Boots Are Made For Walkin'

2009-01-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

Addison has a shoe fetish!!! ALREADY!!! We can be in Target, in the toy section, and there is no problem when Dwain or I tell her she can't have the toy she is playing with. BUT, get her into the shoe section, and there's no way we're leaving without a new pair of shoes. Last time we were at Target, I tried to be the disciplinarian that I so clearly am not, and told her she couldn't have a pair of shoes this time. The girl fell out! She screamed so loud, I was afraid security was going to be called. So, of course, I frantically looked for the shoes she wanted in her size! How do kids go from a scream so loud it can shatter glass, to a gleeful smile in half of a second? Look out, Jimmy Choo!!! She has also taken to wearing our shoes. Whether it be slippers, boots, flip flops. She loves them all. I remember wearing my Mom's heals around the house. Hind sight is 20/20 right, Mom?!?! I think we need a few pair of heels for her to clunk around in, because as you'll see in the pictures, it's just not the same! I'll have Dwain look for his. JUST KIDDING!!!

New 'Do!

2009-01-15T15:01:00.000-08:00

Inspired by my sister-in-law Raquel, I have been braiding Addison's hair! Raquel's daughter Ainsley, always has the cutest hair. I have been doing Addison's hair in various patterns of "Afro-puffs" for over two years now, which I love, but I thought it was time for a change. After all, I am a trained professional! Plus I feel pressure to always have Addi's hair looking fab since, ya know, I am a trained professional! While spending Christmas with Dwain's side of the family I decided to ask Raquel for some hair advice. She was so sweet, she showed me all of the products(Carol's Daughter), brushes and hair bands she uses on Ainsley. All of which I have purchased. What a difference! Thanks Raquel!!! Ainsley too!!!

Now This Is A Dog Park!

2009-01-15T14:42:00.000-08:00

For some reason in the Maryland/D.C. area, there aren't any dog parks?!?!?! Now, there's a HUGE soccer/baseball/volleyball field every two feet, but no dog parks?!?!?! San Francisco is a VERY dog friendly city, almost everyone has a dog here. In our current location, we are within blocks of at least four wonderful dog parks. This is Ft. Funston, a short drive away. We were just commenting today on how happy our dogs are here, compared to MD. Juna and Lola are used to running, jumping and chasing squirrels and birds. There wasn't much of that in MD. Consequently, they have both gotten a little lazy and gained a little weight. Unfortunately, so have I!!! I'm calling it my "D.C. 10", pounds that is! Hopefully, now that we are home, in one of the most walkable cities, we will all be healthier!!!

Long time, no see...

2009-01-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Thanks for the prod, Jodi! I must admit, I am getting a little bored with the whole blogging thing. I thought I would have more interesting things to post, most of this just seems like boring drivel! However, I'll carry on for my followers. I have five now!!!

I have to begin by saying I am sick, again! I feel like I've been sick since Oct., which coincides with my first flu shot ever. Makes me wonder. We were out shopping the other day, after Addison touched every cart, every product on every shelf, and crawled around on the floor a few times (much to our horror). I picked her up and the first thing she does is put her hands in my mouth. Could be why I'm sick? As we lay in bed in the early morning, all snuggled up under the warm blankets (she usually crawls in around 6am) Addison slowly lifts her head and sneezes all over my neck. Could be why I'm sick!

Anyway, we are feeling almost completely settled. You all may be tired of hearing it, but we are so glad to be HOME!!! We finally unpacked our clothes today. Filled the closet and the dressers to the brim! The kitchen is unpacked, and pretty much everything has it's place. There are a few boxes of odds and ends down stairs. You know, the stuff you need but just don't know where to put it all? Dwain just keeps vacuuming around them. Whatever. Most of our stuff is packed into a 300 sq. foot storage unit, as we are house sitting for the time being. Still, what we consider our "essentials", is soooo much! I guess when you have a child there's just more stuff!!! Now we can't wait to just start enjoying the city! We've been to or ordered "in" from most of our favorite restaurants. We've been to most of our favorite dog parks. And seen SOME of our favorite people. So, things are good!!!

All I Need Is The Air That I Breathe...

2009-01-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Finally, I can breathe again!!! We arrived in San Francisco on Dec. 29th. We are back HOME and so happy about it!!! It was pretty stressful getting here. Addison was an Angel, she's been on more than 30 flights. So, she's a pro. We flew with our dogs this time. They, of course, have to fly with the cargo. It is so heart breaking to see your beloved pets wheeled away with the luggage. They did fine, and were sooo happy to see us at SFO. I think it was worse for us knowing they were down there, especially at times when we were experiencing turbulance. Dwain and I just kept looking at each other and saying, "poor babies". Then, it took us two hours to get our rental car. All I have to say is; don't use "ACE" car rentals!!! Once we got to S.F. all was good in the world again!!!

Ciao Bella!

2009-01-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

Although there isn't much about Maryland I'll miss, Bella and her parents, Jennifer and Carl, are three things we WILL miss! Bella quickly became Addison's BFF, and Dwain and I hit it off with her parents. They were really the only friends we made during our time on the East Coast. We only knew them for a short while, but they proved to be true friends. They were so kind and generous to us, especially during the final days when our only furniture was an Aero bed or two. Thank you Crouse family! We miss you! You too Beau!!!!!!!

Happy BELATED Holidays

2009-01-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

We hope everyone had a Happy Holiday Season. Although it was a "transitional" time for us, we still had a really great time! Christmas was spent with Dwain's family. We had a nice time just hanging out, visiting and EATING! I can still taste the chicken curry Dwain's Dad made, soooo delish!

New Year's was spent here in S.F., just us. Dwain was asleep by about 8:30 and I was in bed by 10. Dwain was awakened by the revelers next door and the fireworks. Addison and I slept through it and didn't hear a thing! Finally a good nights' sleep!!!!

Camping Out...

2009-01-04T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is how we lived in our Townhouse in Maryland for about ten days. After the movers left and before we flew to California. Aero beds are fine for a couple of nights, not ten!

It's Moving Day!!!

2008-12-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Today is the day that the movers come to get our stuff, and boy, do we have alot of it!!! I'm always really nervous about the Movers reaction to all of our things. Their eyes are like a deer caught in headlights! I fear that they will just turn around, get in the truck, and drive away. Why is moving so stressful? I mean, I'm not doing any of the work. I get to be "Supervisor" for the day! The "Boss". I still just get so nervous and stressed out. Even though all experiences I've had with Movers, from ex cons to "starving students", have been positive. And we've moved many times! I get a huge feeling of relief as they pull away with a truck full though! Maybe someone is trying to tell me that I can live without so many material possessions? That one is hard for me to digest. I'm so wrapped up in having my "things", yet I feel so much better when they are gone. There's a sense of Freedom! Less to worry about! Don't get me wrong, I know that Dwain, Addison, Juna and Lola are the ABSOLUTE most important!!!! As long as I have them, Life is Good!!!

A Day To Celebrate!!!

2008-12-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

It was exactly two years ago today that Addison was placed in our home. It seems like she's been with us forever!!! It was meant to be!!! The moment we saw her we knew that she was our Daughter!!! Such a surreal day. We walked in as DINKS (double income no kids) and walked out parents of a beautiful baby girl. I kept looking back as we were walking to the car to see if someone was going to follow us to make sure we were taking proper care of her. We sure could have used the help! This picture is of the moment we met, a little bittersweet. She had just been taken from her caregiver, the only person she had known, she was a little confused. The first night was a little rough, understandably. After that everything felt pretty natural. Hectic, but not difficult. Sometimes LOVE does conquer all!!!! WE LOVE YOU, ADDISON!!!!!

Dada and Papa

Addison

2008-12-09T09:01:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is. "Beautiful", "Gorgeous", "Stunning"! Do you LOVE that hair or what?!?!?!

Juna & Lola

2008-12-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

I hafta put up a picture of our Doggies, our first two daughters! Juna (white) and Lola (black). We Love them so much, as any pet owner knows, they are as much a part of the family as the humans!!!

Shout Out

2008-12-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

So, I've decided to start a blog. It took me a few days to decide on a name, but it finally came to me yesterday. I wanted it to incorporate our whole family, which I think "The Daddies' Chronicles" does.

I want to Thank a few of my dear friends for inspiring me to start this blog; Stephanie Martin (yum, yum kidcupcake), Jodi J. (the j spot jodi), and Laura Bornkamp (The BornKamps). All at ".blogspot.com", if you wanna check them out! Thank You, Ladies!!!

As you may know, we moved to the D.C. area in August. And now, five months later, we are moving back to the West Coast!!!! We leave exactly three weeks from today!!! San Francisco, baby!!! We can't wait!!! Okay, my point is that we have alot going on right now, so the "Chronicles" may have to wait.

I hope this can be a place where our friends and family can keep up with our lives. I mean, you never know where we're going to move next month! NOT!!