I am learning daily the wonderment of life in everyday experience through my daughter's eyes. Oftentimes when Eden fusses, I will step outside with her for a few minutes and it is like a magic switch turns on. As soon as we walk out the door, she looks around like we have just stepped into Narnia.
It is amazing to see how she focuses with such wide-eyed, quiet excitement at two squirrels chasing each other around a tree trunk, the sunlight that dapples the ground through the leaves, or the feeling of a sudden breeze on her face. As I stood there with Eden in my arms a couple of evenings ago, looking at the sunset, I thought, "Dear God, let me learn how to appreciate your creation the way she does."
This week, Eden also learned the excitement of solid food. Okay, so I'm using the term loosely. She has been getting a teaspoon of organic brown rice cereal mixed with four teaspoons of Mommy's milk. But she definitely knows it's new and she likes it. She looks at that bowl of cereal slushy in much the same way Henry looks at his chicken strips - with concentrated eagerness.
She's getting the hang of the whole eating from a spoon thing too, considering she's only done it three times now. I think we've managed to get at least a few spoonfuls in her tummy as opposed to on her torso. She may not be ready for that fancy ballroom fundraising gala next weekend, but I suppose we can wait for her big social debut.
Another first this week was not so fun. We got a call from the folks at daycare on Wednesday who said she had a fever of 101. Then they called back a couple hours later and said it had risen to 102. I picked her up from daycare and by the time we got to the pediatrician's office, it had risen to a little over 103.
They ran a test for a bladder infection, which involved a catheter and would clearly be no fun for anyone. It was tough for a father to watch, too. Here was my little girl, pinned to an examining table, being poked and prodded, and her eyes full as Mason jars with tears as she cried not a horrid screech of terror, but a low, continuous whimper as if to say, "Daddy, please make them stop this." My eyes got a little full, too.
Thankfully, they ruled out the bladder infection and a blood test determined that it was a virus. So, Kendall's mom came up and watched Eden for the next couple of days, and she was pretty much back to normal by Saturday.
Other firsts this month include Eden's first plane ride - a trip to St. Louis to see her great grandparents and other relatives - her first chance to celebrate Mother's Day and her first birthday present to Mommy - a trip to Build-a-Bear so that they could build their own special bunny together.
Summer is starting to make an appearance here in Gainesville, and with it we are starting to feel the early waves of that sticky, sweltering, swamp mist that pervades every cubic inch of air. I have a feeling we may seek some respite in the grandparents' swimming pools when we go to Tampa for our occasional weekend visits. As you can see from the picture, Eden had a great time in the pool a few weeks ago at Meme and Grandpa's.
Today, however, the weather in Gainesville was actually quite nice. We decided to spend the holiday getting a little exercise and took a walk around campus. Eden enjoyed strolling along, taking in the sights and sounds. Henry enjoying leaving his mark on the occasional tree, bush and street sign.
This is my last year in the Ph.D. program at UF, which means that come next summer, we will almost certainly be moving. Where we will go, only the Lord knows right now. But this much is certain; I know He has a plan for our family and it is better than we can ask or imagine. We'll know what we need to when we need to. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy each day with my family and try to see the world with the same mesmerized wonder as my five-month old girl.
That's the news for now. We'll keep you posted.
Posts
