Matt Child Birth, Dad Stuff, Family

BIRTH: PART ONE (My Side of the Story)

*Aya and I each wrote our own version of Ellie’s birth story. “My Side of the Story” and “Her Side of the Story.” I figured if you only you heard my side of the story it might be a little slanted, a little one-sided. We both experienced the same big event, but from very difference perspectives, in more ways than one. So read my story, or hers.  Or read them both, and compare and contrast.  Laugh, cry, smile, or say “ouch!”  Either way, I hope you enjoy the series. This is my version, to read Her Side of the Story, click here.

The most I knew about child birth before we got pregnant was what I learned from watching The Cosby Show.  You know, hearing Dr. Huxtable say things like, “How far apart are they,” or “PUSH!” So when we started reading and researching about birth and where Aya was going to give birth, I was really starting as a total ignoramus. Aya really wanted to do a natural child birth and have a midwife or a doula. A what? I had no idea what these were and the thought of it really freaked me out. And on top of that she mentioned water birth. Are you serious? We literally live down the street from a hospital so that’s where I always thought she’d give birth. Plus, I was born at that hospital, too! But we decided to have a water birth at the Greenhouse Birth Center… an hour and a half away… in the middle of winter.  Continue reading “BIRTH: PART ONE (My Side of the Story)” →

Matt Child Birth, Dad Stuff

HE SAID/SHE SAID

Ellie’s one year birthday is coming up this Saturday.  And in preparation for that, I’ve found myself reminiscing through the events of the past year.  Specifically, when she was born.  And with that, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to tell Ellie’sBirth Story. Continue reading “HE SAID/SHE SAID” →

Matt Adventures, Dad Stuff, Family, Outings

A DAY OF THREE P’s

PASSPORT:

We are planning our trip to Japan this spring to visit Aya’s folks.  So it was time to get Ellie a passport.  I had done all the research on what we needed and how we had to do it.  I had my dad take the passport photos and we printed them out.  We double checked the measurements, and made sure we had a plain background.  We even printed out options because we didn’t know if she should be smiling in the photo or not.  Another requirement for a baby passport is that both parent’s need to be present.  To avoid Aya having to take a half-day of work off, Ellie and I were going to drive up to where Aya works (which is about an hour away) and do it on her lunch break.  So I strapped Ellie in the car, and we were off to the post office. Continue reading “A DAY OF THREE P’s” →

Matt Adventures, At Home, Dad Stuff

SPOOKED

Do you ever wonder if you’re really alone in your house when you are by yourself?  Do you ever feel like someone is lurking in the shadows watching you?   Do you sometimes think you catch a glimpse of something in the corner of your eye but when you take another look you don’t see anything?  I’ve been wondering these things myself lately.  I think Ellie’s room has a visitor. Continue reading “SPOOKED” →

Matt At Home, Christmas, Dad Stuff

DJ ALPHABET

My cousin got Ellie this thing for Christmas called “Fridge Phonics.”  You put it on the fridge and it has all 26 letters you click into place and push a button.  Once the button is pressed it sings a song.

B says Bu, Every letter makes a sound and B says Bu

Continue reading “DJ ALPHABET” →