Collecting History

So I am feeling compelled to collect as much history as I can to give to my daughter when she is older. I would love to get a newspaper from the day she was born and put it away for her. I even kept the surgical mask and head cover I was wearing from her delivery, just so I can show her what I was wearing when she was born.

My parents and grandmother were here the other day visiting and they told me that they had purchased silver coin proof sets from the year I was born and put them away for me. I had never seen them or even known they were there. Finding out about them got me thinking about putting together a little coin collection for Elizabeth.

I have never had any interest in collecting coins before but I feel oddly compelled to grab as many coins as I can and put them away. Sure there is the possibility of the coins being worth something one day or even that there is already value to them. What I really want to do is have them so she can see what coins used to be like. On a whim I grabbed a coin folder to collect the state quarter series. If nothing else this could be a good way to help her learn the states when she is old enough.

Another thing I want to do is figure out as much of my family’s ancestry as possible. I have worked on this off and on over the years. I really want to go as far back as I can go. I’d love to know where my family came from, and obtain a family crest if there is one, and just learn as much as I can.

I already keep a journal for myself about things going on in my life so if those survive time, Elizabeth will be able to read that and learn more things about me anyway.

I want to collect her life as well. I want pictures of everything she does. I no longer have a digital camera, so I am saving up to get a nice digital SLR. Until I can get the new camera I’m stuck using the camera on my phone.

Does anyone out there have any ideas about good things to collect for your kids? Also, is this strong feeling to collect history normal for dads to feel, and do?

Going Back to Work

It’s Friday and my week at home with the baby is almost over. On Monday I go back to work, and I’m not looking forward to it.

It was hard for me to leave the little one in the NICU everyday, but I think it will be even harder to leave her at home. Her mom will be here to take care of her it’s just more that I don’t want to leave her. Now that she is home and I can see her, and pick her up whenever I want it’s really hard to walk away from her. After having to check with the NICU to make sure it was OK to visit, which it always was, and having to wait until feeding time to hold her I just don’t want to have to wait all day to see her again.

But alas, I have to go back to work. I took a week off when she was born, and another week when she came home. I just hope I have been able to help out enough to establish a little bit of a routine to make feedings and resting easier on my wife.

Has anyone else out there had similar feelings? How did those first days back at work go for you? Also be sure to check out the other Fatherhood Friday posts through Dad Blogs.

Our Story

Hi Folks! My name is Ben, AKA Big Daddy, and on Thursday August 5th, 2010 my wife gave birth to our beautiful daughter Elizabeth. This was a little bit of a surprise because Elizabeth was not due until September 27^th.

Without going into too much detail, here is the story. About 5 weeks ago my wife was diagnosed with Preeclampsia and was put on bed rest. We went in for a check up sonogram on the 5^th and the placenta had been compromised. We went to the hospital and Elizabeth was born via c-section that night.

My wife came home on August 8^th and Elizabeth had to stay in the NICU. Obviously we visited her as much as possible. A few days later my wife was readmitted to the hospital with HELLP syndrome. She was there a few days longer and then once she was better came home.

Elizabeth was doing so well and making great progress that she was able to come home with us just 16 days after her birth on Saturday August 21^st. Now everyone is home and doing well.

We are almost through our first week all at home together and things are going great. I look forward to sharing with everyone our progress and what I am learning and going through as the BIG DADDY of my little girl.