Epilogue: The End of a Blog
A very stupid man once uttered the words “bring on the chaos”. That stupid man was me. Caring for an infant is MUCH harder than I anticipated.
Before the baby arrived, the phrase “feed the baby” meant simply, to give the baby a bottle. This, in fact, is a gross over simplification of the truth.
“Feeding the baby” actually means – checking the baby’s diaper pre-feeding to make sure he is not sitting in a soiled diaper while eating. Preparing the bottle, possibly with one hand if he is crying and mommy is sleeping. Administering the bottle in small half-ounce doses, burping him at each break to minimize spit-up, which usually happens anyway. After the bottle is empty, sitting still for 30 minutes keeping him upright, again in an attempt to minimize spit-up. In that time, it is a safe bet that he will have devastated another diaper so it’s back to the changing table before he can go to sleep. After the fresh diaper is in place, it is a good idea to remove the dribble-soaked bib and most likely get him in a new shirt. In total, it proves to be, at the very least, an hour long process.
Thus, I will no longer have the energy or brain cells to continue frequent posts and a good blog cannot survive on scant once a week updates. It is hard to believe I started this thing 10 months ago when we first were informed little Calvin was a mere flickering dot on the sonogram screen, the size of a piece of rice.
On behalf of Tracy, Calvin and myself, I want to thank everyone for coming along for the ride. Your comments, suggestions and helpful tips have been much appreciated. I will continue to browse your blogs and we can be reached at DerekM13@comcast.net & TracyM13@comcast.net so please keep in touch with us.
Good day and have a pleasant tomorrow.
Before the baby arrived, the phrase “feed the baby” meant simply, to give the baby a bottle. This, in fact, is a gross over simplification of the truth.
“Feeding the baby” actually means – checking the baby’s diaper pre-feeding to make sure he is not sitting in a soiled diaper while eating. Preparing the bottle, possibly with one hand if he is crying and mommy is sleeping. Administering the bottle in small half-ounce doses, burping him at each break to minimize spit-up, which usually happens anyway. After the bottle is empty, sitting still for 30 minutes keeping him upright, again in an attempt to minimize spit-up. In that time, it is a safe bet that he will have devastated another diaper so it’s back to the changing table before he can go to sleep. After the fresh diaper is in place, it is a good idea to remove the dribble-soaked bib and most likely get him in a new shirt. In total, it proves to be, at the very least, an hour long process.
Thus, I will no longer have the energy or brain cells to continue frequent posts and a good blog cannot survive on scant once a week updates. It is hard to believe I started this thing 10 months ago when we first were informed little Calvin was a mere flickering dot on the sonogram screen, the size of a piece of rice.
On behalf of Tracy, Calvin and myself, I want to thank everyone for coming along for the ride. Your comments, suggestions and helpful tips have been much appreciated. I will continue to browse your blogs and we can be reached at DerekM13@comcast.net & TracyM13@comcast.net so please keep in touch with us.
Good day and have a pleasant tomorrow.
posted by Derek, Tracy & Calvin | 12:38 PM
13 Comments:
Derek,
You can not give up and quit! If not for you & Tracey, than for your son. I agree that writing on a daily basis is draining, but how about once a week or a month? There is so much in the first year of Calvin's life you'll experience... and when he grows up and can read your blogs imagine how neat it will be for him! Plus, we'll miss you and your wonderful sense of humor!
Kathy
Derek:
A friend pointed me to your blog because she thought it was hilarious. I have to agree - it's been a crack up for 10 months and I've completely enjoyed it. As someone who has decided, at age 44, not to experience what you have experienced - well I appreciate the insight into what I missed. Best of luck to you, Tracy, and Calvin - your blogging will be missed.
David
Illinois
I agree with Kathy...but I also know how time consuming a newborn is. I've enjoyed your blog, perhaps in a few months when Cal is a little older and things are under control, you can come back and let us know how you guys are all doing. In the meantime, good luck and have fun. This time when they're little goes way way way too fast.
Thanks for taking us on the journey with you. I have enjoyed each and every entry.
You will be missed but never forgotten. I hope someday you return to blogging but if not, take care and all the best for you and your family.
Debra
(the one who pointed David of Illinois to your blog!)
I agree with everyone else. I will REALLY miss your blog, especially now that your family has grown.
I remember stumbling across the blog when Tracy was so sick. I really understood how she felt & wanted to let her know. Then I was hooked in by your sense of humor, which is a must have for any parent.
I understand how time consuming a newborn can be. I look back & don't know how on Gods green earth I was able to blog so frequently (no sleep). I don't even know how I'm doing it now (better sleep, no naps). But I look back on all of those entries & relish the foggy memories that are now forever on the internet (ummm, I guess that's a good thing).
The bottom line is you have to do what's best for your family. I hope you can stick around, but if you can't, best wishes on your new life as a family. It is the most incredible, amazing, wonderful ride. Ever.
I don't care how tired you are. We want blogs!!!! Seriously though, I have enjoyed reading them over the last 10 mnths. Thank you for sharing. Good luck!
Well, this has been the first time I have been able to catch up on the site. Not sure if it’s hormones, being sleep deprived or the mere fact that I am so overwhelmed with joy but seeing all your loving/caring comments in the past week and a half and reading the last words of Derek’s 9 months has got me all choked up. Thank you for all your support & best wishes to us!!
Derek, you’re an incredible husband and Father!!! I, too, loved reading the blog everyday and will miss it very much. You’re an amazing writer! Calvin is going to love reading this as we save it in his time capsule. Calvin & I are extremely lucky to be sharing every waking moment with you!!! Thank you for all the happiness you bring to our lives!! xoxoxo
At least now you can see what I have told you all along - how much people love your writing and your sense of humor. And I am luckier than most because I get to benefit from that wicked sense of humor every day ( sometimes to my chagrin )!! :-)
And I am very lucky to be considered part of your family and look forward to all the special moments to come with you, Trac and Cal !!
Derek,
I hope that at a later date you will choose to start up a blog about fatherhood and Calvin's progress with at least monthly posts... I know I would love to hear what you have to say!
Miss you guys
J
What a sweet GOODBYE but Hello to the exciting life of parenthood! I too would love to see updates periodically in the future! Lots of love to the three of ya! See ya soon!
Love,
Sue
I'm not saying good-bye!!! but I will wish you well to a new chapter in your lives w/ Calvin. Derek you are an amazing writer, a BIG thank you to you & Trac for allowing us to be part of your amazing journey. I will miss your blogs & your hysterical since of humor. Tracy your blog to your husband almost choked me up. You both share something so special and Calvin is a lucky little boy to be a part of it. I could have sworn I wasn't saying good-bye (laughing).
xoxoxox
Paula
Derek,
I'm sure I'll be privvy to most of your adventures..but let me offer you this potential money-maker:
Start writing down things you'd never thought you'd say before becoming a parent. Put them all together, and then we'll co-author a book. I have these tidbits of wisdom that have come from myself:
"What a nice, big poop!"
"mmm...strained peas...yum"
"how did you manage to get sauce on your eye?"
"the dog's tail is not a toy"
"Stop eating your foot"
"Get your hand out of your bum"
Each chapter can be broken down into categories: Bodily Functions, Behavior, Animals, etc., etc. We'll be rich, and can use all that money on the therapy we'll need by the time they're teenagers.
As someone who blogged during my twins first year, I wonder sometimes what I was thinking.
But now I look back on some of those posts and I'm thankful I wrote that stuff down because I don't remember some or all of it.
I hope you do keep a monthly post or a cute story every now and then for your kids and your sake. You will all love it in the future.
Having said that, survival is first and if the blog must go, then it's not the end of the world. Have a great time with CT and best of luck.
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