Now that we have a child, I realize that if we have any blog entries that don't include pictures of or at least mention the baby, it probably won't be read. However, I don't want to be one of "Those Moms" where absolutely nothing else matters or exists to them except their baby.  They're the ones who can't fathom that the rest of the world doesn't want to be updated on every facial expression, bowel movement, and gram of weight gain the baby has. (Thank you, Facebook, Twitter, and Blogosphere.)

We'll start with Mike, then. Mike got to celebrate his first Father's Day yesterday. Among other things, I got him 4-player chess (or 2-player to play two sides each). This is a real sacrifice, as I know I will now probably have to learn how to play the game. He's planning an epic tournament with my brother, Steve, on Wednesday. Sophia got him a counting book about daddy hugs to read to her when she's a little bit older.  

For Mike-centered holidays and celebrations, I always have grand ideas about making him a nice meal. I'll ask him what he wants me to make for him and without hesitation, he'll smile and say "cheesecake." When I try to pin him down for what to make for dinner, he needs time to think about it; sometimes he never gets back to me and we end up having SOS food (Same Old Stuff). Yesterday was no exception. I made him lemon cheesecake and then he said "Well, maybe enchiladas" for dinner, which ended up being just cheesecake. (Monday's lunch and dinner were also cheesecake, which is now gone.)

Michelle news: I finished fellowship and graduated June 1. Luckily, I delivered Sophia a few days before the ceremony, so I didn't actually have to go to the actual graduation, which would have entailed spending $500 on maternity dress blues that I would never wear again. I wish I could focus my maternity leave on being a wife and mom, but the timing of Sophia's arrival has made that impossible. I've had to go into work 2-3 times a week to sign papers, meet with people, and finish up research. I've had to delay my daughter's eating or diaper changing so many times to get things done that it makes me feel guilty. I guess I thought that the pull between work vs. family wouldn't have to start so soon. I suppose it's a good thing, though, because it's forcing me to begin learning how to balance the two. I assume this will be one of those "lifelong lesson" things that you're constantly re-evaluating and refining.  

There was a lot that needed to be done last week with moving and graduation preparation. In finishing a manuscript for research (a requirement for graduation), I dragged along a crying Sophia to many meetings and ignored her while I typed up draft after draft. I finally turned in the final on Thursday last week. The quality of the work was good enough to qualify to graduate, but not to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This week, my attendings are wanting me to work on it to make it publishable. Now, however, Sophia wins in the Battle of Balancing Life's Priorities. Research can wait.

What can I say about Sophia? She's three weeks old and we love her more every day. As is typical of new parents, we take pictures of everything she does and wears, coo over her every facial expression, and don't see how anyone couldn't agree with us that she's the cutest baby there is. In answer to the most common questions we get, no, she's not even close to sleeping through the night.  Yes, she's gaining weight. No, she's not remotely on any sort of schedule at all. Yes, she's a good eater. So far, we know she loves being held, having her head rubbed, cuddling with Mommy and Daddy, being warm, and listening to music. She hates waiting to eat, diaper changes, baths, and not having her arms free (swaddling is OUT). 

After the above picture was taken, Mike emailed it to the Clarks and asked them to provide a caption.  Here are some of the answers:

-   4-year-old Nicholas said, "I think she's saying 'Sophia' because she already said the 'So.'"

-   She's saying, "Oh no, you didn't!" after Mike took a bite of his ice cream and didn't share with her! (She is a Clark, after all. These things are important to her.

-   Mom! Dad won't share his burrito!

-   Great googley moogley!

-   Oh my, that thermometer is COLD!

I invite anyone who reads this to come up with more.