Eyes to See, Ears to Hear

Archive for March, 2008

This is an actual road sign in South Carolina.  I first saw this picture back when Bill was in office.  Got a kick out of it then, too.

Listen to this

asher.mp3

This is an Asher typical.  There’s a couple of top-of-the-lung screams near the end that can bring a grown man to his knees.

Just set up a new photoblog where I’m going to try to put up a new pic of Asher everyday to document him growing.

Dealing with a crying baby is hard for me. In most problematic situations, I’m usually cool-headed and focused. Once Asher starts bawling and literally shrieking in my arms and nothing I do seems to help, frustration rushes in. Dana and I have discussed it and initially thought it was fueled by my inability to solve the problem. Looking at it further, I discovered it is not only not being able to solve it, but even knowing what to do next. Somewhat of an overwhelmed frustration.

So intense the frustration has been that at moments I just wanted to shake the little guy. That will never happen but I don’t like the fact that my frustration drove that kind of desire in me. He is my fragile, depends-on-us-for-life newborn son and just picturing myself hurting him sickens me to the core.

My resolve to this boiling frustration is to take my ‘water off the burner’ by focusing on my highest desires… to protect, take care of and love him; not submitting to emotion-driven irrationality and malice.

Our parents have helped us out beyond measure in getting back to the States to have Asher. They are wonderful and deserve to be honored and recognized.

My mom and stepfather have a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo that was unregistered and ready to be sold when I called them back in November to tell them we’re coming home to have the baby. I asked if they still had it and of course they mentioned how great my timing was. They staged off selling it until after we return to Africa and gave it to us to use for the 4-1/2 months we’re at home. Thanks Mom and Ralph!

My mom and Asher when she visited for my birthday one week ago:

Calling Dana’s parents from our banda out in the middle of Tanzania was exciting as we knew they’d maybe wet their pants when hearing we wanted to come home for the birth. We needed a place to stay that wasn’t too far from our home turf so we gave it a shot and asked if we could shack up with them for our time back in NC. The soon-to-be-grandparents gave a swift yes. Asher has had a great home through which to enter into this world. All thanks to Dale and Dianne.

Dale the first time he got to hold Asher:

Dianne’s first go round, too:

After Dana and I both got some pretty good sleep last night, I got up smiling looking at my wife and newborn.  Content with the day already.

My mom and her mom came down together late morning to spend a few hours with this birthday boy.  McDonald’s jacked up our order but it was still nice having a good ol american cheeseburger, grease-n-all.

After they left, I worked on Asher’s birth announcement.  You like?

Send us a message with your address through the CONTACT section on www.mccalled.com if you’d like a copy mailed to you.

The evening brought a steak dinner with a filet that melted when I stuck it with my fork.  A sweet potato accompanied it as well as lots of satisfaction.

Then, Dana and I took Asher out in his stroller for the first time.  That was nice.  And now we’re getting ready to give the night another go.

On the day of Asher’s arrival, his birth announcement received congratulations from four different continents.  North America, Europe, Africa, and Australia.  That’s uncommon in most cases but we now see that’s the norm for an MK (missionary kid).  And even more norm for an MK who has parents whom love to blog!

This is going to be something really cool to tell him when he gets older.

We have created a wish list on Amazon.com for books and things we’d like to get for Asher.  They’re listed with their priority level so if you’d like to buy him his first Bible, a VeggieTales DVD, or any of the other small gifts, follow the link on our website or go directly there.

My profession or area of expertise is not fatherhood. But, in just 48 short hours (wow, Asher’s 2 days old!) I’ve done some things that amaze me. Nothing profound or revolutionary in the way of parenting but simply amazing none-the-less.

Over the past two days, I’ve discovered how Asher likes his pacifier given to him; the best place, so far, on his back to pat for a very quick and painless burping; to do a 2-minute successful diaper change; to thoroughly cover my shoulder with a burp cloth with one hand while adequately supporting him and his head in the other arm. There are quite a few others but I won’t go on.

Pro? No. Student? Yes, because I’ve already had a few what do I do? what do I do? what do I do? moments while Dana’s looking at me like, “Do something!”

All worth it. Besides, who needs more than 3 hours sleep in a 24-hour period anyway?!

Got lots o pictures up!  Enjoy!