Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello my beautiful baby girl. Right now you are watching a Baby Einstein Video. You are yawning and you had a bottle not so long ago so I would wager that shortly you will be napping. Right now though, you are enraptured in this toy on the tv screen. -I was correct- Now you are napping. I had to pause this post and bounce you in your bouncy until you fell asleep. Now you are napping sweetly covered up in Mommy's fleece throw. That's a nice warm blanky. You're borrowing Mommy's because yours is upstairs. You have one that stays in your car seat in the kitchen but this was easier and it is kind of chilly in here. Plus I don't want to forget to put the one that goes in your car seat back. You need that for outside. *Big Smiles*
   I wanted to post this poem I wrote for you night before last. I know that Daddy will come along and tweak it until it looks nice on the page but I wanted to be the one to put it here to start with. It's not much but I want you to know how I feel about you. You are the BEST thing that has ever happened to me and I love you. Well. Here goes.

Unaware As I rock her steadily, Her belly 'cross my breast, I hold her, oh, so close to me, Her arms resting on my chest. My chin brushes her downy hair, Her tiny head resting on my shoulder, And she lies there, Unaware, Of the love I feel when I hold her. Unaware of how it grows, Every moment of every day, I wonder if she'll ever know, If she'll ever feel this way. And then she sighs the sigh, Of quiet, peaceful sleep, And I sing to her a lullaby Of Mary and her sheep. I place her gently in her bed, And stare down at her lying there, I run my hand across her head, Across her blonde and silky hair. And in the morning, she gives a smile, And a happy, friendly call And I realize that all that while, She wasn't Unaware at all

   Anyway little girl. I wanted that to be here. I love you, you sweet little thing!

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello my sweet little baby girl. Right now you are napping in your Bouncy in the living room in front of Daddy's chair. Daddy is also napping upstairs. He got up with you this morning because Mommy was up way late cleaning up from the great big fun Halloween party the kids & I had last night. It really was lots of fun. I think maybe I had more fun than the kids did. They were all very good and they all won at least one prize. Your cousin Leah and her friend Kelsey won two. I think. Anyway, it went off without a hitch (well maybe a minor hitch or two) and it was lots of fun. You were a little fussy. I think your Duckie costume made you hot and all of the people and excitement made you nervous. Daddy did a very good job taking care of you while Mommy directed the kid's games and things. Then Mommy rocked you to sleep while Daddy and the kids started watching Scooby Doo 2. You fell asleep fast. You were so tired. While I was rocking you, your aunt Linda cleaned up from the party a bit, which I really appreciate. I then came downstairs to finish cleaning up from the party while Daddy and the kids finished the movie. From what I know your cousins Allison, Jacob, John, Leah, and her friend Kelsey all had lots of fun. I am glad.
   We got your pictures back Wednesday. They were wonderful. You really are a VERY beautiful baby. Of course I could be biased. Who cares. I think you are gorgeous. Well this was just a quick post to tell you all about the goings on last night. Now you are awake and I know that you will want to play or watch Baby Shakespeare. So I love you, you pretty little girl!!!

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello there sweetheart. I know that I have not posted in a while either, but unlike your father, I DO have an excuse. I spend all my time taking care of you, my sweet little baby. It is the most rewarding and most wonderful job I have ever, ever had. I couldn't ask for anything more.
   Lots of big happenings yesterday, as your father has already told you. We are trying so hard to be responsible adults now that you are here. We never have been really all that responsible. Or adult, for that matter. But you know what they say...it's never too late to have a happy childhood!
   Sunday we went to Lexington to Golden Corral and ate lunch. You slept the entire time and only woke up en route to Wal-Mart because you were hungry. We got to Wal-Mart and I sat in the furniture section and fed you while your Daddy walked around a bit but mostly sat there next to us letting his food digest because he ate too much. Daddy gets a belly ache just like you when he eats too much. We got some various odds and ends at Wal-Mart. We did get our Christmas tree, but mostly I went there to get treat bags for the kid's Halloween party this weekend. I am throwing them a little Halloween party. I hope that they can all come because I got lots of Halloween stuff that would just go to waste if they didn't. I won't describe any of it here because I want to keep it a surprise ...Just in case they get to come. When I talk about *the kids* I mean your cousins...Allison, Jacob, and Jonathon. Also Leah as well. I told them to all come and invite a friend. So I may or may not have eight kids here. It sounds like it will be fun anyway. We are going to play games and have a scavenger hunt and an apple bob. Anyway... All the family reads this so enough said... don't want to ruin any surprises. After Wal-Mart we went to Toys-R-Us to get one of your Christmas presents because they had sold out of them ALL at Wal-Mart and we were worried if we did not buy it we just would not get it this year. It seems like it's going to be a big hit in the toy market this season. And even though I know you can't read yet and buy the time you read this journal you'll be grown.. I am NOT telling what it is. Ha, Ha!
   After Toys-R-Us we went to visit your great grandmother Annetta in the hospital. She seems to be doing much, much better and we are thankful for that. Your great Granny is a sweet old lady and I so hope you can get to know her and know her well. Your great aunt Linda and your cousin Leah was there and they made a big fuss over you like they always do and you cooed and talked and laughed and smiled at everyone like you always do. You really are a fantastic baby. The lady at the bank setting up our accounts didn't like kids and I thought that was crazy...Especially you.. I mean you are the best baby in the world! Duh! You even smiled at that mean old gender identity crisis person. (Explanation for gender identity crisis to come later.)
   After we visited Granny we came home and watched a little TV then I fed you and put you to bed. Daddy and I stayed up watching more TV then we went to bed ourselves. Daddy got up with you Monday morning. He was off work. I was appreciative because I had not had a lot of sleep over the weekenend. I slept until almost eleven am Monday then I got up and came downstairs and played with you. Daddy went to take a nap and then he got up and we ordered pizza and we all just sat around watching Tv and vegging until bedtime. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. The only downfall was that they did not have your pictures ready for us Friday. They were supposed to and they didn't. But they should be ready for us today and we are excited about that. I can't wait to see them. I know they will be cute. Daddy didn't get to see you taking them because he got aggravated and walked away. He wasn't aggravated at you, just at the situation. I know that Daddy will be so pleasantly surprised when he sees your pretty little pictures.
   You got your very first Halloween card from Mamaw and Papaw and it was so cute. When I read it to you, you smiled and cooed and thought it was great. I thought I would add that in here because it is always special to get *firsts.* Mommy loves Halloween, did you know that? It is one of Mommy's very favorite Holidays. The only Holiday that I love even more is Christmas. And we all know that is Jesus' Birthday.
   You fell asleep after your bottle this morning which is rare for you these days. You must have been very tired. I can hear you now starting to wake up so I had better do some of the things I need to do before you start *yelling* (making loud coos and gurgles) for me to come and get you. I love you so much, little girl!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hey Little Girl. Daddy here. I know it's been a long time since I posted here and there is no excuse for that. Your mother bought me some new toys and I've been playing with those instead of posting to you. She bought me a fancy new digital camera and I've been trying to figure out how to use all of the options. It's very fancy. It wasn't really very expensive either. Of course it wasn't cheap either. Your Mom also bought me a brand new iPod mini. Now, that was very expensive. I can fit over a thousand songs on it. Pretty cool, huh? Well, I've been playing and not posting.
   Today was actually a pretty big day for all of us. Today we took $3,000 and started a Roth IRA for myself and another one for your mother. We can't touch it until we are 59 and ½ years old. We are gonna add to it as much as we can over the years. We also put $7,500 into a college savings program for you. I expect to have over $20,000 in your college fund by the time you are ready to go. I really couldn't afford to go to college and wish that I had. You will not have to worry about money for college and for that I am very thankful. Also, your mother finally got her drivers license today. Your mom is 27 years old and is just now getting her license. I was so very proud of her. She failed her test about a month ago and to tell you the truth I really thought she'd fail again but your mother never ceases to amaze me.
   I was off from work yesterday. Your dear mother woke me up at 5:30 in the morning. Tha time I usually get up for work anyway and asked if I couldn't take care of you for the day. I rolled out of bed and even though I was sad I didn't get to sleep in we had a great time together. Just you & I. You talked to me more yesterday morning than you ever had. It made me feel real good. I love it when you talk to me.
   Well, I'll close out now. Your father loves you very much.

Dear Rebecca,
                  -October 8, 2004-Great news, little girl. They aren't going to interrupt our service on the phone at all apparently. yippee! I really ain't all that excited about it, I just thought I'd utilize this oppurtunity to use the word "yippee." You so rarely get to use that word in a sentence. Mommy's silly, isn't she?
   You are sleeping in your bouncy right now. Daddy is outside cleaning out his truck and getting ready to steam clean the inside. I'm really rather proud of him.
Ok, back from you waking up and having a bottle and then us having dinner and Daddy back outside to finish cleaning the truck. We had pizza tonight because when Mommy was watching American Justice while she was feeding you this afternoon it was about illegal activities in an Italian Pizzeria in New Jersey or New York or some such place where all the Italian crime goes down. They make fantastic pizza in New York, or so I hear. I have only ever been once and it was in the middle of the night and the only place we could find to eat was a Waffle House or some such nonsense. It made me want pizza so that is what we had.
-October 10, 2004-
   It has now been two days since I have been able to sit down and finish this post. There are always tons of things to do around here and like Daddy said in the previous post we were all geared up for Papaw and Uncle Butch's birthday and we had a great time until poor Granny fell and broke her hip. I cannot tell you how much Granny means to me little girl; It's been a long time since I had a Granny and I loved both of your other great Granny's dearly. But Granny Annetta is so special, she is one of the best ladies I have ever known. Next to my mother I don't think I have ever loved someone like I love Granny. That is saying a lot because I, too, was a Mommy's girl. Right now you are a Mommy's girl and I know that will change but for now that makes me smile. Eventually I know you will be a Daddy's girl. Most little girls always are. For some reason Mommy's head is itching. I hope I do not have the *jumpers*... ha, ha. That is what we used to call it when we were little. Call what you ask? Lice. We called it Jumpers. Anyway, I don't think I have the jumpers. Back to the story at hand.
   Your poor great Granny fell and broke her hip. She had to have surgery today. It only took a few hours. They thought they were going to have to replace her hip, but they didn't. They put screws in it. That is good news, because clearly the break could not have been as bad as they thought and now she doesn't have to have her hip taken out and a false one put back in. That is really a rather dangerous surgery because over a dozen vital arteries, veins, and nerves run through the hip and pelvis area. So a surgical slip could cause bad things to happen to Great Granny, and no one wants that. Anyway, you and Daddy and I were at the hospital for most of the day today. The rest of Daddy's extended family was there as well. Your Great Uncle Donnie, Your Great Aunt Martha, Your Great Aunt Lila, Your Great Aunt Louise, Your Great Aunt Alma (or was it Belle? - That is so terrible.. I can never tell them apart), Your Great Uncle Charlie, Your Great Aunt Linda, Your Great Aunt Chris and Your Great Uncle Mike. Also your second cousin Theresa was there and of course Aunt Lynn and Mamaw were there. You were so good with everyone; you smiled and laughed at them and you only got fussy when you were tired or hungry. You really are a fantastic baby and all the family loves you so much. Sometimes I wish my family was as close as Daddy's... but circumstances of long ago prevented that from happening. Don't get me wrong I know that Papaw Lawrence and Aunt Mary are very close to you and Daddy and I but I haven't seen some of my Aunts and Uncles in nearly ten years. Quite frankly I still meet new members of the family at Daddy's family reunion every year. It's like going to a different party every time. I haven't been to one of our family reunions in almost fifteen years. I don't even know if we still have them.
   Anyway, after we stayed up at the hospital through Great Granny's surgery and recovery and went to see her when she got put back in her room (you gave her smooches by the way) and I feed you while she rested, Daddy and I went to Wal-Mart and he bought himself a shin gaurd and a tripod and some other odds and ends. I really don't remember what they were because I never really pay attention to what your father thinks he needs; he just holds it up and I say yes or no or yay or nay and he either puts it back or pitches a fit until he gets it. What I really went to Wal-Mart for is to get your Great Granny a nice pillow for under her head (Mommy knows how it is to have a bad pillow under her head in the hospital; It isn't comfortable) and I got a few other things as well. I got three blankets; two for whomever decides to stay with Granny and one for Granny if she gets cold. Hospital blankets are thin and do a poor job of keeping you warm. In addition to that Granny is going to have to go to rehab and she will want to be comfortable as possible and she has thin blood and gets cold so I want her to be cozy. I bought Mamaw a pair of sweats and some footies to wear. There were two pair in a pack so Aunt Louise who is staying with Granny tonight could also wear some. I bought Granny some too in case her feet got cold and when she gets up and moving she will need some traction on her feet but I know she won't want to wear bulky shoes. I also got Granny some toiletries because hospital soap and shampoo is terrible for your skin and will often break elderly people or people with extra sensitive skin out. Plus it's nice to have some smelly-good stuff for your very own when you don't feel well. I also got a couple of towels in case anyone wanted to take a shower and some cookies for them to munch on if they got hungry. Your Daddy thought I was nuts and thought everyone else would think I was nuts but everyone else feels the same way I do; They would move the sun. the moon. the stars, and the mountains for your great Granny. She is good to everyone she has ever known and she always seems to find the best in everyone. She could find something good about Hitler. And if she couldn't then she'd just go pray for him.
   Your are wore out now that you are home and you are sleeping peacefully. I am tired myself and there are a couple of things I need to do on the computer before I go to bed. I know you will wake up for a bottle tonight and I am looking forward to it. I always love to see you any time of the night or day. But I had better get some things done and get some rest myself. I don't think we are going to the hospital tomorrow, unless Granny gets worse or she really wants us to. And tonight I am going to pray for Granny in the hopes that all goes well for her. Goodnight sweetie. Mommy loves you so much, Rebecca.

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello, Lil' One. It's been almost two weeks since I last posted. I'm getting terrible at this blogging thing. It just seems that I don't have the time I once did. I wonder why that is? Seriously, your mother is your primary care giver. I'm just basically that guy you see around the house sometimes.
   We all went down to Mamaw & Papaw's for Papaw & Butch's, (That;s Uncle Rodney's father), birthday supper. We all had a real fine time. You were awful fussy but it was getting on toward your bedtime before we left. You cried for everyone except your mother & I. It made me very proud that I could comfort you and calm you. Anyway, a terrible thing happened as we were leaving. We were taking Granny back home and we were all leaving and Granny fell and broke her hip. Everyone was very upset. Granny is 88 years old. A fall can be very bad for an 88 year old woman. Anyway. She will probably have surgery tomorrow. We're all praying that she will be fine. I'm sure she will. I want you to remember her. She loves you so much. She's the reason you always wear socks. Granny is so afraid you're gonna get cold. She was scolding us for not having a jacket on you tonight. I told your mother to take you inside because your Granny was complaining that no one ever listens to her. I figured that even though it was a beautiful night and the temperature was very moderate i would respect her wishes.
   Anyway, That's it for tonight. I love you.

Dear Rebecca,
                     No posts for a few days. I know we go a few days between posts most of the time anyway, but I do not know how long it will be. We are having our phone worked on and it may take a while. No phone means no internet, which means no posts for Mommy and Daddy.
   Daddy kicked you yesterday. You were lying on a rug in the middle of the floor at Mamaw and Papaw's. He didn't really hurt you, he just scared you real badly. He felt terrible about it all night long. Daddy loves you lots, little girl.
   No big news to share, just that we won't be online for the next couple days. I reckon I will let you go for now, will write you a nice long post about what we do (or hopefully DON'T do) this weekend.

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello there, little girl. Right now you are watching your movie of Baby Einstein: Baby Van Gogh. It's one of your favorites. You enjoy all the pretty colors and I think you especially enjoy the puppets.
Sorry I did not write more after your pictures. When we took you to get your pictures done Wednesday, all you did was fuss and cry. You were not a happy camper. So we decided to reschedule for Saturday. We took you back this past Saturday and you were all big smiles. All went well except for the fact that you spit up ALL over your sweater. Daddy was a little upset but Mommy fixed it. We just tossed the sweater to the side and took nice pictures of your smiley face. That is what is most important, the cute little smiles you give. Who cares about an old sweater?
Mommy is sick today. I don't know what it is but I am coming down with something. I can't really hold anything down and my throat is all dry and scratchy. Plus I am all stuffed up and I have a low grade fever. I am really quite miserable. I haven't even gotten out of my gown & robe today. Lucky for me you are a good baby and it's really no trouble to take care of you.
   You are going to need a bath tonight. I think I may let Daddy give it to you. It will be the very first time Daddy has given you a bath alone. I don't know why, it just will be. I think it will be anyway. Momma really isn't feeling very well so I think I will let you go and lie down on the couch while your movie plays. I love you, little girl!!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello, my beautiful baby girl. Right now I am trying to type quietly because you are sleeping here in the living room in your bouncy. You look so sweet. Today you are getting your 3 month pictures taken, I cannot wait to see how they turn out. I hope you flash that beautiful smile of yours in them. It is so sweet when you grin and stick your little tongue between your lips. Daddy has picked you out a very cute little outfit for your new pictures. It has a mauve sweater and a cream turtle neck with pink trim and pink and mauve flowered pants. It's really rather adorable. I picked out the first outfit you took your first professional photos in so I decided it was Daddy's turn to pick it out this time. Ok, just now back from switching out the laundry. Anyway, I know the pictures will be great because you are such a beautiful baby. I am going to end this post for fear of waking you. More this evening after your photos. I LOVE YOU!

Dear Rebecca,
               Hello. You were three months old this weekend. We had scheduled you for your three month pictures then we decided to visit Hazard so we had to reschedule the pics for Wednesday. You had fun this weekend. This is just a quick post to let you know we still exist.

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello my beautiful baby. Right now you are upstairs sleeping in your crib. You went to sleep at 8:00 so I would wager you will wake up for a bottle around two am. That is why I am going to post this blog and then do a couple of little things that need to be done, then scoot to bed.
   You really are the sweetest thing, do you know that? I couldn't ask for anything more in life right now. I have a great husband and a beautiful, sweet, adorable baby. You! You just get better and better every day. Even your little cry is cute. Of course I hate when you cry though because I never want you to be unhappy.
   We had a pretty good day today. It amazes me at how you are all smiles at your Daddy. Even when you are upset you are still smiley at him. You must love him very much. He was talking to you today in your bouncy just saying off the wall silly stuff and you were just so sweet & smiley at him. I tried the same jazz & you just looked at me like "What? No Bottle?". Ha, Ha. I am only kidding. You smiled at me some, but not nearly as much as you smiled at Daddy. Maybe Daddy is just funny looking. I think that is what it is.
   Well, little girl, I hate to cut this blog post so short, but Mommy is EXTREMELY tired. I love you so much, Rebecca Lynn Lanham!!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Great news, Little Girl. Your mother got the last of her settlement money this past week. We have been spending money like it was turning into confederate script. We had a whole lot of fun this weekend. We left early Friday morning to pick up the check and then we went to put it in the bank. A girl named Lisa Rose was the bank teller. I know her because she is the daughter of a man I worked with before he retired. We were very lucky to have her instead of someone else. She didn't hold the rather large check like someone we didn't know would have done. So we began spending that morning. We went to Daddy's favorite restaurant, Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast. I ate a huge breakfast. I had a piece of sausage, a piece of bacon, a piece of country ham, two over medium eggs, three biscuits with gravy, two helpings of grits with sugar and butter, two helpings of hash browned potato casserole, a small bowl of fried apples, a big glass of orange juice and 2 and a half cups of coffee. Your mother had the same meats I had, two scrambled eggs, one biscuit with gravy, a bowl of apples, orange juice and coffee. We also bought a clean cotton Yankee Candle car jar from the Cracker Barrel gift shop.
   We then went and picked us out a wedding ring set. We've been married eight years but our original rings were stolen by some not very nice people. We left them there to be sized. We then went to Sam's Club for some odds and ends. Then we went to Babies "R" Us and bought your next car seat. It's still very early but since we had the money we figured we'd go ahead and get it. You'll probably be able to use the new one until you can sit in the seat like a big girl. Also we bought you 18 big cans of formula. Our hope is that we won't have to buy much more of that. You also got a halloween costume. I reckon you're going as a duck.
   We then went looking for a new Tivo for daddy. We found one but didn't buy it then. We then took you down to Mamaw & Papaw's while we went out some more. We went to pick up our rings and they screwed them up so we had to leave them for another day. We then went to Mi Mexico, one of your mother's favorite restaurants. I like it as well. We then went to buy a brand new mattress. We really need one of those. I have had the mattress that we are using now for 15 or so years. That's a long time. Then we went to Walmart and got some stuff that people usually get at Walmart. Then we went and picked up you and we all went home. I stayed up way to late, kinda like I'm doing tonight.
   We started out kinda late Saturday morning. We went to the bank and got some money and then had a burger on the road from Wendy's. We finally got our rings. Your mother was very happy. She also bought a mother-daughter necklace. Then we went to Best Buy so I could buy my Tivo and some networking equipment that I needed for the computer. We looked at Target for your Disney Princess TV & DVD player, but they only had the TV. So we decided to go to Circuit City. We got them there. Your mother went into the Yankee Candle store in the Hamburg pavilion while I stayed in the truck and fed you. You spit up on me. We then went to H.H. Greggs and bought us a freezer. Then we rushed to Frankfort to attend a cookout hosted by your Aunt Louise. Our family is very gifted musically and your Uncle don & Aunt Louise were playing some classic country, bluegrass and gospel on their guitars while Mamaw, Aunt Linda, your mother & I sang along. You were fascinated with the guitar playing. You stared and laughed and wiggled around like you were dancing. We came home and you went to bed while I set up the new Tivo and tried to set up the new wired network between the Tivo and our computer. They sold me a wrong piece. I reckon it was my own fault because I didn't know what to ask for. I'm gonna try to get the piece I need, a usb to ethernet adapter, at Radio Shack tomorrow.
   Right now I'm going to record some information from the old Tivo so I can set up the new Tivo in a similar fashion. I love you, Little One. Your mother says that's what I call you all the time, Little One. I also call you Little Girl and Girly Girl. Anyway, whatever I call you I love you so very much. Nighty-night, Sweety. Daddy loves you.

Dear Rebecca,
                  We think you have begun teething. It seems a little early. You took a frozen teething ring that I, your ever loving father, has been using for an ice pack for lunch. Maybe you are simply fascinated with the cold. That was the very first time you've ever experienced a cold sensation in your mouth. Or maybe you're hungry. We just don't know and you can't tell us yet. We'll figure it out eventually. We always do. I think we're fist rate parents, if I do say so myself, especially your mother.
   Your mother took her very first driving test today. And she's gonna have to take her second driving test next week. She failed. She accidentally run up on the curb as she parked on the street. No big deal. Daddy has had his drivers license since he was sixteen. I passed it the very first time but only barely. I'm sure your mother will get her license very soon. The test examiner said she was passing up until the point when she hit the curb.
   Your mother looks very cute in the pony tail she's wearing right now. It's not really a pony tail. She has the pony tail part held with sort of a kind of clip type thing. I don't know what it's called but it's real cute. Of course your mom is real cute period.
   Well, I reckon I'm done. I'm gonna watch some television here in a minute. You make it hard to watch television. Well, not you really but your mother is always buzzing about being such a great mother & wife. I am so very proud of her. I have the best wife any man has ever had the privilege to have. I'm tired and want to go to bed early tonight so I'd better start watching television now or I won't get to look at any at all.

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello, my beautiful little baby girl. It is almost one a.m. It took you forever to go to sleep tonight. In fact, you only went to sleep an hour ago. I would be in bed by now except for the fact that Mommy is rather blonde. I had bought your Daddy some meat snacks he did not really like because they were too salty. So I decided to eat on them since they are quite expensive and I don't really mind the salt because well, I just don't. I suppose I am used to it. On a low carb diet that is the only way you can add any sort of flavor to anything. Well I grabbed one of the bags I had not eaten yet and ripped it open and munched it down without even looking on the front of the bag. When I was finished I looked at said bag and it said "Marinated in KIKKOMON'S BOLD SOY SAUCE". Why is that a problem, you ask? Well. I shall explain. I am allergic to a million catrillion bunch of things. One of those things being MSG. Which is what KIKKOMON'S Soy sayce is flavored with. So now here I sit. Itching from head to toe. Especially in my eyes. How can Mommy sleep like this? Mommy can't. I just hope because you stayed up so late tonight that you will sleep late tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
   You are doing so fantastically well sleeping in your bed. I am so proud of you. Aww you just stirred in your room. I heard you. I have the monitor downstairs with me so I can keep an ear on you. I like when you stir a bit. It lets me know you are ok and I do not run to check you every twenty minutes. Daddy and I love you to pieces. I hope you know that. Your room is nearly finished. Now all we need is the desk Aunt Lynn refinished and painted from her and Daddy's old school Mortonsville Elementary and we will have it nearly licked. We want to get some wooden letters at Micheal's or a craft store of sorts in your name REBECCA and paint them and hang them on your wall. We may or may not do that. We are getting 3 more frames for 3 more pictures that I think your father is going to wind up making himself because as of late he does not like anything I do. Picture wise for your room that is. Actually we have to make five more pictures. Two to go in your two pink frames we bought at Big Lots. I have one already made that I am going to use and I really do not care what your father says because I LIKE IT. Darn it, I am itching.
   Well, little girl, it is now ten after one and I am tired even though I am itching. I think I will take a shower and see if that helps. It probably won't help afterward but at least I wont be itching in the shower. Then I will lie in bed and scratch myself raw next to your father. Hope I do not wake him up. I love you, little girl!

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hello, my pretty little girl. Today you are not feeling very well. Yesterday you got your very first set of shots. You got five different shots in three different needle pokes. You got your Hib Vaccine, which is a shot to prevent bacterial menengitis, and you got your Hepatitis B vaccine, which you also got one of those at birth, which is to prevent a disease causing loss of appetite, muscle pain, tiredness, jaundice, nausea, on a short term basis, and liver damage or liver cancer on a long term basis. You also got your Pneumonococcal Conjugate vaccine, which is to prevent you from getting streptococcus, or strep, menengitis, pneumonia, deafness or brain damage from those particular germs. In other words, it was a polio vaccine. You also got your Diptheria Tetanus & Pertussis vaccines, which keeps you from getting lockjaw, whooping cough, a thick covering on the back of your throat which can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, etc. I felt so terrible when the nurse poked you in your precious little legs, and you screamed. I knew she was hurting my precious baby and there was nothing I could do about it, because you need all of these vaccines to be healthy and prevent getting any of these horrible germs. I cried when you screamed and all I wanted to do was hold you close to me and get you away from that woman. It took every thing I had in me not to hit her.... I know that sounds odd but one day you will know just what I mean. I love you so much that I never want you to suffer anything or feel any sort of pain...even it if is necessary I wish it felt like fluffy clouds and not like sharp burning needle pokes. It really broke Mommy's heart. It's breaking Mommy's heart just thinking about it, because now I am crying again. I love you little girl. I can't believe how much I truly, deeply, honestly do.
   The doctor said you may run a little fever and you have been. I have been giving you infant's tylenol and watching it closely. Right now you are sleeping in your swing. You really did not want to sleep in your crib last night and I did not want to force you to do so with you feeling so terribly bad. So I brought you down here and slept on the couch next to you. I moved your swing so that you would kind of roll to the left because the doctor said you are getting a flat spot on the right side of your head. We are going to have to turn you around in your crib to fix that, too.
   Well you were 22 3/4 inches long yesterday, weighed 12 lbs and 1 oz, and the diameter of your head was 40 1/4 centimeters. Doctors said you are ahead of 75% of all babies in all aspects. That is great! You are really doing well. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We love you so very, very much. Well, I can hear you starting to stir, so I will end this post for now and go and tend to you. I love you my baby!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello again, Rebecca Lynn Lanham. How goes it with you, Silly Monkey Piggy? Mama has taken to calling you that. It's such a cute little name for you. You have a onesie with all kinds of animals on it and she just picked two out, or at least you used to have such a onesie. You've probably grown out of it by now for all I know.
   Your mother & I are both very tired right now. You are in your kick & play bouncy watching the light show things it does. We all had a huge weekend. You have just returned from your very first trip to Mommy's home town of Hazard Kentucky. We left Friday after I got off from work. We drove for two and a half hours to get down there. We got lost going to our Super 8 hotel because the directions said go west on the Daniel Boone Parkway and I had forgotten that the state of Kentucky had foolishly changed the name to the Hal Rogers Parkway. I know what you are thinking, "I know who Daniel Boone is but who is this Hal Rogers person?". I felt the same way. Anyway, Hal Rogers was just an eastern Kentucky politician. Now, back to the story at hand. We got lost. We ended up in front of Hazard's most famous landmark, the Mother Goose building. We called the Super 8 from there and got directions. We finally arrived and went up to our room. Your very first hotel room. It was pretty nice for a Super 8. It had a fridge, microwave, ironing board, iron and a coffee pot. We called Aunt Mary and she came over and showed us how to get back to her trailer. We then went......I can't remember what we did then. I reckon I'm gonna have to ask your mom. Plus you are starting to fuss in the bouncy.
   Well, I still don't know what we did then but you no longer fussy in the bouncy. You are in my left arm being fussy while I type with my right hand.
   I just now got done trying to feed you some bottle. You didn't seem to want it much at all. Momma stuck it in your mouth and then you were a happy piggy. Back to the story. Your mother said that Friday night we just hung around down to Aunt Mary's place and visited with Mary and your Papaw Lawrence. We then went back to the hotel and fell out into bed around midnight. We woke up around 8:30 in the morning. Your mother and father had their morning coffee and packed up. Mamaw & Papaw came down to see the mountains. We went to the Huddle House and to the nice new Wal-mart in Hazard and then we all went to Aunt Mary's. We then went to the Magic Mart to see if they had any sales. We bought a few things but I think everyone was a little disappointed with that place. Mamaw & Papaw left us at that point for a tour of the mountains. Your Aunt Mary, Momma & I then took you to see your cousins, Melissa, a.k.a. Tweety and her three little girls, Ashley, Carol and Amy. We stayed there for quite awhile. Then we went to see Tweety's sister, Marietta, a.k.a. Smurf, also your cousin and her new baby, Arionna Shelby Marie. You are older than her by a whole month. She was awful cute but maybe I'm kinda partial but I thought you were still much cuter than her.
   Back to Mary's to get Papaw Lawrence and to let Mary take care of some business. We then went to see Linda Gail, another cousin. She wasn't home so we had to set on her front porch and wait for Mary to show up. Linda Gail lives in a kinda rough part of town so your mother & I weren't to happy about that situation. Mary finally showed up. We then went to Ponderosa and then realized that Mommy left her purse with our check book, all her important papers and $150 in cash. Mary rushed back and found it. Mamma was quite upset until Aunt Mary returned with her purse. We then had a nice supper at Ponderosa. We had originally planned on returning home that evening but since we missed Linda Gail and didn't even have the chance to visit with your half Aunt Carolyn we decided to stay one more night. We stayed at Mary's house the second evening. Your mother & Aunt Mary then went out to buy you some formula and I watched a video of the movie, Gladiator. They were late returning because of the heavy fog in the mountains. We all slept very well, including you.
   We woke around 8:00 in the morning. Aunt Mary fixed us a breakfast of scrambled cheese eggs, polish sausage, blueberry pancakes with Karo syrup and Pepsi. Mary stayed at the house to shower while Papaw Lawrence took us to see Linda Gail. She still wasn't home. We went back to Aunt Mary's to drop off Papaw Lawrence and pick up Mary. We then went to see your aunt Carolyn. She wasn't there so we went to an incredibly crappy restaurant called Rax and took Mary to a teeny bopper clothing store. Your Aunt Mary is a 28 year old teenager. Her tatses are the same as a teen aged girl. Even her taste in men. She's dating an 18 year old. We then took Mary home. Said goodbye to Papaw Lawrence and made the two and a half hour trip back home. We stopped at the Dairy Queen before we returned to our domicile. I had a mocha moolatte while your mom had a small hot fudge Sunday with nuts. You didn't have anything. You were still much to young to have big peoples food.
   We arrived home. I unloaded the Explorer while your Momma fed you. Then your mother unpacked all of our stuff while you bounced in your bouncy and I typed away on this blog. We are both very tired and I am gonna watch a little television before bed. I'm just glad that I don't have to go to work tomorrow. It will be Labor Day. We plan on working on your room tomorrow. I love you, Rebecca. Nighty-night, Sweety.

Dear Rebecca,
Hello my gorgeous baby girl. Right now you are sleeping so quietly and you look so sweet. We've had a pretty good day today so far. You woke up at 3 a.m. this morning for a bottle, then again at 6. Then you did not wake up until almost ten. When you finally woke up you were all big smiles and grins. Mommy loves to see you like that. You had a bottle at ten.. and finished almost four whole ounces. Then I got you dressed and put you in your swing and took a few pictures and played with you a little while, while I waited on Daddy to call. Then after Daddy called I told him we were going for a walk and I got you out of your swing and gave you a sunblock rub down. Daddy has your hooded stroller in the back of the truck so I had to use an umbrella stroller with NASCAR written on it that someone had given to us today. Boy, I tell you what, you can really tell the difference between quality and crap. That stroller today did not drive worth a toot. Anyway, you looked like a little greased monkey all slathered up in sun block. I even had to put some on your head and in your hair because the NASCAR stroller does not have a large shade. Your hair stuck up and you looked very cute and silly, like a little duck.
   We walked around the neighborhood once and it was very hot today so I decided not to do it again. We came in and you were a little fussy and acting hungry but I have to wait at LEAST 2 and a half hours before I can give you another bottle. So I decided to calm you by giving you a bath. You always seem to enjoy that and in addition you were still greasy with sunblock. Sure enough, in the baby tub, you calmed right down. When I got you out however, and got you dressed, you were still crying and sucking on your fist. It had been since around ten til ten since you ate and it was a little over half past noon. I figured it was close enough so I fixed your bottle and got your bib while you lay squealing on the changing pad we have downstairs. I came and got you and fed you and you took the whole four ounces in less than fourty minutes. You were one hungry baby. You fell asleep on my chest so I put you in your swing and went and folded the laundry in the dryer and took it upstairs. You woke up and started halfway crying with a few fake sounding squeals here and there so I came back down and held you while you fell sound asleep and I watched a tv show. When I was holding you the remote slipped and lightly konked you on the head (not hard enough to hurt you mind you, so you cannot blame your *blonde* moments on me.. just on being blonde) and you did not budge so I knew you were good and asleep. I put you back down and came to write you this post and here we are.
   You smiled at your Daddy when he got home yesterday. He was really thrilled with that. He is a good Daddy and I am so proud of him.Try to smile at him more often little girl.... that man will be the best friend you will ever have. Well I have some things to do... and I better do them while you are still sleeping. I love you my sweet baby girl.

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello little girl. You'll be two months on Saturday. You're growing so fast. I sat down here to post you a blog post about twenty minutes ago and you started crying, so I had to get up and hold you for a minute. It seemed to work foe about fifteen seconds. Then you started fussing again. Your mom has you now and you are as quiet as a mouse. Of course we gave you some tummy drops just before your mommy took you. Your mom is watching Maury Povich right now on the Tivo. We love our Tivo.
   The other day you ate and ate and ate. I think it was Tuesday. I came home from work and was feeding you and you spit up a whole bunch. You spit up two ounces if you spit up a drop. It was huge. Pretty little Rebecca had to have a bath and daddy had to take a shower. Anyway, you were so fussy after you spit up. We called the pediatrician and they told us we were feeding you to much and you had a tummy ache. Aunt Lynn told us that you wouldn't take more than you needed. I guess Aunt Lynn is fallible because she was wrong about you. The doctor, actually we talked to a nurse, told us to put you on a schedule and feed you four to five ounces every three to three and a half hours. You didn't like your new schedule at all. We had you spoiled. Whenever you wanted a bottle you got one. Those days are history. We don't want you to be a chubby baby. We want to keep you healthy and happy.
   This past weekend we got your one month pictures. They are so good. You are such a beautiful baby. We also took possession of our new vehicle this weekend. Actually it's not a new vehicle. It's Mamaw's old Explorer. Well, actually it's not real old. It's a 96 model. It has 77,000 miles on it but my father, your papaw, takes such great care of their vehicles that we couldn't go wrong in buying it. We gave them $9,500 for it. That sounds like a whole lot but your mother & I owe your mamaw & papaw so much money. Your Mamaw & Papaw were nice enough to take the money in exchange for the automobile and to completely forgive the debt. We got off really easy. I know we owed them at least $5,000. Wasn't that nice of Mamaw & Papaw? Mamaw bought herself a new van but she hates it. She really didn't want to give up the Explorer.
   Your mother renewed her driver's permit this week. Yea, that's right, your mother didn't start driving until she was 27 years old. She's doing real good in her driving lessons. She's going to be a fantastic driver. Especially when you are with her. Your mother is such a fabulous mom. She loves you so much it's crazy. The bond between you and your mother is one of the many reasons that I love the both of you so much. It is so precious the way you look at her.
   Well, that's it for today. Once again I want to apologize for not posting any more than I have been. Free time just seems so rare these days. This weekend Mamaw is gonna keep you down at her place and we are planning on painting your new room. I know we already painted your old room but now we have to do it again. Both your mother & I are so much happier here in this new place. We owed so much money on the old place that you would have suffered because we wouldn't be able to provide for you, and spoil you, like you deserve. I don't want to jinx it but life is pretty good for the three of us right now. I'm happier than I have been in years. We have a new home, a new automobile, new furniture and a new baby, all with very little debt. Actually we hardly owe anybody at all right now. It takes a huge load off my mind. Since we got out from under neath the crushing debt load that we were under your mother has been doing so great managing our money. I used to manage the money but I have never been really great at handling money. It's said that I am a whole lot like my grandfather, Bambi Dee. He was very generous with his money as well.
   Now I'm done for real. I want to sit around and let my sore and aching back rest for a little bit. Love you, Hon!

Dear Rebecca,
                     Hey there, pretty little girl. We have had a pretty good day today. You must have hit another growth spurt because you have eaten quite a bit today. You had not eaten much last night though so I would say it has probably evened out. You are getting better and better at sleeping a little longer between feedings at night. And when you do get up to eat you only eat enough to fill your belly back up for a little while before you fall right back to sleep. You are a really good baby. You hardly ever cry or whine or get fussy unless you really need something...like a feeding or a changing or a bathing or some loving. You do like to be loved on. And of course, we love to do it.
   Right now you are sleeping on your Daddy's chest. You both really enjoy that. Daddy especially, he thinks it is so sweet that you enjoy it so much... and only with him, too. You really aren't a fan of sleeping like that on my chest. I guess that is your own little way of letting him know you love him. That makes us both so happy.
   It's almost time for dinner. Tonight we are having cheeseburger-macaroni pie. It's some kind of pre-prepared Chef-Boyardee meal your Daddy picked up at the store. It looks like it might be good, and in addition to that, it is easy for me. I am all about things being easy for me. I got it put together a little earlier so now all I have to do is pop it in the oven. Yippee for me. I have a can of mixed vegetables that I am going to heat up for your father... I don't really care for cooked vegetables. I prefer to eat my veggies raw. I also made some jello with fruit cocktail inside for desert. I think maybe we will have some cool whip on top of it, too. Sounds good to me. You have just recently had SImilac Advance with Iron... four ounces after two ounces one hour ago and six ounces two hours before that. See? A growth spurt. Has to be. Either that or you are turning into a horse. Ha, Ha. Only kidding. You are just a dainty little flower... so far.... hope ya don't wind up with your Mamma's appetite. Well, little girl.. time to go put dinner in. I love you!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Greetings, little baby girl. You had a big day yesterday. You attended your very first church service yesterday at Mortonsville Assembly of God. Everybody thought you were so cute. Not many people go out there right now. We have been thinking about going to King's Way Assembly of God. It's a much larger church with a whole lot more stuff going on. Allison works in the nursery as a junior helper so we know you'd be well taken care of.
   We also attended the Bowman family reunion yesterday. You were the youngest child there. The runner up was six months. The Bowman Family reunion is based on Alonzo & Stella Bowman who are your great great grandparents. I knew them and remember them from when I was just a wee lad. Papaw, that's what I called Alonzo, used to play the harmonica and sing a song having something to do with a monkey and a train. That's really the only thing I remember about him. Anyway, my mamaw & papaw had a whole bunch of children, one of which was Granny. I hope you get to know Granny. Granny had five children, one of which is your mamaw, Milta. Your mamaw had your daddy and your daddy and mommy had you. Pretty interesting isn't it. Everybody at the reunion thought that you were really cute. Kitty Riddle, one of Granny's sisters said that you were the prettiest baby she had ever seen. I know that I am your father and really not an impartial party but I honestly do think that you are the prettiest baby I have ever seen.
   Okay, we went home after the reunion. Your mother stepped on a bee. It's never a good thing when mommy steps on a bee. She's very allergic to them. We had some medicine for her in a needle. We didn't know how to work the needle and I ended up shooting her medicine, ephedrine into my thumb. It made me so incredibly hyper & nervous, then it gave me a headache. We had to take your mommy to the emergency room because she can't breathe when she gets stung by a bee. So you spent a big chunk of that day in the E.R. Mamaw & Papaw came to the emergency room and took you back to our house. Your mother & I eventually came home and we all had supper. Your mom & I had hamburgers prepared on the George Foreman grill and some french fries and you had your favorite meal of Similac Advance with Iron prepared with Nursery water from Walmart. See, you had a big Sunday. All day Monday you ate and played with mommy. Now, in just a second you are gonna get held by daddy. I love it when you sllep on my chest. Mommy doesn't like it when you get a big mouth full of Daddy's chest hairs. Love you, lilttle baby girl.