Spa treatment

Since I’m getting old and decrepit, Gina’s admonished me several times to use lotion on my face. Ryan must have heard her, because the last few days after bath time he’s adopted a new routine. He takes a drop of his baby lotion, holds both hands out to me, and dabs it on my cheeks.

Thanks for keeping daddy young, Boo.

Welcome Lilly!

Gina and I are an aunt and uncle again! Lilly Eleanor Hoffman made her world debut at 7:50 p.m. today. She’s 7 pounds, 14 1/2 ounces and 20 1/2 inches of cuteness. Congrats to my baby sister Sue and the proud papa, Randy. We love you guys and our new niece! Ryan hereby passes on the title of youngest grandchild.

High hopes

The children’s book I’ve been working on was making progress but stalling. So this week instead of clouding my mind with talk radio on the way home, I let myself sit in silence and think about the book on the commute. And wouldn’t you know it, I’ve produced more pages in three days than I have in the last three months. What a blessing it is to feel true inspiration and creativity. We’re hoping for great things . . .

Changing times

Ryan’s getting too big for his changing table, so I took it down yesterday. Changing his diaper has become a two-man job lately – one to do the dirty work and the other to entertain him – so Ryan didn’t shed any tears as I dismantled his nemesis. At one point, he applauded. Gina, on the other hand, was welling up at another sign that our baby’s growing up. I gave her a preemptive hug, even though she was sweaty from having just finished the P90. That’s love. Now we’re changing the baby on a pad on the floor.

It’s still a two-man job.