Wow.

Okay, so it's officially summer and I've now begun my (temporary) new role as full-time dad. Cindy is back at work, and for odd technical reasons she needs to be full-time this month, so I'm home with Luna all day. Exciting, but MUCH harder than I expected! This may be due in part to the fact that Luna appears to be battling her second cold (which seems odd for a breastfed baby), but it's also just that there are so many things I haven't had to do myself before. Of course, feeding is the biggest one--I've given her a bottle here and there, but most of the time, feeding is all about Luna and her mom. I know that breastfeeding isn't always an easy, natural, and meditative experience--I've seen all the fussing and struggling--but it seems so weird for Luna to have to wait (i.e. cry) while I get the bottle to the right temperature ("Oh good, it's finally warm enough. Wait, now it's too hot!"), and the whole experience is just not as snuggly.

Also, I realized now just how little I've been paying attention to all of the little things Cindy does throughout the day to make things go smoothly for Luna. Hopefully, by the end of next week I'll feel really solid about things and handle my 2.5 solo days a week like a pro, but in the meantime I'm struggling a bit. I'm used to being able to hand Luna off to Cindy (or at least lay her down) when I want to go to the bathroom or fix a sandwich or something, but this is a whole other level, and--again, this may be because she's under the weather--she has been very resistant to being set down, even for a moment. If it weren't for that vibrating chair with the smiley bee, I'd have to wear diapers, too!

I'm still trying to get some great pictures, but that's not easy, either. I'll have this perfect image in the viewfinder of my lovely, curious, contemplative, serene daughter and then--click--up pops a photo of a disgruntled Oliver Hardy. In one picture she actually looks insane! It's like the camera just produces random images that have nothing to do with what's actually in front of it ("Insert baby face here"). Oh well, I'll put up a few of the best we've gotten lately and keep trying. (Thanks to Katie for the nice Cindy/Luna pics.)

P.S. Lest I appear to be complaining, I should mention that Luna sat rather peacefully through a 2+ hour year-end staff meeting on Monday. All she needed was 3 diaper changes and 2 bottles, and she was fine. I think some of the staff were getting more impatient than she was!