237 Comments

I’m def tired and think it’s Memorial Day! Lolol

Expand full comment

Parent brain has begun! Welcome to the club!

Expand full comment

Right? It's only just begun!

Expand full comment

Was JUST gonna say that.

Expand full comment

At least you got the good shot in about the the Dotard's cemetery nonsense. Some bloggy mistakes were meant to be!

Expand full comment

LOL. Exactly.

Expand full comment

Yup! But congrats to your surrogate on her LABOR Day and a joyous welcome to your precious Riley and to your new dad life. “They say babies are god’s opinion that the world should go on.” 💜

Expand full comment

I make that mistake a lot. Although after seeing someone in labor I might not have this time 🤣. Congratulations.

Expand full comment

We’ve been talking so much about it being “labor” day weekend that I can’t believe I got it mixed up.

Expand full comment

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

Expand full comment

Bless your heart! Dearest man, you're one tired (but ecstatic!) Ba! You aren't the only one who confused the holiday. Apparently several restaurants' websites in the Atlanta metro area also posted about Memorial Day this weekend, if it makes you feel any better. Glad to hear Riley is sleeping well so soon. You are going to appreciate this more than you might realize right now.

Expand full comment

I remember seeing a new Dad at the grocery store, looking tired, befuddled, with a 3-day growth. How did I know he was a new dad? Because he looked like he hadn't seen civilization before!❤️

Expand full comment

Neonates need TLC, Jay...good to see the MDs on the job. Fatherhood rocks!

Expand full comment

happy trip little one! I used to babysit for a Chinese American family and helped the mother when she remained sequestered with her infants for their first month. When I had babies, I followed this program…limited visits from non immediate family, a month to learn the rhythms and needs of an infant, and reduced exposure to germs in those early weeks. ALSO, when my granddaughter was born I checked my vaccines and found I was due for multiple boosters and new shots…and got them all…I have read repeatedly that many grand parents are not fully up on boosters and especially are frequent carriers of whooping cough to infants due to the lack of new vaccines. Unsolicited advice, I know but...

Expand full comment

Excellent advice! I always kept up to date with my tetanus thankfully, as that includes whooping cough. Recently got a titer test for MMR due to all the stupid measles resurgence, turns out I needed a booster due to no mumps immunity! Spouse did the same thing and he needed it for rubella. We had all our childhood vaccines but we are pushing 60 so always good to know what’s going on!

Expand full comment

So many vaccines had not been developed when I was in the “vaccine age group”. I needed quite a few ‘new ones’! Many of us “of a certain age” are unaware of all the relatively new vaccines we never got.

Expand full comment

For sure! I am so annoyed I missed out on the HPV one, they kept raising the age but I still missed it. I had the chicken pox because it was before the vax was available, but I for sure got my shingles series!

Expand full comment

I heard shingles vaccine makes you sick, how did you do?

Expand full comment

I have had the shingles vaccine with zero problems. Not everyone has a reaction. My neighbor had shingles (before the vaccine) and was very miserable for months.

Expand full comment
Sep 3Edited

My spouse had shingles in his 40’s, thankfully he went on antivirals early but it was still awful. Fun fact: I got the chicken pox at the age of 12 from a relative that had the shingles—it can only transmit that one way, can’t get shingles from chicken pox (supposedly) but boy was I surprised.

Expand full comment

First one was a breeze—second I had mild side effects. Ice your arm and take some advil after is the best advice I can give!

Expand full comment

It just hurts. Especially the second one. Think tetanus shot on steroids. At least for me. But I got shingles later and it was really mild.

Expand full comment

And those of us who actually GOT the diseases can also lose immunity. I needed a chicken pox vaccine when I had the disease as a 6 year old! (Over 60 years ago) Get your titers checked.

Expand full comment

Smart move! I am immune compromised and contracted the mumps in 2019 when I was on my way to Ireland to visit my daughter and her family. I was in the Galway Hospital for my last two nights, flew home and was in the hospital for two nights here. I had mumps when I was young and should have had immunity but I found out the hard way that I didn't. I plan on getting tested to see if I have any immunity for MMR.

Expand full comment

Babies have way more luggage than anybody else.

Expand full comment

Truth

Expand full comment

How do I know you're an exhausted new parent? Because it's Labor Day, not Memorial Day! 🤣

All kidding aside, thank you so much for sharing these updates with us, it's so lovely to see everyone doing well, and such happiness!! ❤❤

Expand full comment

You will be such a great dad ,Jay because you have so much love to give. That’s a part of why I subscribed. Congratulations!

Expand full comment

Birth mothers (are they also called surrogate mothers? I get the terminology confused) are such amazing heroes. I was glad to see her name here. What a grand climax to your IFV (if I remember right, again, terminology) journey. Such a great contrast to the wickedness put on display by Vance and his ilk. This is the beginning of a great new all-American family. Riley is a lucky kid.

Expand full comment

Probably only called surrogate because she's carrying the child and won't be keeping it. I don't know if it's her egg or not, but then, I don't care. I would assume Jay is the biological father.

Expand full comment

Thanks, yeah he did a post on this back in February I think. I'm going to try to remember to read it again.

Expand full comment

I'm so happy for you! This post choked me up! Lucky Riley and lucky you!! Best wishes!!

Expand full comment

Welcome to my hometown of Bakersfield … sorry in advance for … *gestures at everything*

At least you get to leave tomorrow! 😂

Expand full comment

LOL

Expand full comment

Memorial Day, Labor Day, it doesn't matter soldiers' cemeteries are NEVER props for political campaigns!

Expand full comment

Enjoy your first family road trip, as soon enough Riley will be asking, "Are we there yet?"

Expand full comment

Not Memorial Day! It’s Labor Day. But that aside, congratulations on your beautiful little daughter!

Expand full comment

Jay is suffering from new Ba brain! 😜

Expand full comment

It takes a village. ❤️

Expand full comment

Congratulations!

Is this your first? If so, life as you know it will cease to exist. But, it's worth it.

Expand full comment

Congratulations on your new little blessing! ❤️

Expand full comment

Safe journey, now and in the years to come!

Expand full comment

Have a lovely trip! Riley couldn't be more adorable if she tried, so it doesn't matter that more than half the stuff in the car is hers. So very happy for you, Jay! Enjoy the holiday and visiting with family. [Also, there's no such thing as too many Riley pics. *hint*]

Expand full comment