His & Hers: The '08 Survival Tour: Putting family and sanity first

Husband-and-wife journalists Bob Miller and Callie Clark Miller use this space to offer their views on everyday issues. Here Bob offers his view on child rearing.

HE SAID

Taking care of a baby seems to me kind of like an election.

Remember when Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was politically born on the national stage? There were "oohs" and "ahhs." No one knew anything about her, yet the Republican vice presidential candidate mesmerized the masses. Later, people, even from within the Republican Party, started questioning John McCain's decision. She didn't do so well in one interview, then she rebounded, gained more popularity, then was oddly chastised for the expensive clothing she wore that was provided by the campaign and later donated to charity. Those who love Sarah, though, love Sarah despite the political ups and downs, and some will vote for McCain because of her.

Then you look at Obama. He's dazzled the public with his speaking, his confidence and intellect. Then people started raising eyebrows about his past friends, mentors and acquaintances. He was up, then down, then up again. The presidential election has been a wild ride.

Now, to parenting. Last time we brought a column to you, which was two weeks ago, Callie was frustrated at the reality of parenthood, the ongoing battle of shoulder surgery and my inability to keep up with things. All justified. Parenting, we've found, plays with our emotions and sense of perspective.

Last week, Callie and I were both recovering from a flulike bug (sore throats, fever, congestion), and Dawson was spitting up everything we put in his mouth. It was a disaster. And Wednesday, we found out that Dawson never really got over his last ear infection, which would explain why he's been so fussy lately and why he has not slept well at all.

Even my older son, Callie's stepson, was sick last week with migraines.

But I'd hate for our readers to think all is bad. Parenting is not a snapshot in time. It's an ongoing campaign, an entire scrapbook of moments that reveals many character flaws, but also inspiring and unforgettable moments.

Last week, we had two great discoveries.

Dawson has begun to crawl. Oh my gosh, you should see him. Up on all fours, he's quite a strong young lad, even the ladies at day care think so. So far, he's only moving an inch or two at a time. But he can lift his butt in the air and move his knees forward at which point he falls and lifts himself up again, moving ever so slightly toward his goal.

He also developed the ability to move in his walker. His feet can now touch the floor, and the other day he scooted several feet.

I have dubbed this parenting campaign the '08 Survival Tour.

Callie and I have learned a lot about each other. We are cranky people in the wee hours. We have learned we both have our tipping points. We understand that some day we will be much stronger people for having survived all of our recent adventures (bed rest, a new baby, kidney stones, ear infections, etc.)

We have also learned what it's like to see your child smile and laugh for the first time. And the second and third. It never gets old. We've learned what it's like to get your first sloppy baby kiss. We've learned how it feels to have a baby sleeping on your chest, cuddled so close. We've learned what a lot in the '08 Survival Tour.

Will we ever be voted Parents of the Year?

Not a chance. The polls show that we're getting only 2 percent of the vote, plus or minus 2 percent.

But this is a long campaign. We're in it for the long haul.

The long, tiring, lovely haul.

Callie Clark Miller is the special publications managing editor for the Southeast Missourian recovering from shoulder surgery and learning to be Nurse Mommy. Bob Miller is the sole healthy human to come out of the Miller home in a week to work as the Southeast Missourian editor. Reach them at cmiller@semissourian.com and bmiller@semissourian.com.