The upside of L’s inexorable development is excitement over seeing how strong she gets each and every day. The downside: sometimes, she inadvertently beats the crap out of us.

To wit: As I write this, I’ve got a cut on my chin from when she whacked me with a toy, a sore knee from racing to stop her from sticking her finger in an electrical outlet and a bruised shin from where she bumping into her dresser to keep her from launching herself off the changing table (again).

I’m also having a devil of a time seeing out of my right eye; as we were playing this afternoon, the baby poked me so hard (with her finger…and fingernail that needs to be cut) that I couldn’t see for nearly ten minutes. Even after copious amounts of Visine, my vision has been pretty blurry since.

This injury report is not a complaint. I consider these injuries to be “occupational hazards” of stay-at-home daddydom, and wear most of them (scratched cornea excepted) as badges of honor.

I’m ready for a bath of Epsom salt, and my first marathon is still eight days away.