Guy Time

Just me and the dude yesterday. I picked him up after work as my wife had PTA meetings after school. 

Let’s see, with the rain we were stuck inside, but that's okay, we made do. There was some vacuuming, some playing in the car, some Curious George, and some climbing on the couch. And then there was hockey, sort of…

For those of you out there unfamiliar with naked hockey, it’s something to behold. Maybe not the Miracle on ice, considering it was on the hardwood floors of our hallway, but it was right up there.

This was a one man game, as my son, stripped and bare and just before bath time, grabbed his stick—er, hockey stick, and with a strike, he drilled the puck down the hallway. And naked or not, he’s got quite the slap shot.

He’s a kid with little to hide, he’s out there bearing it all for the world, or for me and the dogs, to see. It’s impressive, his hand eye coordination, his determination, his refusal to wear a diaper.

The only thing he had to fear was the dog’s nose finding his rear, and that was more of just a mere distraction. After a quick intermission (a bath), he was right out in the hallway looking for that puck again.

I called it a game when he stopped, dropped the stick and just started peeing on the floor without so much as an “Uh-Oh” That’s when it was time for a diaper. Luckily, Mom came home from her PTA meeting shortly after and order was restored.

After getting him all ready for bed, he snuggled his head on her chest, and right before my eyes Daddy's naked madman hockey player became Mommy's little boy. Then he slept through the night, or until 6 am, which these days is like an extended check out at our house...

Guy's Night...

The dogs were barking, my son was fussing, the cat griped because I was near his treats.  Then my phone vibrated, sliding off of the table while the fire alarm shrieked from the hallway.  As I warmed my son’s dinner, he hopped in his saucer, more of a stomp really as he was a bit irritated with my ineptness.  Feed me Feed me Feed me!  I was trying to get the dirty dishes into the  dishwasher after cleaning oatmeal off of the ceiling (don’t ask), when--is that smoke?

Just another evening with Dad.

I was only trying to toast some bread so I could have a sandwich.  Just a sandwich, nothing fancy.  I was given two minutes to make sandwich and scarf sandwich.  

Welcome to Daddy Time.

Mom had parent/teacher meetings at school, so guess who was left to run the show?  If you guessed the goofy guy with the exasperated expression on his face then you would be correct.   From 5 til almost 8 I danced, sang, fed, changed, rocked, rolled, and did my best to keep our 9 month old son entertained.  I tried, but I am not Mom.

Things started off great.  I picked him up from daycare and we stopped by the school to see Mommy before her meetings.  We met other teachers and the little dude was a big hit, even pouring it on thick with that great giggle of his.

At home, we changed and played for a while, no problems there.  And then it was time for his short nap.  Short as in 6 minutes.  That’s how long he slept.  After this power nap, he woke up hungry and we headed to the kitchen for some chow.  I got some of the food in his mouth, some on his clothes, and the dogs got the rest.  But then what?  I sat on the floor and ate a turkey sandwich.  It’s not easy being Dad, let me tell you.

Truthfully, there were no fires, but it did get a bit hectic in there.  But I’m improving, everyday, without thinking I do something I couldn’t imagine doing 5 years ago.  I can multi task with the best of them now, well, sort of.  I can watch the game and my son at the same time…

And the oatmeal on the ceiling.  Well, that one’s all me, I dropped my bowl the other morning while making breakfast and well, some of it found the ceiling.  What can I say? My wife’s a lucky lady…    

Hard Work

Air Guitar!

You know, this parenting thing is hard.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredible too.  It’s a blur of amazing, exhausting, demanding, and rewarding all at the same time.

One minute I’m holding a sleeping ball of love in my arms, feeling good about myself and the whole daddy thing, while the next moment I’m cringing as the ear piercing screams resume and I come under attack by tiny hands with sharp little claws.  What happened to my life?

The past seven weeks have been a challenge that has tested our levels of endurance beyond anything I imagined, and I have found patience and strength that I didn't know existed.  But I can’t take the credit, it’s Mom that’s been amazing.  She has held this operation together through it all with a mixture that is one part motherly instinct, one part gritty determination, and two part boobs.  It hasn’t exactly been a couple’s retreat at our house for the past two months, but words cannot describe the love and respect I feel for my wife. 

We were warned of the late nights, the diaper changes, the crying, the zombie-like nighttime wandering, and the feeling of waking up exhausted in the mornings.  But it cannot be fully understood until experienced firsthand.

The last couple of nights have been especially trying. As my wife put it, it seemed our baby was abducted by aliens. He’s doing much better today, and I’m sure there will be many more rough patches in the future, but we’ll get through it, we don't have a choice...  

On a high note, Daddy did get his first smile yesterday.  A real smile too, I’ve learned the difference between a I’m just crapping my pants and a hey dad smile. It makes it all worthwhile.

But one thing is for certain, this little guy is going to be an only child!

Worth it All...