Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Making sure your kid is well fed and then realizing you haven't eaten all day.
Monday, November 01, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Being okay with the fact that at some point during the day the shirt you're wearing will inevitably become a burp cloth.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Having your wife call you on her lunch break after reading your post to tell you that normal people don't take their clothes to the dry cleaners on hangers (see previous post) because if the clothes are dirty why would they be on hangers in the first place.
Being a stay at home dad is also being willing to be humbled every now and then.
Being a stay at home dad is also being willing to be humbled every now and then.
Being a stay at home dad is...
Having the time to take certain clothes to the dry cleaners.
Being a stay at home dad is also remembering to put said clothes on old wire hangers rather than the nice plastic hangers that you spent money on, knowing that you'll never get those nice plastic hangers back should you forget.
Being a stay at home dad is also remembering to put said clothes on old wire hangers rather than the nice plastic hangers that you spent money on, knowing that you'll never get those nice plastic hangers back should you forget.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Being the one to get everything ready, together, and packed for a weekend family camping trip.
Being a stay at home dad is also buying way too much food for the weekend family camping trip.
Being a stay at home dad is also buying way too much food for the weekend family camping trip.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Saturday, October 02, 2010
Mr. Cool Dad?
It's a romanticized idea really. Being that dad that we all wish we had. Being hip without even trying. And the envy of all your kids friends. Don't deny it. All of us parents wish it.
So in an effort to be Mr. Cool Dad, I put Nolan on my shoulders last night while we were at a party. What's cooler than having your five month old up on your shoulders? Let's be honest...it's not like there's much else you can do to display your oh so nonchalant coolness with a five month old. And putting your kid on your shoulders epitomizes the essence of coolness.
One problem...Nolan likes to throw up...a lot. And I knew this and even thought about it. But hey, I was being Mr. Cool Dad.
Until, to the delight of all 50 people there, Nolan decided to throw up...on my head, which ran down onto my shirt, then my jeans, then my shoes.
And everyone laughed. So did I. There's not much else you can do in a situation like that.
Mr. Cool Dad has been humbled.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Jump Happy
Nolan epitomizes the jumping spirit of babies everywhere. This picture tells the story of squeals, laughs, smiles, coos, and the like that emanate from him as he partakes in the rhythmic up and down of his jumper. I swear there are times, while playing with his other toys, that I catch him looking at his jumper longingly, smiling as if to say, "I can't wait to use that thing again." And then I get the look of "please dad, can I?" I think if we'd let him, he'd stay in it for hours and would probably fall asleep in it just so he can begin his jumping extravaganza as soon as he wakes up. And if drool is any indication of his level of enjoyment, then he's got that one all locked up. Soaked. He's completely soaked on the front of his shirt whenever we take him out of it. It is truly one the joys in his oh so short life thus far. And I love seeing him happy.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Fanatic In Philly
If there's one thing I've learned about being a new parent, it's that the more prepared you are, the better things usually go.
If there's a second thing I've learned, it's that no matter how prepared you are, something inevitably will eventually go wrong.
Thus brings us to last Saturday night.
It's September. At that point, the Phillies were in the hunt for first place, and Halladay was pitching. Great night to go down to a game. Which we did.
And we prepared.
We packed Nolan's things up. Extra clothes and a hat in case it got too cold. Two bottles with water. Formula and rice cereal in the to-go container. Pacifiers. Etc. Etc.
My parents took Nolan in their car, and as we were sitting in traffic, Carla and I realized that it was getting close to the time when Nolan would need to eat. But we were close to the stadium, so we called them and said if he really starts freaking out before we get there, go ahead and feed him.
And then we got the call.
I picked up the phone, heard Nolan wailing in the background, and listened as my mom told me that the top of the to-go container for the formula had come off in Nolan's bag, mixed with the rice cereal and was everywhere. And by the way, did I mention Nolan was freaking out?
What to do?
We were literally just about to pull into the stadium, and we had to make a decision fast. We couldn't really use the formula that fell out, and even if we got enough for one bottle, we didn't have enough for two. So my immediate thought was we have to go home. Nolan needs food. What else could we do?
Thankfully the wisdom of my wife saved us from doing that. She said there had to be a drug store somewhere around where we could get formula. So we kept driving and happened upon a CVS right across the street from the stadium complex. Who knew?
My wife did. That's why I love her.
I ran in, paid way too much for overpriced formula, and helped to get Nolan happy again.
And we made it to our seats half way through the first inning with a happy baby who stole the eyes of everyone sitting around him.
Nolan got a little freaked out when everyone started cheering at the end of the game, but was soon smiling again. And yes, I took a picture of it.
If there's a second thing I've learned, it's that no matter how prepared you are, something inevitably will eventually go wrong.
Thus brings us to last Saturday night.
It's September. At that point, the Phillies were in the hunt for first place, and Halladay was pitching. Great night to go down to a game. Which we did.
And we prepared.
We packed Nolan's things up. Extra clothes and a hat in case it got too cold. Two bottles with water. Formula and rice cereal in the to-go container. Pacifiers. Etc. Etc.
My parents took Nolan in their car, and as we were sitting in traffic, Carla and I realized that it was getting close to the time when Nolan would need to eat. But we were close to the stadium, so we called them and said if he really starts freaking out before we get there, go ahead and feed him.
And then we got the call.
I picked up the phone, heard Nolan wailing in the background, and listened as my mom told me that the top of the to-go container for the formula had come off in Nolan's bag, mixed with the rice cereal and was everywhere. And by the way, did I mention Nolan was freaking out?
What to do?
We were literally just about to pull into the stadium, and we had to make a decision fast. We couldn't really use the formula that fell out, and even if we got enough for one bottle, we didn't have enough for two. So my immediate thought was we have to go home. Nolan needs food. What else could we do?
Thankfully the wisdom of my wife saved us from doing that. She said there had to be a drug store somewhere around where we could get formula. So we kept driving and happened upon a CVS right across the street from the stadium complex. Who knew?
My wife did. That's why I love her.
I ran in, paid way too much for overpriced formula, and helped to get Nolan happy again.
And we made it to our seats half way through the first inning with a happy baby who stole the eyes of everyone sitting around him.
Nolan got a little freaked out when everyone started cheering at the end of the game, but was soon smiling again. And yes, I took a picture of it.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Having a wife that makes more money than you...and being quite okay with that.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Dicey Ricey
One week of rice cereal is nearly in the books. Twice a day. Once with mommy. Once with daddy.
Nolan's doing great, but Carla and I have seemed to make it a competition. (She might disagree with me, but competitive people never admit to being competitive).
It all about who can accomplish the feeding in the cleanest of manners. I'll admit, the first time I fed him myself, I was terrible. I didn't take into consideration Nolan's flailing arms, and more of the cereal ended up in the tray of his high chair, or the various areas around his high chair, or on his hands, or his arms, or his face than it did in his mouth. Lesson learned.
And Carla, after hearing me tell her this story, fed Nolan and then immediately came to "show him off" to me when she was finished. There wasn't a drop of cereal on him. And she said with an air of arrogance, "See daddy, feeding Nolan isn't hard at all." She baited the hook. (She so smart. There's a reason she has an MBA).
And I bit with big eyes and a "NO WAY! How did you do that?!?"
She immediately burst out laughing. I had been had. She admitted to 'wiping him down' before bringing him to me.
So now it's on. May the best parent win.
Although getting rice cereal everywhere is rather cute...
Nolan's doing great, but Carla and I have seemed to make it a competition. (She might disagree with me, but competitive people never admit to being competitive).
It all about who can accomplish the feeding in the cleanest of manners. I'll admit, the first time I fed him myself, I was terrible. I didn't take into consideration Nolan's flailing arms, and more of the cereal ended up in the tray of his high chair, or the various areas around his high chair, or on his hands, or his arms, or his face than it did in his mouth. Lesson learned.
And Carla, after hearing me tell her this story, fed Nolan and then immediately came to "show him off" to me when she was finished. There wasn't a drop of cereal on him. And she said with an air of arrogance, "See daddy, feeding Nolan isn't hard at all." She baited the hook. (She so smart. There's a reason she has an MBA).
And I bit with big eyes and a "NO WAY! How did you do that?!?"
She immediately burst out laughing. I had been had. She admitted to 'wiping him down' before bringing him to me.
So now it's on. May the best parent win.
Although getting rice cereal everywhere is rather cute...
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Realizing that you have throw up (or some other foreign substance presumably from your kid) on your clothes right as you're about to walk out the door, and instead of changing, you decide to go with it.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Being a stay at home dad is...
Going to the grocery store and remembering to park close to a cart return station so as to avoid a treacherous walk through the Wegman's parking lot with a car seat attached to your arm.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Christmas Came Early
Sorry for the lame cliche of a title, but the reality of it is, as you will see, it fits the bill.
This is a Premier Project One snare.
This is the drum that I first fell in love with over three years ago.
This is the drum that is so elusive and nearly impossible to get your hands on because it stopped being made I think around 30-40 years ago.
And this one in the picture is mine!
See why the title in all of its lameness is extremely appropriate?
The first time I played one of these drums, I knew that this was the snare that I wanted to own one day. But they're so hard to come by that one goes up for sale on ebay only once every 8-12 months (give or take). Even if you're in the market to buy one, which I wasn't for the last three years, good luck with the bidding process.
But that all changed this past weekend.
A good friend of mine sent me a link for the sale of this drum, and not only was I in the market to buy one, but I was in the market to buy one! (A little play on words).
I immediately emailed the seller, inquiring about the drum and such, and asked him if he'd be willing to sell it for a certain price off auction. He got back to me and said he'd sell it to me for the opening bid price! I was shocked! If I had been talking on the phone with him, all he would have heard after saying that was complete silence, and then a crack in my voice saying, "Okay."
So I emailed him back and told him I'd take it. He said he'd send it out on Monday and send me the shipping information Monday night. I was ecstatic.
But then Monday night came with no email from him. And then Tuesday morning came and still no email. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. What if I'd just gotten scammed? Should I have seen the signs? Selling it for starting bid off auction. Maybe I was a little too eager?
So I emailed him that morning asking if he'd sent it and if he had the shipping information for me. Mid-morning came, nothing. Afternoon, nothing. Late afternoon, nothing. Since he'd been so prompt to get back to me initially, I was a little concerned. Not even about the whole money thing. I've wanted one of these for so long, and now it seemed as if I had it in my grasp, and I didn't want it to be ripped away (Dramatic, I know).
But then the email came. He had sent it out. And the next day it arrived in all of its glory.
I can't wait to set up and play with it. I'll spare you the details as to what make this snare so great, and instead forewarn you that if you come hear us play in the future, you'll be struck by a pleasant sounding, honeydew sweetness in your ears.
And now you know where it'll be coming from.
This is a Premier Project One snare.
This is the drum that I first fell in love with over three years ago.
This is the drum that is so elusive and nearly impossible to get your hands on because it stopped being made I think around 30-40 years ago.
And this one in the picture is mine!
See why the title in all of its lameness is extremely appropriate?
The first time I played one of these drums, I knew that this was the snare that I wanted to own one day. But they're so hard to come by that one goes up for sale on ebay only once every 8-12 months (give or take). Even if you're in the market to buy one, which I wasn't for the last three years, good luck with the bidding process.
But that all changed this past weekend.
A good friend of mine sent me a link for the sale of this drum, and not only was I in the market to buy one, but I was in the market to buy one! (A little play on words).
I immediately emailed the seller, inquiring about the drum and such, and asked him if he'd be willing to sell it for a certain price off auction. He got back to me and said he'd sell it to me for the opening bid price! I was shocked! If I had been talking on the phone with him, all he would have heard after saying that was complete silence, and then a crack in my voice saying, "Okay."
So I emailed him back and told him I'd take it. He said he'd send it out on Monday and send me the shipping information Monday night. I was ecstatic.
But then Monday night came with no email from him. And then Tuesday morning came and still no email. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous. What if I'd just gotten scammed? Should I have seen the signs? Selling it for starting bid off auction. Maybe I was a little too eager?
So I emailed him that morning asking if he'd sent it and if he had the shipping information for me. Mid-morning came, nothing. Afternoon, nothing. Late afternoon, nothing. Since he'd been so prompt to get back to me initially, I was a little concerned. Not even about the whole money thing. I've wanted one of these for so long, and now it seemed as if I had it in my grasp, and I didn't want it to be ripped away (Dramatic, I know).
But then the email came. He had sent it out. And the next day it arrived in all of its glory.
I can't wait to set up and play with it. I'll spare you the details as to what make this snare so great, and instead forewarn you that if you come hear us play in the future, you'll be struck by a pleasant sounding, honeydew sweetness in your ears.
And now you know where it'll be coming from.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Vaccines All Around
Nolan had his second round of vaccination shots yesterday, so in order to be a good dad and share in the experiences of my kid, I figured I'd do the same. I'm going for dad of the year here, and if I have to get shot up with some sort of vaccine to win the prize, then so be it. So today I went to the doctor and got my own vaccination shot all in an effort to win the heart of my kid.
Okay, so that's not exactly true.
I did get a vaccination shot today, but the rest of that stuff was fluff and banter to reel you in.
MMR...not the radio station, but rather Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. That's what I had to get. Apparently when I was a child, I only received one round of the vaccine and you're supposed to have two. Good thing I didn't die. Somebody would have felt really bad about that being overlooked.
The crazy thing is, the only reason I found out about it was because of my enrollment at WCU. For some reason they need proof of your vaccinations, which I was remiss in getting my hands on the first couple of semesters, and a recent hold on my account helped to get my butt in gear.
But unfortunately my pediatrician no longer exists. No really, the guy was old when I was there, so he's probably not even alive anymore. And his practice isn't where it used to be (I drove there to be sure), and there's no answer when I try and call the number.
So what did I do? (I know you're all waiting with extreme levels of anticipation). I did what any college student stuck in a jam would do. I called my mom, and fortunately she was able to come up with a file that held my vaccination records. Ironically enough, attached to the chart was a little slip of paper that said something to the effect of, "Retain a copy of these records as your child may need them for the attendance and/or enrollment to colleges and universities."
So off to WCU I went to plead and prove my case for vaccinations. And their reply was that I needed a second shot of MMR...at 28 years of age...even though I don't live on campus. I don't even live anywhere near the campus.
Oh well. Thus one day after my kid got his vaccinations, I got my own.
Dad of the year.
I snapped this while waiting to get shot up. Reading literature on how this vaccine gives me a 1 in 3000 chance of getting seizures, a 1 in 4 chance of getting temporary stiffness in the joints (but that's mostly in teenage and adult women. If I get stiff, what's does that mean?), and a 1 in 30,000 chance of getting a bleeding disorder (I like the odds on that one).
The one thing all of this literature didn't tell me is how much it would hurt!
I have no problem getting shots, but this sucker stung, more so after the shot was given. It was like I had an open wound and the nurse was taken 60 grit sandpaper and going to town on that wound.
Me in pain. Disclaimer: The photo shown above may be for dramatic effect only.
The good news is, now I can attend classes, and one day I can tell Nolan about the experience we shared. Not sure he's going to see it with the same excitement as I do.
Okay, so that's not exactly true.
I did get a vaccination shot today, but the rest of that stuff was fluff and banter to reel you in.
MMR...not the radio station, but rather Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. That's what I had to get. Apparently when I was a child, I only received one round of the vaccine and you're supposed to have two. Good thing I didn't die. Somebody would have felt really bad about that being overlooked.
The crazy thing is, the only reason I found out about it was because of my enrollment at WCU. For some reason they need proof of your vaccinations, which I was remiss in getting my hands on the first couple of semesters, and a recent hold on my account helped to get my butt in gear.
But unfortunately my pediatrician no longer exists. No really, the guy was old when I was there, so he's probably not even alive anymore. And his practice isn't where it used to be (I drove there to be sure), and there's no answer when I try and call the number.
So what did I do? (I know you're all waiting with extreme levels of anticipation). I did what any college student stuck in a jam would do. I called my mom, and fortunately she was able to come up with a file that held my vaccination records. Ironically enough, attached to the chart was a little slip of paper that said something to the effect of, "Retain a copy of these records as your child may need them for the attendance and/or enrollment to colleges and universities."
So off to WCU I went to plead and prove my case for vaccinations. And their reply was that I needed a second shot of MMR...at 28 years of age...even though I don't live on campus. I don't even live anywhere near the campus.
Oh well. Thus one day after my kid got his vaccinations, I got my own.
Dad of the year.
I snapped this while waiting to get shot up. Reading literature on how this vaccine gives me a 1 in 3000 chance of getting seizures, a 1 in 4 chance of getting temporary stiffness in the joints (but that's mostly in teenage and adult women. If I get stiff, what's does that mean?), and a 1 in 30,000 chance of getting a bleeding disorder (I like the odds on that one).
The one thing all of this literature didn't tell me is how much it would hurt!
I have no problem getting shots, but this sucker stung, more so after the shot was given. It was like I had an open wound and the nurse was taken 60 grit sandpaper and going to town on that wound.
Me in pain. Disclaimer: The photo shown above may be for dramatic effect only.
The good news is, now I can attend classes, and one day I can tell Nolan about the experience we shared. Not sure he's going to see it with the same excitement as I do.
Being a stay at home dad is...
Catching yourself humming the 'go to sleep' song while washing the bottles.
Being a stay at home dad is...
Wondering if there is a proper name for the 'go to sleep' song (like lullaby or something like that) and feeling embarrassed that you don't know what it is.
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