A fellow dad communicated to me his insecurity over not being able to afford a present for his 1 year-old daughter's birthday. It was really weighing heavily on him and causing him to have a lot of negative feelings about himself and his value and worth as a parent.
So I was like, dude. Just put it on the credit card and pay it off later. It's the American way! Are you American or are you a pinko commie? Do you want your daughter to grow up in a world without American Girl crap? Do you want all the other 1 year-olds to point and laugh at her? Suck it up and charge it, buddy!
OK. Not really. But it's silly, right?
Kids don't give a crap about presents - especially 1 year-olds. They want your PRESENCE, not your PRESENTS. They want their parents to be there for them, not a bunch of crap to play with.
My experience so far is that kids can play with ANYTHING. I'd say that about 80% of the time I spend with my daughter consists of going outside and exploring. Watching squirrels. Picking up rocks. Climbing stairs. Chasing the cat. Last weekend we found a patch of dirt and gravel and she spent at least a half hour running back and forth on it, sticking her hands in it, digging, and rolling around in it. She couldn't have been happier.
She spends about 5% of our time together playing with "toys".
Her only expectation is that when she says "Papa up", I pick her up. And I'm always happy to oblige.
So don't worry about how much money you spend on your little ones. They don't really care as long as you're present with them.
And that's One To Grow On.
xo
-t.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
TiVO Is Ruining My Child
The DVR is an awesome invention. I love it. Since my daughter started watching TV she says "again again" when she likes something and I just rewind it and we watch it again...and again...and again. Until she finally stops saying "again", which means we watch everything that she likes about 10 times. Same with things we watch on YouTube.
(Side Note: When she first started talking, "again" sounded more like "'gin" - it was very cute.)
The flip side of the DVR is that it creates this alternate reality in their minds in which kids think that they can rewind ANYTHING and watch it again and again. (In fairness to her, I went through the same thing when I first got TiVO.) We heard a song on the radio that she liked and she, of course, said "again again" and I tried to explain to her that we couldn't listen to it again because it was on the radio. Not understanding, she got upset and I went into the mode of "Oh shit, I hope she likes the next song". Which, of course, she didn't and then I was stuck with "OK, how do I distract her with something else so that she's not focused on hearing that damn song 'again again'."
Same thing happened when we were outside and I pointed out a squirrel climbing a tree. She got all excited and watched the squirrel until it climbed the tree and went out of sight. "Again! Squirrel again!" Uh-oh. I told her: "Squirrel again? Squirrel went bye-bye. Say 'bye bye, squirrel'." She said "bye-bye squirrel" and we moved on.
Phew!
Damn you, TiVO. I love you and I hate you.
xo
-t.
(Side Note: When she first started talking, "again" sounded more like "'gin" - it was very cute.)
The flip side of the DVR is that it creates this alternate reality in their minds in which kids think that they can rewind ANYTHING and watch it again and again. (In fairness to her, I went through the same thing when I first got TiVO.) We heard a song on the radio that she liked and she, of course, said "again again" and I tried to explain to her that we couldn't listen to it again because it was on the radio. Not understanding, she got upset and I went into the mode of "Oh shit, I hope she likes the next song". Which, of course, she didn't and then I was stuck with "OK, how do I distract her with something else so that she's not focused on hearing that damn song 'again again'."
Same thing happened when we were outside and I pointed out a squirrel climbing a tree. She got all excited and watched the squirrel until it climbed the tree and went out of sight. "Again! Squirrel again!" Uh-oh. I told her: "Squirrel again? Squirrel went bye-bye. Say 'bye bye, squirrel'." She said "bye-bye squirrel" and we moved on.
Phew!
Damn you, TiVO. I love you and I hate you.
xo
-t.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Kitty-Cat
I just put my daughter to sleep (she's staying with me this weekend - yay!)
As some of you know, my daughter has forged a strong bond with her new best buddy from the apartment complex: Kitty-Cat. This is a beautiful and affectionate cat that has been abandoned by a former tenant and who has now adopted us as her own. To say my daughter loves her is an understatement. She chases the cat around, pets her and says "Kitty-cat, where are you?" when the cat isn't around. She even orders the cat around - "Come on, kitty-cat!" - and, to my surprise, the cat actually follows her. She even once tried to blow the cat's nose. I'm serious. I have video evidence.
I have to say, though, that the cat draws the line at doing "people things". My daughter was scooting butt-first down some concrete steps, saying "kaaaaa-boom!" at every bounce. Then she said "Papa do it?". So of course I did it. Then after I did it, my daughter said "Now Kitty-cat do it?". And...well...I'm sure you know how that ends. Kitty-cat did not butt-scoot down the steps.
I bring up the cat for 2 reasons:
1) Kitty-cat was sitting on my bed tonight and my daughter walked up to her, pet her fur and said "Hi Kitty-cat. I miss you." Yeah...Adorable...
2) I've recently discovered that Kitty-cat has fleas. Yeah...Bummer...What do I do? What's the safest cure for fleas? What isn't going to harm the cat or my daughter?
I wouldn't dream of separating the two of them, so the only other option is to nix the fleas.
Any suggestions? Anyone? Hello? (tap tap tap) Is this thing on...?
xo
-t.
As some of you know, my daughter has forged a strong bond with her new best buddy from the apartment complex: Kitty-Cat. This is a beautiful and affectionate cat that has been abandoned by a former tenant and who has now adopted us as her own. To say my daughter loves her is an understatement. She chases the cat around, pets her and says "Kitty-cat, where are you?" when the cat isn't around. She even orders the cat around - "Come on, kitty-cat!" - and, to my surprise, the cat actually follows her. She even once tried to blow the cat's nose. I'm serious. I have video evidence.
I have to say, though, that the cat draws the line at doing "people things". My daughter was scooting butt-first down some concrete steps, saying "kaaaaa-boom!" at every bounce. Then she said "Papa do it?". So of course I did it. Then after I did it, my daughter said "Now Kitty-cat do it?". And...well...I'm sure you know how that ends. Kitty-cat did not butt-scoot down the steps.
I bring up the cat for 2 reasons:
1) Kitty-cat was sitting on my bed tonight and my daughter walked up to her, pet her fur and said "Hi Kitty-cat. I miss you." Yeah...Adorable...
2) I've recently discovered that Kitty-cat has fleas. Yeah...Bummer...What do I do? What's the safest cure for fleas? What isn't going to harm the cat or my daughter?
I wouldn't dream of separating the two of them, so the only other option is to nix the fleas.
Any suggestions? Anyone? Hello? (tap tap tap) Is this thing on...?
xo
-t.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Divorce
From T:
OK, as the three of you who actually follow this blog may have noticed, I haven't been blogging for several months. The main reason for this is that I've been going through a divorce since June 2010. As difficult as that is to admit, it's the truth. I didn't want to share that for quite a while because it's been important for me to make this blog about fatherhood and not about divorce. But, as my com-padre Josh pointed out: Just because I'm going through a divorce doesn't mean I'm no longer a dad. I'm still very actively involved in my daughter's life and she remains the most important thing in my universe. The experience of fatherhood has changed, but the love I feel for my daughter hasn't changed.
Also, through this process I'm realizing that I'm not alone - MANY dad's are currently going through the same thing. And it sucks. And if I can somehow alleviate the sucky-ness for other new dads by sharing my experience - and giving them a platform to share THEIR experiences - then that's an important aspect of fatherhood, too.
So now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll just say a couple of things about divorce in general and this particular divorce to clarify (without getting into the gory details):
1) She wanted the divorce. I didn't. Apparently she found another man that she felt was more suited to her needs. That's it. The rest is smoke-and-mirrors and lots of horse dung flung in both directions.
2) 70% of divorces are decided by the woman. Did you know that? I found that shocking until I started talking to other dads whose wives filed for divorce. I always had the misconception that it was usually the man. Or that it was usually the man's fault somehow.
3) It takes 2 to tango. I was VERY judgmental about people who divorced. I thought that on some level the couple hadn't tried hard enough. In some ways I still believe that to be true. But the fact is: If one of you doesn't want to be married to the other - for whatever reason - there's not a whole lot the other one can do. (Except for getting a good lawyer and some prescription drugs. I highly recommend both.) Marriage is hard work and it takes two people who are BOTH committed to doing the hard work in order to stay together.
OK, now that I got that out of the way, I can get back to blogging about what's REALLY important: the awesome business of being a dad!
Much love,
-t.
OK, as the three of you who actually follow this blog may have noticed, I haven't been blogging for several months. The main reason for this is that I've been going through a divorce since June 2010. As difficult as that is to admit, it's the truth. I didn't want to share that for quite a while because it's been important for me to make this blog about fatherhood and not about divorce. But, as my com-padre Josh pointed out: Just because I'm going through a divorce doesn't mean I'm no longer a dad. I'm still very actively involved in my daughter's life and she remains the most important thing in my universe. The experience of fatherhood has changed, but the love I feel for my daughter hasn't changed.
Also, through this process I'm realizing that I'm not alone - MANY dad's are currently going through the same thing. And it sucks. And if I can somehow alleviate the sucky-ness for other new dads by sharing my experience - and giving them a platform to share THEIR experiences - then that's an important aspect of fatherhood, too.
So now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll just say a couple of things about divorce in general and this particular divorce to clarify (without getting into the gory details):
1) She wanted the divorce. I didn't. Apparently she found another man that she felt was more suited to her needs. That's it. The rest is smoke-and-mirrors and lots of horse dung flung in both directions.
2) 70% of divorces are decided by the woman. Did you know that? I found that shocking until I started talking to other dads whose wives filed for divorce. I always had the misconception that it was usually the man. Or that it was usually the man's fault somehow.
3) It takes 2 to tango. I was VERY judgmental about people who divorced. I thought that on some level the couple hadn't tried hard enough. In some ways I still believe that to be true. But the fact is: If one of you doesn't want to be married to the other - for whatever reason - there's not a whole lot the other one can do. (Except for getting a good lawyer and some prescription drugs. I highly recommend both.) Marriage is hard work and it takes two people who are BOTH committed to doing the hard work in order to stay together.
OK, now that I got that out of the way, I can get back to blogging about what's REALLY important: the awesome business of being a dad!
Much love,
-t.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A Whole Lotta Love
I am obsessed with my daughter. I honestly cannot believe how in love I am with her. Not all crazy weird, but... crazy weird. I never knew I could love someone so much. It's totally nuts. Now when I met my wife, I thought, whoa, LOVE. Now I just feel for my own mother, the hell I put her through, the intense discipline problem I was and still am, the fact that no matter what they tell you, you will never be prepared for what's in store. I honestly dig hanging out with my daughter, I get all butt hurt when she's not down. "NOOOO DADDDY!!!" This means she wants just Mommy, "NOOOOOO MOMMMY", the opposite, she just wants to hang with me. Before work she wanted me to "GET UP DADDY" and chase her little ass all over the house... I almost died. I am seriously out of shape, and seriously in trouble. She's got alot of energy, totally speaks in full sentences, knows exactly what she wants and how to express it, and well she's a looker, BIG TROUBLE. She's only 22 months. She was wearing big girl panties tonight. Digging how they didn't feel like a diaper, it's either that or "I wanna be NUDIE" she says. Oh my lord, please help me, all those years of philandering are coming back to bite me in the ass.
I know my wife would like to add to the family, but seriously, that would be so financially irresponsible. Isn't that sick, that's one of the reason's I don't want to have another child yet, because I cannot afford it. And part of me is afraid of the love, that's a full time
gig, all that loving. Sometimes if feels like my hearts going to explode, like a potato in the microwave. Still, it puts life in perspective, no matter how much money you make, or whatever it is I do, this is what it's all about....
A Whole Lotta Love
-J
I know my wife would like to add to the family, but seriously, that would be so financially irresponsible. Isn't that sick, that's one of the reason's I don't want to have another child yet, because I cannot afford it. And part of me is afraid of the love, that's a full time
gig, all that loving. Sometimes if feels like my hearts going to explode, like a potato in the microwave. Still, it puts life in perspective, no matter how much money you make, or whatever it is I do, this is what it's all about....
A Whole Lotta Love
-J
Friday, December 10, 2010
All Aboard!
Children's programing is tripping me out. Seriously. My daughter is obsessed with Dinosaur Train. Last night as I sat with my wife, I can hear my daughter speaking in her sleep. "Dinosaur Train."
What the hell is going on? I don't even like her watching T.V. but after awhile you get broken down. Straight up Git-mo Bay style. My wife looks like she's just done 15 rounds with a young hard hitting George Forman, and I have my head so far up my own ass, I am useless. So the T.V. finally comes on (if I am lucky, there's a break smack in the middle of the Dinosaur Train, at 15 minutes, where I turn it off.) Tonight, was really cool though, we sat in the recliner, my daughter with her "cow milk"(she's knows the difference and likes to show off that she knows), me with my loud brain screaming "you better make more money or you're all going to die", and we watched as the dinosaurs stomped around with their feet. "I am mad" the green bird says, "I stomp because it's fun" says the purple little meat eater. There we were, two peas in a pod and at the 15 minute mark, BAMM! OFF went the T.V. I thought I was slick, making sure I can regulate while I am still bigger than her...My daughter put up a bit of a fuss, looking up as if to say, "Are you f-in serious man, I know there's 15 more minutes of this thing, I maybe small, but I am not as stupid as you dad. This is MY show! Gimme break" but then, afterwards, she decided to dismount off the recliner, and show me how she too can stomp around. I joined her, we smiled, the house shaking, was it dancing? Hell, if I know, I don't really care, it was fun. It was a moment where we were just hanging... Doing our thing. Later, as I was getting my keys, she looked at me, and said: "bye dad." She knows my routine, she watches me like an undercover cop on a stake out. Dismissing me, to move back to my wife. I am not into the downloading heat waves off the flat screen and the possible warp of the brain it puts on all of us, especially her little head, but if she likes it, she likes it. I can allow some time, some escape from the norm, it's not like she's watching mixed marital arts or better yet horror flicks. It's some dinosaurs for crying out loud, and for the most part they resolve conflict fast... All aboard!!!
-J
What the hell is going on? I don't even like her watching T.V. but after awhile you get broken down. Straight up Git-mo Bay style. My wife looks like she's just done 15 rounds with a young hard hitting George Forman, and I have my head so far up my own ass, I am useless. So the T.V. finally comes on (if I am lucky, there's a break smack in the middle of the Dinosaur Train, at 15 minutes, where I turn it off.) Tonight, was really cool though, we sat in the recliner, my daughter with her "cow milk"(she's knows the difference and likes to show off that she knows), me with my loud brain screaming "you better make more money or you're all going to die", and we watched as the dinosaurs stomped around with their feet. "I am mad" the green bird says, "I stomp because it's fun" says the purple little meat eater. There we were, two peas in a pod and at the 15 minute mark, BAMM! OFF went the T.V. I thought I was slick, making sure I can regulate while I am still bigger than her...My daughter put up a bit of a fuss, looking up as if to say, "Are you f-in serious man, I know there's 15 more minutes of this thing, I maybe small, but I am not as stupid as you dad. This is MY show! Gimme break" but then, afterwards, she decided to dismount off the recliner, and show me how she too can stomp around. I joined her, we smiled, the house shaking, was it dancing? Hell, if I know, I don't really care, it was fun. It was a moment where we were just hanging... Doing our thing. Later, as I was getting my keys, she looked at me, and said: "bye dad." She knows my routine, she watches me like an undercover cop on a stake out. Dismissing me, to move back to my wife. I am not into the downloading heat waves off the flat screen and the possible warp of the brain it puts on all of us, especially her little head, but if she likes it, she likes it. I can allow some time, some escape from the norm, it's not like she's watching mixed marital arts or better yet horror flicks. It's some dinosaurs for crying out loud, and for the most part they resolve conflict fast... All aboard!!!
-J
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Conflicted
My wife and my daughter and I "co-sleep". Let the judging begin. No we are not hippies, no we don't believe in the cry it out method, yes we have read every frickin book out there, we just made the decision and have been sticking it out, and YES, it's gnarly on the relationship and we probably are totally fucking up our kid, but hey, give us a break, and give me a break, like I have a choice, I don't have the BOOB. It's been 22 months and tonight as I work my horrible overnight shift that doesn't pay the bills and keeps me at a low grade terror hum, I received the text... they both laid down in my child's room on a little thin mattress, and yes... wait for it... she's sleeping there by herself, not my wife, she's pacing the grounds, my daughter is sound asleep. This was after she stated she must have a snack and use the potty mind you, again not my wife, my daughter said this to my wife. She also chose to walk back into her room in which she has never before used as a resting spot.
I am not sure if we are excited to have our own bed back? Or if we are duly distraught not to have "the missing link of the trinity/entity" occupying our love nest? I will find out tomorrow as I slip into bed after work for that one hour we are all together, will my daughter be there (I secretly hope so and kind of hope not) or will my wife be ALONE, (cue 70s funk music in the background, "I'm here to deliver the pizza".) Either way its yet another transition in the never ending saga of being a new dad. I love both my girls, my wife and my daughter, and although the lack of physical gymnastics has taken its toll on my wife and I by having our daughter rule the roost, she's only going to be so willing to sleep in our bed for so long, I was getting used to it, and enjoying the moment, enjoying the bonding we are grateful to be present for. Look, I'm sure I will get over it, I mean I need to be of service to my wife for crying out loud but I remain.... "Conflicted".
-J
I am not sure if we are excited to have our own bed back? Or if we are duly distraught not to have "the missing link of the trinity/entity" occupying our love nest? I will find out tomorrow as I slip into bed after work for that one hour we are all together, will my daughter be there (I secretly hope so and kind of hope not) or will my wife be ALONE, (cue 70s funk music in the background, "I'm here to deliver the pizza".) Either way its yet another transition in the never ending saga of being a new dad. I love both my girls, my wife and my daughter, and although the lack of physical gymnastics has taken its toll on my wife and I by having our daughter rule the roost, she's only going to be so willing to sleep in our bed for so long, I was getting used to it, and enjoying the moment, enjoying the bonding we are grateful to be present for. Look, I'm sure I will get over it, I mean I need to be of service to my wife for crying out loud but I remain.... "Conflicted".
-J
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Counting and Melting Hearts
Last night I heard my 18-month old daughter count to 10 for the first time. She's a genius. OK, so she skipped from 6 to 10, but still. She just jumped from not counting at all to counting to 10. I'm no expert, but I think that's pretty impressive. She grabbed a box of manila envelopes and dumped them on the floor, then picked them up and started counting. She's partial to the numbers 1 and 2, of course, and repeats those ones over and over while she holds up her index finger. Her fingers aren't sophisticated enough, yet, to show me all the numbers she's counting, so I count by holding up my various fingers while she holds up her single finger. Last night I followed her lead and we counted together. She would get to 6 and then say "ten, yay!"
Even more amazing is that when I got home from work and sat down next to her on her miniature Pooh couch she grabbed my thumb and started pulling me around the house. Running to the window. Running through the kitchen. Running to the blow-up mattress on the floor. Running back to the couch. Sitting down. Getting back up and running around again. Both of us laughing the whole time. It was amazing. That's the first time she's actively pulled me around as if to say "Daddy, I want to show you something. Come on!"
The thing that makes it particularly touching for me is that I just got back from a 4-day business trip and had a lot of fear about how she would react to me being gone that long. Would she be sad? Would she be angry? Would she be distant when I returned? It's the first time I've been away from her for so long. I talked to her everyday on the phone, but I know that a 10-minute phone call just isn't the same as in-person one-on-one time. So when she grabbed my thumb and pulled me around the house, it just affirmed that our strong bond was still intact and that nothing had changed.
I was still her Papa and she was still my little Buggy Bear.
-t.
Even more amazing is that when I got home from work and sat down next to her on her miniature Pooh couch she grabbed my thumb and started pulling me around the house. Running to the window. Running through the kitchen. Running to the blow-up mattress on the floor. Running back to the couch. Sitting down. Getting back up and running around again. Both of us laughing the whole time. It was amazing. That's the first time she's actively pulled me around as if to say "Daddy, I want to show you something. Come on!"
The thing that makes it particularly touching for me is that I just got back from a 4-day business trip and had a lot of fear about how she would react to me being gone that long. Would she be sad? Would she be angry? Would she be distant when I returned? It's the first time I've been away from her for so long. I talked to her everyday on the phone, but I know that a 10-minute phone call just isn't the same as in-person one-on-one time. So when she grabbed my thumb and pulled me around the house, it just affirmed that our strong bond was still intact and that nothing had changed.
I was still her Papa and she was still my little Buggy Bear.
-t.
Friday, June 18, 2010
The New Dad Diet
Just like moms, most new dads gain weight before/after the baby is born. Well, for those of you who are insecure about it, don't fret because the New Dad Diet is here. And the best part is that you don't have to do anything!
Our baby is now over 1 year old (yay, we made it!) and she's not only eating solid food but she only wants to eat what daddy is eating. So I've found that what happens is that as soon as I start eating, she reaches out to get my food. Inevitably (because everyone knows I'm a pushover when it comes to my daughter), I end up feeding her my food while I'm eating it. This ends up cutting my portions in half. And everyone knows that when you reduce the portions, you lose the weight. I'm still waiting for the extra pounds to drop off, but I'm sure it'll start happening any day now...
So try the New Dad Diet and let me know how it works for you!
("The New Dad Diet" is a Trademark of Two New Dads, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.)
xo
-t.
Our baby is now over 1 year old (yay, we made it!) and she's not only eating solid food but she only wants to eat what daddy is eating. So I've found that what happens is that as soon as I start eating, she reaches out to get my food. Inevitably (because everyone knows I'm a pushover when it comes to my daughter), I end up feeding her my food while I'm eating it. This ends up cutting my portions in half. And everyone knows that when you reduce the portions, you lose the weight. I'm still waiting for the extra pounds to drop off, but I'm sure it'll start happening any day now...
So try the New Dad Diet and let me know how it works for you!
("The New Dad Diet" is a Trademark of Two New Dads, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.)
xo
-t.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Learning Vs. Frustration
Our daughter is right on the verge of walking (yay!) which means she's standing on her own, pulling herself up and pushing things around. She loves to grab certain things and push them around the house. Although sometimes she gets frustrated because she'll run into a wall or the couch and it stops her forward progress. She doesn't understand that she can't just keep pushing it right through the wall and she hasn't figured out that it's more effective to just turn around and go the other way.
So this morning she was pushing the laundry basket and was getting frustrated that she couldn't push it through the hallway because she wanted to push it through at an angle that didn't quite work. She kept getting stuck. Mom shifted the angle of the basket so that our daughter could push it through, but she insisted on pushing it HER way and the basket kept getting stuck. This lead to frustration and crying. Mom wanted to keep adjusting the basket until our daughter figured it out. I scooped up our daughter and comforted her so that she would stop crying (which, of course, she did).
Mommy's argument was that she needs to keep trying until she learns, even if she gets frustrated in the process. Daddy's argument was that there's value in teaching our daughter to take a break from something if it's getting too frustrating. This is something I've had to learn over the years: If you leave something alone and come back to it with fresh eyes, often you'll have a different perspective and it's more effective than trying to plow through something that's not working.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Input is more than welcome...
Thanks!
-t.
So this morning she was pushing the laundry basket and was getting frustrated that she couldn't push it through the hallway because she wanted to push it through at an angle that didn't quite work. She kept getting stuck. Mom shifted the angle of the basket so that our daughter could push it through, but she insisted on pushing it HER way and the basket kept getting stuck. This lead to frustration and crying. Mom wanted to keep adjusting the basket until our daughter figured it out. I scooped up our daughter and comforted her so that she would stop crying (which, of course, she did).
Mommy's argument was that she needs to keep trying until she learns, even if she gets frustrated in the process. Daddy's argument was that there's value in teaching our daughter to take a break from something if it's getting too frustrating. This is something I've had to learn over the years: If you leave something alone and come back to it with fresh eyes, often you'll have a different perspective and it's more effective than trying to plow through something that's not working.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Input is more than welcome...
Thanks!
-t.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bonus Episode #1: Sex!
The last two episodes of Two New Dads (Year One) are bonus episodes that we weren't originally planning to launch, but people told us they were just too funny to keep to ourselves. So check out Bonus Ep. #1: "Sex", now online:
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Episode 17: Hypnosis
Only two more episodes of Two New Dads left in Year One!!
Check out the latest episode: Hypnosis.
http://www.blip.tv/file/3698023
Ever wonder how to hypnotize your baby? Well keep wondering because that's not what this episode is about. [fart]
Check out the latest episode: Hypnosis.
http://www.blip.tv/file/3698023
Ever wonder how to hypnotize your baby? Well keep wondering because that's not what this episode is about. [fart]
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Three Is a Magic Number
I thought some people might find this helpful: Whenever our baby was fussy and we couldn't get her to calm down, we would put on the old 70s Schoolhouse Rock video "Three Is a Magic Number" and our baby would calm down INSTANTLY. I have no idea why and I have no idea whether or not other parents have had the same experience but I swear it works every time. I've tried other Schoolhouse Rock videos and nothing works like "Three Is a Magic Number". So try it out and let me know if it works for you. Or if there are any other magic bullet songs/videos that calm your baby down, I'd love to hear about those, too. Thanks! Here's the link to the YouTube version of "Three Is a Magic Number": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxmKRyLdBho
Enjoy!
-t.
PS - After a brief hiatus to attend the Florida Film Festival, we're back with the final episodes of Two New Dads, Season 1.
Enjoy!
-t.
PS - After a brief hiatus to attend the Florida Film Festival, we're back with the final episodes of Two New Dads, Season 1.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Pack 'N Go!
Getting cabin fever from being at home with the baby too long? Get the hell outta there! But there are a few things you should know before you leave... Check out the latest episode of Two New Dads: Pack 'N Go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD_1NIzhJ88
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD_1NIzhJ88
Monday, March 29, 2010
Colds Companion
As a companion piece to this week's episode "Baby Colds", I found out last week that my daughter has Bronchitis. Scary. I won't get into the debate between my wife and I about whether or not it was teething/weather change/cold, I'll just say this: DO NOT TAKE COLDS LIGHTLY! Our daughter was sick for about 2 weeks before her wet cough got bad enough to keep her (and us) awake at night. After two nights of dramatic coughing fits and a low fever, I finally took her to the doctor who diagnosed her with Bronchitis and prescribed antibiotics and suggested Pedialyte which is meant to keep her hydrated and help get rid of the chest congestion. (It's like heavy-duty Gatorade for babies.) The danger, the pediatrician explained, is that Bronchitis can easily turn into pneumonia which can then cause permanent respiratory problems. Like I said: Scary. She's a little better now, although not out of the woods completely. She had a coughing fit early this morning which worried me and prompted me to call the doctor again who advised me to see how tonight goes.
The thing that scares me is that she's teething now, too, and the symptoms of teething are similar to the symptoms of a cold. It's tempting to be dismissive about it (especially when you have a spouse that reinforces this attitude). Luckily I got her to the doctor in time and she will hopefully be 100% in the next day or so. But this experience has taught me to stick to my guns and err on the side of caution rather than have a daughter fighting off pneumonia.
A few other things this experience has taught me: If your baby gets a cold, keep her hydrated and take her to the doctor. If she has a coughing fit, cup your hand and pat her back to loosen the phlegm. It's OK if she swallows the phlegm because then it's going into her stomach and no longer in her chest/lungs.
By the way: Did you know Pedialyte is only good for 48 hours after opening? Even if it's refridgerated. What's up with that?
-t.
The thing that scares me is that she's teething now, too, and the symptoms of teething are similar to the symptoms of a cold. It's tempting to be dismissive about it (especially when you have a spouse that reinforces this attitude). Luckily I got her to the doctor in time and she will hopefully be 100% in the next day or so. But this experience has taught me to stick to my guns and err on the side of caution rather than have a daughter fighting off pneumonia.
A few other things this experience has taught me: If your baby gets a cold, keep her hydrated and take her to the doctor. If she has a coughing fit, cup your hand and pat her back to loosen the phlegm. It's OK if she swallows the phlegm because then it's going into her stomach and no longer in her chest/lungs.
By the way: Did you know Pedialyte is only good for 48 hours after opening? Even if it's refridgerated. What's up with that?
-t.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Good Parenting
My baby and I went to our neighbor's house for some play time on Saturday night and I witnessed something amazing...
My neighbor's 5 year-old boy was upset because his 1 year-old sister broke a beautiful, dead monarch butterfly that he had found and kept in a little tin can. The 5 year-old was clearly distraught, but didn't show it in the typical 5 year-old way (crying, screaming, hitting, throwing a tantrum, etc.). Even though he was crying, he was still able to tell his dad that he was angry. "Dad, I'm angry with her, she broke my butterfly!"
The dad first confessed that he had known about the broken monarch and apologized to his son for not telling him sooner. Then the son said that he was mad at his dad, too. Then he threw something. The amazing part was that the dad explained calmly that it was OK for him to be angry and upset, but it wasn't OK to throw things. The boy stomped out of the room angrily, only to return a couple of minutes later to apologize for throwing things. The dad apologized again for not telling the son sooner about the butterfly and said he would do what he could to help him find another one. He then told his son he was proud of him for being able to express his feelings so well. The boy was able to cry it out in the safety of his dad's arms and get through it without having to stiffle his feelings and without having to feel shameful or guilty about his anger or how he expressed it. He wasn't told to "suck it up" or that "big boys don't cry" or any of the other old-school cliches that many of us heard growing up that were designed to invalidate our feelings.
Wow.
I know it seems like I'm making this up, but it's true. I hope I can remember this as I raise my own child and I hope my child feels safe enough to express her anger in a healthy, positive way. And if she doesn't, I hope I'm able to set healthy boundaries with her when she acts inappropriately.
Good parenting is in session, people, and it's inspiring. Thanks neighbor!
-t.
My neighbor's 5 year-old boy was upset because his 1 year-old sister broke a beautiful, dead monarch butterfly that he had found and kept in a little tin can. The 5 year-old was clearly distraught, but didn't show it in the typical 5 year-old way (crying, screaming, hitting, throwing a tantrum, etc.). Even though he was crying, he was still able to tell his dad that he was angry. "Dad, I'm angry with her, she broke my butterfly!"
The dad first confessed that he had known about the broken monarch and apologized to his son for not telling him sooner. Then the son said that he was mad at his dad, too. Then he threw something. The amazing part was that the dad explained calmly that it was OK for him to be angry and upset, but it wasn't OK to throw things. The boy stomped out of the room angrily, only to return a couple of minutes later to apologize for throwing things. The dad apologized again for not telling the son sooner about the butterfly and said he would do what he could to help him find another one. He then told his son he was proud of him for being able to express his feelings so well. The boy was able to cry it out in the safety of his dad's arms and get through it without having to stiffle his feelings and without having to feel shameful or guilty about his anger or how he expressed it. He wasn't told to "suck it up" or that "big boys don't cry" or any of the other old-school cliches that many of us heard growing up that were designed to invalidate our feelings.
Wow.
I know it seems like I'm making this up, but it's true. I hope I can remember this as I raise my own child and I hope my child feels safe enough to express her anger in a healthy, positive way. And if she doesn't, I hope I'm able to set healthy boundaries with her when she acts inappropriately.
Good parenting is in session, people, and it's inspiring. Thanks neighbor!
-t.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Daylight Savings Challenges
For some reason, ever since Daylight Savings Time, our baby's sleep schedule has shifted, making it tough on mommy and daddy. She used to nurse and go to bed between 7:30 and 8pm. This has been pretty consistent up until now. As of this week, she goes to sleep at about the same time, then wakes up about 1/2-hour later and is WIDE awake and wants to crawl around everywhere. At about 9:30 or 10pm she starts to get tired again and has a hard time going to sleep without taking a bottle. What's up with that? So I give her a bottle and she goes back to sleep.
I'm normally a go-with-the-flow kind of guy and can adjust to whatever the baby needs, but I'm having a really hard time with this. On the one hand it's good because I'm the one who stays up with her while mommy sleeps and I get to spend a few more hours a day with her, which I've been missing since I went back to work. The downside is that I'm used to having that time to myself to chill after work, then to work on my personal projects. Now that time is pretty much gone. Anyone have any suggestions?
She's 10 1/2 months now.
Thanks!
-t.
I'm normally a go-with-the-flow kind of guy and can adjust to whatever the baby needs, but I'm having a really hard time with this. On the one hand it's good because I'm the one who stays up with her while mommy sleeps and I get to spend a few more hours a day with her, which I've been missing since I went back to work. The downside is that I'm used to having that time to myself to chill after work, then to work on my personal projects. Now that time is pretty much gone. Anyone have any suggestions?
She's 10 1/2 months now.
Thanks!
-t.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Forgetful Posts
I keep forgetting to update our blog with crazy zanny new insights. Well, the first b-day has come and gone, and yes it was stressful but awesome. Family and friends came out to show some love and the day was very cool. T and his family came too, and thats awesome because we don't get to hang nearly enough these days. We still have a few espisodes in season 1 and then on to filming season two... DUH DUH DUH duuuuuhhhhh..... -J
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