Category Archives: Life

Happy Birthday to the Best G-Ma Ever!

Today is G-Ma’s (my Mom’s) birthday, and although we can’t celebrate with her today, we will soon enough!

My mom has been through so much and always forges on. She’s always been by my side even when I’m not the best son (sorry about that), and she continues to be there now that we have a +1. I’m referring to our daughter, Avery, just to be clear. 🙂

Mom, G-Ma, thank you for being you and making life so much better. We all hope you have a wonderful birthday and can’t wait to see you to celebrate!

I’ve gathered several pictures of G-Ma and Avery from birth to present (Ha ha, get it, present? As in a gift? Ahhh, never mind.) day. Just like you were there for me, you’ve always been there for Avery in her whole 8 1/2 months of life and her love for you shows with each visit you make.

G-Ma and Avery; just 2 days old!
G-Ma and Avery; just 2 days old!
Not sure what's happening, but G-Ma is keeping me warm! 11/26/13
Not sure what’s happening, but G-Ma is keeping me warm! 11/26/13
Keeping cozy. 12/29/13
Keeping cozy. 12/29/13
Happy to be with G-ma!
Happy to be with G-ma! 02/20/14
Practicing her poker face.  03/12/14
Practicing her poker face. 03/12/14
Happy to be at G-Ma's! 04/13/14
Happy to be at G-Ma’s! 04/13/14
Meeting Tash with Dad and G-Ma. 05/18/14
Meeting Tash with Dad and G-Ma. 05/18/14
Cheering Daddy on at a Labor Day 10k! 05/26/14
Cheering Daddy on at a Labor Day 10k! 05/26/14
Hanging with the best group for my 30th. 06/07/14
Hanging with the best group for my 30th. 06/07/14
Fourth of July 2014
Fourth of July 2014
Playing the recorder for Avery. 07/08/14
Playing the recorder for Avery. 07/08/14

 

At the rate we take pictures, I know there will be many more to come! We love you, Mom/G-Ma, have an awesome birthday!

Doesn’t she look to young to be a grandma? I think so.

“Your Eyes”: A Poem to my Daughter

After looking at the most recent pictures I took of Avery, I can’t get over how beautiful her eyes are. I’ve been enthralled by their brilliance since she was born, and I’m ever so grateful the magnificent blue hue is still with her.

Inspired by her beauty, I decided to write a poem. I’m not an experienced writer by any means, much less at poem writing, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!

So, Avery, when you are old enough to read, I hope you appreciate my attempt at writing a poem to you. Beware, this probably won’t be the only one!!

DSC_0675

Your Eyes

When I look into your eyes,

it comes as no surprise,

the beauty that they hold

will endure as we grow old.

 

Filled with endless wonder,

there must be a spell I’m under,

since every time I look,

they absorb me more than the greatest book.

 

Even the bluest of oceans can’t compete,

with your gorgeous eyes that knock me off my feet.

Your enchanting stare,

and crazy hair,

fill mommy and me with pride,

and a love we will never hide.

 

Avery, your eyes are perfect in every way,

and they allow you to experience new things each day.

Mommy and I know we’ve done right,

as we watch you grow morning, noon and night.

 

Just remember you must be wary,

your blue eyes will have many guys asking you to marry,

but that’s a long time from now,

so I won’t have a cow.

 

Mommy and I are a little fearful,

that your striking peepers will prevent us from giving you an earful.

How could we possibly get mad

when to us you can do no bad?

 

Please don’t take advantage,

and do things we cannot manage

since your brilliant eyes,

could cover your deepest lies.

 

I could go on forever,

but my words I need to sever,

as you are waking from your nap,

and it’s time to walk our lap.

Have you ever written a poem even though you lack the experience? Was it to a loved one or just for your own?

10 Things Babywearing Dads Shouldn’t Say to a Teething Baby in the Bathroom

Since my first post about 10 Things Baby Wearing Dads Should Never Say in a Public Restroom, I guess I haven’t learned my lesson. Although I don’t say the 10 things I listed then, I still catch myself talking to Avery in the public bathroom and saying things that might raise an eyebrow or two.

It’s been close to 4 months since that post, which means a lot has changed with our baby. One of the changes being her teeth coming in. As of now, she has her top and bottom two front teeth working their way out, and she lets us know about them multiple times a day. Any parent, I’m sure, knows……it’s “fun”. Please, since my sarcasm.

How do you not say something to those teeth?
How do you not say something to those teeth?

Her teething has been going on for a few weeks now, and we are still going to the store where I still have to urinate frequently due to my massive caffeine consumption. No matter how much I tell myself to just keep quite while wearing my daughter at the urinal, I can’t stand the silence, so I break it by making some sort of statement to the sweet girl hanging in front of me.

Wouldn’t you know, the moment I open my mouth and say something, I regret having said it right then and there. Obviously, others are sharing the public restroom, so why do I do this so much?

I can’t think of a good reason, but it happens, and once again I’ve collected 10 of the things I have actually said and want to share with other babywearing dads now. Ladies, I’m not trying to omit you, but I’m only speaking from my own experience, and I also have trouble visualizing how a women can use the restroom and wear her baby, so please forgive me.

  1. I can see it poking through.
  2. You look so different now.
  3. I know it hurts now, but you’ll feel better once it pushes through.
  4. Here, chew on this.
  5. Wow, that’s a lot of drool!
  6. I cold cloth would be really useful right now.
  7. It could take 2 years before you’re finished.
  8. Remember, it’s not nice to use those on mommy.
  9. I wish they’d all come at once so we could get this over with.
  10. Oh, I need to take a picture of that one!

Yeah, maybe I should print these out and laminate them on a card to study from now on. But, I probably won’t do that, because as our daughter continues to change, so will the things I say to her in and out of the bathroom.

I love my toof!
I love my toof!

Sometimes I wish I made this stuff up. That would save my face from turning red with embarrassment after saying one of the above and having someone quickly walk out of a stall and then the bathroom without washing their hands. Oh well, it happens (right?), and I’m able to look back and laugh now.

Avery still has plenty of teeth to come in, so who knows what I’ll say next?

Can you think of things you’ve said to your teething baby that wouldn’t sound right to another person in the restroom? Has this happened to you before?