Tag Archives: memory

18 Memories From My 18th Month Since ‘Going Dad’

The months and memories have been flying by, and now we’re a year and half into this parenting gig. From what I hear, it only gets better with time, and so far, I would have to agree.

What’s better at this point; saying “18 months” or saying “a year and a half”? I’ve heard people refer to their kids’ age up to 24 months and that’s the max for me.

At 2 years, I’d say we can get rid of the months reference. Or maybe it would be cool to go retro and use weeks. Maybe even put 104 candles in a cake for their 2nd birthday. Actually, it would be 104.355 candles.

2 Years to Weeks Calc

Anyway, I’m still not feeling well from my butt issue the other day, so lets get on to these memories.

1. Avery, Mommy and I have known you were crazy for a long time, but now even the way you fall asleep has reached a new level of crazy.

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2. Your crazy sleep position was the same day you had a mystery rash that didn’t seem to bother you but looked horrible. Luckily, it came and went away within a couple days.

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3. That rash appeared the same time you became really ill with the highest fever to date. We missed seeing our crazy little girl run circles around the house, but it was kind of sweet to have in such a cuddly mood.

Avery Cuddles_Sick

4. You figured out your diaper a few months ago, but never repeatedly pulled it off until recently. When it’s just you and me, your diaper stays put, but when Mommy comes you, you go right for those snaps. No matter how many times we put it back on, you just undo it right away. So we’ve taken to duct tape diapering which proves quite effective despite the trashy look.

duct tape cloth diaper

 

5. I had a NuttZo tasting party for our neighbors to try all of the delicious varieties, and you took advantage of all the samples with gusto! I’m surprised there was any left for our guests!

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6. Rain has taken over pretty much the entire month, but we didn’t let it stop us from our daily walks. I even wore you in the Onya NexStep baby carrier which had been a while since the last time we walked with you on my back.

7. On our rainy walks, we found and rescued several turtles, big and small, by returning them to one of the lakes in our neighborhood. You’re still not sure what to make of them, but we have plenty of time for you to get the turtle experience. Except for the last one we saved, he almost bit off my fingers!

8. You’ve exclusively had Mommy’s milk and water for drinks until this past month when I introduced you to Zevia. I explained how it’s a great treat to enjoy after playing under the hot Texas sun or anytime really, and how it’s worlds better than other sugary or artificially sweetened alternatives. Obviously, you like it and will be enjoying Zevia with Mommy and me for a long time to come.

9. One day, during lunch, I picked your nose. Then I posted it for the world to see. You can hit me for this later.

10. Turtles aren’t the only wildlife in our neighborhood. We have been watching these 8 goslings grow into the full-grown geese that they are as we pass them on our daily walks. The Mommy and Daddy aren’t too friendly as seen when they stick their tongue out at us. but you can’t blame them for being protective. Just so you know, I’d stick my tongue out at people to protect you too!

11. I found my old boots I had as a kid and, like any parent would do, we put them on you to take pictures. The results were pure cuteness as always. You also seemed to enjoy the clunking noise you made when walking.

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12. One of the days that gave us sun instead of rain happened to be on the weekend, and Mommy had the awesome idea to bring you to a splash pad. It was your first time and although you weren’t too interested in the actual water part, we had fun slinging you around in the water.

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13. During dinnertime, where we usually take turns feeding you with our utensil or putting food for you to grab, we gave you a try at using the spoon yourself. After a few fumbles, you successfully brought food to your mouth several times! Yay, trial and error!

14. A current favorite of yours for breakfast is sliced banana with NuttZo. You are practically crying with impatience the moment I show you the banana, but once you get that first bite, it’s bliss!

15. Keeping still is not your forte, but running around and playing with several toys at once is. I’ll go about my business cooking our next meal or washing dishes as you go crazy all around me. Of course I’ll stop to read a book or three and throw the ball too!

16. Right after writing a post about your bottom lip, you went and busted the thing while playing with Mommy’s sweater. That was your first of many more to come, I’m sure.

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17. Mommy had a blast with you bouncing on our bed and trying to take pictures of when you were 6 months old. Turns out, you’re a little more mobile than you were back then. But still freakin’ cute as ever!

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18. You have a growing collection of balls that I’ve been finding on our walks and they provide plenty of entertainment for you at home. You’re even learning how to put them all in your basket when done. They usually come right back out, but it’s a start!

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The fun times just keep getting more and more interactive as she grows. I remember when Avery was just 6 months old, someone told me how it starts getting really good at 18 months. Now that we’re here, I’m excited to see this for myself since she’s already fun as it is.

Maybe actually talking or at least being more clear about her wants/needs? Yeah, I know, doubtful. Guess we’ll find out now!!

When did you start using years instead of months to give your child’s age?

What’s something noteworthy about your kid from this past month?

 

 

How One Dad Will Live Forever – #Dads4Oren

Almost a year ago, a man named Oren Miller was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. After an arduous fight composed of painful treatments to remove the cancer, Oren lost the battle this past weekend on Saturday, February 28th. Despite this saddening news, I can still smile because I know, in spirit and our hearts, he will live on forever.

As the creator of a Dad Bloggers Facebook group that is now 1000+ strong, Oren is responsible for providing an outlet/resource for dads all over the world. It is a place for us to vent, share thoughts, help each other out with serious life issues or just to tweet out their latest blog post, and most importantly, grow as better fathers, husbands, and men.

I have the post of him welcoming me along with several other great dads into the group on February 4th, 2014. Since joining, I have posted numerous times seeking guidance for help with my blog as well as with our daughter, Avery. I never had the honor of meeting Oren in person, but it’s not necessary to feel the impact he has on so many.

I realized this when the news of his cancer first came out. Our community of Dads quickly created a charity to raise funds so Oren and his family could go on a wonderful vacation that inevitably would be his last. I gave what I could and helped spread the word on my blog, along with many other dad bloggers.

Though he may be gone, he is certainly not forgotten, and will live on forever in the hearts of many and among our close-knit Dad Blogger community. I could never imagine someone I hardly knew could affect me, as well as so many others who never met him, like he has, but it’s clear he means a lot to all of us.

Many dads have posted tributes to Oren on their blogs, and one even posted a video to You Tube of him singing a Bob Dylan song in his honor. I’ve only started writing for the UK-based blog Love All Dads (LADs, for short), by creating a monthly round up of U.S. dad bloggers. When I asked the creator of LADs, Darren, about sharing a special #Dads4Oren Round Up, he loved the idea.

Below is the post you can also find on LADs by clicking here, but I felt sharing it here as well. After reading a few posts, you’ll realize just how much Oren means to all of us as you can feel the passion emanating from the written, spoken, and yes, even sung words from other dads.

I hope you have a wonderful week, and make sure to tell those around you how much you love them as you hold them close to your heart. Here’s my post:

Dads4Oren_Candle

Hello, fellow dads, both nearby and abroad. It is with a heavy heart and solemn mind I am writing this before it’s even close to the end of March for round 3 of the U.S. Dad Bloggers Round Up, but I feel compelled to honor one of us.

Oren Miller, the man behind the blog A Blogger and a Father, passed away on Saturday, February 28th, after a long battle with stage 4 lung cancer. You can read what he wrote upon finding out here. Oren was also the creator of the best Dad Bloggers Facebook Group around, and I’m proud to be a part of the 1,000+ dads who are members.

There aren’t enough digital pages to fit all of the wonderful ways Oren has affected us dads and so many people everywhere. A quick glance from members filling our Dad Bloggers Group page with posts of how Oren is near and dear to their hearts, and you realize this man hasn’t passed, he’ll live on forever!

Today, for a special edition of the Dad Bloggers Round Up, I am simply sharing the posts published in honor of Oren by dad bloggers all over. Please be sure to visit as many as you can and share with everyone around you.

His funeral is Monday, March 2nd, and many of us are banding together by getting outside with our friends and family, snapping a photo, and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #LoveWalkForOren. If you can, please join in by sharing your own photos or following the event online.

#LoveWalkForOren

These are only a few of the many posts written as a tribute to Oren. Follow #Dads4Oren to find more and share to your heart’s content:

Nick Browne from Papa Brownie wrote The Finality of Life: A Tribute to Oren.

Nick is also part of the Poppin Bottles podcast where him and his friend Ben Mullen from the blog Dad on the Mic, recently talked with painful hearts on the passing of Oren in their latest episode.

Chris Ratcliffe, owner of the blog Dad Goes Round, simply title his post A Tribute.

Ashley Beolens, co-author on When the Dust Settles wrote Passing of a Stranger

Jeff Tepper, a member from the Dallas Dads Group that I’m also a part of which is a branch from the national City Dads Group, shared a heartfelt post on the group page that can be viewed here.

Bill Peebles, from the awesomely named blog ihopeiwinatoaster skipped the writing and felt it best to pay tribute in song. Watch and listen to his rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” on YouTube in Oren’s honor.

Jack Steiner, owner of the blog The JackB, shared his thoughts in People Die & We Move On.

Buzz Bishop, creator of the Canadian dad blog, Dad Camp, recently posted his own collection of Oren blog post tributes as well as his thoughts on These Men Make Me Want to be a Better Dad.

**One more I meant to include but forgot until writing my blog post is from Creed Anthony, blogger on Tales from the Poop Deck.  Creed’s words hold true for how a lot of us felt and still feel, and his post is rightfully titled, My Friend Oren.

Lastly, here’s a link to a local online news publication in his area, Baltimore, MD, announcing the loss of a great father, blogger, and all around friend.

Life happens too fast, I know I’m guilty of not just living in the moment, and we need to slow it down when possible. Make sure to pause, take in the world around you, and hold your loved ones close every day. Tell them that you love them and hold them tight.