Dad 2.0

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

I was determined to get Xana some soccer cleats this past weekend. After her 2nd practice in a row without proper shoes, and I sporting the latest Colorado Rapids jersey, I felt I was letting her down by not getting her the appropriate gear. Mind you, this past weekend was a milestone of its own... Xana went to practice in a SKIRT... not a dress. Therefore, she was able to wear her team jersey. It's been progress from princess outfits and pink shoes to where we are today. It might be wishful thinking on my part that she'd even attempt to put cleats on her feet...Which is why my wife was so adamant that I try the consignment store first. Which I just have a hard time doing. I don't really know why, but I have the urge to get my daughter the latest/greatest cleats on the market. Yes she's only 4. Yes she'll grow out of them by next year. I can't help it! So while I was buying my OWN pair of soccer cleats this past week, I had them check on what they had in stock for 4 yr olds. How precious they are!!! And totally cool! Almost bought them on the spot until I heard my wife screaming in my head NO!!!!So, today, while at work, she texts me this picture. Success!!!!

Ferris Wheel at Lakeside Amusement Park

2011-09-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Neglect

2011-08-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

Yes, it's been a while. Perhaps I could update some photos around here? Geesh.

The little Black book

2011-08-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

At one time, I used a sketch book for sketching people. Then about 10 years ago this sketchbook turned into code... and sketches of layouts, buttons, interfaces. The past 6 months it changed again... floor plans. Am I getting more structured???;)

Finally, yesterday, I took a photo of our contractor's drawings for the house as it stands today. 30 minutes later I had a vector version I did in Photoshop. another 20 minutes later I had a floor plan for the new 2nd floor! Last night I redid the entire main floor, putting in appliances and cabinets. This morning I looked through a Kitchens and Baths magazine and those floor plans FINALLY mean something!

It's kinda addicting. What am I gonna do when we're done?

Enlarge original plan
Enlarge new main level plan
Enlarge new 2nd level plan

Bea learns to fly

2010-03-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

Today was a warm and sunny day in Denver... perfect for a trip to the zoo with the girls on Daddy day. I felt Bea was finally big enough so we booked a ticket on the Radio Flyer Express! She loved it! She was wide eyed and looking all around. Doubt she saw too many animals from her height, but I enjoyed pulling her and Xana around the zoo.

We also got to enjoy a ride on the train and the carousel. A ride on the train was perfect timing, as it was time to feed Bea a bottle. Thinking I didn't have enough time to let her finish, I willed the train to stop... and sure enough, the ice and snow made it get stuck around turn 2! A few short minutes later and we once again moving, leaving plenty of time for Bea to finish and to enjoy the rest of the ride!

Define "sleep"...

2009-09-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

According to the dictionary, sleep is defined as:

a condition of body and mind such as that which typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is relatively inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended.

But in my world it could more accurately be defined as:

that which you give up when you decide to have kids. A lighter form of consciousness typically disturbed every 1 - 1 1/2 hours consistently during the night. Usually accompanied by bumping into very large objects with small yet very loud noisemakers upon them. The throat is dry, eyes closed, and poorly timed urges to urinate.

I'd be willing to guess that my wife feels that she dreamed her first 30 years of sleeping. Because for all she's concerned, she hasn't 'slept' for over 2 years.

Our first daughter didn't sleep through the night until around 9 months. This wasn't too bad considering she started with 2 naps during the day for extended periods of time and eventually moved to a nice 3 hour nap mid-day. Knowing you will have 3 hours to catch up on some sleep is sometimes enough motivation to actually accomplish something during the day.

Along comes the 2nd daughter who somehow did not get the sleeping gene. Seriously, how can she go on 15 minute blinks? I can't really call them 'naps', she just temporarily lets her eyes shut. Then its WIDE AWAKE IN AMERICA and WHO'S GONNA FEED ME NOW?

No wonder there are so many poems 'lamenting sleep'. I heart sleeping.

First sign of Autumn

2009-08-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

The coming of Autumn hits me like spring fever. For a bit over a week now I've been thinking about October and Halloween... the greatest time of the year. I think it all started when Karen left a Halloween costume catalog out in the living room. It was a weekend morning and while I was feeding my youngest with one hand, I flipped through the pages with the other.

By the second page I was beginning to smell the leaves and the cooler October air. I think I even smelled the liquid from the smoke machine we use for Halloween. This got me thinking that not only will the oldest daughter be able to enjoy Halloween even more because of her age, but Bea will get to experience it for the very first time.

The fascination I have with Halloween I will save for another post. Right now I want to talk about Autumn and those first signs that Summer is finally ending.

We live in Colorado and this by all measures has been a pretty mild Summer with temperatures rarely hitting the 90s and I don't believe we've hit over 100° even once this year. This is a welcome change from the past several years of splintering heat that all but makes me comatose. My wife and I love Colorado but hate the heat of the summers... we are the type that leave the air-conditioning on in the winter.

Now, in the mornings there is a slight cool in the air. I'm starting to have more energy at the beginning of the day and when I get home from work, I'll still have energy to take the kids to the park, or at least walk around the neighborhood. Once the neighbors begin to decorate for Halloween, it should be fun to point out the various spooky creatures lurking on our route.

This morning had a chill in the air; it perks me up and lifts the Monday spirits. Stepping outside to go to work, I was greeted with fallen leaves and slight wind strong enough to brush them along the ground... causing that wonderfully familiar sound that means Autumn is almost here. The Radio Flyer, used barely a day ago, is filling with leaves as if it's collecting for our trip around town. The sun was lower, glistening through the trees a little more and I half expected the windowsheild of our Honda to have mist on it.

Welcome back Autumn... please hang around for a while would you?

Boot Camp for New Dads

2009-08-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

When my wife first told me she was pregnant with our first child I began researching for any information on 'being a new dad'. Not having many good role models in my life, I wanted to find whatever I could that might help feed my growing curiosity on what it means to be a father.

The first thing I found was that there is precious little out there for the father-to-be. I also found most of the day-to-day 'parenting' is assumed to be done by the mother since most books, websites and other information are geared towards the stay-at-home mom. For men looking for advice on how to become the best father possible resources are scarce, generally inadequate, and in American culture still quite rare.

The second thing I found in my thirst for knowledge was "Boot Camp for New Dads" on the Internet. Finally, a place where like-minded guys could share their experiences and concerns with those in the same situation and gain valuable advice on important matters such as car seats, pregnancy, delivery and expectations. "Veteran" dads talk about their experiences and workshops are hosted by "Master Coaches" and educators.

From the BCND website:

Boot Camp for New Dads is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their mates and personally navigate their transformation into dads.

The quality and benefits of this 2 day workshop were immense and its popularity is just beginning to grow. There really is no other workshop of its kind. Out of all the classes my wife and I attended to prepare as best we could, "Daddy Boot Camp" was the most informative, enjoyable, and relevant to me as a father.

The workshop encourages and challenges new Dads to be engaged with their children, to take active responsibility in raising them, and stepping up to the plate as husband and father. At the core of this class is an issue not often mentioned in words but very much implied. It is an issue that has precipitated the title of this blog.

To redefine what it means to be a dad.

We have an opportunity to change the perception of fatherhood. As men we can be there for our children without sacrificing our career. We can provide as well as nurture. We can play and discipline and we can teach and grow during the process.

It's time for us to start listening to our kids instead of our televisions. It's time we get involved in their daily lives and influence their growth and behavior. We have a chance to do some good here and BCND is a great step in a new direction.

For any new father-to-be taking this workshop is a great first step towards changing the perception of fatherhood. It is up to us to decided what to change it to.

A Letter to Xana

2009-08-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

My Darling Xana,

You are almost 2 years old as I write this and as such, Mommy and Beatrix have reached their third trimester. That means we have just a little more than 2 months left before your sister arrives and you are no longer our only daughter. I wanted to take the time to write to you and give you a glimpse into what it has meant to me to be your father these past 2 years.

Both your mom and I knew we were going to have a daughter for our first child. Never for a second did we think otherwise. So when the doctor told us, "it's a girl!" I almost didn't hear it, as I was too consumed at looking at the monitor of you squirming inside your Mom. Of course it's a girl, didn't we already tell you that?

Your delivery was magical. Your mom was incredible. The entire experience is impossible to put to words. But the moment you arrived you let out a cry which shook my entire being. Something happened as I heard your voice and my life was forever changed.

I have to tell you about the ride home from the hospital. First, you must know I missed out on any crazy speed chase to the hospital for your delivery, as you were scheduled to be induced. We didn't get much sleep at the hospital and were ready to be home in our own beds. But to tell the truth, I was pretty nervous driving home as I never had such special cargo with me before. We took the back roads through Denver and I've never driven so slow before in my life.

The transition into fatherhood was a defining moment for me. All my life I strove to create something wonderful... in my art, my music, my poetry. I began to realize that creating you was the best thing I've ever done. Being a father is a lifelong journey (a piece of art) and I come into this with open arms and a determination to be the best father I can possibly be for you. Everything I have learned up through this point I hope to use to be a great Pappa. Every day has been precious and you, my little Star, have made me very proud indeed. I can not tell you how much I love you and your mom. I am easily the richest man in the world with you two in my life.

There are many things I hold dear sharing with you... long meandering walks around the neighborhood, carrying you on my shoulders as you pull my hair until I say "Uncle!", watching you go up and down the slide over and over again... bath time and your contagious laughter... (Grandma would say you got this from me since I used to keep her in stitches as a kid too), coming home from work and you running up to me with a huge smile and a hug and kiss for me after a long day, taking you to soccer games and seeing the unlimited potential in your eyes, and putting you down to sleep at night and telling you how much I love you.

So, Xana, I want you to know, that when you read this sometime in the future, your Pappa has never been more happier or proud to have you as a daughter. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I know you are one special little girl.

I love you with all my heart, Star.

Love,
Your Pappa
April 2nd, 2009