Be an Awesome Father

We have a bedtime routine that he loves. I feed him his last bottle, then brush his teeth (read: tooth), and then we lay in my bed and watch and episode of tv together. We went through the last 3 seasons of Friends together, and we are now working on Joey season 1. Who knew that a 1 year old could find it so interesting. I think it is because he loves falling asleep next to dad! That’s why. My wife cannot seem to replicate this with him.

Once Joey is over…perhaps it is time to switch over to 24? Although Jack Bauer just may keep him awake.

He squeals with delight when he sees me get home after work. He always then charges over on on all 4’s and does that “pick me up” pose where he sticks his arms straight out and looks at me. I only hope I can keep him this happy all the time!

My wife and I told our parents about new baby last night. They were super happy. So in 7 months time I will be a double dad! Yay.

My son has totally become a father’s boy. When I get home everyday he leaves my wife and comes crawling over to me. He usually turns over to sit up, and hold his arms out in that “pick me up” pose flapping his hands up and down.

Last night, after I followed him as he climbed the stairs all the way to the top we went out and bought a baby gate. Sadly it is not as popular with him as it is for us. Too bad. I am still his favorite.

I forgot how fun bubble baths were until we were at the baby store and I saw a jug of bubble bath soap by Johnson & Johnson. I couldn’t resist buying it. Later last night my son was cackling madly while splashing foam all over the bathtub. He couldn’t find any of his floaty toys in the swell of bubbles but he sure had a great time.

I wish I could have that super happy fun innocence every now and then.

We decided to take a day trip yesterday and took my son to the Columbus COSI museum. He was mostly indifferent, but there were several times where he got to play with some exhibits. I can’t wait to take him back there in a few years when he understands things like that a bit better.

We of course spend the remainder of the day hanging out with my brother and his wife at their new house. My son loved the kitten and also the puppy that gave endless face licks if not stopped.

I think the best thing I have been doing so far is to just help out more. My wife was overwhelmed at the tasks from the new baby, but I have gone above and beyond to do both the house work, and to take care of her. If she is happy, then she can make baby happy.

In the evenings I spend my first hour home playing with him. He is only 6 weeks old and he already smiles at me when I come in. It is so precious. Also not that my wife is pumping more, I can finally get up and do those 4 am feedings….yay.. We get some bonding time in though. Small steps forward.

OOoo, another long term thing: Opening a savings account and putting a percentage away for him every week.

I recently created a blog for my son, and all my friends and family love it. Many of my family are too far to come visit often so this is their way of keeping up with the baby.

Also I have trying to help my wife out around the house a lot more. Being a good father also means being a good husband. Last night I hung some picture frames. I have been trying to take care of him a lot more when I get home to allow my wife to have some downtime. She seems to appreciate that.

I started a blog for him to share his life experiences with my family. They love it and check it daily for updates. I am able to put in quick snapshot photos of him and tiny updates of daily activities. My wife still has not started his baby book yet, but I can almost make a digital version online just as easy.

Ian LOVES bath time. Now, instead of crying he just splashes around in the warm water. My wife seems to like me giving the bath since the tub sits so high on sink and she would have to reach further. Afterward him and I spend some quality swaddle time together as I hold him in my arms till he dries. He seems to be paying more attention to me and not just the lights in the house! Only 4 weeks old, and growing…

One of my deepest passions is being a DAD. An unconventional dad but I love it. Thought my divorce would ruin our relationship, but the love remained and kept us stable. The deep painful complexity of life, my greatest decision was to have my kids, the second best decision was to get divorced. The ouch moments of fatherhood. Whether we are having a picnic, or hiking, watching a movie, going fruit picking, etc, these are the moments etched on my soul. I salute all fathers on this site.