Why aren't there more than 24 Hours in a Day?

Okay, so with school, raising two kids, trying to take care of the house, it's been a while since I could post a new blog. I think I've finally got the time schedule worked out, so hopefully, I'll be posting regularly again.

We'll see.

So today--actually, yesterday, since I'm writing this at past midnight--was Father's Day. My wife graciously convinced my 19 month old to write me a card.

It consisted of one page of random scribblings, and another in which she interpreted it. How she ever understood what he said is beyond me... :)

My 19 month old is starting to become more talkative..finally! He now says "Thank you", every time you give him something, he gives you something, or he takes something from his little brother...without asking! Okay, so maybe we have a little bit of work to do in that area, but it's nice to finally have someone talk back to me.

Have you ever spent hours on end, with the only significant conversation consisting of belching, burping, or gas noises? It can be maddening! (...maybe that's my problem...I've simply lost it...)

But he also can now point to most of his body parts and say the first syllable. Example: Eyes are "Eye", Mouth is "Mou...", Nose is "No...", Feet is "Peet", and Fishies are...well, I can't actually write that one, since I'm trying to keep this G-rated.

He has also taken to eating cotton. He has a pillow that looks like a monkey, and which our two dogs got hold of, and ripped a small hole in the face. He has pulled all of the cotton out of the monkeys head, and either eats it (that's fun when it has to come out again! Talk about constipation!!!) or simply leaves it lying around the house, making it look like we just sheared a sheep in the living room.

My 5 month old can now smile (we weren't sure if he could, because he would go forever without so much as blinking...there were times when I would actually wake him up when he was sleeping, just to make sure he was still alive). You talk about a relaxed kid. Compared to my 19 month old, I think he's on pot. Come to think of it, he is always eating or has the munchies or just staring....

And I have to ask this of my readers who have boys....did you ever wonder whether or not they were homosexual?

My 19 month old loves to play with bras, wear mommy's shoes, and has recently taken to carrying around a little bag like a purse, in which he puts his toothbrush, pens, and balls of cotton. On top of that, he likes to walk on his tippy-toes, and is OCD about his cleanliness. He washes his hands about ten times a day, and will refuse to budge if there is dirt on his hand. And occasionally he'll do these...interesting?...poses that just completely baffle me. For example the other day, he bent over to pick up something off the floor. Instead of just bending over or squatting, he put one hand on the couch for support, leaned over, and lifted his right leg behind him. He straightened out his foot, pointing it in line with the bottom part of his leg, and practically touched his head.

Anyways, I'm trying to be open-minded, but I can't help but shudder sometimes when I watch him.

Being a parent is difficult, but sometimes I still wish there were more hours in the day, even if it means watching my son act like a flamenco dancer.

Anyways

Stress and Kids

In parenthood, the two word which comprise the title are synonymous. There is not a moment in which being a parent is not stressful.

This does not mean it is not enjoyable, it simply means that you have a headache while you enjoy it.

But life seems to have a way of adding to the pressure. Bills, health problems (whether it's you or the kids, it's just as bad), and car trouble all add to the mix. And on top of it all, you're trying to keep your cool, to make sure you don't snap--at least not visibly, although in your mind, all you see are stars and you keep hearing faint music and voices.

Well, I've decided recently to add just a little more to the stress.

I'm going back to school!

That's right, every stay-at-home parent's dream is finally coming true for me. I will be attending Ashford University, Online .

To say I'm excited would be an understatement, but so would saying that I'm nervous. Now, there's the added stress of my assignments, my school bill, trying to get any sort of grants or financial aid, and just trying to contain my enthusiasm.

The only thing I can do is pray for God to help me.

God help us all.

Gratitude

I have read and been told several times lately that the "Gratitude Attitude" is an experience-changing and possibly life-changing attitude.

This is true.

While I am by no means attempting to portray the idea that being a stay-at-home dad is all roses and giggles--IT IS NOT!--, it certainly has its moments. What other man do you know that can wrestle and play with his boys as much as I do?

Too many fathers are work-a-holics or are just "too tired" by the time they get home to spend time with their children. My job is playing with my children. Entertaining them, feeding them, cleaning up after them, kissing their boo-boos (something I should probably do more of and less of simply saying, "If you're not bleeding, don't come crying to me"), and just being a dad.

Mind you, I don't get paid, a definite drawback, but it's worth it.

I cannot wait until I can go to work and come home and play with my boys then, but until then...I'm just grateful that I get to basically be a big kid.

(Something my wife has brought to my attention more than once. I have noticed that this comment is usually preceded by a particularly thoughtless or just plain stupid act on my part including but not limited to: splashing in the bathtub, dancing like a fool, giving piggyback/horseback rides, playing in the mud/food, and making weird faces to get my toddler to laugh)

However, there is one thing I would like.

For all of you loyal readers--if there are any--I would greatly appreciate a comment or two about your thoughts. Shoot, it can be gibberish, but I just want someone to comment about something.

Please?



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Today...

Today....was one of those days....

No, not the kind you're thinking about. It wasn't full of screaming, sticky kids who are always underfoot.

Well, it was, but it just didn't seem so bad.

Today was one of those days that I wish I could just freeze and capture every detail in memory forever. To recreate just the breeze or the warmth of the sun.

To see again the smiles of a toddler covered in grilled cheese, tator tots and apple juice.

To hear the giggling coo of a baby smiling at his mommy.

It was one of those days that just don't come along often enough when you have kids. The kind that makes you step back and wonder why every day can't be like this moment, right now. That makes you think about having another baby soon.

A family moment.

One this is SO easy to miss as we often do.

For example, I was unloading the car after a harried and stressful trip to every parent's hell: the Grocery Store. I was tired, grumpy, grouchy, and sullen. I snapped unlovingly at my wife as we got out of the car and-being the wonderful woman she is- she just let it roll right off of her.

Well, I was stomping around in the kitchen, slamming doors, trying to make sure that she knew I was upset without it looking like I was trying to make sure she knew I was upset. (I know, I'm the ONLY one who has ever done something like that, right?)

She took the kids outside and turned on the sprinklers for the toddler to play in.

--WARNING! I'M ABOUT TO GET OFF TRACK FOR A MOMENT!--
Why is it that kids will do something they enjoy, even when it makes them miserable? The sprinkler water was almost freezing and yet my toddler son just stood in the water, shivering and laughing hysterically!

--RETURN TO NORMAL PROGRAMMING--

I was about to toss a dog toy out to the two Australian Shepherd pups, grumbling about how much they cost and how worthless they are, when I stopped.

Outside stood this beautiful redhead laughing and smiling at a bald-headed baby. An energetic toddler ran with the puppies, taking turns chasing each other through the sprinkler. The smell of the water on the grass wafted through the open window, and I suddenly realized:

I HAVE EVERYTHING!!

That beautiful woman was mine and she loved me! Those two kids were mine and they loved me, depended on me.

Trusted me.

And here I was grumbling about being tired.

I'm going to be a little shamefully honest here: Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't believe what God had entrusted me with. This beautiful family was mine, and I was theirs.

(Personally, I think I got the better end of the deal, just ask my sisters. Their first words when they saw my wife were, and I quote, "I can't believe he got such a beautiful woman!" No joke. I don't deny it. I married up!)

So, just remember, the next time you're getting a little...shall we say, "crabby"?...just take a look at what God has given you. You don't have to look any further than your own backyard.

 But instead of looking out your window....

Turn around....

And look inside...

The Stand Alone Man

There is nothing more rewarding than being a Stay-At-Home dad.

There is also nothing more intense and insane.

I am the proud father of two boys, 17 month old L. and 3 month old C..

As of right now, though, it is a daily struggle to stay sane.

The other day, for example, L found out that Honey Nut Cheerios that have been slightly moistened with milk can stick to nearly any flat surface, including-but not limited to- the table, the wall and Daddy's face.

C, however, is still at that stage where he can be really cute. The other day, he discovered his foot. He spent nearly half an hour just staring at his foot, grabbing it occassionally and looking at me to make sure I noticed.

Ten minutes later, he found it again and repeated the process.

And then, there are those occassions when L interacts with C.

They smile and laugh, and I smile too, enjoying the silence and comraderie and peace for just a brief moment.

Before L pokes C in the eye and all memories of peace and quiet are forgotten and its a struggle to just stay calm.

But, all in all, I love being a stay at home dad.

For those of you who are thinking that this is an easy job, why don't you try offering your wife an entire week off and take care of the kids by yourself.

At first, I thought being a stay at home dad was basically like being a big brother. I'd wrestle with him, play catch, teach him to talk and walk.

While I do ALL of those things, there is MUCH more to consider.

There is laudry, dishes, cleaning the house, feeding the dogs, feeding the kids, playing with the kids, nap time, bed time, and bath time.

I change diapers, wash slobber, vomit, urine and feces off of my hands and shirt almost daily.

I'm not going to lie to you: it's rough. There are more days than not when I want to just throw myself out of an airplane without a parachute, but you know what?

I wouldn't change it for the world.