daddy diaries

Let me start by saying that I didn't know that CHD Awareness Week was this week, or even was a thing for that matter.  My wife filled me in, as she follows the wonderful folks at Mended Little Hearts, a program that works nationally and in communities to support children with congenital heart defects and their families.  Since CHD Week is a thing, and it is this week, I thought I'd take some time

This was the year.  With my daughter almost 3 and my son 1 and a half, it was time to start new traditions and make Christmas our own.  Both sets of grandparents live in Louisville, and instead of waking up there on Christmas morning, I thought we needed to be in our own beds so Santa could find us.  So, now for the first time in 30 years, I was forced to find a new tradition for Christmas Eve. Re

It's really a phrase that is wasted breath, if you want to know the truth: 'DON'T TOUCH THE CHRISTMAS TREE!'  When it comes to my two-and-a-half year old and my 19 month old, there's no chance they will listen, and less than 24 hours after the tree was assembled this year, the unthinkable...never mind, I should have seen this coming.

There's just so many things to brag about when it comes to my kids.  I gotta tell you, my daughter is just amazing.  She's not even 2 and a half, but she surprises me with her intelligence every day.  Now she's trying to take my job on the radio.

When should a baby start to crawl?  The answer to that is 'when they are good and ready.'  I hear people say all the time 'Well, my child crawled at 3 months' or 'Little Jimmy was walking and singing opera by 7 months.'  If you knew what my son went through, you'd just be glad he's smiling.

This morning, I had an experience that just got me on a range of emotions.  While packing up the five bagillion things needed to send two kids to grandma's house for the weekend, I entrusted my 20-month old to a task to not only keep her busy but to help with what I needed done.

If you're a mommy or daddy, chances are you've seen it.  It's that face our child makes at the first taste of those yummy veggies we feed them.  Poor kids.  What's the first thing we do?  Grab for the camera phone or video camera and laugh at their expense.  I would never do that.  OK I would.

If you're a parent, you know the joy it brings to read your sweet child a bedtime story.  You've also thought at some point, "I could make millions writing children's' books!"  Some of the stories just seem too easy.  And one of the classics of all time is "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown.

Well here it is. Father's Day. A day I've worried about, fussed over, and even forgotten over the years. Funny thing is, no matter what I got for my Dad, he was always satisfied. As a matter of fact, he often did that "Dad thing" where he says he doesn't really want anything, but to spend time with me. I always thought that was just a line. Now that it's my first Father's Day, I get it.

As most of you have heard, I am a first time Dad now.  My 3-month-old is the light of my life and I feel like I'm learning the ropes pretty good.  I'm gagging less with each dirty diaper, and I've learned the difference between a onesie, a sleeper, and a romper after a few insults from my wife.