I Didn't See This Coming

While I was cleaning up tonight while waiting for my coffee to brew (yes, I have a cup of coffee with a little tupperware container of dry cereal every night) something funny happened. I really, really missed Mckenna. Such a big part of me wanted to burst into her room, wake her up, take her out of her crib and just hang out with her. I've had similar feelings for the past couple of weeks, but they seem to just be getting stronger. I really miss my daughter when I'm not with her.

Now, many of you are probably thinking "what's the big deal? This doofus misses his kid", but for me, it is a big deal. I've been consistent with the fact that I'm not a baby guy. I like babies. I've always enjoyed playing with babies. I always gooed and gawed them at grocery stores, restaurants and friends' homes. But, I never thought that I would be a big baby guy with one of my own. Yeah, I'd be there for her and do absolutely anything for Mckenna or my wife, but the thought of a baby didn't really get me uber excited. I always found myself fast-forwarding to the "throw the ball in the backyard" stage.

**NOTE: I can see this post getting a little misconstrued, but please bear with me. I'm the most blessed guy in the world and Mckenna was an answer to my prayers. I've been absolutely smitten for the past 8 months and have been given yet another reason to wake up and kick booty every day...as if Mandi wasn't enough already. I'm hoping some of you dads or even moms kinda get what I'm trying to get at in this post**

Well, lately, I'm a baby guy. At least, a my baby girl kind of a guy. I don't know if it's her ever-developing personality or the fact that she makes me feel like I make her day, but whatever it is, she's got me. I find myself eager to fall asleep at night because that means I'm closer to being able to see her smiley face and bright blue eyes in the morning. I find myself waiting in bed like a little kid full of anticipation waiting for Mandi to bring her to me in the morning so we can have our traditional "tug on daddy's oxygen tubing" time. I actually look forward to just sitting with her in the playroom and watching her decide which toy she's going to play with. I never thought that I would fall this fast. I thought I could hold out until she was a bit older.

I have a confession: I've fallen for this little girl and I can't wait to spend every day showing her why God chose me to be her dad.

I never thought I'd be that guy, but then again, I've never had my own little girl before.

Ten Temptations Dads Face

Thought this blog was spot-on in so many ways....

Most effective fathers I work with face the following temptations:

1) The pull to spend more time at work and leave the "leftovers" for the family. I have never heard an older man reflecting back on his life say, "I only wish I had spent more time at the office."

2) Thinking, "I'll spend more time with the kids once they are older." That time never arrives. In fact, once our children hit the teen years they often desire to spend less time with dad.

3) Assuming "quality time" trumps "quantity time." Think the once-a-year family vacation should be enough? Its not. Its the little day-in, day-out interactions that leave such a lasting legacy.

4) Reasoning, "we might as well divorce since we fight so often." The family research statistics are clear; an in-tact, lasting marriage is better for children than divorce. Go to marriage counseling and try and avoid divorce.

5) Thinking, "the beautiful woman down the street could meet my needs better than my wife." All humans are fallen. Only Jesus Christ can meet our deepest needs.

6) "I'll leave the church stuff to my wife or the youth pastor." When your children see you worship or pray they understand you too are under authority.

7) Naively thinking, "there are no drug or alcohol problems in our school or neighborhood." Think again...and talk to your kids about the dangers of experimenting.

8) Rationalizing, "I've blown it as a father." You may have made mistakes. Serious mistakes. But its never too late to reach out to a son or daughter.

9) Assuming, "someone will have the "sex talk" with my kids." They are curious and they are waiting to hear your perspective.

10) The temptation to take my wife for granted. She is taxi-driver, worker, chef, home engineer, mother, lover, and wife of your youth. Honor her.

http://blogs.christianpost.com/dynamic-dads/ten-temptations-dads-face-9797/

First Day as Mr. Mom

The time has come.

Mandi has returned to work and now it's time for me to change into my "mommy pants". Thus far, Mandi has been doing the bulk of the entertaining while Peanut is awake so I could continue working during these past 10 weeks or so. Thankfully, everything slows down around the holidays, so I was still able to get in plenty of family time. But now the holidays are over and things are going to start moving again. This year will definitely be the year of balance and adjustment!

Mandi's employers have allowed her to come back at part-time for the beginning of the year which I'm sure is going to be a big help. It will give me an opportunity to see how the "flow" of the day is going to go before I'm on the boat all alone and Mandi is standing on the shore. No, it's not going to be that bad since she works from home, but I will be responsible for making sure she's actually able to get her work done. I'm actually looking forward to coming up with unique ways to entertain Mckenna throughout the day if anyone wants to throw something out there. And in case your wondering, not unique for her sake, but for mine :) If I have to watch her play on her little mat or read her books for 8 hours a day, then someone is going to get hurt - and since hurting myself, Mandi or Mckenna is not an option, it will probably be a random stranger and we all know that nothing good can turn out of that.

I am however really looking forward to this time I get to spend with Mckenna. Since we know that Mandi has to work and someone has to watch the baby, I don't feel so guilty when I'm away from my computer. It's still not easy, but it definitely makes it easier. A lot of this is going to come down to me shifting my schedule a bit and re-prioritizing what the most important things to get done every day will be. I may have to look into getting to the gym at a different time. Or maybe eliminating a show or two from my normal line-up. Or maybe, just maybe, I'll have to get up an hour earlier than I normally do (GASP).

The bottom line is: Things are a-changin'; it will be up to me how much they change.