This is amazing!

I have to share this because of how amazing it is. Important for me now since I just had a baby girl.

50 rules for dads of daughters

Fun Things For Kids

I've seen this done several times before on YouTube and Mythbusters. So I had to try it and thought it would be fun to do with Gabe. And it was. Enjoy.

Restaurants Are For Kids Too

Every single person or couple without kids thinks about this while near a angry kid. Why can't you control your kid????

All I have to say about that is L. O. L. Obviously you don't have kids and are not used to being around them. And it's not fair that just because my kid is insane on occasion, doesn't mean I have to stay at home 24 7 with him until he is 18. Don't you remember being a kid?  It's a blast. Zero responsibilities. Don't have to pay for a thing. Come on people!  Suck it up and realize that it isn't about you all the time.

The reason why I am complaining about these people is because of Facebook. I won't mention names or stories, but let's just say that this particular person (who is over 30, not married, no kids, and is bouncing between jobs) was comparing that while she was waiting in a waiting room that a kid was yelling "near" her.

Well, you are lucky that the kid was not yelling at you and throwing metal toys at your face.

Legos Of Death

When my wife was pregnant with out first, and we found out we were having a boy, I'll admit that I was pretty excited. I could have a little mini me to teach how to camp, build forts with, and set things on fire. But then I realized for a good year, all I could do with him is change diapers and clean up puke.

Once he was old enough to play with cars and Legos, I was pumped. Finally we could do something dangerous. But then I realized more bad news. The giant Legos that little kids play with are lame. They are gargantuan and the forts you can make with them are dumb. There are no little Lego people you can use either.

But now that my son is 5, we can actually play with the normal, grown-up Legos. But guess what?  I've stepped on so many of them that the thought of spreading them across the floor and accidentally stepping on one makes me tear up a little. There are multiple levels of pain. Boo-boos, ouchies, all the way up to childbirth. But above all of that is stepping on Legos.

Nature Lover

Kids do say the darndest things. That show wasn't lying.

I went outside with my son the other day to play in the front lawn. He noticed a toad and jumped under our front porch. So we are kneeling down in front of the porch watching the toad hop around. And then my sons looks at me and says, "Don't kill nature daddy. Let the toad live."

Apparently he expected me to murder the toad.

Shot In The Nuts

My son just turned 5 on the 4th of July. I have been hit in the nuts more times since he has been born that the rest of my life combined. It's amazing how often it happens really.

When the child is young enough to hold, you must always maintain knowledge of where the babies feet are. Trust me on this guys.

When the baby is old enough to walk, he is able to punch and headbutt you in the groin to the point he thinks it is funny.  Just the other day, I took Gabe on a hike. Gabe went running off through a field and thought it would be a good time for a picture of video. So I have a video clip of Gabe sprinting at me from about 50 yards away. He came right up to me and punches me square in the man parts. I timed the video just right to hit the end record button just as I got punched, so you hear a loud yelp at the end.

Men, watch out for your boys.

Bike riding

Gabe leanered how to ride a bike without training wheels about a month ago. It's been really cool. However, 50% of the time he rides his bike, he wrecks it. At this point it's driving me nuts because he might do more than skinning his knees and elbows.

So after another accident just a few moments ago, I'm debating about putting his bike up for awhile. Maybe once fall comes around he can ride it a couple more times before it gets cold out. But I also want his wounds and bruises to heal before he starts school. Not sure what to do.

You would think at this point he would want to stop riding anyway because of how many wrecks he has had, but I guess not.

Terrible 5s

Fellas - don't worry about the terrible 2s. They are difficult for sure. But the terrible 5s are twice as bad.

Father Day 1

My son was born on July 4th, 2007. It was an amazing moment in my life obviously. One that I won't forget. While watching Columbus, Ohio's fireworks show on TV on July 3rd, my wife started having contractions. We were prepared for the most part for what was ahead so I wasn't freaking out. That comes later.

We headed to the hospital about 4am on the 4th. Everything was pretty uneventful through the day. My wife was able to sleep after getting some drugs but I was wide awake. Finally at 6:55pm on the 4th, Gabriel was born.

I'd like to say this right now. Thank God for nurses because they were a huge help while we were in the hospital. We had a healthy baby and overall everything was pretty easy. The pediatrician that came into visit us before Gabe came home was a bit insane, but that was it. She told us Gabe had a small curvature to his tailbone which put a small dimple on his lower back. Even to this day, my wife says she can still tell but Gabe has grown out of it and it was an ever a concern even after have a specialist at Children's Hospital look at it. It was a relief to hear, but I was never that concerned.

The day we brought Gabe home was the most terrifying time of my life. The hospital was a piece of cake. The nurses would help us anytime we needed and allowed us to get some rest. So when we got home and realized it was me, my wife Katie, and Gabe alone, we kinda freaked out. We read books, blogs, bought a million diapers and baby proofed the world.  But guess what?  When you walk into your house with a baby and no nurse is there to assist, you panic just a little.

I'm guessing the moms don't as much because they probably read the book on what to do with a baby once it comes. FYI fellas, What To Expect While You're Expecting, is not helpful for you. There is nothing helpful for you to be honest. No book, blog, article, ninja, or a dad of 10, can tell you what is going to happen with your child. You can do prep work. That's about it. But having a 5 year old and my first daughter on my way, I can tell you that everything is different than what anyone tells you.

This is what this is going to be about. I will tell you about my kid(s), wife, my days of stress and joy, and what life is like for this particular father.