parenting

30 Lasts with Evie

Random Observation/Comment #810: Wealth buys time. I’ll exchange a few years of ambition for a few years of enjoying her childhood. Why this list? I’m a sappy dad. While I’m optimistic about most things because I set low expectations, there is a part of me that fears time passing by too fast. It’s the reason I write so much –...

30 Peak Dad Moments

Random Observation/Comment #791: “Dad, I’m hungry.” “Hi Hungry, I’m Dad.” – That’s peak dad. Why this List? I love Dadding. It’s an opportunity to say silly things and teach by having fun. I also realize most of the “Dad” things are closely tied to the pride of being handy in home improvement projects. Here are a few of my favorite...

30 Random Toys for Evie

Random Observation/Comment #645: The best toy is the parent’s attention. Be here. Be now. Why this List? There are a lot of fancy toys out there, but why spend money on them when your kid will likely just play with random things in the house? You can also just go to a dollar store and get some of these (but...

30 Potty Training Tips

Random Observation/Comment #634: It’s a crappy job, but someone’s gotta do it. Why this list? Potty training is a developmental milestone and not a war. This is not a measurement of your parenting, but a normal phase in your toddler’s development. It helps when your daycare does some of this on a regular basis and shows other toddlers using the...

30 Tricks to Teach Your Toddler

Random Observation/Comment #614: Parents sometimes treat their kids like PR brands or pets. “Look at what my toddler can do.” “See how my child’s intelligence reflects my own.” Why this list? I’ve been reading a lot about what to teach Evie at 18 months so she can build a foundation with learning physical feats, language, grasping new concepts, and understanding...

30 Signs of a Toddler

Random Observation/Comment #611: When did my cute baby become a mad (but still cute) toddler? Why This List? It happens slowly with signs of defiance and then all at once – your crawling & cooing infant has become a running & screaming toddler. It’s still extremely enjoyable and immensely rewarding, but very different. I’ve been putting together some personal toddler...

30 New Little Things

Random Observation/Comment #607: She’s the missing TARDIS to my Doctor Who. Why this list? I lived for a lot of little things and even wrote a whole list about it: http://seelemonslive.com/2015/08/07/list-of-30-the-little-things/ Since writing this list, there have been a lot of new little things that have been making me beam with pride and joy. Happiness still comes in little doses....

30 Signs of Parenting Addiction

Random Observation/Comment #603: Conversations between parents are like therapy sessions. Conversations with a new parent and expecting parent are like coaching pep talks. We love parenting. It’s really difficult and sometimes boring, but also unexpectedly exciting. We find ourselves obsessed with the learning patterns and impressed with not-so-impressive things. She’s taught us a lot about ourselves and given us a...

Leaving a Legacy

Random Observation/Comment #600: Daddy-daughter songs are sometimes creepy, but I totally get it. Being a parent really changes everything. My daily routine is completely different. My priorities have definitely shifted. Plus, my life philosophies and musings tend to be less about checking off a list and more about building a foundation. I sing these words every night: Someday we’ll all...

Fourth Trimester Retro Pt 2

Random Observation/Comment #598: Quality over quantity. Time will pass by in a blink, but we’ll have the memories. While we cover the dress, travel, and play-time aspect of the Fourth Trimester in Part 1, this section will focus on people and relationships – you, each other, family, and friends with the newborn. Visits Everyone is probably super excited to see...

The Giver

Random Observation/Comment #593: “It takes so little to be a great dad, and so little to be a bad mom.” Being a dad is fun. I play with her. I feed her a bottle. I give her a bath. I sing her a lullaby. I read her a book. I take a few selfies. I hold her as she drifts...

30 Things I Love About Evie

Random Observation/Comment #592: Sleep is that old friend you took for granted, but now realize is all you really need. I love you, sleep. Why this list? Being a new father is amazing. I swell with pride and interest with every monthly milestone met, even though I know it’s all going far too quickly. In line with reflecting on my...

Daddy’s Pregnancy Diet

Random Observation/Comment #584: What’s more interesting to me is the daddy’s pregnancy diet. I say that the wife is eating for two while I’m drinking for three. For the expecting Dad, you should know that there are really important health reasons for the dietary restrictions for pregnant women. These can be googled pretty easily, so I’ll let people do that separately....

[Baby Advice] Pregnancy Monthly Checklist

Random Observation/Comment #583: Fathers can also nest. When we were prepping for our wedding, there was a fairly detailed checklist of things to do. I think there were some in these baby books, but I decided to make my own. Most of my subsequent blog posts will be about these activities. First trimester – 1-13 weeks Month 1 Don’t freak out...

[Baby Advice] 30 Blogposts

Random Observation/Comment #582: As an expecting parent: I’m not looking at your baby, I’m just checking out what stroller you rockin’ Why this List? I was going to call this “baby crazy”, but we all know the “c-word” is not good to put in writing for your wife to read. I’ve always written very deliberately, and as I was doing research for...

Pregnancy Press Release

Random Observation/Comment #578: “Sometimes the thing that’s most expected can be the most wonderful surprise” ~vnessawithaneye It’s official. I’m gonna be a Daddy! Yay! Well, some of you likely knew since it’s kind of a big change… If you know anything about me, you know I like to be thorough and do my research. In the past few months, I’ve...

Finding a Parent’s Perspective

Finding a Parent’s Perspective

Random Observation/Comment #215: I’ve written all of these entries with full awareness that my parents and my brother are the biggest fans of my writings.  Entries, like this one, are obvious ploys to show them that I’ve matured.  Well, I guess no matter how much I seek independence; I will always want them to be within my close group of...