 |
| Smiley Baby Crash wants some pictures, too! |
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
Trying times with the sweetest boys!
I've had a hard time expressing how rough it feels to hear that your kid not eating enough is the reason he's so small, and he's getting anemic. They're my boys, they're my responsibility, and so just the slightest dropping-the-ball is hard to hear.
Crash is signed up for eating lessons, and I'm doing my best to stay hopeful. Just yesterday we gave him some sweet tatatoes (DanPar's original pronunciation), and he threw them back up.
So it's been a trying time. Crash has been teething, too, so he's been smiling less, crying more, and it's just been really hard on me.
But today, wouldn't you know it, I was upstairs dealing with the diapers, and downstairs I hear them both giggling back and forth at each other! I've depended on DanPar to entertain Crash Boy, and he pulled through!
As I washed my hands, I thought about how things weren't too bad.
And then I came down.
DanPar had grabbed the powdered milk canister off of the counter, managed to open it, and, well, see for yourself.
He was rubbing his hands on it, Crash was crawling through it, and I knew this meant I'd need to scrub the tile later.
Recently, I've been stressed, but it's been hard to tell, until something gets me started. I can feel my temper rising up, like I've got a short fuse, right until I explode with...
I stopped myself. This was okay. Everything was all right. Sure, I'd tell him not to do it again, but I thought about how life doesn't have to be fair. He did something wrong, sure, and the fair thing to do would be to get a stern talking-to, but instead:
...with laughter. "Oh my goodness, what a MESS!" I laughed out, and grabbed my phone to take a picture. The floor would need to be swept and scrubbed, but my boys were happy, and I saw no reason not to be happy, either.
I was just so happy to hear Crash Boy laugh again, and for Daniel to play with him. Daniel can be a bit rough, so I'm always a tad worried that instead of risking getting yelled at for manhandling his little brother, he'll avoid him completely, which would be the worst outcome.
So everything worked out. As I speak, I've got surprisingly sticky powder on my floor. No problem, I'll clean it when the boys are out of my hair, and until then, we can always play in another room, or at the library. I'm still stressed, my fuse is still short, but life is beautiful, and my boys are the sweetest.
Crash is signed up for eating lessons, and I'm doing my best to stay hopeful. Just yesterday we gave him some sweet tatatoes (DanPar's original pronunciation), and he threw them back up.
So it's been a trying time. Crash has been teething, too, so he's been smiling less, crying more, and it's just been really hard on me.
But today, wouldn't you know it, I was upstairs dealing with the diapers, and downstairs I hear them both giggling back and forth at each other! I've depended on DanPar to entertain Crash Boy, and he pulled through!
As I washed my hands, I thought about how things weren't too bad.
And then I came down.
DanPar had grabbed the powdered milk canister off of the counter, managed to open it, and, well, see for yourself.
He was rubbing his hands on it, Crash was crawling through it, and I knew this meant I'd need to scrub the tile later.
Recently, I've been stressed, but it's been hard to tell, until something gets me started. I can feel my temper rising up, like I've got a short fuse, right until I explode with...
I stopped myself. This was okay. Everything was all right. Sure, I'd tell him not to do it again, but I thought about how life doesn't have to be fair. He did something wrong, sure, and the fair thing to do would be to get a stern talking-to, but instead:
...with laughter. "Oh my goodness, what a MESS!" I laughed out, and grabbed my phone to take a picture. The floor would need to be swept and scrubbed, but my boys were happy, and I saw no reason not to be happy, either.
I was just so happy to hear Crash Boy laugh again, and for Daniel to play with him. Daniel can be a bit rough, so I'm always a tad worried that instead of risking getting yelled at for manhandling his little brother, he'll avoid him completely, which would be the worst outcome.
So everything worked out. As I speak, I've got surprisingly sticky powder on my floor. No problem, I'll clean it when the boys are out of my hair, and until then, we can always play in another room, or at the library. I'm still stressed, my fuse is still short, but life is beautiful, and my boys are the sweetest.
 |
| The little rascal! |
 |
| The boys on swings! |
 |
| Cruising through Soops! |
 |
| Free donut because the Broncos won yesterday! |
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Battle at the park!
Last weekend, Jessi took the Crash Boy, so it was just me and DanPar. After getting the laundry started and writing a couple postcards, we headed out to the park, after stopping at McDonald's ("old McDonald had a farm!" he sings, every time)!
Now, I chose this park because it has a lot of Pokestops for the game Pokemon Go, where you can find these creatures in the real world and fight for dominion over actual locations. I met another parent, and we talked about comics and superheroes. It was awesome. Daniel was shy, but that wasn't an option once the other boy hugged him several times.
After a walk around the area, DanPar asked if we could go to the "big steering wheel" park. I knew exactly the one, and it was less than two minutes away! I went over, and since Mom had left a beanbag set in the car, I brought it out.
And then there it was. On my phone, a huge blue bird, super rare in the game, meant that soon I would be joined by fellow nerds. And lo, they came!
I played beanbag with these people, talked about parenting with a few, and enjoyed one of those moments that happens less and less frequently since I took up the Dad mantle. I love being the most outgoing one in a party. I love being the guy who invites others to play beanbags. And man, if I'd never heard of Pokemon Go, it sure would've been confusing why so many kidless adults gathered around DanPar and me, quiet and cult-like.
Once the monstrous blue bird was defeated, and everyone left, there were two other kids still there, and Daniel started learning from them. This is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to me, because I'm worried these kids will teach Daniel that "Star Wars" means you take fake guns and shoot other kids. (Thanks, library boys.) But they taught him how to climb up a spiral slide, how to pass a basketball, and they chased each other around!
It does my heart good to see my little guy playing with kids his age.
When he finally took a long nap for me, we went and joined up with Mama and Crash Boy, and played the heck out of some foosball.
The whole day just really made me smile. :)
Now, I chose this park because it has a lot of Pokestops for the game Pokemon Go, where you can find these creatures in the real world and fight for dominion over actual locations. I met another parent, and we talked about comics and superheroes. It was awesome. Daniel was shy, but that wasn't an option once the other boy hugged him several times.
After a walk around the area, DanPar asked if we could go to the "big steering wheel" park. I knew exactly the one, and it was less than two minutes away! I went over, and since Mom had left a beanbag set in the car, I brought it out.
And then there it was. On my phone, a huge blue bird, super rare in the game, meant that soon I would be joined by fellow nerds. And lo, they came!
I played beanbag with these people, talked about parenting with a few, and enjoyed one of those moments that happens less and less frequently since I took up the Dad mantle. I love being the most outgoing one in a party. I love being the guy who invites others to play beanbags. And man, if I'd never heard of Pokemon Go, it sure would've been confusing why so many kidless adults gathered around DanPar and me, quiet and cult-like.
Once the monstrous blue bird was defeated, and everyone left, there were two other kids still there, and Daniel started learning from them. This is one of the most terrifying things that can happen to me, because I'm worried these kids will teach Daniel that "Star Wars" means you take fake guns and shoot other kids. (Thanks, library boys.) But they taught him how to climb up a spiral slide, how to pass a basketball, and they chased each other around!
It does my heart good to see my little guy playing with kids his age.
When he finally took a long nap for me, we went and joined up with Mama and Crash Boy, and played the heck out of some foosball.
The whole day just really made me smile. :)
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Keeping up with the boys (and me, too, eventually)
I feel like I can finally breathe! I have mastered the skill of aligning naptimes! This means that I can usually get both boys down for a nap at the same time, for at least an hour!
The secret is simple: when the kids get on my nerves, pack them up and head out.
Where do I go? If the library's open, we go there! If there's a park nearby that we haven't been to, maybe we'll check it out! If the idea of dealing with kids outside strikes fear into my heart that particular day, then we'll go shopping! Even if there's only one item on the shopping list, the boys love riding together, and DanPar usually gets whatever piece of fruit tickles his fancy that day.
Most days, I will spend my borrowed time trying to take a nap, but lately, I've had crazy dreams that wake me up after ten minutes. And then, all of a sudden... I have time again!
It's not quite as delightful as truly being alone, because every moment I'm doing my own thing, if I hear one squeak from upstairs, I'll be running up, to make sure one doesn't wake up the other. But it's still a feeling I haven't had since Baby Crash was truly, truly a baby, sleeping most of the day.
I've got a resolution to finish a book this year, however bad a first draft it is, and I'm proud to say that I've been cranking it out pretty well since I got this free(ish) time! I'm keenly aware of the phenomenon where bragging about a project you're working on makes it less likely to get done, though, so that's all I'll say. (Unless you ask, and then I'll really get into it!)
All in all, I'm doing well, and the boys are doing excellent! They're starting to really get along, despite DanPar's reaction to Crash Boy playing with his toys. DanPar likes to get out, and hey, those balloons at the Dollar Tree? The sheer delight of having a balloon is worth much more than a buck. Just some honest advice there.
More and more, Daniel's been growing up. Really talking, really coming up with original things to say, even though he's borrowed some of my own favorite phrases: "It sure is!" and "Wuh oh!" and "Yeeup." It's strange to see him growing up, being molded into a little human being, with his own personality. I couldn't be prouder of him.
The secret is simple: when the kids get on my nerves, pack them up and head out.
Where do I go? If the library's open, we go there! If there's a park nearby that we haven't been to, maybe we'll check it out! If the idea of dealing with kids outside strikes fear into my heart that particular day, then we'll go shopping! Even if there's only one item on the shopping list, the boys love riding together, and DanPar usually gets whatever piece of fruit tickles his fancy that day.
 |
| Our new park has a little rock wall! DanPar looks like such a badass. |
 |
| If Crash boy's asleep but I'm still sick of being cooped up, going "out" sometimes just means the front yard. |
 |
| Seconds before, DanPar had shared his applesauce with the reluctant eater, Crash Boy! |
 |
| The park near our old place! (It's got THREE gyms in Pokemon Go. Never should have left...) |
 |
| Just hanging out by the entrance of King Soopers, being sweet boys. |
 |
| Choo-choo! |
 |
| Teeting and totting with Mama! |
 |
| If we're at the library on a day when I didn't sign us up for storytime, DanPar takes advantage of having all the trains to himself! |
 |
| Those are my boys. |
Most days, I will spend my borrowed time trying to take a nap, but lately, I've had crazy dreams that wake me up after ten minutes. And then, all of a sudden... I have time again!
It's not quite as delightful as truly being alone, because every moment I'm doing my own thing, if I hear one squeak from upstairs, I'll be running up, to make sure one doesn't wake up the other. But it's still a feeling I haven't had since Baby Crash was truly, truly a baby, sleeping most of the day.
I've got a resolution to finish a book this year, however bad a first draft it is, and I'm proud to say that I've been cranking it out pretty well since I got this free(ish) time! I'm keenly aware of the phenomenon where bragging about a project you're working on makes it less likely to get done, though, so that's all I'll say. (Unless you ask, and then I'll really get into it!)
All in all, I'm doing well, and the boys are doing excellent! They're starting to really get along, despite DanPar's reaction to Crash Boy playing with his toys. DanPar likes to get out, and hey, those balloons at the Dollar Tree? The sheer delight of having a balloon is worth much more than a buck. Just some honest advice there.
More and more, Daniel's been growing up. Really talking, really coming up with original things to say, even though he's borrowed some of my own favorite phrases: "It sure is!" and "Wuh oh!" and "Yeeup." It's strange to see him growing up, being molded into a little human being, with his own personality. I couldn't be prouder of him.
 |
| DanPar likes hugs! Crash Boy isn't sure what to make of them. |
 |
| Reading a book to Baby Crash on the couch. His idea. My goodness. |
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Liking things
It's great to like things. When you like things, you can join up with others who like it, you can celebrate when things go well, and work to make things better. Paint your face, start a club, find websites all about the things you like!
And you can dislike things. That's also fine. But I've learned is that you shouldn't celebrate disliking things.
Justin Bieber is, to put it lightly, not everyone's cup of tea. But when I think about the people who don't like him, it isn't in the same way that some people don't like, say, banana flavor. People truly try to enjoy disliking him, mocking people who do like him, and try to make disliking him the "correct" stance.
To me, liking something means that you can get joy out of it, and that means you're investing a piece of your heart in its success. The thing you like does well, you feel good, and if it does badly, you feel that, too.
Disliking something in order to get pleasure out of it, however, is ephemeral, and bad. The only fleeting happiness is the cruel voice in your head that says that you must be better than the people who do like it.
Which is a shame.
Yup, that's all I've got to say! Here's pictures of my kids from today!
And you can dislike things. That's also fine. But I've learned is that you shouldn't celebrate disliking things.
Justin Bieber is, to put it lightly, not everyone's cup of tea. But when I think about the people who don't like him, it isn't in the same way that some people don't like, say, banana flavor. People truly try to enjoy disliking him, mocking people who do like him, and try to make disliking him the "correct" stance.
To me, liking something means that you can get joy out of it, and that means you're investing a piece of your heart in its success. The thing you like does well, you feel good, and if it does badly, you feel that, too.
Disliking something in order to get pleasure out of it, however, is ephemeral, and bad. The only fleeting happiness is the cruel voice in your head that says that you must be better than the people who do like it.
Which is a shame.
Yup, that's all I've got to say! Here's pictures of my kids from today!
 |
| Tea party! |
 |
| DanPar was upset Crash couldn't scoot up closer to the table, so he made a compromise. |
 |
| Daniel likes the hose nozzle! I got SOAKED. |
 |
| My boys like each other, and that's neat. |
 |
| DanPar practicing his epic choking moves on his still-wet dad! |
Saturday, June 3, 2017
Kick-ass Friday
We went to the park, Crash Boy slept through the library's storytime, I picked up Jessi after work, we survived a massive downpour in an otherwise beautiful and sunny day, Grandma Anna assigned us chores to do around the house, and we had barbecue with Doctor Bin-Bint!
It was amazing, and I'm glad I took pictures for the whole thing!
Monday, May 22, 2017
Being sick, miserable, and surrounded by love
Well, it looks like we're finally near the end of our two-week disease extravaganza! Yet somehow, the person who got out of it the cleanest was Crash Boy. You know, the infant who puts everything in his mouth? Coughed for a few days, threw up once. That's it.
It started with the stomach, then made a smooth transition into a bad cold, then I'm sure if we hadn't all dutifully gotten our flu shots, that's what'd be striking us next.
And yet, even though I know it was horrible, all I'm left with are good memories. It's the worst reason to miss work, but it was nice for Jessi to stay home. I was overwhelmed and spent a day at Mom's house, and yet I had a great nap, and got to read a book while watching my boys have the time of their life with the grandparents.
I know that it hurt to swallow, and I know we did laundry in the middle of the night. I know we dealt with cleaning the carpet and making it smell somehow both like vomit and Febreze Spring Freshness or whatever. But I remember those things the same way I remember a telephone number. They don't make me feel anything. But looking back, what I remember is laughing with Jessi about how amazing ramen noodles were, a dish we hadn't eaten in years, and how proud I was of Daniel being brave even though he felt awful.
I smile thinking about our special way of showing we need help: laying on the couch with socks and a blanket, and complaining, "I have malai-h-h-haise..."
And I look through the pictures I took, and doggone it, even though I tried not to do anything, even though I could've sworn I'd decided to give up on parenting and let DanPar watch YouTube while I play videogames, it looks like we actually, you know, DID things!
It started with the stomach, then made a smooth transition into a bad cold, then I'm sure if we hadn't all dutifully gotten our flu shots, that's what'd be striking us next.
And yet, even though I know it was horrible, all I'm left with are good memories. It's the worst reason to miss work, but it was nice for Jessi to stay home. I was overwhelmed and spent a day at Mom's house, and yet I had a great nap, and got to read a book while watching my boys have the time of their life with the grandparents.
I know that it hurt to swallow, and I know we did laundry in the middle of the night. I know we dealt with cleaning the carpet and making it smell somehow both like vomit and Febreze Spring Freshness or whatever. But I remember those things the same way I remember a telephone number. They don't make me feel anything. But looking back, what I remember is laughing with Jessi about how amazing ramen noodles were, a dish we hadn't eaten in years, and how proud I was of Daniel being brave even though he felt awful.
I smile thinking about our special way of showing we need help: laying on the couch with socks and a blanket, and complaining, "I have malai-h-h-haise..."
And I look through the pictures I took, and doggone it, even though I tried not to do anything, even though I could've sworn I'd decided to give up on parenting and let DanPar watch YouTube while I play videogames, it looks like we actually, you know, DID things!
 |
| Arm wrestling the Crash Boy! |
 |
| Daniel helps stock up on fruit to weather being sick! |
 |
| A stop by the park to enjoy freshly sliced watermelon! |
 |
| That old pile of sand in our backyard has been such a blessing! |
 |
| A quick drive around the block knocked them out cold. |
 |
| What's the harm in letting a sick, sleepy DanPar drive? |
 |
| Noooooo!!! |
 |
| Really starting to enjoy the hose for all it's worth! |
 |
| He fell asleep like this, the sweetie. |
 |
| Good morning, Baby Crash! |
 |
| Our little quarantined family enjoying some noodles! |
 |
| Under the watchful eyes of his Grandpa! |
 |
| Taking the wagon to the park! |
 |
| Collecting pine cones! |
 |
| Heading down the slide! |
 |
| Still sick, but still happy! |
 |
| Playing in the ball pit! |
 |
| He's such an imp!!! |
 |
| Taking his little brother for a stroll! |
 |
| Turns out he's a little too big... |
 |
| Sunday morning out! |
 |
| Enjoying a tasty foot! Yum yum! |
 |
| All clean! No longer stinky, but still a stinker! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)