Gone Baby Monitor, Gone. Going Digital Is The New Way To Go

January 28, 2013

Recently we reached the stage where it was time to move our 3-month old out of our room/bassinet, to his nice, big crib next door. It meant a lot of things – less constant sleep, a new bedtime routine and of course digging out the old baby monitor from last time.

Apparently a lot has changed since we last relied on the old baby walkie-talkie because this time when we turned it on, 8 out of 10 times, there was nasty interference.

Crap.

I spent a good day trying to crack the code. What was different from last time? Was it the Wi-Fi? Was it the neighbours Wi-Fi?

Anyways, while this was going on, it meant my wife was basically trapped on the top floor of the house each night, because we would not be able to hear the baby from the basement.

While she did enjoy the peace, the chance to read, and going to bed early, after a few nights, she was craving TV. We had a backlog of shows piling up, one of which, Top Chef, our weekly hit of crack.

As I was using tin foil on the baby monitor to see if that would magically fix it like a bad episode of MacGyver, I realized I had gone too far.

It was time to suck it up and just get a new one. Gone baby monitor, gone.

Dad Bloggers Make Super Bowl XLVII Predictions

January 26, 2013

On Sunday, Feb. 3rd, the biggest game of the year will take place. I am referring to Super Bowl XLVII of course.

The Baltimore Ravens will take on the San Francisco 49ers. If you want to know about the actual game, well I know you can find that in five seconds somewhere. I am not here to focus on that.

With the Super Bowl, there is the week long lead up, the commercials, the food, the 56 hour pre-game show, the monster halftime show and of course, there is the actual game.

Did I forget anything? Oh yeah, predictions, betting and all around opinion time. There are only two teams, you have a 50/50 shot.

Since I have access to a huge group of awesome dad bloggers, I threw out the simple question, who do you think will win the Super Bowl.

Here are the responses. I want to see yours as well.

Check The Expiry Date On That Baby Formula Before You Buy

January 22, 2013

For those of you who buy baby formula, do you check the expiry date on the package before buying? Yes, we all say we do, but it is okay if you forget.

The thing is, you may want to start checking every time after what I read about happening in British Columbia.

Turns out, there, many stores are carrying expired formula and selling it.

President’s Choice Soy Infant Formula, a liquid, was found for sale more than two months past its expiry date at a Real Canadian Superstore in North Vancouver.

We buy President’s Choice product all the time and when Harry was a baby, that was the only formula he ever had. I can’t ever remember really focusing on the expiry date. I just assumed that stores would remove that product.

I just heard more on this story on the radio. It explained that “best before dates” are guidelines and the product generally is fine months later. But an “expiry date” means remove it from the shelves and destroy it.

From The Dad Playbook: The Kiddie Crossover

January 20, 2013

like a dad

So what is the kiddie crossover you ask? Well it has nothing to do with Kriss Kross, nor does it have anything to do with Tim Hardaway.

The kiddie crossover is all about the dance you do when you have two kids.

As every parent knows, a routine does not last forever. And when those routines change, there can be a tough period that needs to be conquered or else.

Since our second boy was born in October, he has been pretty close to our first boy for sleep. Pretty easy  (okay my wife may disagree).

He slept in bed for a bit and then went to the bassinet. He has been a through-the-night sleeper for a few weeks now and things were great. Everyone was sleeping and the night was pretty predictable. Yes, there were a few parts I did not like, but all in all, very routine and easy (again, my wife grrrrrs).

So with Charlie joining the ranks of three-month old status, he has not only busted into a whole new wardrobe, it is time to think crib action.

We did the same with Harry around the same age and as we remember it, it went not too shabby.

5 Negotiating Tactics Of A Kid And How To Beat Them

January 17, 2013

All parents remember the age when their son or daughter figured out the art of negotiating. The point in their life when they started to haggle like they were buying a used car. It could be for anything, more food, longer play time, bedtime, how long they got to watch TV or even for nothing at all.

Kids love to negotiate when given even the smallest opportunity.

For our son, it started around the time he turned three. This also was around the time he really had a grasp of what each number meant.

As his negotiations skills have grown over the past few months, I felt it was time to take a look into what makes him tick.

So, here are 5 negotiating tactics of a kid and how to beat them (in no particular order)