Day 27: Summa Summa Time In Halifax

Well that was some outstanding weather in Halifax today. I think the temperature hit 24 Celsius. The sun felt great as well. Based on how easy it was to put both boys to bed, the weather certainly wore them out.

Today was a two boy day and so it was perfect to have a sunny day for being outside.

The day got off to an odd start as Harrison slept in until 8:30 am. He is usually right on the money between 7 and 7:15 am. Guess he was out late partying after we went to bed?

After the morning of naps, cartoons and cleaning up, we packed up and headed to the library.

It was a warm walk, but a good one. So much to see and once again, fresh air to breath in.

Once at the library, we played with toys and looked for new books. It was also the first time Charlie got to sit on the floor there and not be trapped in his car seat. He loved that.

Day 26: It Is Hard Being A 7-Month Old

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Today was a beautiful day in Halifax. You know how I know? I saw it out of the window as I was lying in bed with a 20-pound 7-month old passed out on me. Oh well, it could have been worse right?

Today was the second rough day in a row for Charlie and his afternoon nap. Due to his red cheeks and the fact that he had a blanket stuffed in his mouth, it is a safe bet there are more teeth on the move. Poor guy. He has been so tired lately and the mouth is not letting him get comfy.

Luckily, laying on dad seems to do the trick. So that is what I did between 2 and 4 pm today. I won’t lie. It was cozy. Plus I had my phone, so I got a lot of tweeting, angry birds and instagramming in. How did our parents ever do it? Did they just think? Crazy.

Recap Of The First 25 Days Of Parental Leave

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So many memories, so many experiences and it has only been 25 days of parental leave. It kind of feels like 50 days to be honest. But in a good way.

My first five weeks of parental leave have gone pretty much how I expected. The only thing I did not count on was how tired I would be. I had planned on doing a lot of little projects while on PL (this blog being one) but to be honest, most days, when I do get free time, I just want to sit on the couch and rest.

I have had to push myself to do more. More around the house, more on my online projects and more when it comes to taking care of myself. I would say I am doing pretty good for at least three days per week. But once Friday hits, it seems to be a total write off.

I also have to remind myself that it is okay to be tired and to just relax. Taking care of a baby is tiring work, both mentally and physically. If anyone tells you different, they are not doing it right, or at least not enough.

I have had the chance to spend several hours every day with my baby boy. I have seen him learn to sleep in his crib, sit upright, eat solid food and watch him deal with incoming teeth.

With our first son, I saw all that as well but only in spurts. I was not there to see the “firsts” and I know my wife hates missing those this time around.

I will be here when he crawls and maybe even walks. It is very exciting and I feel lucky that I can do it.

Day 25: Go Leafs Go?

day25-1This post is written after the fact, I know the Leafs lost. Just pretend they did not yet.

Ah Day 25. Monday’s are always interesting as my wife heads back to work after a fun weekend and it is just me and the boys once again.

The good news, the weather has finally turned into spring and that means outside time. There is nothing like outside time when you are trying to entertain a 3-year old. There are so many great options, new adventures and fresh air, that it not only keeps him happy, it tires him out like nothing else.

As for the 7-month old, the same can’t be said. He just sits in a stroller watching all the fun he could be having.

Based on yesterday, the fresh air certainly did not tire out Charlie.

Tennis’s Top 5 Worst Dads

When I first clicked on the link from The Herald Sun, I was sure the dad of Venus and Serena Williams would be the worst. But I was so wrong. He is just a loud-mouthed jerk.

These five tennis dads are actually bad people who were involved in illegal actions and took advantage of their talented tennis kids.

No father of the year award here.

Day 24: Somebody Get Me Jack Bauer

No, no, I don’t actually need Jack Bauer to save the day for me, I just think of him anytime I see the number 24.

Today was a Friday, so that meant, end of the week, time to regroup and welcome mom back to the fold.

This day was even better because she got the afternoon off. Huzzah. More mom time for Charlie. Harry was at preschool.

That meant a pretty quiet afternoon for this day. My wife and Charlie had long afternoon naps and I caught up on House of Cards. We watched the first four episodes so long ago, I needed a refresher before moving forward.

This evening, my wife got two tickets to the Halifax Mooseheads playoff game through work. So she took Harry. Right now they are sitting in the Chronicle Herald box and I  am at home with Charlie. He is off to sleep and I am going to have a lazy Friday night.

So on this Friday, very little to report from the parenting side of things.

Reminder To Dad: My Son Is Only Three

Originally posted on The Dads Round Table.

 

Over the last few days, our three-year old son has become more and more angry, upset and not like himself. His happy face crumbles in seconds over the smallest thing. His usual chipper attitude vanishes before our eyes. He is not right.

That leads my wife and I to conversations on what it could be?

Would it be something at home?

Did something upset him at preschool?

Is he is sad that he can’t watch Game of Thrones?

Okay, so that last one is just me trying to put a smile on this new situation in our house. We have not had to deal with this yet in our parenting lives.

But, after discussing it and thinking about it and putting it all together, the thing I realized was I had to step back and remind myself, that our son is only three.

Read full post here.

Day 23: Tired Baby Boy Leads To Productive Day

Two status posts in one day? What gives? Well, I have a lot more energy than I did last night at this time.

Why? Well for whatever reason, the baby boy was pretty cranky and tired today. He put in some serious doze time. With Harry at preschool, that left me to have a lot of time to myself.

Time to catch up on the house, time to read and of course, time to catch up on my blogs.

I am not sure if it is a growth spurt, more teeth coming or just a general boredom with me, but Charlie was sleeping today like a 30-year old with a hangover (not that I am comparing it to myself).

He has almost a 2-hour morning nap and a 3.5 hour afternoon nap. Then he went to bed 15 minutes early and was out like a light.

Hey, I am not complaining.