Netflix What Have You Done? Bring Back Mighty Machines!

Update on Oct. 31, 2014

I guess Netflix USA has also removed Mighty Machines. What is going on with the world?

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For the new-age parents who get to enjoy the power of technology to engage, babysit or entertain your kids, you begin to really rely on it.

My parents did not have computer, tablets, Internet or anything of the like. They had to use their brains to come up with new ideas to keep the kids from burning the house down.

So with relying on something like Netflix, comes the quick realization that one day, they could really burn you.

Our 3-year old, LOVES Mighty Machines. He knows the theme song, he knows the episode titles, he knows the name of the guy narrating the shows. So, you can imagine our dismay when the other day we went to look for it, and the show was GONE.

Completely wiped out of the database like it never existed. Before I go on, I want to clarify this is the Canadian Netflix. So for all of you lucky US users who have a way better setup, just humour me please.

Today Is My Last Day Of Work

Michael CusdenNo, I did not retire in my 30’s, win the lottery or just decide to become a recluse – today is my last day of work because I am starting parental leave next week.

For 27 weeks I will be the parent on duty during the day while my wife heads back to work.

Why on earth am I doing this? Because I want to.

So today is my last eight hours of working for the man so to speak. Now don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy my job as a marketer at SimplyCast. The office is fun and I get to do what I do best – write stuff.

But this stay home dad thing has been something I have wanted to do ever since we had our first boy.

It is not a vacation, a break, a rest, a chance to take it easy or any of the many other terms people use when you say you are going on parental leave. It is honest-to-god, hard ass work and for all the parents who do it – my hat goes off to you.

Working in an office all day, sitting in a chair typing is not hard compared to what is in store. But it will also be 27 weeks of fun, learning, laughs, naps, tears, poop, crying and growth. That is not even referring to the baby.

Coming Up On 6 Months – Where Did The Time Go?

478_445744118837369_1428463741_nNext week are baby boy, will be 6-months old. What? Really? It has been that long already?

Yep. The best part is we are almost out of the not-so-fun parts of the whole experience and into the really fun stuff.

The sleeping through the night is almost there, the sitting is almost there and the interaction is almost there.

Every day we work on the sitting and it is so close. That opens up a lot of new things. Big bath, other stroller options and just more playing and fun with everyone.

For my wife, the breast-feeding is coming to a close. I know she wishes she could do it longer, but it just is hard and does not make sense to prolong it. I hear the pumping is unpleasant. Plus now I can help out with bottles.

The boy has become very handsy which is fun to watch him go for things. Whether it be his toys, low hanging food and my favourite to watch, his brother.

When You Have Boys, You Better Have Bandaids

Man, our three-year old lately has just been a mess. The human bruise would be fitting. He is covered in dark circles ranging from brown to purple. Pretty typical for a toddler figuring it all out.

In the last week he has stepped up his game and added scratches and red marks. For a mild-mannered guy, his anger and non-listening has also gone up lately.

Last week, we had to sign a note at his school because he bit another kid. Turns out later, we discovered a rather large bump on his head, that could have triggered the rage to bite. It was a real golf ball on the head.

Then his first day back after that incident, we got a call from the school saying he scratched up his face going down a slide head first. I guess he hit the gravel at the bottom. In the school’s defense, they did ask him not to do it.

Sorry For Not Daddy Bloggin’

Man where did the last two weeks go? I just realized I have not done a post since Feb. 28th. That is pretty embarrassing for a guy who used to throw down like Bobby Flay when it came to blogging.

The reason for my lack of words? Two boys.

Pretty fitting that the reason I have not had time to work on my parent related blog is because I have been parenting.

There are so many parent blogs out there, I often wonder how they do it? Do they have 26 hours in a day? Do they have kids who come pre-trained? Do they even have kids and are just doing a front? Who knows.

All I know, is that between our two boys, work and trying to keep the home life afloat, there is certainly little time to write about it.

The free time I do have, I tend to be sitting on the couch for 10 minutes before passing out for two hours.

So, is this going to change? Should I even keep trying to have this blog?

Oh, don’t you worry, I will be making it happen going forward.

Link A Dad – Top Dad Links For Feb. 28 2013

There are so many great dad bloggers, tweeters, posters, pinners, tubers and overall social media mad men. Mom’s get all the attention, so here are just some of the top Dad Links for Feb 28, 2013.

The Rock Father – International Delight Light Iced Coffee – Peanut Butter & Chocolate on the Rocks #LightIcedCoffee

Dad Blunders – 20 Things Every Boy Should Know

How To Be A Dad – The Charlie Brown Question

NYC Dads Group – Moving Beyond “Perfectionism” as a Parent

My Dadventures – Hard Work and more Wisdom from Ben Affleck

Daddy’s Grounded – In Search of a Great Burger

Head over to the Dad Bloggers Facebook page to find even more great dad content, oh and feel free to like or join.

Want your post listed here, just drop me a line and I will be glad to link you up.

Now for today’s moment of Dad zen after the jump.

Taking Son To First Hockey Game – A Dad’s Account

I had the best day ever – Harrison Cusden (Not us in photo)

Yesterday was the day, it was the day Harrison and I were going to the Halifax Mooseheads game. I got tickets for Christmas and as soon as I saw it was a Sunday afternoon game, I knew who I was taking. The thought of taking our three-year old to his first live hockey game was one of those dad moments I have been looking forward for over many years.

For those hockey fans, the Moose were playing the Acadia-Bathhurst Titan. Halifax is one of the best teams in the country, so I knew Harrison was going to see a lot goals and hear a lot of noise. Spoiler alert – Here is the final score.

The only tricky part of the whole day was going to be the game being played when Harrison usually has his afternoon nap. He can go the whole day but it can make the end of the day a real mess.

But we were pretty confident that excitement would pull him through. It did.

We headed down to the Halifax Metro Centre about an hour before game time. That would give us plenty of time to find parking and get settled. I did not want to get to our seats that early and waste a lot of Harrison’s “interest” time. I was also hoping he would have a little nap in the car. No chance. He chattered to himself in the back seat about what he was going to see. Then I mentioned popcorn and it was over. He was ready.

Update: Charlie And The Up Late Factory

This is a follow-up to the post called – Help, We Have A Two-Hour Charlie. First thanks to those who left comments offering up advice and sharing some war stories of their own.

So to update you since we had that stretch of little sleep and feedings every two hours, I can say, things have gotten better. I say better because it certainly is not worse. Things are ideal yet but we are certainly managing much better.

Three things have been added into the mix since.

1. Rice cereal.

2. Formula before bed.

3. Dad is taking his turns putting the baby to bed.

So we started with rice cereal every night just before we had dinner. He loves it. Could not be more happy. We have actually started giving it to him for breakfast as well. So that is two bowls of cereal per day.

We also introduced formula over the weekend. So, the story with that is pretty funny. We had guests on the weekend, the in-laws, and of course that meant having extra help.