DAD, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SUN
Today, we were driving to a party for one of our two year-old’s friends and after a long winter he exclaimed, “Daddy, there’s something wrong with the sun! It’s too bright.” And he covered his eyes from the sun shining into his window. Priceless.
CONOR IS READY FOR HOOPS
At the beginning of the year, we joined the YMCA as a family. We started swimming lessons and soccer lessons. And this is where Conor was introduced to basketball as he'd walk to soccer class. He seemed especially connected to this so we stopped in the other day (during a birthday party at the Y) and he got to watch and even shoot a few baskets. I'm making a note to myself to get him a basketball hoop for the backyard as summer approaches.
YIKES, MY BABY'S REGRESSING
Conor keeps teetering between wanting to be a baby and in the next sentence, “I’m a big boy.” He wants to be held and 5 minutes later he doesn’t even want a hug. He’s not exactly sure what he wants these days.
Here’s an interesting article from my trusty website; babycenter.com entitled, ‘Why Regression Happens.’
"Learning new skills is often "two steps forward, one step back." Regression is common in 2-year-olds partly because there are just so many new skills to juggle. They're also vulnerable to stresses that make them want to go back to familiar territory (diapers instead of that new potty) because it's more comforting. Be patient with little setbacks and remember that they're not permanent.
Well, that's good to know because I thought I may have done something wrong or dropped him on his head. I always like hearing that everybody's in the same boat as me. For better or worse, at least we're all doing well or we're all miserable. I just like the company.
DIRECTING A VIDEO WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
This Saturday morning, I woke up excitedly to shoot a music video for an organization that I feel unusually close to, Urban Edge. It's an organization that helps those with limited income find clean, safe and comfortable housing. These people are selfless, in my opinion, in ways I could only hope I could be.
This particular day, I am going to shoot a music video based on a song I wrote for this organization. It was really fun working with Malik (my music director), his daughter, Alyssia, his wife, friends and singers that came out to volunteer their talents for this special video that marks the 40 years that Urban Edge has been looking out for those in the community, giving them the respect and hope that we all deserve as fellow human beings.
Today was so much fun. And seeing Malik connect with his 8 year old daughter and his 18 month old son while working at the same time, was truly inspiring. Another benchmark for me to try to be an even better dad.
UPSET ABOUT HIS UPSET STOMACH
Conor is two and a half years old and tonight is the first time I've ever seen him get an upset stomach and lose his cookies. He started off by telling me, 'Daddy, tummy.' No other explanation than that. I rubbed it and thought he was just showing me how far it sticks out because it is rather round. He waited about five minutes and said again, "Daddy, tummy." I think I heard some gas but what's new there? So I rubbed his tummy and asked him if it felt okay. He said, "no'. So I sat on the bed with him and we talked about Curious George and how Curious George likes to visit the chocolate factory. Then Conor put his little hand up to his mouth and said, "Daddy, my mouth!" and his eyes looked so scared. I figured it out immediately. I grabbed a towel and he was still looking scared. I told him that it was okay to let whatever was inside come right out of his mouth and that it would be okay. He did! And it went everywhere. Of course he started crying and his mom had grabbed him by the time he threw up and poor thing was covered in hotdogs and milk. She was a real trooper and took him downstairs for a bath.
I still remember how scared I was when I was a little boy and I had to throw up. I thought I was going to die. Seriously. It was the worst feeling I had ever felt. To be able to breathe again after that was quite a surprise. Conor threw up two more times that night and there was major cleanup necessary. We took his temperature and he was normal. The next morning he was completely fine and we returned to normalcy…whatever that is!