Capturing rocks is a dirty business!
I never find too many rocks on the stairs – But you gotta believe!
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Category Archives: Stay Home PaPa
Maddie Exposed to Sharks in a Pond
Wait, are those real sharks?
It was all pomp and circumstance as Maddie’s relatives made their way into the New York Metro Area for the baby’s very first birthday party. Maddie’s countdown is on as Olympic Committee Officials continue to fret that the baby’s big day has already completely overshadowed interest in the games. Word of last night’s punch drunk interpretative history of the UK during the opening ceremony still has Maddie scratching her head.
As Maddie was returning from her late walk yesterday, she was probably anticipating a little dinner and bed. However, she knew that when she walked into a room full of aunts and uncles, her agenda had been amended.
Aunt Joni had a game on the computer all ready to go for the little princess. It was called “Sharks in a Pond,” and everyone was drawn to the screen. Maddie fearlessly plunged into the game wondering how these salt water predators ended up in a pond in the first place. She worked the touch screen furiously trying to unlock the mysteries of the game.
After 15 or 20 minutes, Maddie became a bit overwhelmed by the all family and sharks in the room. She got more than a little cranky and decided to skip the opening ceremonies and go to bed. We all should have been so lucky!
Look Out Tennis World, Baby Embraces Björn
Will riding the Björn make Maddie better at clay court tennis?
No, Maddie is not hanging out with former tennis great Bjorn Borg, but she has taken up riding in the Baby Björn with her PaPa. It’s understood that there’s probably little connection between using the Baby Björn and future tennis greatness – Or is there?
Maddie adopted this new baby device with some trepidation – but it didn’t take long for her to settle in and become a real Björn pro. This uncanny ability of hers to adapt and overcome is something that will serve her well whether she opts to follow the career path of Bjorn Borg or Jason Bourne.
She is proving to be one tough little cookie and is developing quite a sense of adventure. Couple that pioneer spirit with Maddie’s keen powers of observation and the sky is the limit.
The real question now becomes: How are Maddie’s parents going to survive the next 18 years with our little high-octane fire eater? She already possesses a highly developed sense of stubbornness and is exhibiting a fierce brand of determination. The shortcoming that goes hand in hand with these traits is her staggering lack of patience.
In the battle of nature versus nurture – it will be a Herculean task to try and teach this little one to take a breath and count to ten. At this point, it seems more likely that she will count to one and come out swinging.
Our only hope is that we can somehow lead by example and display a biblical-like patience to show her the way towards tolerance. Never an easy task for a pair of parents who share the “Type-A” personality gene.
Maddie Ready to Storm Top Chef
Get those knives packed up!
“Padma, please pack your knives and go!” Maddie is ready to assume the role as the newest judge on Top Chef. After watching her father in the kitchen for nearly a week, Maddie feels she has gathered the necessary skills to take the Bravo Network by storm.
For some reason, the kitchen is the one room in the house that actually holds Maddie’s attention for large and much needed periods of time. As long as there is activity underway – Maddie finds herself completely engaged.
At the tender age of 15 weeks old, Maddie thinks she might be ready for next year’s season’s Top Chef Season premier. She also plans to be the first person in Top Chef history to be both a winning contestant and a permanent judge on the show.
A flexible little bouncy chair and the kitchen counter is exactly what the baby needed to get involved in our kitchen activities. She watches the prep, cooking, clean up and even enjoys watching people eat!
The real advantage is that Maddie’s interest in the kitchen has provided some much-needed relief from what has been a very serious bout of unbridled fussiness. Maddie has been very cranky all week and the kitchen is providing her parents with at least one safe haven in the house.
Now the question is, once Maddie goes back to being her happy-go-lucky self, will she still be ready for Top Chef or is her kitchen interest really just a Quickfire Challenge? Only time will tell.
Baby Asserts Control through Unique Torture Technique
Please lighten up on the chest hair!
As my wife and I settled onto the couch to watch a movie last night – I had a 7-pound, 5-ounce little bean clinging intently to my chest. This particular bean is not a member of the legume family, but rather my tiny daughter named Madeleine. She wasn’t the least bit tired when we sat down, but was completely content to hang out on Dad’s chest while he manipulated the television controls.
I looked down and she was staring straight up at me with those penetrating dark eyes. During our little stare down, it was hard to determine who was paying closer attention. We chatted briefly, well, I chattered on and she just sat there and watched.
I winced on multiple occasions because her little hands have mastered the art of partially ripping out chest hair. Her proficiency with this particular activity vastly improves on a daily basis. It’s stunning to me that such a little creature has the ability to inflict so much discomfort onto a fellow human being that outweighs her by more than 200 pounds. (think of the mouse that helped the lion with the splinter)
But despite the rapidly dwindling population of my chest hair – this is one of those precious moments that will be forever etched into my memory. Holding your little girl close to you seems to slow the time around you. Fatigue, anxiety and any conceivable negative emotion just seems to shrink and fade into the woodwork as you feel undeniable bond between you and your child.
The connection is unmistakable – and even though I just met this tiny person a couple of weeks ago – she already fully comprehends that she owns the rights to me.
Maddie evaluated her father and took in the sights and sounds around her for about 30 minutes before she began the descent into dreamland. I watched with rapt attention – taking in each blink and twitch until she was completely out.
There is no question that this little girl is more work than I ever could have fathomed. But by the same token, never has so much work paid so many dividends in such a short period of time.
The Deafening Sound of Silence
What was that noise??
In the movie Step Brothers – Dr. Doback is so disgusted with Dale (John C. Reilly) and Brennan (Will Ferrell) – He’s forced to make the ultimate final decision.
“We’re putting the house on the market!” he shouts at them.
Brennan is suddenly on high alert, “Is the house haunted?”
I have noticed that when Maddie is out the house – and I’m not tuned into listening for her every move – the house may not seem haunted, but it’s definitely a little creepy.
As a new parent, you are so focused on what the baby is up to at all times, that it’s virtually impossible to turn off your brain. Butttt, when she’s out and about with her Mom – suffice it to say, it’s just a little too quiet!
My wife took the baby for a walk at the local park this morning without me. Truth to tell, the silence is deafening! Maddie was born exactly two weeks ago. However, in just 14 days, there is no question that both of our brains have been recalibrated to listen for every possible noise that the munchkin might emit.
On the flip side, when the baby is home – you perceive many noises incorrectly. The squeak of the chair on the floor or a gurgle from the dishwasher can be completely misinterpreted as a cry or whimper from the baby.
I’m sure sleep depravation plays a role in this – but I have never had more fun being exhausted in my entire life!
Maddie – One Good Punch is All It Takes
Maddie dons yellow boxing gloves for Klitschko title bout!
