I am very glad that I do not make money for blogging because I would be broke. Yes, I write like every couple months because I have no time. Instead I'm busy running after my kid, working, going to school and trying to fit other things like working out, hobbies and frankly.... life. Okay, rant over.
Anyways, my daughter turned one a month ago and that got me thinking about what I have learned in the past year. So here are some thoughts on being a dad for the first year of my kids life.
1. You Will Do Things You Never Thought Imaginable
Wiping poo and puke from a variety of places....getting sneezed on (right in the face), snot getting wiped on your nice clothes before going to work, holding a sick baby and caring for them even when they want nothing to do with you, getting pooped on, having your kid stick their wet fingers in your mouth, touching poo (involuntarily), endless diaper changes.
If this was on a brochure you would probably be like: uh honey maybe we should think a little bit more about this. The crazy thing is you are so in love with YOUR kid that you will do just about anything. Notice I said your kid and not someone else's kid...I would never do that for anyone else. Well maybe my wife when she's 80.....hmmm 85.
2. It Isn't As Hard As You Think...but you certainly feel it.
Having a kid is hard. It takes up your time, energy and space. Unless you worked really hard at it you won't find time for yourself or your hobbies. But it isn't as hard as you think. Love really does capture you to the point where you love having that kid. I can never imagine my life without my daughter. The crazy thing is people actually want to have ANOTHER ONE! What makes it not be so hard? Well my wife is awesome and I love her. I see when she needs her time and she sees when I need mine. My wife and I both love our kid and make a point to work together as equals caring for her. That makes it easier, but trust me you will feel very very very very tired.
3. The Capacity for Love Increases....and so does your voice
I didn't think I could love anyone but myself and then I met my wife. Then I thought man I couldn't love anyone else but my wife and then we had our daughter. That girl drives me bonkers. She will blatantly stare at me and when I tell her not to put "something" (really anything) in her mouth she grins at me and does it anyway. She will toss her food around, be a grumpy pants and I have to raise my voice when she gets close to hurting herself or something else, but with all that I still love that girl more than anything. The capacity for love for me has grown so much because of her. I feel like the Grinch when his heart gets bigger and bigger.
4. That's my kid!
Usually when you think of this phrase you think of a proud moment. I use it when she farts really loud or hits herself in the head with a toy. "Yup, that's my kid!" But I look at her and I am totally amazed watching her grow up, learn and love her parents/grandparents. It has been a joy to watch her figure things out and I find myself saying: "Man, that's my kid." I look forward to watching her in the next year!
Until next time.
The End~
