Back to the Grindstone

So, it's now Thursday and the time I have taken off to be with my family when my son was born is now over.  It's been an interesting 10 days, but enjoyable.  I had forgotten how much I enjoyed being home with my girls and taking care of the family.  I cleaned some, cooked, took the girls out, took care of them when they were sick, and spent some quality time with #3 and the wife.  It's been a good week.  Like all good things though, this too must come to an end.  It leaves me wondering though, what do we as parents really sacrifice for our jobs?  Do we ever really understand what we are missing out on before we're too late?  I am the first to tell you that my family comes first, but my 50+ hour work week probably contradicts that statement.  What is a single income family man supposed to do to make it all work?  It's just left me a little baffled this morning and making me dread my work day more and more. 

Day 3

So BB has been in this world all of three days now.  He's amazing.  All of children were remarkable babies, each with their own perosonalities and he is NO different.  He likes a paci, he can take care of himself, and he's just kinda laid back.  It's pretty cool.  He will probably be a good sleeper when we can get into a routine and some of his "things" heal.  We just have to get this baby thing worked out again.

On that note, Mom is doing a great job.  She's right back into the flow of having a new baby in the house and she is loving the girls beging curious about him.  It's nice to have a new baby in the house, but I worry like always.  I have three little ones that want to be a part of his life so badly, but they are all still too young and don't understand how fragile he is.  My oldest, at 7, is going to be a great helper, but she started feeling bad yesterday and has a fever, so she can't be involved right now.  It's hard on her.  We're all home now though, healthy and happy.  Here's to a wonderful day three and many more to come. 

Meet Trei

Born 5/23/2012



7 lbs 1 oz

19.25" Long

Smile

Anxiously Awaiting

Well, in less then 24 hours, my wife and I will be in the hospital having our fourth child.  To say that I am not nervous and anxious and scared all at the same time would be a blatant lie.  You would think that by the fourth child we would be old pro's at this, but truth be told, every pregnancy has been different and this one is falling right in line.  It's just a natural part of life to wonder what could, would, and should happen.

Trei started out the same as every child we've had, SURPRISE!  Then everything was different.  Little man decided from the beginning to keep his head up.  Normally that would be a good thing, but not with a baby.  The child being breach was new and scarey.  We hadn't had to deal with that yet.  Then SuperMom was diagnosed with gestational diabetes.  Again, a scarey new experience.  Thank God for the internet to provide us with all the information of what could happen because of this.  Sometimes I wonder how we made it as children since our parents didn't have all this "good" info.  Oh yeah, less stress.  Time passed though and so did the worrying.  Little man fell right into position with weeks to spare and the diabetes was more of a hiccup then anything else.  The inconvience of daily sugar tests took care of that concern.  Now, as we have entered our 39th week, the concerns come back.  SuperMom has had a lot of contractions over the last several weeks.  Nothing regular, but painful for her and very uncomfortable.  With all this action, you would think we would be closer to her body being primed for labor, but progress is slow.  We have planned to be induced on Wednesday so that we don't have to worry about Trei being too big to be delivered naturally. (Another concern brought on by the diabetes.) We also have a host of other "good" reasons, but it is still nerve racking worrying and just plain not knowing.  So, we are all anxiously waiting the birth of our little boy.

Anything worth having is worth waiting for and we all know it will be alright in the end.  I will update as soon as little man makes his appearance, but for now, the show must go on. 

Where Does the Time Go?

Yesterday on the way to work I had the realization that I am getting older.  I just had my 32nd birthday about a week ago and I don't think the last 7 have really sunk in like this one.  Where did the time go?  I feel like I should still be 25 with my oldest daughter laying in my lap.  I shouldn't be this old.  Then I had the next realization. My oldest daughter is 7 and that means that she only has 11 more years in my house before she goes to college!  WHAT?  She has spent almost half the time she is going to spend in my house and I haven't seen half of it.  It has just flown by.  That's just plain ridiculous in my book.  I look at her and my other girls and my baby boy in Momma's belly and wonder how did this all happen so fast.  When did I miss out?

A saying I heard years ago rings so loudly in my head right now.  "Children make your days long and your years short."  How true that is.  Most days, the kids drive us absolutely up the wall, stark mad,  raving crazy, then their 7.  What the heck?!  The worst part is that it is just getting faster and faster.  It seems like yesterday I was posting about having another child.  Guess what, he'll be born in 4 weeks or sooner.  Where did all that time go?  Next time I post, all my kids will be in college, or getting there first job, or the scariest thought of all with 3 girls MARRIED!  My mind is spinning right now and the day is gone.....

OK, back to reality.  A new coworker of mine was congratulating me yesterday on having a boy.  He told me to cherish every moment with them because you never know what may happen.  He then told me his son died in the war a few years ago.  It really adds some perspective and makes you think about what you have and what he'd give to have a few more moments with his son.  To top it off, the news is full of tragic events of children passing before their time.  Their time as far as we're concerned.  I am sure it was God's time.  I guess my thought here is that it doesn't matter how powerful your job is or how much money you make if you miss out on the most important thing in your life, your family.  By the time we get done working so we can spend time with our kids, they'll be all grown up, with jobs of their own, doing exactly what we're doing.  Working away the time that we can never get back. 

You Called Your Wife What?

I would venture to say that my wife and I have one of the best relationships in the world.  We haven't always been as strong as we are today, but who can really say that.  Our relationship has grown leaps and bounds over the last  8 years and a lot of it has to do with our trust and comfort level with each other.  It's really funny how comfortable we have become, especially now that we are on our fourth child together.  The next part is going to show you how comfortable we are together and how much fun too.

A few months ago, my wife and I went and visited the in-laws.  Now, most of the time, the full size bed is more then enough for us, but with her being pregnant with #4, it was a little tight.  Not too mention very uncomfortable.  We barely slept any of the nights we were there.  The first night, she had lots of trouble rolling over and she would make funny grunting noises.  The next day I told her she sounded like a hippopotamus rolling over.  Now most of you are probably wondering how in the world I survived that one.  Well, that speaks to the relationship my wife and I have.  Now it's a joke and I call her pregopotamus because of her BIG pregnant belly.  I mean seriously, it's #4 and she's HUGE!  What husband in his right mind calls his wife pregopotamus and actually gets away with it?  This guy!  Because my wife and I just have a relationship that is that good.  I think she is beautiful, pregnant belly and all and she knows it.  I love her dearly and hope she enjoys being called pregopotamus for the next 3 months because then, she'll never have to hear it again.  I know that I am the luckiest guy in the world not only to have survived her new nickname, but to have her in my life at all.

I love you babe! 

Um, Tagged?

Ok, so I have been Tagged!  Thanks to @DiaperDads.  Being new to the blogging world, I am not sure how this works, but it seems pretty simple.  So, here we go.


1. What is your favorite movie of ALL TIME?
That has got to be one of the hardest questions in the entire world.  Never mind.  Shrek, the first one because "I'm an Ogre"  and "Ogres are like onions"

2. If you could party with one historical figure for one night, who would it be, and why?
Yeah, not a big history buff here.  Thomas Edison because he was a pretty smart guy and I would like to see how he throws down.  I think he invented the light bulb or something like that.
3. Your car breaks down on a dark and foggy road. There’s no cellphone reception. Do you leave your significant other in the car while you go for help? Or do you take them with you? Or do you both stay in the vehicle?
Well, first question is, are the kids with us?  If so, they stay and I walk because any person that valued their life would not approach a stuck car with my pregnant wife and three kids in it.  If not, we stay and enjoy some alone time.

4. How hot do you like your salsa? Mild with big chunks

5. Favorite video game character? Why?  Um, Super Mario, because he's the only one I can remember and he wasn't the miniature one.  Oh yeah and he had that awesome mustache.

6. If you could have ONE super power what would it be? 
Seriously, I can only have one?  How hard is that?  I think it would have to be like Super Smart because with a super brain you can do anything. 

7. What is the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Octopus

8. Name one thing that makes your skin crawl.
Dentists, although that answer may be skewed since I have my first root canal scheduled next week.

9. What was your first official place of employment?
What exactly do you mean by official?  I was officially employed with regards to the IRS when I began working as an Electrician's Helper for my Dad.  Next "Official" job was Walmart. 

10. What do you want to do with your life?
Be a great Dad to my kids - That's the greatest accomplishment I could ever strive for

11. What’s holding you back?
Me - The fact I have NO patients and work 50+ hours a week on a crazy retail shift schedule.

Didn't know how this works, so here's my 11 questions...

1.  What's your most memorable meal and why?
2.  If you could go back in time, what is the ONE thing you would tell yourself?
3.  Who's the most inspirational person in your life?
4.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
5.  Who's your favorite music group and why?
6.  If you were on the Walking Dead, which character would you be?
7.  What's your favorite vacation memory?
8.   If you were stuck on an island with no hope of ever getting off, what's one thing you would  want with you?
9.   Is your cup half full or half empty and what's in it?
10. Which grade in school was your favorite and what subject?
11. Leader, follower, or loner, who are you?

and now to tag 11 bloggers.  That's the hard part.  I barely know 11 bloggers if I do at all.  Yeah, without retagging a whole bunch of randomness, I fail at this part.  So if you read and want to answer, go right ahead. Let me know and I'll link you in afterwards.  Thanks,

My Daughter Turns 7

Today my oldest daughter turns 7 and I turn 50.  Not really, but it sure does feel that way.  It's amazing how your children's birthday make you feel so much older.  One thing I have learned during my short time as a parent is that children make your days fly by.  One of my favorite quotes is "Children make your days long, but your years short."  I don't remember who said it or where I heard it, but it has always stuck with me.  So, today on my daughters 7th birthday, I realize I am another decade older.  

So, enough self pity.  I think it is awesome to see how my daughter has grown up.  I can remember her first words, her first steps, and all the little things that she has done leading up to today.  I am so proud of the young woman she has become.  She is so smart and caring.  She has a little attitude, but a wonderful conscious.  She is awesome.  So, 7 years ago, God graced us with this wonderful child and today we celebrate her 7th birthday.  Happy Birthday Random Girl!  

Why I am a Slack Blogger

Late last year I decided that I was going to join the blogging community and write about my life as a Dad and about my wonderful family.  At first it was a great outlet for my day-to-day stress and provided a little entertainment for my readers.  It also got me linked up with alot of other Daddy bloggers that really made me feel good and who I enjoyed reading.  As of late though, it's been hard to take the time and get back in the rhythm.  Like all things Christmas and New Years just got in the way and everything has been on hold since then.  But, like all good things, I will be back and better then ever. So, keep checking in and look forward to reading my new exploits as a Dad of three and waiting for my little boy to get to us.  Thanks. 

For a little inspiration of your own check out:
The Rookie Dad
Dads Who Change Diapers
Daddy Knows Less

It's a Boy!

These are some of the most remarkable words I have ever heard.  They rank right up there with "I'm pregnant" and "It's a healthy baby."  I can't say enough about how happy I am to finally be having a baby boy.  Not that I wouldn't have been happy to have a happy, healthy girl, but after three girls, it's time for a change. Thank you God. 

My wife and I had our third doctor's appointment on Wednesday and I am happy to announce that their will be a III finally in my family. Going forward he will be known as Trei.  He has had his name picked out for him for seven years, since my wife and I first got pregnant with Random Girl.  I am so blessed to have a wife that understands how much passing on my father's name means to me.  I am blessed to be able to pass that name along.  In May, I will be able to do so.

That being said, I just wanted to pass along some good news.  It's exciting getting ready to have another baby.  It's exciting to be having a boy.  It will be a whole new experience for us both.  For those of you that know, what do you think will be the biggest difference? 

Road Trip!!

This year I have made it a goal of mine to spend more time with my family and friends.  There are always excuses as to why this can't happen or won't happen, but this year is going to be different.  I have already taken the first step to secure this goal by purchasing a rather new mini van that everyone loves to ride in.  Road trip, here we come.

This past weekend, we took a trip to Charlotte, NC.  It was a great trip.  The kids traveled awesomely glued to the TV in the back playing Rio or Lion King.  We stopped when needed, we ate when hungry, and we visited with family along the way.  It was a good trip for all of us.  

We took this trip to see my sister.  She has lived in her new home for four years and I haven't been to see her yet.  There has always been some kind of obstacle in the way from work to gas prices.  This weekend, we took the time to go see her.  Let me just say, four years was way to long.  We had a wonderful time with her and her husband.  The girls had an absolute blast seeing their Aunt and Uncle, and it was a much needed mini vacation for everyone.  We got some good family bonding time.  We also went to IKEA, but I'll save that for another post.  It was just an overall great time.

I say this to put out there, what are you not doing and should be?  I'm not getting any younger and my family and friends are scattered throughout the Southeast.  Some of my largest regrets are the people that will not be in my children's life because I waited too long.  Time is the one thing that we can't make any more of.  So, what are you going to do differently in 2012 for you and your kids?

Baby Kicks

I felt my new baby's first kicks today! What an exhilarating feeling. It's amazing how something so small can excite you so much and bring back so many memories. Contrary to what I might think on some days, I love being a Dad. I love everything about it. It's those baby kicks that remind me how fragile a child's life can be and how much I have to look forward too bringing #4 to our clan.

I can remember when my wife was pregnant with Random Girl. We lived in a small apartment, right outside of the town where I went to college. I was still a part time student, with a part time job, and we had very meager beginnings. At the height of her pregnancy, we had both gained some significant weight and had gotten quite large. When I say large, you have to take into perspective that all we had was a full size bed. We became very "close." I used to go to bed with that little girl kicking away at my back. Most nights it felt like a massage. I would wake up throughout the night to the pitter patter of those little feet on my back. I loved it. It's something I would not have gotten to experience in such detail had we had a different beginning to our life together and one that set me up to enjoy the little pleasures of pregnancy with my wife.  

So, now with #4, it's an amazing feeling to feel those kicks again. It's still so amazing to go to the doctor's office and hear that little heartbeat. It's all still so amazing. I am so blessed. What brings back those memories for you? What are the little things that you enjoy about being pregnant? Leave me a comment, I would like to know.

And Another One Bites the Dust

Well, another holiday season has passed in our house. All the last minute craziness is over and all the kid's presents are scattered throughout the house.  Our last few days will be spent at the In-Laws just getting a little much needed R&R.  It's also a great time to reflect on the last few days and the passing of the Christmas Season.  What will we do different for the new year? 

This year, my oldest daughter and I spent a lot of time together shopping for the family, wrapping presents, and just talking.  She's getting old enough now that I wanted to make sure that she understood the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it every year.  To my amazement, she already knew and really surprised me.  It really warmed my heart to hear my daughter tell me the story of Jesus's birth and sacrifice for mankind.  She really understands the meaning of the Season. 

Another thing we talked about this year differently then last, was the need out there for people that don't have anything.  If you watch any TV, you see commercials all the time about "for $.25 a day, you can feed this child in Ethiopia."  My daughters saw these commercials and repeatedly asked me why the child was so sad and where their parents were.  It was sad to hear them ask and it really made me reflect again on the meaning of Christmas.  This lead me to discuss needy children and how my oldest daughter felt about it.  Together, we decided next year that we are going to go through our local churches, angel tree, etc and take all the money we spent on ourselves and give to needy children next year.  She really liked the idea of being able to help others and that made me feel good.

This is all a plan to make sure that when my children grow up they understand that you don't have to have a lot to be rich, as long as you have your family and that there is always someone else out there that needs more then you do.  I don't think I said that exactly right, but you get the point.  We have been blessed in so many ways in our life and now is as good a time as any to share those blessing with others. 

So, with that being said, I hope you and your family had a very Happy Holiday.  May you be blessed with more then you can ever imagine and may you share those blessings with the one's you love.  Happy New Year!

It's Beginning to Feel Alot Like Christmas...

Well, not really.  One of the perks living in the south is fairly moderate, but unpredictable weather.  We rarely have days below freezing and the thought of snow is almost laughable.  Today's high temperature will be in the 70's and that is just not Christmas weather.  It makes it so hard to get into the Christmas spirit.  It just doesn't feel like Christmas. 

Thanksgiving day we put up our Christmas tree.  It was fake, of course, and it is a pain in the butt to put up.  It's been in my family close to 20 years, but it is still a Christmas tree.  We used to have a real tree for Christmas.  My wife and I would spend hours looking for the "perfect" tree.  That used to start putting us in the mood for Christmas.  Ever since we moved back to where I grew up though, it's been a fake tree every year.  There's just something about a fake tree that doesn't do it for me.  It took us another three weeks to actually put lights on the tree an decorate it.  Again, another message that it just doesn't feel like Christmas.  We actually don't even have any presents under our tree because we are scared the kids are going to get into them.  It's actually kind of sad.  It's just not Christmas in our house yet. 

So, how do you get into the Christmas spirit when your walking around in shorts and a T-shirt, complaining about the heat, hating the tree that you see everyday, and not wanting to wrap presents?  I say you remember why we celebrate Christmas, be thankful that you're not dealing with three feet of snow, and just try to enjoy this special time of year with your family.  There will always be next year to get fully engulfed in the Christmas mood and it will be here soon enough.  So, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone out there.  Remember the reason for the season and be thankful we've had another year. 

Who's Coming For Christmas?

So, every year we ask our children what they want for Christmas.  Most of the time it amounts to about every darn thing, but for my six year old, it was different this year.  She only asked for two things and she asked for them consistently.  Yes, my child is growing up, but it's way scary to hear what she wants now.

Justin Beiber now infatuates my little girl.  NO!  She wants a Justin Beiber doll.  Now I don't know if she really wants it for her, or if she wants it because everyone else wants it.  I can't figure it out yet, but I don't except that my little girl has been beiberized.  It's very scary for a DADD.  She also wants a makeup kit (to replace the one her sister's broke last year.)  She adds that last part consistently as well.  So, a my six year old wants makeup and a boy doll.  Someone please shoot me and put me out of my misery.  I thought I would at least escape this stress until she was a teen/pre-teen, but I guess not.  My little girl is growing up.

So, the next hurdle is the fact that Santa is not bringing her a Justin Beiber doll this year.  Have you priced these things?  They are ridiculous.  I just can't justify getting her one on top of what else we have gotten her.  We thought her "Santa" gift this year would be a MP3 player since she now loves music.  We've gotten her some books she's wanted and a couple of odds and ends.  I feel guilty though because all she has asked Santa for is that doll and a makeup kit.  How can I not get it for her? 

What are your thoughts?  Beiber or no Beiber, that is the question.

People Should be Born with a Universal Remote

Wouldn't be nice if everyone was born with a univeral remote?  Mute, volume controll, rewind, pause; how nice would that be?  It could be so usefull in everyday life.  The evil would probably corrupt its pure principal, but I think it would be worth the risk.

I can remember clearly waiting anxiously for my girls to talk.  Random Girl began talking early age and hasn't stopped since.  I can't say she hasn't stopped, she doesn't talk when she reads, most of the time.  It wasn't long after she began talking I was repeating one of my Dad's favorite phrases, "Can I just have five minutes of peace and quite?!"   I wasn't sure then why five minutes was so magical and now I know why. Five minutes to a 6 year old is a blessing.   Five minutes is actually a manageable goal to try and reach. Ten minutes would just kill your child and would throw the whole world off balance. 

It's kind of funny though because as Monkey and Punky Doodles came along, I had the same anxiety about wanting them to talk.  I actually told my wife that I was worried about Punky because she hadn't began talking yet.  How silly am I?  Now, again, just five minutes please.  Words start flowing out of their mouths at about 5:30-6:00 am and don't stop until, well, they don't stop.  Monkey actually talks in her sleep, constantly.  It has become my morning tradition when I am not at work to put on my headphones and listen to some music while they are occupied by the cartoons.  They even talk then.  I know that makes me sound like a terrible dad, but it's my five minutes of peace before the day really begins.

This handy little tool would be useful with my job as well. I would love to be able to rewind and let people hear what actually comes out of their mouths.  Sometimes I want to look at them and go, "Seriously, did you just say that?"  The worst part about it is that more and more people actually do not understand the amount of junk that is coming out of their mouth.  It's becoming an unreasonable world and the greatest thing about my job is that I have to put up with it.  Sometimes I just want to ask them where they work so I can give them a visit one day and let them understand what it feels like.  Enough about work though.

So, kind of like the movie "Click," we all need a universal remote.  We don't need to to fast forward through our lives or to navigate our past showings, we just need it to shut some people up sometimes, turn down their over inflated volumes, or just to get the five minutes of peace we need from our children.  I don't think that's a lot to ask for, although it is pretty selfish.  What do you think? Would a universal remote come in handy in your life?

Dream a Little Dream

So, when the idea of being a dad came to be almost 8 years ago now, it was definitely a new experience.  It was so surreal to think that I was going to be a father.  Now, it seems like it was just always meant to be now that we are expecting our fourth child.  It was dream of mine to have a family as I got older, but it hasn't always been my dream, not wholly. 

Growing up I was able to experience a lot of different things.  I played football, baseball, and soccer as a small kid. I went to sports camps and was pushed to be a little athletic.  I dreamed of being a great sports star.  My parents never took the time to tell me that my shot of making it to the pros was slim to none, one in a million.  They let me have that dream and as most things do in small children, it changed over time. 

What were your dreams growing up as a kid?  Did you dream of being an astronaut or a fireman?  Did you want to fly to the moon or did you want to own a horse farm?  What did your dreams consist of?  The reason I ask is that I believe we grown and develop as children based on our dreams and hopes.  As young children most of us had imaginary friends we played with.  We built forts out of blankets and had entire worlds made of Legos.  We developed through our imaginations,our hopes, and our dreams.  So as parent's, do we cultivate our children's hopes and dreams or do we introduce them to the hard facts of life early.  I ask this based on a parenting theory I just read, parents should not lie to their children.  The question is, what is so different from cultivating their belief in Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny and lying by omission, telling them their dreams of being the next world class ballerina is not realistic?  I ask this in all seriousness because to me it is one and the same.  Parent's fib to their children constantly, trying to protect them from the real world, trying to coax them into doing what is best for them, and trying to help them be children.  Really, what's crossing the line.

Now, I know that this stretches the idea of being a good parent, but I think it just feeds to the fact in all reality, everything we do is to make our children happy and keep them safe.  I believe that is the ultimate goal of all parents,  We all just have different methods to get there.  There is no single path better then another and we just have to accept that all parents are not created equal.  Don't judge other families for wanting their children to live our their dreams.  If I could say anything to a parent it would be to let your children dream, let them imagine, and let them enjoy being a kid.  It doesn't get any better when you get older and your dreams consist of paying off your car.  Let'em dream. 

New Baby, New Worries

You would think after having three beautiful, happy, healthy girls that the wife and I would be old pros at this pregnancy thing, but alas, we still have more to learn.  We can pull the heartbeat out of the air and read a ultrasound as good as a tech, but is still so much to know, especially with a new one. 

 On our most recent doctor's appointment, the nurse mentioned that my wife's Rubella antibodies were off.  My first response when my wife mentioned that was, Rubella?  Apparently, my wife is not immune and her antibodies were off.  So, the research began.  Nasty little virus this Rubella is and it can do some major damage to the unborn baby.  Great, something new to be concerned about.  Not to mention that since the wife is now 35 (I was being nice, she just corrected me, she's 36), they asked if we wanted amniocentesis.  So, another thing to think about.

With all this little uncertainties, we started second guessing our decision not to have genetics testing.  We started second guessing our thoughts on vaccines and medicines.  We started second guessing everything.  So, as good parents, we tried to become educated and the best place was to ask the Doctor, duh!  So, my wife called and the doctor said there was absolutely nothing to worry about and that everything was fine.  Whew!  False alarm, back to normal.

Long story short, always trust your instincts. You know you better then anyone else and if you take the time to educate yourself and listen to your heart, it will all be fine.  What do you think?

Life Goes On

At what point do we as parents realize our children are just that, children, and that the accidents, bumps, bruises, and hurt feelings are all just part of growing up.  I mean we all have our horror stories of some tragic event that happened during our childhood and we're still here.  Better maybe, stronger for sure, but we are here, alive and well.  I've had stitches, broken bones, and scars galore, each with their own unique lesson.  How else did I learn not to run with scissors?  (joke)  Seriously though, it's first hand, real world experience for children to learn that parents do know what their talking about.

Yesterday while visiting the baby doctor we ran into some friends with an 18 month old.    We haven't seen them in a while and their baby sure has grown.  Well, during our painfully long wait, their daughter had an accident.  Her Mom had asked her to stop running in the waiting room and to put her other shoe on, but as kids will do, she did what she wanted.  Next thing you know, whack, she tried to install a doggie door in the entrance with her head.  Now, as a seasoned parent my first reaction was to do absolutely nothing.  It happens.  After three kids you have a better understanding of what a mind blowing fall is and just another bruise on the head.  Now, immediately her Mom sprang to the rescue scooping her off the floor, trying to console her and her now bashed in head.  All the parents-to-be and new parents stared at her with disgust letting her poor, innocent child hit her head.  How dare her?  Then came the moment I knew would come, and almost all seasoned parent's knew it would too, the look.  The look is the point in time where the child reviews their surroundings, who saw, and decided on the best course of action.  Typically, due to the attention they have gotten, and of course their embarrassment for not listening, they begin their screams of pain and sadness.  This is always uncomfortable for the offending parent and the rest of the world that is witnessing.  Never a good situation. 

By now I am sure you think I am a heartless, terrible Dad.  I assure you I am not.  After our over protective phase with Random Girl and we had Monkey, I learned the look.  My wife and I also learned how to use it to our advantage.  When our children run and fall, they do "such a good job."  That was such a "good fall."  This almost makes it a game for our children, they forget what happened, they are not embarrassed because they did a good job, and life goes on.   There is no blood curdling screams, no guilt, and the world is at peace.  It's like it never happened.

The point is, as new parents we learn, we grow, and we adapt to our new role in life.  There is not a single new parent out there that can honestly say they are the experts, no matter how many books they've read or what classes they've taken.  What seems as a horrific fail as a parent with kid 1 will just be another day in the park with kid 2 and won't even be noticed by kid 3.  It's all apart of growing up for you and your kids.  Take it one day at a time, remember their are no rules, and do the best you can with love and affection for your children and you'll be fine.  It's all apart of the game and life goes on.