The Lion Heart is Four Months Old

Day 123:

Wow Conor... Has it already been four months?  I've always accepted the mantra, "time flies", but this is ridiculous.  And then again, for so many reasons it's not...  Truly remarkable to me that you're advancing as you are... And it's the little things I notice.  Not only the smiles but how long you smile.  The expressiveness of your face, your honing in on certain people and things, how your attitude so quickly changes from open moment to the next simply based on the circumstance.  To be sure that's the case for everybody, but when you see it in a four month old it tells a story...

Today was an absolutely perfect day weather wise.  You and me, well Son, we had a fun day.  This morning I loaded you up into your stroller and walked to the grocery for bagels while Mommy took advantage and knocked out a couple of chores... When we got she was all geared up and ready to head out and run some weekend errands, so we decided to take further advantage of the weather and hang out outside while I both worked on and washed my motorcycle.  Music blaring, sun shining, and there you are... My Son, smiling and coo'ing, then sleeping and snoozing.

When you finally woke up it was time for a bottle so I hurried you upstairs to get the bottle started and get your diaper changed.  As if I should have seen it coming but just ignored it all together, I made the biggest baby-changing no-no, ever.  I unhinged that diaper of yours, looked down to grab another, and when I looked back up you were full on spraying the room!  I fumbled for the new diaper but to no avail... You'd already soaked the wall, yourself, me, the floor... Just a pee-tastrophy!  Of course, I could only stop laughing long enough to notice the huge smile on your face... So I got to cleaning up the mess while running a bath for you... Just the dues to pay I suppose.

When Mommy finally got home I was running out the door to hop on my bike and take a ride with Uncle Nelson out to a fund raiser we were hosting for "Wounded Warriors" and a September 11th Memorial foundation.  Some time later Mommy showed up after running errands with you to show you off to all my friends... No surprise here, you were a hit!  Though after an hour or so I think the noise of 50 Harleys finally got to you and you made it known that it was time to go home...

In all it was a great Saturday, Son...  And now you're resting soundly awaiting another big day tomorrow...

I love you, Boy'O.
-Dad

Conor the Cut Up

Day 122:

Well didn't THIS day just start out with a big old bang, Conor?!  Your Mother took this picture early this morning whilst I was caring for your dogs and getting your gear together for another day at daycare, then sent the picture to me after I'd already made my way to work.  It was a nice little surprise email to be sure, and certainly something to make me smile also.

Yes Boy'O, you went to daycare today as quiet as a church mouse - nary a fuss.  And when I dropped you off, you slept still.  Not so when Mommy got you in the late afternoon though.  You were wide awake and ready to roll!  By the time I'd returned home it was time for a bottle and then a bit of guitar time.  You seem to love the sound of an acoustic guitar so much, Son.  While sitting in your chair and I'm strumming along, you seem so happy and content... Not a care in the world.  And what's interesting about that is, that's exactly what playing the guitar does for me...

After a bit of R&R a rare opportunity presented itself... Dinner with Uncle Justin and Aunt Marti!  And with the news of their baby being a girl, of course Mommy couldn't wait to spoil her rotten and dress her head to toe in pink!  And thats' exactly what she did...  So we met them at our favorite dive Mexican Restaurant, Picante's! in Sully Plaza.  A margarita or two on top of a long day of following your every joyous move has out me in a place I'm completely unfamiliar with on a Friday night, Son.  Bed by 11:00pm?  yeah, not exactly my style but I can hardly keep my eyes open, Bubba...  So it's off to bed I go.

I love you, Boy'O!
-Dad

A Smiling Baby Boy

Day 121:

It's been nearly four months since you've joined us, Conor... Four amazing months.  In that time I've learned far more about the meaning of life than I ever even hoped to know, I've become a stronger man with a longer term vision, and I've learned more about the gentle nature of a baby than I ever knew existed.  Everyday you amaze me, Son.  Each and every day.

Today's big feat was simply a long continuous smile.  Noises I've never heard, smiling ear to ear, and just loving the playful and goofy songs I was singing to you...  I've found you love to be sung to, you love to dance around, you love the Baby Bjorn (Mommy had you in that crazy sling today), and you love to hang on to my index fingers... Not my middle finger.  Not my ring finger.  Not my thumb.  Only my index finger

It's such fun to see you grow.  I can only imagine what lies ahead for us, Son.  I thought today about the first time we go fishing.  I thought today about the first time we ride bikes together.  I thought today about you and that smile of yours that shines into my soul and lights me up brighter than the sun.

I love you, Boy'O.  The Lion Heart.  The life I breathe.  You're an awesome kid.

-Dad

A Little "Man to Man" Time

Day 120:

Busy day for Mommy today, Boy'O.  From the jump she was off and running for a number of projects she's needed to manage for her company, TeamCatapult.  The day would have Mommy in meetings from 8:30am to 8:30pm, so it was up to me, your dear old Dad, to get you to daycare, pick you up from daycare, get you fed, changed, etc.  To be sure these are not extraneous activities and certainly not more than I can bare.  And actually, I rather enjoy those times because they present a series of small challenges that I like to test myself through.  Like everything else for me, the only way to learn and understand things  is to do them.  Watching somebody else perform a task, listening to another talk about how to perform a task, or (Heaven forbid) reading about (I can't stand instruction manuals, Boy'O) how a task should be completed is not my cup of tea.  I'm a hands-on kinda guy, Conor.  So given the chance to spend time working through a routine without any help all the while keeping you happy and safe, I truly enjoyed it.  And if I do say so myself, I came through it with flying colors!

Okay okay so, it wasn't as though I was saving a life with bubble gum, a drinking straw, a paper clip, and a pen cap, but trying to find a rhythm with an infant in tow is simply an experience I felt I needed to have.  Of all of what I was able to get into with you, Son, it was because of the use of the Baby Bjorn.  I'd not strapped that crazy contraption to myself before and you're only just now big enough to sit comfortably in it, so it became an experiment worthy of my time with you... I gotta say, there's a reason why it's such a big seller... That thing is so great!  You were so happy being strapped to my chest, and I was all to pleased to be cruising around the house with you just kinda hanging out.  Made it work for about 45 minutes before you finally started to fuss... It was a milestone!

By the time Mommy'd returned home I had you all set up with a bottle and an expectation that the next stop for you was bed.  And as sure as I could be, Mommy came in the door at 9:00pm, loved on you for a few minutes, and then took you up to bed for the night...  And it's good you get your rest, Boy'O.  It's gotta be hard work being the best looking dude in the DayCare!

Love you, Son.
-Dad

A Sleepy Boy

Day 119:

Well Boy'O, it seems school is taking it out of you... You've been nothing but sleep since you got home tonight.  Though you did spend a good bit of time strapped to Mommy in the Baby Bjorn, enjoying the sights of cleaning chores masked with the sounds some of my favorite music.  Something fun though... Your new swing came today!  Of course, the swig is complete with a Lion!  As if it would be anything else but a lion for the Lion Heart.

In other news, your Uncle Justin came by for a minute.  You know, to have a drink and talk about the far that he and Aunt Marti are EXPECTING A GIRL!  So exciting for your Unc J, Beau!  And I'm not one for arranged marriages, but I gotta say, I see potential in this one...  Aunt Marti has always been very pretty!  And for that matter, your Uncle Justin, too.  But don't tell him I said that.  He may be inclined to deck me...  HA!

Short post tonight, Son.  I got some things need doin'...

Love you, Son.
-Dad

The Lion Heart's 1st Great Adventure

Day 118:

Today was yet another "first", Conor.  Today was your first day of school, Son.  Without a doubt, this is another one of those "it's harder on the parents" moments, and to be sure, it sucked.  Where as I believe Ms Zeny is a wonderful woman, a child care provider who came highly recommended, dropping you off with someone we hardly know is as painful a thing as there is.  Every single dreadful doubt goes flying through your head, Son.  It goes without saying, a parent can never love anything more than they can their own child, and so the protective instinct becomes acutely fierce and heightened beyond imagination. I'm a naturally concerned person, anyhow.  Always "protecting", for lack of a better word.  So when I handed you over to sweet Ms Zeny I started firing questions at the woman like the Spanish Inquisition.

As suspected, and as I'd been told, and as in my heart of hearts I knew, your first day at day care was just fine.  The plan is, I drop you off, Mommy picks you up, and we report to one another the experience of the event.  When Mommy showed up to take you home, as I thought you might, you lit up like a lottery winner.  Like it was the best moment of your life!  And for all we know, it may have been...  None the less, there you were; happy, healthy, and with a smidgeon more experience than when you started the day.  As is with all things in life, Son.

By the time you'd gotten home, you were out cold as is your modus operand when traveling in a moving vehicle.  And then, everything was as it'd always been.   Life as we know it returned... Changing diapers, feeding bottles, giving baths... And tomorrow we start it all over again...

I love you, Son.  And I'm proud of the steps you're taking.  Every single one of 'em.

-Dad

A Happy Easter

Day 117:

While it's true your extended family may live all over the country- places like Arkansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware- of the family we have right here in the state of Virginia we couldn't ask for a more loving and fun crew, Conor.  Your Great-Aunt Helene, Great Cousins Alicia and Patsy, their significant others Paul and Graham, and of course all your Cousins - Rebecca, Tess, Natasha, Brianna, Liam, and my Godson Devin... There is more than enough love to go around, Boy'O... So much so in fact, we were all passing around babies like most people pass dishes at Easter dinner!  One after the other, everybody held a different kid today!  Such fun, Son.  From Easter egg hunts to lessons in becoming a restauranteur - as instructed by your 4 year old twins Tashy and Bree, it was quite the afternoon.

Your Great-Aunt Helen prepared a feast!  More food than any of us could possibly eat, but darned if we wouldn't try!  And with all the kids dressed in their Easter Sunday best... Well, let's just say between stuffing our faces with so many goodies, loving on all the little guys, and playing a million and one games outside, everyone is significantly worn out, Boy'O.  And here's where reality sets in, Conor.

Tomorrow the Lion Heart starts Day Care.  Now, I realize millions of parents take their kids to child care facilities of all kinds all over the country and all over the world.  And I know in my heart it's all going to be alright... But none of that makes it any easier.  Turns out that for every ten "firsts" you can fall in love with being a parent, there's an eleventh; In this case, the reality of being a working parent and relying upon paid help to take care of you.  Gonna be a rough morning, Boy'O.  But I'll only be right up the road from you, Son.  And can be there in a flash if you need me.  I promise.

I love you, Boy'O.
-Dad