Thursday, May 7, 2009

Fatherhood Friday - It's the way she laughs

What is it about the laughter? How could anyone have a bad day when a toddler pops open that half-toothy/half-gummy grin and starts giggling like all of the giggles are going away tomorrow?

I know I can't have a bad day with that. 

Happy Fatherhood Friday to all the awesome dads out there. The dads who spend time with their children and make a huge effort to be a giant part of their lives. The dads who treat their wives (or husbands) with respect so that their little ones learn what true love is through observing your actions. 

Here is my nod, fist pump, or hug (yes, I'm a total hugger) to you. Because at the end of a long week - you deserve it. 


Let's talk about...
The baby itch.

I see where it comes from. I'm not saying I'm condoning or even thinking about it right now. All I'm saying is that I am starting to understand why so many couples have kids so close together. 

Niamonster is 1 year old now.

(Total aside that has nothing to do with this... have I even ranted about how I hate telling people months past a year old? I don't tell you that I'm 320 months old. I want to give you her age... not a math problem.)

Uh... Oh yeah so Niamonster is 1 year old and since turning that blessed year old she has decided that she wants to drink almost all liquids out of a straw, she wants to walk, she wants to talk with big people words, and she wants to feed herself. 

Try to do any of this for her and you have just cursed yourself with a little girl's temper tantrum. Gee... I have no idea where this "do it yourself and don't help me" mentality came from...

... it must have been her mom.

She's so grown up.

She's a toddler now. She's less like the little cute adorable cuddly mooshy goo-poosh... and more like a whiny screaming scratching howler monkey. Still really cute, but you've got to catch her first.

You get really used to having that little ball of foof just hanging out in her little rocker chair as she tries to reach up and swat at the little hanging toys. Remember the good old days when you used to cheer when she pulled the ring and the song played. Now you can't get her to stop pressing those *** **** buttons on that ******* Winnie the Pooh train!! 

There in lies my "enlightening" as to why so many parents have multiple children so close in age. You WANT that cute little baby back. Having a baby means constant needs, love, attention, love, cuddling, needs, and love. 

Having a toddler means, "hey.. no...come back here, please love me STOP SQUIRMING AWAY! I'm just trying to hold you. Where are you going now?... AGH! NO! Don't touch... what? what did you just baby-say to me? Are you cussing me out? I may not be able to understand your words but I sure know when I'm getting cusse... don't put that in your mouth... yes I'm talking about that. I can still see it in your hand. Yes, that piece of paper... I see it... don't put that... no... don't d... AGH! Stop crawling away you're going to choke on it... ugh... ISABELLA!!!!"

Still not going to have one so soon.

For as big as a pain as she can be (grumble grumble miss independent)... I still love every single minute that I spend with her... I mean... Come on... this is awesome!


24 comments:

Apok said...

I here there's an ointment for the baby itch!

Isabella said...

I would like to comment that the female voice in the video is the Grandma...not me.

Just thought I'd clear things up.

Andrew's Daddies said...

she is sooo cute and I have a feeling she is going to be a smarty pants

Surfer Jay said...

Good post. It was nice to read that from another dad, "WANT that cute little baby back", because my wife and I feel opposite of that. But I can certainly understand your feelings.

We have a near 1yo and are going to have another one asap. We dont want another baby after this one is too old because we dont want to have to go through all the baby ordeals all over again again. Of course, I love having a baby though. For all the reasonms you described.

Rob said...

Great post as always. Cool video.

Happy FF!!!!

JonnyTam13 said...

If it burns while you have the baby itch, I would see a doctor.

But great post! Mine is only 6 months old, but we're definitely debating waiting til shes 3 or doubling down right now. Tough call!

creativeDad said...

So they become "independent" that quickly huh? Hmmmm, do you think there's a way to keep it baking in the oven a little longer...that way I prolong the inevitable. :)

BellaDaddy said...

Dang! GREAT posture...on the kid, the kid! LOL...and BTW, thanks for the hugs and shout out to us Dad/Dad's! :-)

Lauren said...

Going through baby itch right now. SO not going to have another one but our youngest hit a year in December. Not a cuddler anymore. Seeing a picture of an infant is almost dangerous right now!

Melisa Wells said...

Awesome video: so cute!

I haven't had the baby itch in years, and have no plans to have it. For me, I lost it once my kids got out of diapers because I didn't want to go back.

But you go, boy! LOL

PJ Mullen said...

My wife recently informed me that I have the baby itch. I wasn't aware of that fact, but I'm glad she let me know. I do miss my little midget that would be in the same spot I left him and I could certainly live without having the "animal train" song haunt me in my sleep. I'm not ready for #2, but have been told that I will be. :)

Jason said...

Nia sound's just like Squirt did just a year ago...it still sounds like him now that I think about it :).

Colorado Dad said...

Same thing happened with my Little Bug!

http://www.colorado-dad.com/?p=4

All of a sudden, he turned into a squirmy, independent, everything-goes-in-the-mouth speed machine.

I can totally see wanting another one though. I want him to grow up, but I kinda still want him to be a baby forever ya know?

DaddyKV said...

Never a dull moment over here at Code Monkey.

Nice video.

-Justin said...

I guess we got the baby itch, since we have one on the way...

I wouldn't trade these developing years for anything, though. Seeing the people they become, watching their personalities develop, THAT's what this whole daddy gig is all about!

Pam said...

lmao @ apok's comment

i had the baby itch after oldest daughter was born only cos she needed someone to grow up with. my son is 10 years older than her. funny thing is, after youngest was born, that itch was gone in a flash. had surgery & never looked back. when people are pregnant these days i'm glad that it's them and not me lol btw, i love baby laughs. so infectious :) just wait til she hits tween/teen stage. that whole independence thing is just the beginning.

p.s. not only do i like niamonster's laugh, but isabella's too :)

Otter Thomas said...

I don't know about the baby itch. I will be sad when our son is not a baby anymore, but at the same time it would be nice to sleep again.

WeaselMomma said...

Enjoy her and know that another will come along soon enough.

Mocha Dad said...

Baby itch? Stay away from me. I hear it's contagious.

MilehighDad said...

...ointment for the baby itch. Isn't that called snip snip?

Coupon Dad said...

Ahhh the baby itch....my middle two are less than 13 months apart....so I have no idea what your talking about!

Great video.

john said...

very cute video, but the only thing that goes through my mind is....who the hell is mowing that lawn....gessshhhh.

KWG said...

Amen, brother. We're talking number 2 (and I don't mean poop) sometime after Bea's a year old or so.

Yesterday, we rocked out like we usually do on Friday afternoons. Played airplane and how many things can I shove in my mouth. Then walked to get the mail together. She carries me well.

Have a great weekend.

Out-Numbered said...

Like a Gazelle I tell ya!