Baby's Cry

Waaaaaaaa..... Aaaaaaaa.......Oouueee.....!!!!

There's nothing like the sound of a baby crying when they have hurt themselves. Believe it or not 7 month old Kaden has never really hurt himself while playing. An occasional tip over and bonk on the head, but nothing to write about.

Yesterday while I was cleaning Kaden crawled into the kitchen to play. This is no big deal we keep a fairly decent kitchen floor (don't judge me.) So as he was playing he pulled open a cabinet, as he leaned on it his to little fingers got caught. 

The scream was obviously different then I am used to. Instantly I am moving toward the sounds as I turned to look. Poor little guy is staring at his fingers pinched in between the edge of the cabinet unable to asses the situation.

Super-Dad here runs over and swoops him up, just hugging him tightly instantaneously examining the tiny digits.  "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 all there... No blood... No major damage..." It's amazing how fast the mind can work in these situations. What sounded like life and death turned out to be a little boo boo. 

What I realized is that Kaden has never hurt himself like this while exploring or playing. He was in shock that such pain could exist. His experiences leading up to this gave him no fair warning.

Once again as a father I learn a part of the character of the God I serve. Just as I jump at the sound of my child in pain and I'm quick to care for my baby, my Father in Heaven is quick to hear my cries. He knows my pain better then I. He knows the source of the pain when I stare helplessly at it not knowing how to ease it. Scooping me into his arms  he wants to comfort me and care for me. 

Sometimes the pain may be so intense that we are oblivious to our Fathers presents. Even though the injury was very minor my son continued to cry for about ten minutes. I had no idea what to do... I kissed his hand, I held him closer, I even drew a bath. Finally knowing that I was at the end of my rope I held Kaden close to me and whispered in his ear, "I know it hurts, but daddy is here and Jesus is here. Let's pray to Jesus and ask him to heal you and to calm our hearts." We prayed together and he began to calm down even falling asleep in my arms.

Why is it that I have to do everything I can think of before I turn to Christ and pray? Why is that not my first reaction? Is this just the independent human nature in us? 

Life may be intense and maybe we can't see past the situation, but I encourage you to look around your daddy is there.

Raising Daddy Tip of  The Day

Prunes are amazing when baby can't go, but just plan out your day after feeding. Do you really want to be out shopping?

Guest What?!!

Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season can bring an onslaught of guest. Last night my wife and I were talking about all the guest who were coming through in the weeks to come. I didn't realize how many people were in town. Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining. If you know us we love people around and we love hosting guest. 

With Kaden being a Busy Beaver (Go Oregon State!) I have had to change my cleaning strategy. Instead of the normal last minute all day once through, we will have to clean the house in stages. While Kaden slept today I started on the kitchen by putting things away and organizing the cupboards (this may be a three day process.) Tonight after the boy goes to bed we'll do a deep clean of the bathrooms and try to keep them clean until Thursday.

Who would have thought even the way people clean changes when they become parents. I just have to learn how to be satisfied with a house cleaned in stages. I don't get the satisfaction of a completely cleaned house at the end of a 6 hour cleaning marathon anymore!

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

Be aware of the faces you make when feeding baby cause it seems like everyone else is aware of how wide you open and close your mouth while encouraging the little one.

Why Didn't I Think of That?

In the last seven months I have come across many baby products that make me say, "Why didn't I think of that?" People are making millions off of silly gidget, gadgets, whoseits, whatsits, and a ton of other products. 

Gerber Puffs

Little snacks to keep baby interested while they eat.  Don't really have to worry about the kido choking on them cause these treats de-solve when baby saliva hits it. Unlike M&M's they do melt in your hands. But really do we need these snacks?  Substitute crackers instead: cheaper and less sugar.

Hands Free Bottle 

A bottle with a hose attached to the nipple so baby can sit back chill-lax and suck. What a wonderful device, daddy doesn't have to hold the bottle for junior anymore. Why don't they make this for adults. Oh wait... maybe that's why my wife calls it a baby bong.

Wee Wee Tee-Pee

I admit it we've used one of these ingenious designs, to keep daddy and mommy from taking it in the mouth. Unfortunately we didn't get a big enough one for our son and the first time Kaden tried to test it out we had a "tee-pee rocket." (We even got the Super Wee Wee!)

There are countless other products that I laugh at and think, "who would buy that?" But as long as people keep reproducing I think the market will be there. Parents want to give there children good gifts. And they want to make their own lives more convenient.  

Raising Daddy Tip of  The Day

It's ok to keep baby in pajamas all day... change them around 4:30 or 5:00 before mommy gets home. The bonus: baby's clothes are nice and clean this makes mommy very happy!

Discovering Family Traditions

The Holiday season is here. Thanksgiving is only a week away and Christmas will soon follow. I have my turkey and ingredients to make my famous potato salad. 

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. When it is all said and done and everything is put away I am always grateful for the family, friends, and the luxuries I have. But in the moment there are many times I am overwhelmed with the activities and stresses that seem to surround this time of year.

That said let's focus on the positive and the great opportunities to strengthen the family structure and create long lasting memories.

One of the discussions that Lisa and I have this season, revolves around creating "Family Traditions." A 50 year study shows that Traditions, rituals, and routines are important to the health and well-being of family. The Holidays are an easy time to create and renew traditions since it is almost expected. 

Last year we began a tradition that we will carry on into this year. Along with our church we participated in a movement called Advent Conspiracy. This movement desires to push back against consumerism in order to make a difference in the world. As a family one of our goals is to live lives that make a difference and extend the love of Christ to others. Our new tradition is to spend less on material things in order to give the extra resources to our community and build wells in Africa. Does this mean no gifts for you? Not really it means we look to give more relational gifts like our time, attention, and maybe a helping hand. So get your relational gift request in quick! (Check out the Advent Conspiracy website and join us this year)

This year will be Kaden's first Christmas so we are looking to create memories that will last over a life time. Some ideas we have in the works:

• Tree Cutting and Decorating
• Hanging Stockings
• Baking Cookies to Give Away
• Family Photo Day

Holiday Traditions floating around in Daddy's head:

• Hanging turkeys on the mantle for Thanksgiving
• Decorate friends houses with white streamers (used to do this in HS but called it something different)
• Replace Christmas carols with Christmas yodeling

 

If you have more ideas feel free to send them our way. Hopefully you'll be able to start some of your own traditions this Holiday Season. 

Raising Daddy Tip of The Day

To conserve diapers: check to see if the diaper is wet by pulling the diaper and peeking in near baby's bum. Warning watch those fingers for unidentified objects!