It is inevitable that now matter how old McKinna gets she will still be my munchkin.  It is inevitable that no matter how good of a mood she is in as soon as Erin leaves the house she cries.  It is inevitable that no matter how tired I am in the morning when I hear her cry at 6:30am I rush to her crib to consul her.  And finally it is inevitable that as soon as we get her undress to take a bath she will pee all over Erin.  It finally happened tonight.

It is inevitable that I feel relieved that it happened to Erin and not me.

A co-worker of mine who is going to be giving birth soon asked Erin and I if things ever get routine with McKinna.  The answer to that is definitely no.  McKinna does something new to surprise Erin and I everyday.  Whether it is a new noise, smiling more often, sleeping longer, eating less…while not that so much, holding her head up, etc.  I have kayaked down rivers, hiked through mountains, ran a half marathon, and raced cars, but nothing has more exciting than seeing her grow and change.

Though I have been back at work Erin has been keeping me abreast (yes that is a pun) on new developments in my absence.  Most notably we have been having “playtime” with her.  It consists of putting her on back and moving her arms and legs so that she gets some exercise.  To supplement that Erin has been giving her “tummy time” and she loves it.  Apparently she will turn her head from side to side and make funny faces.

The next thing you know she’ll by trying to take my keys and drive TIna.

They grow up fast

I can’t tell you how many books that Erin and I read to get us ready for the baby. I tried to get as much advise as I could from other parents, both you and old.  There is, however, no substitute for actually going through the experience for oneself.  Now that we have had some experience under our belt, well a month’s worth at least, I have some advise for any expecting parents out there, and it has nothing to do with raising your child…well not directly.

My advice is when the baby is asleep, spend time with your spouse.  It is so easy to forget that the two of you are a couple and still need each other.  It will make you better parents.

Back in the early 90’s Will Smith rapped about how parents didn’t understand the trials and tribulations of what kids are going through.  Though the song was a huge hit I now see how flawed that song’s premise is.  What caused this epiphany is the fact that Erin and I are now parents.  I can’t tell you how many times both of us heard, when we where younger, “When you have kids of your own you’ll understand”.  Well mom and dad, we do understand.  The overwhelming desire to make sure that your child is completely taken care of and has the best of everything even if that means having to give up the “wants” of our lives…like sleep.

Questions/statements we expect to hear:

1. You don’t understand what it is like to be in love - (first high school (older) boyfriend that I throw out of the house because I know exactly why he is ‘dating’ our daughter)
2. I am just trying to express myself.  I don’t want to conform to the materialistic US society - (when she tries to go to school dressed in all black)
3. Just 20 more minutes…we are finishing a movie - (knows she is going to be late for curfew)
4. You don’t know what it is like to be the only kid in school to not have a cellphone - (at age 10)

The adventure is well under way.