Fatherhood

Tonight it was three slices of "Eese" (cheese for those not familiar with the linguistics of small children). There would have been a fourth slice if Papap had not recommended a string cheese as an option. Patrick was more than willing to take it on. Then, he headed for the raisins; almost finishing one box (the large box, not one of the bitty ones that's gone in seconds) ... before heading for the unopened box. Mixed into all this was at least one "Ooose" (juice ... hang in there). I really think he was ready to take on the unopened box ... he was trying to sneak it out the door as we left. Hilarious ... a child trying to sneak out a box that was about half his size out the door! Upon our arrival at home, he started in on the cheese curls before settling on a meal of Chef-boy-ardee 'ronis. Two juice containers later and we finally allowed Mama and Papa to get us ready for a bath ... he needed it after all that food. Oh, and did I mention the t...

Jennifer and I woke about twenty minutes ago to Patrick crying ... nothing unusual. I asked her to get him since I have to start getting ready for work in about three hours (yes, I have to work on a Saturday). Where things became unusual was the loud, sustained crash, and Patrick's cries rising to a hefty scream. Being the concerned parent that I am ... with visions of his changing table collapsed on top of him, I rushed to their aid. "What was that?" I cried. Jennifer, weakly replied, "I fell down the stairs." With Patrick screaming at the top of his lungs, I think I actually asked her to repeat what she said. I found my wife sitting, with her legs out and my son in her arms, at the bottom of the stairs. Asking if she and Patrick were OK was mixed into confused questioning about what happened. Somehow, her feet went out from under her (we suspect a couple of the leaves that Patrick likes to play with were on the steps). While my real concern was i...