Fatherhood

We headed over to see Grandma and Papap after work. They had taken the time to pick up Patrick from daycare ... so cool, giving us a few quiet minutes. The silence was so amazing ... Patrick and Grandma showed us the new boots he got ... again, so cool! At one point during the night, Patrick was being chased around the house (they have a nice large circle you can run around in their house) ... by Papap. He stopped at one point and grabbed his Mama's hand and got her into the chasing. Not long after that, Grandma was pulled into the chase, as well. So there I was watching my father, mother, and wife chasing my son around the house, like some super-cool train (yes, I did get pulled into chasing hi, as well ... but at that point, I was allowed to sit back and laugh) ... we are all so well trained!

Teaching my son to pee ... there is one I have not spent a lot of time considering. Not until this weekend when a group of friends were discussing techniques (and only one other individual in the room even had children). What an interesting conversation. It began with a discussion of the various devices to teach a boy to urinate. Apparently, there are plastic devices that you can use to get them to have fun while aiming. Then, you have to retrieve it for the next use (really ... sounds ... not so much fun). Then, the cool suggestion came out ... cheerios! Awesome. Simple, cheap, and safe to flush ... The final suggestion is the one that stuck in my mind ... Fruit Loops. Simple, cheap, safe to flush, and "colorful!" He's already peed on his papa several times, almost from the moment he was born ... why not have some fun with it ... What more could a young boy ask for ... of to the grocery store I go. Better to be prepared for when that day gets here ... they can ...

... to be Fathers? My parents say that Patrick has us very well trained ... and he well might. He lifts his arms and we lift him up.  He points and we carry him in the direction he wants to go.  He throws something, we give it back for him to throw again. Parents that know us roll their eyes (some unspoken knowledge, I expect). I suspect they are laughing with us ... As we teach him how to live life ... to love God, respect his family, and to be a productive member of society ... he is teaching us about life, as well.  What those lessons are, I'm not one hundred percent sure, but I am certain they will be valuable to me in my future endeavors.