Talk to the animals...

 

Eat And Be Merry!

Quicker than a blink of an eye!

The Target trip always falls onto my shoulders. The monthly order is consistently the same... two cases of Up and Up diapers, two Diaper Genie rings, one case of Up and Up wipes, one bottle of baby wash and allot of other crap. It amazes me how an $80.00 essential purchase always turns into a $300 buying splurge!

As I tossed a bundle of undershirts into my basket; a lonely canvas messenger bag caught my eye. The bag seemed to be lost in a shuffle of merchandise. I pulled the brown canvas bag with faux leather trim from the middle of a men's denim fixture. 

My first thought was... just the right size. I had not considered replacing Brase's big diaper bag until that very moment. Then I froze with thoughts of buying a trunk for Brase's first sleep over camp. Where has my baby gone! 

We weaned early from pacifiers and bottles.  Brase's crib was long gone by 16 months. Diapers will also soon disappear by summer's end. The one thing I continued to hang onto is the big baby bag. It holds everything and has become my security blanket over the last two years.

My baby has become a little boy. The revelation comes with mixed feelings. The first two years have been wonderful but hard on many accounts. I loved the baby stage but do not miss the feedings, sleepless nights and endless tasks that come with babies. On the other hand, these precious moments have pasted quicker than a blink of an eye. 

We have discussed a sibling for Brase but that is not in the cards. The adoption process and costs alone are daunting. And to be honestly... we are not up for the physical challenge.  

I was the youngest of four and the only boy in my family.  My mother always called me baby. Up until her dying day, I was her baby. I never could understand how a 30 plus year old man could be a addressed as baby. Well... that was until I held my son for the first time.  He will be my baby forever!

Cloud Gazing

Plugged In...

The last few weeks have been an ongoing experiment. Yes… I finally gave in and turned on the television. Mind you, this was with great reluctance and a huge shift in my parenting style.

Over the course of the last 3 weeks Brase has been introduced to Sprout on American’s Public Broadcasting Service, PBS. This channel has an amazing lineup of programs for pre/post kindergartners. The Sunny Side Up Show and Fireman Sam were my programming choices. They focus on calendars, dates, birthdays, safety and relationship building. I had specifically limited Brase’s viewing time to 15 minutes during week day mornings. In actually, program selection was based on the time Brase rose from bed each school day. I thought this would be a calming activity to help ease him into his day.

I must admit Sprout’s programs are cute and entertaining. As an adult, I was even drawn to the characters and story lines. I liked everything about Sprout! That being said, I even broke my own time limiting rule during an early school dismissal day. On that occasion, we tuned in for a half hour of Sesame Street.


As weeks passed, reality set in and all my original fears came true. At week 3 of this experiment; it became a struggle to turn off the television. Tears and tantrums were brought on by my requests to turn it off. Brase also wanted more programming time in the afternoon. He would point to the closed television cabinet and says, “Pease.”


I am passionate about everything that involves my son. The one thing I have been most passionate about, from the beginning, is NO television. My motto… The alphabet should be taught by parents and all of Sesame Street’s characters need to stay out of the equation!


The benefits of television are far outweighed by the negative effects. Television viewing promotes sedentary behaviors, isolation and lack of responsibility. It programs children to regurgitate information and look to fantasy rather than reality. Television is a drug that sets children up to fail.


Brase has already transitioned back to his old morning routine. He plays with cars and trains while being my constant bathroom sidekick. He imitates sounds as toy roll across the tile floor. Words spout from his mouth and there is a never ending range of requests with every step he takes. As a parent, this is the kinda of learning and creativity I want to promote.  In addition, it’s a little more time consuming but well worth the investment in the long run.


My bottom line… You only get one chance at raising your child.  Give it your full attention!

By the sea shore...

All his treasures...

Under the boardwalk...

Moon...

Brase gazes into the heavens as the moon disappears from the morning sky.

Train Hoppin...