Baby “X” is now my buddy too…

Leading up to the Christmas holidays our little guy, Baby “X” or the “X-man” was quite sick for a number of days. My wife, having just returned to work fresh off maternity leave a couple of months prior, didn’t have any vacation days or sick days accumulated to be able to stay home and look after him. She spent the whole first year of Baby “X’s” life with him while on maternity leave, and as a result she had always been his favourite — especially when he wasn’t feeling well — so normally she would have stayed home with him.


The silver lining to this little scenario was Daddy getting to stay home with “X” for three whole days. Which, as I realized afterwards was the longest period of one-on-one time I had ever had with him. He had almost a constant fever that I would cyclically keep at bay with baby Tylenol. As a result, he had lulls where he felt miserable and just wanted to be held, and peaks when we played and laughed. He’s such a funny little boy.

Wow. Did we ever bond over those three days.

I was lucky enough to be able to take three months paternity leave with Little “L” when he was a baby, and we bonded wonderfully. But with “L” now old enough to be in daycare our daily schedules just wouldn’t have allowed for me to take leave with “X”. I was convinced that it would take me the same three month of one-on-one time with “X” to be able to catch-up, so to speak.

Three days.

 Mommy’s still his first choice… overall. But now there are many times where he will come to me first.

And I love it.
steelie

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Quick Update…

The boys and Ladyshark went to bed early tonight so I thought I’d take the opportunity to update quickly before turning in for the night myself…

Christmas was a blast. This was the first year that Little “L” was old enough to be able to anticipate Christmas and the arrival of Santa…

“Daddy, is Santa coming tonight?” “No, buddy. Nine more sleeps ’til Santa comes to visit.”
“Daddy, is Santa coming tonight?” “No, buddy. Same day, still nine more sleeps, kiddo.”

Little “L” is three years old now (wow) and he was super excited for the big day. Ladyshark and Baby “X” had woken up and gone downstairs. Meanwhile, I was still sleeping on Little “L’s” floor because he hadn’t been sleeping well. When Little “L” finally woke up, I carried him downstairs to the livingroom where all the presents were, and where Ladyshark had turned the TV on as a bit of a distraction to keep herself awake while Baby “X” drank his milk. Little “L” is a bit of a TV-junkie and immediately started watching what was on the tube and apparently lost all recollection of what was awaiting him under the tree. I put  him down and stood there for good solid minute (which is a long time if you were to count it out), completely zombied. I finally asked him if he wanted some milk and he nodded. So, I slowly started to turn him around toward the kitchen where the milk was and it was only then that he noticed that there were gifts. He’s too cute.

From there we opened gifts and had a relaxing morning and ate Christmas dinner at my parents’ place, which was nice and relaxing. Usually my other siblings and their kids are there too but they all had plans with their in-laws which left just us. I love my niece and nephews but it was nice to have a quiet visit.

I took the Thursday and Friday after Boxing day off as vacation days just for me.

Thursday, I sent the boys into daycare and dropped Ladyshark off at the ferry to go to work and I slept and then went to the mall to pick up Jared so I could see him before he flew back to Edmonton. I felt bad because I was still just plain tired even after getting some sleep and I wish I could have made for more engaging host. Thankfully, after reading his post, it turns out that a no-effort-just-hangin’-around-chatting day was exactly was he was in for too. He stayed for dinner and hung out and played with Little “L” and Baby “X”, then helped tuck them in to bed. They LOVED him. Baby “X” kept going over to Jared to be picked up — which is ultra-rare for “X”, especially upon the first time meeting them. And Little “L” had Jared read him a bedtime story and gave him a kiss goodnight too. That was a fun night. I was sad that he had to go.

Friday started out the same but instead of sleeping (which I should be doing right now) I just relaxed and did whatever I felt like. Mostly watched TV and played on the computer but managed to get some small chores done as well. Also chatted with Semblance for almost an hour-and-a-half. Friday was her last day in town before heading away to school again. I managed to see her a couple of time during her stay. Sem and I have become really good friends over the last little while. She started out as my wife’s friend from work but now she is a dear family friend, and one of my closest. I was sad that she had go.

Come end of day Friday, I went to pick up the boys to find that Baby “X” was a bit out of sorts. Not quite himself. And feeling a bit warm. Once I got him home I checked his temperature to find he had a fever of 104.7° F. Umm… *gulp*. Ladyshark was almost home so I tried to call her on her cell to give her a heads-up so that she knew what to expect upon coming through the door. Alas, she was listening to her iPod and missed my calls. So, I essentially handed Baby “X” to her as soon as she came though the door so that she could turn right around and take him to the hospital. I felt bad for doing that but Baby “X” responds better to her when he is not well. Plus there was no way I was going to take our three-year-old “L” to the hospital for hours so he get bored after five minutes and freak on me.

Baby “X” ended up visiting the emergency department three times over the holidays only to finally discover that he had a viral lower respiratory infection… viral, meaning they couldn’t do anything for it so, the poor little guy just had to wait it out. He’s fine now.

Well, I wanted to write more but I’m sleepy. I’ll try to fill in the blanks some other time… maybe next year ;^)

Wishing you all the best for 2008.
Vox-love to you all.

steelie

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Rest in peace, Uncle Phillip

Months ago — Thursday, June 7, 2007 to be exact — my dear Uncle Philip passed away after a long battle with emphysema and other lung related complications.

I took me a while to write anything because I didn’t want to post anything quick just for the sake of posting it. I wanted to take the time to reflect on what happened, on what I remember from his life — what I experienced, not what others told me about him. Still, I found it really hard to pinpoint specific instances or examples to properly capture my overall memory of him. I know that he was a good person. I know that he was a wonderful father. I know he was well liked. I know that was truly loved. I know that he will be truly missed. Unfortunately, in all the times we'd been around each other, I am realizing that we had exchanged only very few words.

The one clear thing I do remember about my uncle is that he always gave me the impression that he thought I could do or be anything I wanted. It was in his smile. It was in his handshake. It was in his words, as few as they may have been. Maybe he meant for me to pick up on this. Maybe he was this way with everyone. Maybe I just read into things too much. Regardless, I’d like to think he meant it because it’s a great memory/feeing to carry with me. It’s like having this little piece of motivation, this reminder to do or be the best I can at anything and everything — no matter how seemingly insignificant.

Uncle Philip, you will be missed.

steelie

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I want to go back to the way it used to be…

I’m always worried about my entries being engaging enough for my neighbours… it never used to be that way… I used to get excited writing about whatever I wanted to or felt at any given time. Part of the problem is (and no offence to you guys) I know people on VOX that read my blog so, some of the things that bother me, that weigh heavily on my mind never get shared because I don’t want to offend people or hurt, shock, or insult any of the people I actually know.

Sooo… (I know some people are going to roll their eyes at this) I’ve created another blog. An anonymous one. One I’m not sure I want anyone to know about yet. It almost feels like it should have it’s own neighbourhood. One that won’t judge me for what I write. That way, I can keep writing but keep things and thoughts separate.

The other blog will at times seem harsh, selfish and one-sided. People may not like it… but that’s okay… It’s not about them… It’s about me and my need for an outlet.

Hopefully, that way I’ll be able t get back to my former VOXing self.

I miss that guy.
steelie

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Personal Parkour Progress (PPP) 2007-11-09 Indoor training…

Just a simple parkour training video… for personal reference mostly.

I’ve been having problems working up the courage to try/practice certain techniques outdoors. Unfortunately, if I’m not willing to try them outdoors, then I can’t even become comfortable with the basic mechanics associated with those techniques. So, I joined a local gymnastics club with the hopes that I may overcome these mental obstacles.

My parkour path is modest and still in its early stages…

More personal parkour progress (PPP) to come.

steelie

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