so how do you fathers do it?

[Jimbo]

Well my daughter and I are getting along again and being reminded of the newness of life's events when the first one comes along reminded me of another classic thing I did. When we first brought her home I was so into being on night shift with her when she woke. It was like a special bonding thing and I loved the sweet smell when you burped them after a bottle. There was one reminder from my wife that whenever I changed her, to remember to use alcohol on a Q-tip around her belly button to keep it clean. Well I was about the best, most diligent belly button wiper there was, until one night my wife woke up and came in by the changing table as I changed her diaper and swabbed her. All of a sudden I thought my wife was crying (the hormones still are out of sync for a while, keep that in the back of your mind). Turns out she had to sit down she was laughing so hard. It seems I mistook the small bottle of mouthwash they gave her in the hospital for rubbing alcohol. This had been going on two weeks I was at it. Well, I'm again constantly reminded of that incident, but I will say, my baby had the nicest smelling navel of 'em all.
BJS - if you don't get on for the baby shower, you have to invest in a Diaper Genie. It may well be the most important piece of changing table equipment you money can buy.

[BrianS]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

BJS - if you don't get on for the baby shower, you have to invest in a Diaper Genie. It may well be the most important piece of changing table equipment you money can buy.

Its definitely on the registry, and I beleive its been purchased.

Ill say it again - this is exactly what I needed to remind me and put it into perspective. I appreciate the advice from all of you.

[gldnbear93]

TDF says it well.

RIJIMMY-flashlight games are a blast! we use several different kinds and the kids have a great time with the different beams. build a fort with a card table and blankets give everyone laight and let the games begin.

I am finding that parenthood is whole lot more fun and al ittle less work than I ever thought it would be.

Fishing wise, I go out after the kids are in bed and am usually home before they wake up. I am finding that I actually am fishing more this year than in the past couple of years. I need to get in all the time on the water that I can now, since my wife is having twins in a few weeks and we have a 5 and 2 year old already; I don't think I will get a whole lot of time druing this years fall run.

[Katie]

From a 16 yr olds perspective.. These guys have hit every point...But as the kids get older, i know that i have gotten closer to my parents within these last 2 years then ever.. and it's nice to actually have a conversation about something besides, "how was your day dear?" you can joke a lot more, and understand more.. Well thats how it's been for me so far these past 2 years.. But i have to give kudos to all parents, cause i know i put mine through a lot of s--t when i was between the age of 8 and 12... i was basically almost like a rebelling kid, a lot of trouble in school, bad grades, bad attitude, every parents nightmare.. but I made myself a deal the summer before i started high school.. that i was gonna change and give my parents a break, cause i realized how much of a pain i had been.. now freshmen year of high school i did change, 360 degree turn around.. i was on honors, senior internship for computers.. i was a happy kid.. no more rebelling, suspensions, detentions (well just 1 for being late to class). but every year into high school i've become a better person, more responsible and mature. But this is just my perspective basically.. Younger years, i vaguely remember, they started in tiverton, westport, fall river, and so on.. But enjoy it while he's young, i've heard that those are the years to remember..

-- I'm not so far ahead into school i'm a Junior/Senior... I will be able to graduate early if i want during senior year. but the classes after my early graduation date, those classes will count towards college, for college credits.. So, i've done pretty good turning my life around.. And i've finally made my parents proud.

[partsjay]

Good Job Katie!

[toddonbi]

1 year old baby girl myself. It's amazing to me how quick it goes and how crazy it is at first but absolutley nothing compares to it.

Speaking of non-comparisons-My baby is taking a nap the other day, or so I think-lol. I keep hearing this strange sound and couldn't figure it out. I look around my place and still can't figure it out until I hear my 1 year old start laughing from the other room. Knowing something has had to have gone down I start towards the bedroom when I see what the mystery sounds was. Turns out my beautiful little baby girl ripped a King Kong size sh** and then decided to pull her diaper off and sling it out of her crib and onto the dresser thus launching "debris" everywhere. Alas, this was not enough for her and is where the mystery sounds come in to play. Apparently several baby logs/piles, whatever you want to call this disaster, where held in reserve by her and used as projectiles against the walls and bedroom door...and to her it appeared to be the greatest fun ever had by a baby. It is at this precise moment that my lady walks through the door from work....da,da,da-dum, and issues a strartled howl of horror as she sees me in the room raining poo, poo stuck on the door, poo on the dresser, etc, etc. I put on my best face and declared that I was as startled as she and apparently somebody learned a new trick and proceeded to pick up my baby girl and get her to the shower. Of course my baby was having a blast and of course she had to smile and say "Da, Da," while squeezing my face with her little poo covered hands.
The joys of Fatherhood are unparalleled

Note: In addition to the thingies that hold the diaper shut it might be worth it to get Duck tape for the additional insurance of a diaper staying closed-lol.

[smac]

Congrats Bud, Dont worry about it. The only thing your going to miss is fishing as much as you would like and even thats temporary. You will have a fishing buddie for life.

In a couple years you will be amazed(and very tired) at the amount of energy kids have. I have two boys and one on the way too.

[striprman]

How's this
My oldest kid is 23, a trained machinist with no job. His girlfriend, age 22 (lives at my house) is prego, no job.
My youngest, age 20, High school dropout, no job (hustler)

I'm seperated, divorce pending. Kids pay no rent (they live in the upsairs apartment). Wife kicked me out after I broke my back. She says they pay no rent (my lawery is looking into that, they should have paid her rent, every month, since last December). She said they didn't (she's pocketing my money) By the way, she changed the locks on me (told the lawyer about that too)..
Hows that for a nice family ?
I've been married 32 years (probably not 33)

I'm going to the sherrif next week to have the kids evicted

[smac]

Man that is rough

I would drop there ass's off at the recruiters office. 15 years later it was the best thing that ever happpend to me.

[Nebe]

forget about surfcasting in the dead of night.. take up fluke fishing during the day or get a boat and chase fish durring gentleman's hours. i was almost faced with a divorce this spring if i didn't hang up the surf rods for a while........ Kids will change your life and you cant fight it. You will get yoru life back after a while i am told

[striprman]

Originally Posted by smac

Man that is rough

I would drop there ass's off at the recruiters office. 15 years later it was the best thing that ever happpend to me.

Too many "issues" to even join the army