36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.--------so true. Just being with my dad made me feel safe like nothing could go wrong.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.-------I remember going to "muddy park" when I was little.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.------my dad's definition of higher and faster, hmmmmmmm?
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.------he never got tired of hearing "more, more!!"
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.-------ha! He never bought me a pony as much as I begged for a horse but he did pay for my riding lessons for many many years.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.------I'm pretty sure I always had plenty of both.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.------I was always welcome. Especially since my dad's one of like three rules ever was don't live with someone before you are married.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
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Sunday, September 23, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
50 Rules - Part 2
Continued from post below.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.-------definitely not high on my dads list of enjoyable activities but once I got married he was a sport for Ben's sake. On his first deep sea fishing trip with the Needle boys he "lost his sea legs" I quote from him. And had to ask the captain "where is the best place to hurl". He even went fishing again after this.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.--------I was a pretty good kid and he didn't often say no but as a result when he did. I knew he meant it.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.--------he always did. I think my self esteem was always normal as a result.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.--------well my dad's version of this was to say "just call me". He knew better than to even try. As a result, now I just call Ben or AAA.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.------he was many things but the outdoorsy type was not one of them.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.-------I remember sitting in his lap to drive from our house to the pool. It was so awesome!
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.-----smarter!
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.-------I always felt loved
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.--------always good for a road trip.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.-------I remember sitting up there with my hands in his curly afro.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.-------he always taught us to let go, be free, and make a fool of yourself.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.-----we didn't have a splash park near us but my dad always took us to the pool. And during adult swim he would do cannon balls next to the old ladies with coiffed hair just for fun.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.------when I was little and my dad had a great well paying job with Morgan Stanley, he was never home. I would wait up until ten or get up at 4am to see him. He quit the job. He loved us more than money.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.---------my dad was often the only dad around with the other moms. He didn't care. Neither did I.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.-------I can't remember him ever missing one. Until I turned 28.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.-----again I must reiterate his lack of athletic prowess.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.-------he was always rolling around playing with us.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.------shopping was pretty high on my dad's "I would rather pluck out my eye lashes than _______" list.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.------I don't remember
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.-------I think I usually wanted my mom in these situations but one time I was sick and puked in my bed and he cleaned it while puking himself from the grossness and I sat comfortably in his bed.
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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.-------definitely not high on my dads list of enjoyable activities but once I got married he was a sport for Ben's sake. On his first deep sea fishing trip with the Needle boys he "lost his sea legs" I quote from him. And had to ask the captain "where is the best place to hurl". He even went fishing again after this.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.--------I was a pretty good kid and he didn't often say no but as a result when he did. I knew he meant it.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.--------he always did. I think my self esteem was always normal as a result.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.--------well my dad's version of this was to say "just call me". He knew better than to even try. As a result, now I just call Ben or AAA.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.------he was many things but the outdoorsy type was not one of them.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.-------I remember sitting in his lap to drive from our house to the pool. It was so awesome!
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.-----smarter!
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.-------I always felt loved
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.--------always good for a road trip.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.-------I remember sitting up there with my hands in his curly afro.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.-------he always taught us to let go, be free, and make a fool of yourself.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.-----we didn't have a splash park near us but my dad always took us to the pool. And during adult swim he would do cannon balls next to the old ladies with coiffed hair just for fun.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.------when I was little and my dad had a great well paying job with Morgan Stanley, he was never home. I would wait up until ten or get up at 4am to see him. He quit the job. He loved us more than money.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.---------my dad was often the only dad around with the other moms. He didn't care. Neither did I.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.-------I can't remember him ever missing one. Until I turned 28.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.-----again I must reiterate his lack of athletic prowess.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.-------he was always rolling around playing with us.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.------shopping was pretty high on my dad's "I would rather pluck out my eye lashes than _______" list.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.------I don't remember
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.-------I think I usually wanted my mom in these situations but one time I was sick and puked in my bed and he cleaned it while puking himself from the grossness and I sat comfortably in his bed.
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50 Rules for Dads with Daughters
Found this great website that I was going to send on to Ben since he has three daughters, but as I was reading it I was flooded with thoughts of my dad. I thought I would give him a grade and go though the rules to see how well he did. Here is the website in case you want to check out the real deal: http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters
I will probably break this post up into a few so it isn't soooooooo long!
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good. ---------I'd say A+ on rule #1 since Ben is pretty much a clone of my dad in soooo many ways.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.-----------odd that this is what actually gave me comfort in those early days. I know without a doubt my dad was always there. Whether it was a school play, a track meet, chaperoning a school field trip, driving carpool, helping with homework, cooking dinner, prom, my wedding day, the delivery room (not during actual birth!), he was there. Big stuff, small stuff, didn't matter. So in those early days of missing him, I would rationalize to myself (often, and often while driving in the car I have no idea why) that most people can't say that. Most people can't say my dad was there for everything. Not a thing I could think of that he missed.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.--------I'd say he did pretty good here too. He'd have chased down anyone for me. And he did too. During prom picture taking a car drive too close to us kids on the road getting into a limo. He chased them down screaming and yelling about safety and children.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.----------I don't really think he ever took life for granted. He was always behind the camera capturing the moments to savor in the future. It's how he earned the name Opa. He was always lolly gagging behind snapping memories.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.------not real sure about this one although in pretty sure he probably said "please god don't let her marry this one" once, "please god don't let her live with a boyfriend....ever", and "please god let her marry someone Jewish". I guess I answered his prayers :)
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.-----my dad wasn't much of an athlete himself but he always told me that I threw like a girl. He told Alexis that a few times as well. But he just couldn't quite do anything about it!
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.-------love this one. He wisely always chose my mother. She was always right, right?
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.-------when I was on homecoming court and my dad was my escort (one of my most favorite memories) he gave me a gold and sapphire Ring on the way in the car. I loved it and felt so special.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.----------one thing he never cared about was what other people thought. Which was downright embarrassing at times. But hilarious in retrospect. He would do the krone decker walk anywhere anytime.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.------I actually can't remember who did our bath time as kids. I'll have to ask my mom!
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”-------after our first dog died my dad said no more dogs. Then a neighbor found a dog who had been hit by a car. We wanted her. My dad did not. We cried. He said yes. After he spent thousands of dollars because she had back surgery and leukemia and she died, I was a senior in high school. We still wanted a new dog. He said no. Our friends brought over a black lab puppy because one of them was allergic. He said yes. And that dog became his life! He bought a red truck so the dog would look good riding with him!
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.-------I feel like I earned the value of hard work and working for your money from my dad. I got a job at 16 so I could buy things I wanted and my parents always bought me things I needed. And of course some things I wanted too! I remember him taking me to the bank to open my first bank account and showing me how to use the ATM. I know on our wedding day there were some expenditures that he thought were unnecessary. Like chair covers. But he paid for it for me.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.-------it may or may not have been our birthdays but he always made pancakes in the shape of the letters of our name. And Mickey mouse!
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.------can't say he did that!
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.--------I have fond memories of my dad putting my feet on his and walking and dancing around. My dad was always up for a party and was always on the dance floor. And dancing with him on my wedding day to "Unforgettable" was a perfect choice of songs.
I guess I will stop at #15 for now. Check back soon for more rules!!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I will probably break this post up into a few so it isn't soooooooo long!
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good. ---------I'd say A+ on rule #1 since Ben is pretty much a clone of my dad in soooo many ways.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.-----------odd that this is what actually gave me comfort in those early days. I know without a doubt my dad was always there. Whether it was a school play, a track meet, chaperoning a school field trip, driving carpool, helping with homework, cooking dinner, prom, my wedding day, the delivery room (not during actual birth!), he was there. Big stuff, small stuff, didn't matter. So in those early days of missing him, I would rationalize to myself (often, and often while driving in the car I have no idea why) that most people can't say that. Most people can't say my dad was there for everything. Not a thing I could think of that he missed.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.--------I'd say he did pretty good here too. He'd have chased down anyone for me. And he did too. During prom picture taking a car drive too close to us kids on the road getting into a limo. He chased them down screaming and yelling about safety and children.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.----------I don't really think he ever took life for granted. He was always behind the camera capturing the moments to savor in the future. It's how he earned the name Opa. He was always lolly gagging behind snapping memories.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.------not real sure about this one although in pretty sure he probably said "please god don't let her marry this one" once, "please god don't let her live with a boyfriend....ever", and "please god let her marry someone Jewish". I guess I answered his prayers :)
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.-----my dad wasn't much of an athlete himself but he always told me that I threw like a girl. He told Alexis that a few times as well. But he just couldn't quite do anything about it!
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.-------love this one. He wisely always chose my mother. She was always right, right?
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.-------when I was on homecoming court and my dad was my escort (one of my most favorite memories) he gave me a gold and sapphire Ring on the way in the car. I loved it and felt so special.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.----------one thing he never cared about was what other people thought. Which was downright embarrassing at times. But hilarious in retrospect. He would do the krone decker walk anywhere anytime.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.------I actually can't remember who did our bath time as kids. I'll have to ask my mom!
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”-------after our first dog died my dad said no more dogs. Then a neighbor found a dog who had been hit by a car. We wanted her. My dad did not. We cried. He said yes. After he spent thousands of dollars because she had back surgery and leukemia and she died, I was a senior in high school. We still wanted a new dog. He said no. Our friends brought over a black lab puppy because one of them was allergic. He said yes. And that dog became his life! He bought a red truck so the dog would look good riding with him!
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.-------I feel like I earned the value of hard work and working for your money from my dad. I got a job at 16 so I could buy things I wanted and my parents always bought me things I needed. And of course some things I wanted too! I remember him taking me to the bank to open my first bank account and showing me how to use the ATM. I know on our wedding day there were some expenditures that he thought were unnecessary. Like chair covers. But he paid for it for me.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.-------it may or may not have been our birthdays but he always made pancakes in the shape of the letters of our name. And Mickey mouse!
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.------can't say he did that!
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.--------I have fond memories of my dad putting my feet on his and walking and dancing around. My dad was always up for a party and was always on the dance floor. And dancing with him on my wedding day to "Unforgettable" was a perfect choice of songs.
I guess I will stop at #15 for now. Check back soon for more rules!!!
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One Armed Bandit
In case I ever wanted to know Remy made sure that I could create a list of all the things I could do with one arm/hand while holding her in the other. And yes, she will at times go in a carrier but she is quite specific and prefers to lay down in the crook of my arm. All. The. Time. Here is the list which I'm sure is not exhaustive:
Pee
Put cream cheese on a bagel
Wipe someone else's butt (not my own)
Type (yup she is the crook right now)
Do my makeup
Clean up toys (this sometimes involves using my monkey toes to pick up items off the floor. I knew I had that talent for a reason!)
Tie shoes
Drag someone to time out
Button someone's pants
Open ziplock baggies
Move clothes from washer to dryer (damn if I could also master folding with one hand too)
Drag Riley inside after escaping our fence
Open a stroller (this one is surprisingly tough)
Thanks Remy for affording me the opportunity to know this special talent. It's really cool. Yeah. Really. Cool.
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Pee
Put cream cheese on a bagel
Wipe someone else's butt (not my own)
Type (yup she is the crook right now)
Do my makeup
Clean up toys (this sometimes involves using my monkey toes to pick up items off the floor. I knew I had that talent for a reason!)
Tie shoes
Drag someone to time out
Button someone's pants
Open ziplock baggies
Move clothes from washer to dryer (damn if I could also master folding with one hand too)
Drag Riley inside after escaping our fence
Open a stroller (this one is surprisingly tough)
Thanks Remy for affording me the opportunity to know this special talent. It's really cool. Yeah. Really. Cool.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Sunday Energy Burn
We had a very relaxed Labor Day weekend so far. At least relaxed by Needle standards. Friday night Ben made dinner and we got the kids to bed early. Awesome! Even Remy hit the hay early which isn't always a good thing later into the night. She awoke around 1am which meant she had slept a good 5 hours. Which is fantastic but not so fantastic when we didn't go to bed when she did. Oops. But she went back to sleep. Until we were jolted awake by my phone ringing at 3:30am. It took me a few minutes to go through the thought process of what time is it, do I know this number, should I answer it before it stopped ringin and I got a voicemail. As soon as the message started......CRAP. It's Atria. Where my grandfather lives. He fell. He cut his head. Calling 911. I jolt Ben awake and since I can't leave Remy, he had to drive over there. Luckily he was assessed there and didn't have to go to hospital and he was fine. He rolled out of his bed. Ben was home by 4:45am. Ahhh back to sleep. Only to be jolted awake again at 5:55am by Max, followed by Maizy at 6:10 and Alexis at 6:20. Seriously people. Get out. And if you wake up Remy I will personally remove all wheels from your trains, all heads from your barbie dolls, and deflate all sports balls. Finally at 7am everyone was awake. Hooray.
The girls went with Grammy an Grampa to services and we took Max to a birthday party. Suddenly we were left with just Remy for two hours!!!!!! Blissful quiet.
Took the rest of the day easy watching the game and having some nice family time.
This morning we decided to get some family exercise and hit up Walton's field for some play time!
Maizy really liked running races and maybe one day she will be a track star.
Remy really got a lot of exercise!
It was a nice morning! Can all weekends be three days!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The girls went with Grammy an Grampa to services and we took Max to a birthday party. Suddenly we were left with just Remy for two hours!!!!!! Blissful quiet.
Took the rest of the day easy watching the game and having some nice family time.
This morning we decided to get some family exercise and hit up Walton's field for some play time!
Maizy really liked running races and maybe one day she will be a track star.
Remy really got a lot of exercise!
It was a nice morning! Can all weekends be three days!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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