The reality

The reality and sheer scope of being a parent can drown out the noise of who you really thought you were.
Bye bye ego.  That's not a bad thing.

The reality

"Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season"

This old Jimmy Buffett song title comes to mind when we are trying to change a diaper or get dressed or leave the house or whatever the hurricane doesn't want to do.

Other than the song's title, not much applies to trying to get a willful toddler to bend to the task at hand.

If I could let her run around with a poopy diaper, in pajamas, with no shoes on and her hair uncombed I would.
Teeth not brushed and eating handfuls of M&Ms, her apple juice intravenous drip threatening to tip over and spill while jumping on the sofa like a WWE superstar...

Something tells me that would not end well either.

She has moments of incredibly sweet cooperation which shine like beacons in a stormy night.  Her tantrums are usually brief but very powerful and it's hard as parent to not react with the same volume of emotion.  If you do react emotionally you'll get twice as much back so it's best to step back, breath, and try to reason with the hurricane or hunker down hope it just passes by quickly.

How do you reason with your little hurricane(s)?  Maybe, like Jimmy suggests, I should just go have a Bloody Mary.

Trying To Reason With Hurrican...

"Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season"

Top Ten Reasons Being a Daddy is Cool

1. You get to play with and buy lots of toys
2. There is always a good excuse to eat ice cream
3. Cartoon watching
4. Playing in the backyard
5. Learning how to be patient - I mean really patient
6. Cuddling
7. Having a person around the house who appreciates all the bodily sounds a Daddy will make
8. Teaching 
9. Learning
10. The feeling of your heart opening up completely and really loving another human being

Top Ten Reasons Being a Daddy is Cool

" Wow - any day now"

That's what the midwife today my very pregnant wife today at her   
checkup. 

That means that soon we will have a new born baby girl named Emily in   
our life.  She will join her 2 year old much loved and adored big   
sister Sophie and we will become a family of 4 (6 including the cats) 

OMG!


Yes. I am freaking out a bit.  I mean one child under 4 is a lot to deal but a 2 year old toddler and new born?!?!
I just keep telling myself "it will be ok." Lots of people raise two really young kids at one time"  "we're are not the first parents with a 2 year old and a new born"


Honestly, I think we'll be okay. It's the road to okay I'm worried about.   I'm sure it's going to be really bumpy and full of frustrations, sleepless nights, tears, tantrums and misunderstandings.  Our patience will be tested and our limits will be pushed but love and family will prevail.


Besides, I'm sure everything will work itself out by the time the girls are 10 or 11 years old.

" Wow - any day now"