A Dad’s Blog

I always refer to Camden as being my own little mini me. Looking beyond the fact that we’re both easily irrated and can become cranky if we don’t get our way… I found a couple of photos that really made me realize it.

It’s pretty cool to look at a simple photo and smile because you see yourself in it.

This one is my favorite.  I love my BlackBerry 8700g.  LOVE it.  But Camden often takes it, throws it, etc.  So I recently went out and bought him his own from one of those realy sketchy dollar stores.  And I’ll be damned… He loves it!  Just look at him…

This first one is obvious, only because I’m really in the photo.  I’m not sure if we were watching Bunnytown or some Thomas DVD here, but I love that we both share that same blank stare.

And again… the stare comes back as we’re watching something else…

Anyway, I love photos like these.  And, I love my mini me.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned lately it’s the importance of having some fun.  Fun could be doing what you’d like to do for a change… Going someplace new. Reading a new book or just stopping to realize what surrounds you and appreciating it.

Whatever the case, don’t be afraid to smile.  Life could always get worse, and if you follow your heart, it’s only going to get better.

If things do get you down though, there’s nothing more rewarding than being a parent.  Now, I’m not saying if you’re depressed that you should go find a stranger and get pregnant together…  But really, the innocence that a child possesses is amazing and simple at the same time.  It’s something I wish was easy to hold onto as you grow older…

So, go have some fun.  Here are some recent photos of C-Will and me doing just that.

Camden’s surgery to have eustachian tubes put in both ears is over… and as I write this, he’s fast asleep and acting as though nothing at all happened.

If only the day were really that uneventful.

I woke up at about 7AM and Bethany was already scrambling around. We never got a call yesterday about when Camden would head into the hospital.  Having placed calls into the hospital, the ENT (ear nose and throat) specialist, and an answering service… We found out that Camden didn’t actually have an appointment at all.

Oy.

We were able to get him lined up as the first patient of the day, and we were at the hospital by 8:15.  Bethanyt ook care of the admitting paperwork while Camden and I tried to find a way to break into the gift shop that had a few too many Cars products on display. (Cars + Camden = lots and lots of happy screaming)

Once upstairs we seriously waited about an hour.  Mind you, we were first to go in.  Thankfully the room we were in had this cool mind match game with cards that were all characters from Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends.  Another love of Camden’s.

Shockingly, little man handled waiting really well considering he had been unable to eat or drink anything since 7:30PM Wednesday night.

Anyways… it was a complete hassle.  Lots of waiting.  Lots of screaming.  Lots of being uncomfortable in a shady ass hospital that none of us liked. Camden’s ENT is a saint.  I love her.  She’s great.  I just wish the people around her were half as awesomesauce.

Bethany went in when they administered anesthesia and we were escorted to a waiting area.  About 15 minutes later, the ENT came out and gave us the play by play as well as some post-op care notes.

All easy stuff.

We went upstairs, hung out for an hour to make sure there was no reaction to the anesthesia, and then were released from hell on Earth the hospital.

But what fun is a post here on A Dad’s Blog without the photos!?

Camden riding in the Britax on the way to the hospital…

Worst. Hospital. EVER.

Pre op room, here’s the Thomas & Friends game set I mentioned.  He LOVES anything with these guys on it.

Camden absolutely loved this wagon ride from the pre-op room to the anesthesia prep room.  I’m thinking a Radio Flyer is now in the cards.  Look at his face!

Always playful, Cam’s rocking the johnny and a hair net while we waste another hour waiting for the hospital to get their act together…

Obviously post op. And not happy.  This was as upset as he got all day long and I think my comment of “Hey little man, you’ve got one of those aquarium thermometer things on your head!” made him angry. In any case, this was short lived.

Learningz his ABCs, post op, watching the clock tick before we head on out.

And much later… Here’s Cam getting his nightly tubby on.  Notice the mug filled with spaghetti sauce.  This was also his first time wearing his new blue ear plugs to help keep water out.

I got to bed late last night. Super late.

With just over three hours of sleep my creative writing skills are failing me.  So here’s this morning’s post — a collection of images illustrating the morning that Camden and I shared together.

I love my mornings with Camden.  I usually get to spend 30 to 40 minutes with him just getting ready for the day ahead of us.  Without a doubt, it’s the most precious time of the day I have with him. It’s quiet. We’ve got the whole day ahead of us… and we just get to wake up together.

This morning went something like this…

Cam not happy he’s awake…

Cam still obviously sleepy…

Simple breakfast of Nutrigrain Bar and Silk Soy Milk

Checking to make sure his belly is full…

Reading up on one of his favorite books…

And finishing up with proper dental hygiene

I’m out! Have a great Tuesday everyone!

What a weird combination.  Today is water play day at The Stork’s Nest while also being reptile day.  So, Camden gets to go to school to play in the water and will be visited by lizards, snakes… and alligators.

Camden had to go to school today all decked out in his billy bad-ass pirate apparel. He always looks like a mini surfer dude when I see him in this bathing suit and matching shirt.  It just kills me.  I mean, how freakin’ cute can this kid get?

He loves the water though, so I’m hoping that he’s in for a good day today.  He deserves one with all the ear problems he’s been having.

So, here’s hoping that Regal Reptiles doesn’t bring some monster sized alligator into the center to eat a bunch of daycare and preschool students.  I’m pretty sure that’d create a lawsuit or five.

Think he likes water play?  Check this shot out from the beach…