When the wife's away, the bad dad will get to work

The bride and some of her friends went to see another friend in Virginia today. In years (and even months) past that would mean pizza, watching opening day on TV and reading Sport Illustrated cover to cover. Not today. I got home a 5PM and the Comast guy was actually waiting on me. I took a picture for I am sure that will never happen again. Anyway, we got a cable installed in our bedroom for the computer modem. As the cable guy was working, I rolled up my sleeves and tacked the crib. It wasn't too bad. It took me about 45 minutes. After I was done the cable guy left and I really got to work. I moved my desk, computer, chair, etc. into our bedroom and moved some bedroom stuff to the attic and guest room and moved some guest room stuff downstairs. It was basically a very large scale game of Tetris. I must say my little girl's room is now looking like a nursery and less like her dad's rock n roll, sports, star wars shrine. After a quick bite, I went outside and put the primer on her changing table. I'll paint it tomorrow.

This is about 5% sad and 95% awesome. I'll gladly give up my little man nook to make a place for my baby girl to sleep and dream.

Basketball and basketball bellies

Tonight my Belmont Bruins (Proud class of 1997 here) played in the NCAA tournament against Wisconsin. Belmont hosted a watch party that I wanted to go to. Since the pregnant bride had ZERO interest in joining me, I went and watched the game. There were 1,200 kids (kids meaning 18-21 year olds) there and me. I saw guys holding girls' hands, young lovers, confused, confident and searching for my soul kids. I admit, it was fun to watch.

Then I got home. My wife and her "basketball" belly was laying on the couch worn out from another day of growing our child. What was fun to watch just 30 minutes ago was now worrying me sick. What is my daughter going to be facing in 20 years? What will the struggles of the youth of America be? Will I teach her well so that boys respect her? I know it's a long way off but preparing her for this begins soon.

Dad's room to girl's room

Last night there was a big change at the house in preparation for the baby. I got home from work and my bride told me “the painter will be here…tomorrow”. I knew we were going to have the office (which will be our daughter’s nursery) painted “soon” just not SO soon. As I was cooking dinner, my wife went upstairs and took down all of the pictures, photos, etc. and put them in a pile to go up into the attic. No more Appetite For Destruction album on the wall. No more picture of me backstage with Van Halen in 1995. No more Tennessee Titans poster of their first ever game in Nashville. No more George Brett autographed baseball. No more Belmont Bruins bobblehead…

But it’s OK.

Soon, this small little man’s room will be painted a soft white with little pink polka dots. A crib will be where my desk was. A changing table will be where my guitar amplifier stood. And a little girl will easily replace all of the fun stuff that I had in that room.

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Hello

Hi. Thanks for dropping in. This blog is simply a place for me to share my thoughts, excitement, fears, funny stories and frustrations of being a new dad. We are due in June so I'm not even there yet but am learning a lot as my wife's belly gets bigger and bigger. In fact, I created this blog tonight because she felt so bad and went to bed before 9. Anyway, if you are a father, mother, grandparent or nanny and have any and all advice for me, I am all ears. Let's enjoy this amazing journey together.