I learned a lot in the first 416 weeks of my son's life, which we celebrate today with a restaurant dinner — all the pancakes he wants, no butter or syrup — and a forthcoming museum visit.
I learned one more reason youth bowling is superior to youth soccer: It is never cold and raining inside the bowling alley. Also, there are no bowling referees.
I learned those fancy wooden play sets you see in people's backyards are pretty costly. I also learned 90 minutes is not too far a drive when your wife finds a good deal on Craiglist.
I learned to enjoy, but never expect, the blessed nights when all three children sleep without interruption.
I learned a trip to the pediatrician for the annual checkup with a walking, talking and reading first-grader can jar my memory into recalling carrying the same person, except a much tinier version seemingly too small for his car seat, to see a different doctor for, well, baby visits.
I learned there are few things as awesome as a train ride to the city for a family pizza dinner. Except maybe watching funny cat videos on your aunt's iPhone while waiting for your return train to arrive.
I learned a two-corn dog lunch can be followed with a third corn dog for dessert.
I learned you always should take a video of the Vacation Bible School kids singing on Sunday morning in church, even if you can't see your son from your pew, because you never know when your wife will need to leave to feed the baby, and she will be less than thrilled if you have no evidence of the performance.
I learned it's hard to watch your little sister pack up and move to California, but it's even harder to watch her goodbye hug with a nephew who considers her one of his favorite people in the entire world.
I learned how quiet our house is when the oldest spends a week with his grandparents. I also learned it takes fewer than 10 minutes for the fighting to resume once the children are reunited.
Continue reading "8 years in and still learning"
