Daddy Dan

It's All About The Babito

Forty

Sep 16

Posted by Daddy Dan in Daily Life | 9 Comments

Turning 40 is a time for reflection, and I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately. Turning 40 is a mid-point in your life (if you are lucky), and I look at it as a fresh start. I definitely don’t FEEL like the old man I am.

My wife had a wonderful party for me at the house. The house was filled with family and friends, and I felt blessed to have so many people that cared about me.

My wife made a slideshow with pictures of me throughout my first 40 years. It was great to relive so many memories, but it was also sad to see so many people in the slideshow that have passed away (my Grandpa. Grandma, Great Uncle) and so many friends that I’ve lost touch with through the years. I kind of hid behind a pillar while we all watched it, trying to hold back a few tears. Time really does go by so fast, and it reminds me to truly cherish each day that I have left and to enjoy every moment with those I love.

I’m blessed to have a wonderful, beautiful wife. I’m blessed to have a beautiful, amazing little boy.

My duty-my destiny-from here on out is to give them the best life I possibly can, so on Babito’s 40th birthday he can gather with family and friends to watch a slideshow of his life and have the same wonderful feelings I did while watching mine. And I pray that my wife and I will be there to enjoy it with him.

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Let Them Be Little

Sep 2

Posted by Daddy Dan in Daily Life | 13 Comments

Looking for a perfect song for a toddler slideshow?  

Every year I put together a slideshow for Babito’s birthday. The pictures span included in the show span the entire year since his last birthday. 

This year’s slideshow included three songs: Ray Charles singing “You Are So Beautiful,” Elvis Presley’s “Memories,” and Billy Dean’s “Let Them Be Little.”

The lyrics to “Let Them Be Little” really capture perfectly how I feel as a parent. Here they are:

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you’re changin’ with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon. 

So let them be little,
‘Cause they’re only that way for a while.
Give ‘em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let ‘em cry, let ‘em giggle,
Let ‘em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little. 

I never felt so much in one little tender touch.
I live for those kisses, your prayers an’ your wishes.
An’ now you’re teachin’ me how only a child can see.
Tonight, while we’re on our knees, all I ask is: 

Please, let them be little,
‘Cause they’re only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let ‘em cry, let ‘em giggle,
Let ‘em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

The so innocent, precious soul:
You turn around, an’ it’s time to let them go.

So let them be little,
‘Cause they’re only that way for a while.
Give them hope, give ‘em praise,
Give them love every day.
Let ‘em cry, let ‘em giggle,
Let them sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little.

What songs have you used for something like this?  I’m already searching for next year’s songs.

Three

Aug 31

Posted by Daddy Dan in Parenting, The Babito | Comments off

Babito,

It finally hit me at your birthday party’s after-party that you had become a little boy. After your party at My Gym, some family and friends came back to the house to watch you open your presents.

When you were done, and everyone left your playroom to go into the den, you stayed behind to play with some of your new toys. Ten minutes later you came walking into the den carrying someone’s large purse. You said “Someone’s phone is ringing!” And you were right.

That thinking about others has been something you’ve had deep inside you since you were very young. You love to ask people (especially your Mommy and Daddy), “Are you happy?” whenever they look a little down. By the way, you also like asking your Mommy and Daddy if they’re mad when you know you’ve done something wrong.

I think both of these questions are wonderful. It shows that you care about others, and that’s a great trait to have.

I was also very proud of the way you handled your birthday party. You were running around, having fun with all your guests, and not worrying so much where Mommy and Daddy were. You’re starting to show some independence. You also stuck up for yourself with other kids, once when they were teasing you asking who’s birthday it was and another time when your friend Mason tried to blow out your candles. Keep it up. Remember to always stick up for yourself, because someone else (Daddy) won’t always be with you to stick up for you.

Although you’re getting more independent, I’m glad you still love to hang out with your Daddy. I still can’t leave the house to run an errand
without you asking to go with me. On the weekends you go everywhere with me, no matter how boring the errand. I know this won’t last forever, so I’m enjoying every minute of it.

You’re a very quick learner. You got the potty-training thing down in one day. Mommy and Daddy dreaded the coming experience for nothing. We should have known you’d pick it up quickly. You’re also very good at remembering the lyrics to songs. I can’t even count the number of songs you know the words to. You are definitely a music lover.

The last thing I’m very proud of is how polite you are. You’re always saying thank you and you’re welcome to everyone, even without Mommy and Daddy reminding you to say it.

Happy Birthday, Babito! Your Mommy and Daddy love you so very much, and are so grateful that God decided to bless us with such a wonderful, loving little boy.

The Toddlerhood

Aug 27

Posted by Daddy Dan in Daily Life | 1 Comment

Besides Babitosdad.com, I have another new site I’d love for you not only to check out, but contribute to.

I know from personal experience that raising a toddler, while exciting and fun, can be a challenge.

I’m constantly searching the internet for fun things to do, products and toys to buy, and solutions to issues for The Babito. I thought it’d be fun (and useful to others) if I had a place to capture all the great things I’ve found.

That place is The Toddlerhood.

This new site is intended to be a place where you can come and learn new things that will help you raise a happier, healthier, and smarter toddler.

I also hope to make it a more interactive site. In striving for this goal, I’ve decided to open up the site to contributers like you. Do you want to be a contributer to this site? It’s as simple as sending me an e-mail at survivingtoddlerhood@gmail.com and asking me to add you to the contributer list.

Once you’ve been added to the contributer list, all you have to do to post is send an e-mail to post@toddlerhood.posterous.com, and your post will instantly appear on this site. How easy is that?!?

You can post about anything toddler-related. Write a review of a product, talk about a fun activity, ask questions about issues you’ve come across, share articles, etc. It’s really up to you. I do reserve the right to delete any posts I find inappropriate for the site.

So what are you waiting for? Send me an e-mail and let’s get started!