All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, for 7 years as of 8/17/14. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the upmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!
Life, Parenting

“Your Eyes”: A Poem to my Daughter

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After looking at the most recent pictures I took of Avery, I can’t get over how beautiful her eyes are. I’ve been enthralled by their brilliance since she was born, and I’m ever so grateful the magnificent blue hue is still with her.

Inspired by her beauty, I decided to write a poem. I’m not an experienced writer by any means, much less at poem writing, but it doesn’t stop me from trying!

So, Avery, when you are old enough to read, I hope you appreciate my attempt at writing a poem to you. Beware, this probably won’t be the only one!!

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Your Eyes

When I look into your eyes,

it comes as no surprise,

the beauty that they hold

will endure as we grow old.

 

Filled with endless wonder,

there must be a spell I’m under,

since every time I look,

they absorb me more than the greatest book.

 

Even the bluest of oceans can’t compete,

with your gorgeous eyes that knock me off my feet.

Your enchanting stare,

and crazy hair,

fill mommy and me with pride,

and a love we will never hide.

 

Avery, your eyes are perfect in every way,

and they allow you to experience new things each day.

Mommy and I know we’ve done right,

as we watch you grow morning, noon and night.

 

Just remember you must be wary,

your blue eyes will have many guys asking you to marry,

but that’s a long time from now,

so I won’t have a cow.

 

Mommy and I are a little fearful,

that your striking peepers will prevent us from giving you an earful.

How could we possibly get mad

when to us you can do no bad?

 

Please don’t take advantage,

and do things we cannot manage

since your brilliant eyes,

could cover your deepest lies.

 

I could go on forever,

but my words I need to sever,

as you are waking from your nap,

and it’s time to walk our lap.

Have you ever written a poem even though you lack the experience? Was it to a loved one or just for your own?

Friday Food Facts, Parenting

Teething Baby Pics and Five Foodie Fun Facts for Friday #3

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Another week is wrapping up and Avery rockin’ a set of 4 front teeth; two up top and two on the bottom. They aren’t fully in yet, but at least they’ve pushed through the gums. That part hurts us all!

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Going Mom and I agree that we could all use a break and let these 4 be all for a little while. Wanna make any bets on how long until the next one(s) make an appearance?

I won't be smiling like this when they do!!
I won’t be smiling like this when they do!!

Besides her teething coming in more each day, not much has happened this week otherwise. The Texas heat has reared its ugly head and has me soaked after just 30 minutes of working out in the garage. Luckily, we have a fan that keeps this beautiful girl happy and healthy while getting her jump on…

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Since teething has been the theme around our house lately, I’ll probably talk about it a lot and post all kinds of pictures. You’re welcome.

Here are a few of my favorites so far…..

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I know, this one doesn’t show teeth, but I can’t get over her beautiful eyes. Maybe I’m a bit extremely biased, but look at those beauties and her hypnotic stare!

 

 

 

 

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Someone has a toof and that’s the troof!

Now to my third installment of Foodie Fun Facts. I’m really enjoying these since I learn along with you!

  1. Thirty to 40 gallons of sugar maple sap must be boiled down to make just one gallon of maple syrup.
  2. Onions contain a mild antibiotic that fights infections, soothes burns, tames bee stings and relieves the itch of athletes foot.
  3. In one day a honey bee can fly 12 miles and pollinate up to 10,000 flowers.
  4. More than 96 billion pounds of edible “surplus” food is thrown away in the U.S. Each year. It is estimated that almost 27% of our food supply is wasted.
  5. Honey bees must tap two million flowers to make one pound of honey. Each worker honey bee makes 1/12th teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

Those bees are amazing little creatures, huh?

Hope your Friday goes smooth and you have an awesome weekend!

Parents, what were the next teeth to come in after the common front teeth?

Any plans for the weekend?

Life, Parenting

10 Things Babywearing Dads Shouldn’t Say to a Teething Baby in the Bathroom

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Since my first post about 10 Things Baby Wearing Dads Should Never Say in a Public Restroom, I guess I haven’t learned my lesson. Although I don’t say the 10 things I listed then, I still catch myself talking to Avery in the public bathroom and saying things that might raise an eyebrow or two.

It’s been close to 4 months since that post, which means a lot has changed with our baby. One of the changes being her teeth coming in. As of now, she has her top and bottom two front teeth working their way out, and she lets us know about them multiple times a day. Any parent, I’m sure, knows……it’s “fun”. Please, since my sarcasm.

How do you not say something to those teeth?
How do you not say something to those teeth?

Her teething has been going on for a few weeks now, and we are still going to the store where I still have to urinate frequently due to my massive caffeine consumption. No matter how much I tell myself to just keep quite while wearing my daughter at the urinal, I can’t stand the silence, so I break it by making some sort of statement to the sweet girl hanging in front of me.

Wouldn’t you know, the moment I open my mouth and say something, I regret having said it right then and there. Obviously, others are sharing the public restroom, so why do I do this so much?

I can’t think of a good reason, but it happens, and once again I’ve collected 10 of the things I have actually said and want to share with other babywearing dads now. Ladies, I’m not trying to omit you, but I’m only speaking from my own experience, and I also have trouble visualizing how a women can use the restroom and wear her baby, so please forgive me.

  1. I can see it poking through.
  2. You look so different now.
  3. I know it hurts now, but you’ll feel better once it pushes through.
  4. Here, chew on this.
  5. Wow, that’s a lot of drool!
  6. I cold cloth would be really useful right now.
  7. It could take 2 years before you’re finished.
  8. Remember, it’s not nice to use those on mommy.
  9. I wish they’d all come at once so we could get this over with.
  10. Oh, I need to take a picture of that one!

Yeah, maybe I should print these out and laminate them on a card to study from now on. But, I probably won’t do that, because as our daughter continues to change, so will the things I say to her in and out of the bathroom.

I love my toof!
I love my toof!

Sometimes I wish I made this stuff up. That would save my face from turning red with embarrassment after saying one of the above and having someone quickly walk out of a stall and then the bathroom without washing their hands. Oh well, it happens (right?), and I’m able to look back and laugh now.

Avery still has plenty of teeth to come in, so who knows what I’ll say next?

Can you think of things you’ve said to your teething baby that wouldn’t sound right to another person in the restroom? Has this happened to you before?