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!

What Parents Really Want When They Put You on Your Stomach

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Hello my baby buddies! Avery here, and I want to let you in on my most recent discovery about parents.

You know that really annoying time when your parents lay you on your stomach and give words of encouragement? I used to lay there screaming at the top of my lungs while they just sat there with expectant smiles on their faces and taking pictures.

Not my proudest moment.
Not my proudest moment.

What they were expecting, I had no clue………….. until now!

So, get this, they put you on your stomach to….stick with me here…..have you roll on your back! Yeah, seriously! Ummm, hello, mom and dad, if you want me on my back, just put me on my back! It doesn’t take a diaper scientist to figure that one out!

Since parents like to be so difficult, I say we make them work for it before finally giving in and rolling on your back. You see, my parents have been putting me on my stomach calling it “Tummy Time” since I was 2 weeks old. Like I don’t have enough on my mind just trying to figure out why I’m not in a nice, warm sauna anymore! If you want to keep them at your mercy, you have to play your blocks right.

For the first few occurrences, give them nothing. Nope, just go limp and look as if you were staring into deep space.

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After a while, to give them a shimmer of hope, lift your head and turn it some, but make sure you cry a lot! Also, don’t lift your head too long, they’ll just make you lay there longer and take a lot of pictures.

I hate that camera!
I hate that camera!

As you get older, you’ll have to throw your parents a rattle and do a little something more. For me, I suggest kinda rocking on your side while lifting your butt and moving your legs as if you can’t get traction. Do this for a while making sure you are still bawling like a baby. Never mind the fact that you ARE a baby…..

At this point, you’re probably several months old (4 for me), and have been laid on your tummy over a dozen times. I started hitting mommy and daddy at this point, just acting as if I didn’t know what my arms were doing. Try it, you’ll feel better. But, now’s the time to give them what they want since they do feed you after all!

Like you were doing previously, you need to start turning on to one side, doesn’t matter which, and hang there for a few seconds.

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 It’s just fun to do for dramatic effect and to watch your silly parents’ faces beaming in anticipation.

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To really make them suffer, try going back on your stomach as if it just isn’t happing…

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Then, once you’re ready, using the arm and leg you aren’t laying on, push yourself enough to roll over on your back!

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Perfect execution!
Perfect execution!

Give a little look of surprise as if you didn’t know what just happened. This will help to keep you from blowing your ignorant baby cover.

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That’s it, this whole time they’ve been putting you on your stomach all just to get you on your back. I don’t know….

If you need it, here’s a quick how-to video on rolling over. Note the fake crying to make them think you don’t know anything.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQfCaurLCmE?rel=0]
Chances are, your parents are going to put you right back on your stomach just to watch you do this about 5 or 6 more times. Then, just be prepared for the same thing every day after that until the excitement wears off.

Sure, parents can be annoying and oblivious, but they do love us, so try and give them what they want like pooping, eating, and rolling on your back. Trust me, it’s worth it to see the look on their faces!

Is the Teddy Bear Shrinking?

Hi guys! Hope you’re having a great Sunday!

I’ll be enjoying today with two of my favorite ladies, but just wanted to share a quick post.

Avery turned 4 months yesterday and she was a great baby all day. She even let us watch the final episodes of Breaking Bad! Kelley and I had to switch off keeping her entertained, but she was better than expected. Of course, when you’re getting pushed around in the swing chair, why wouldn’t you be good?

Had to make sure Breaking Bad was paused for the pic!
Had to make sure Breaking Bad was paused for the pic!

Before finishing the series, we also went of a long walk (catching the start of a thunderstorm!)  and took 4 month photos of Avery.

Each month, we’ve been taking pictures of Avery beside her teddy bear on the nursery chair. I’m heading off to spend time with my girls now, but want to share Avery’s monthly pictures thus far.

Our little girl is growing so fast! I guess that is what babies do though, huh?

Month 1

I hope I don't lose my hair....
I hope I don’t lose my hair….

Month 2

I lost my hair...
I lost my hair…

Month 3

I'm sensing a pattern around this time each month....
I’m sensing a pattern around this time each month….

Month 4

Finally they get it, I give smiles when I'm naked!
Finally they get it, I give smiles when I’m naked!

Are you a Breaking Bad fan?

Ever watch something not child friendly with your baby?

A Talk With My 4 Month Old About Teething

Me: Hey Avery, what’s up cutie?

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Avery: Oh, hiiiiii Dad, I’m just sitting in this nursery chair…

Me: I see, you look like something’s bothering you dear. Are you feeling okay?

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Avery: Well, it’s just that the inside of my mouth has been bothering me lately and I can’t figure out what it is.

Me: Ahhhh, maybe you’re starting to have your teeth come in a little early. You are 4 months old today and it’s possible to have them start appearing. It will be a long, painful process, but mommy and I will help you get through it.

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Avery: Really, you will? I’m scared of this teething, what does it even mean?

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Me: Yep, we’ll do our best to help you out. We have the Baltic Amber necklace on you in hopes that it will help, but it’s likely you’ll still have pain. Teething is a process that babies go through when their teeth, like these white things in my mouth, start to come out of your gums. I can start as early as 2 months old and go all the way to 2 years old!

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Avery: Hmmm, I’m going to grow teeth in here, huh? Why can’t I just not have teeth? I mean, what good are they if they just cause me to have pain?

Me: They are very good! So far, all you’ve had is mommy’s milk, which is good but there are so many good foods to enjoy in the world! Without teeth, you wouldn’t be able to experience these delicious foods and trust me, having to drink everything your whole life would be like me asking you if you are going to poop every 20 minutes. There are way too many foods I want to share with you and can’t wait until you have your teeth to do so! As for the pain, we can offer chilled teething toys, a soft brush on your gums, and even a cold drink to help.

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Avery: Yay, can’t wait…… Will you move me? This chair has bad lumbar support.

Me: Yes, here we go, I’ll put you in your swing chair. All better?

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Avery: Yes, but I’m still not happy about this pain and it possibly getting worse.

Me: Oh Avery, you’ll be fine. Don’t be such a baby!

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Avery: Hey! I AM a baby! Plus, having those white things like you have poke through my perfectly fine gums is daunting! Is all of this food you speak of really worth it?

Me: Of course it is, there is so much food from all over the world I hope to share and enjoy with you! And none of it will come from some fast food joint selling chemicals in the form of food; more on that later. I just want to make sure my daughter gets the best nutrition to keep you looking like the beautiful girl you are.

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Avery: Stop it, you’re just saying that! How can you say that when I’ve been drooling all over you as I cry non-stop?

Me: Well, it’s just a part of being a good parent, and both your mommy and I love you more than anything! Plus, like most parents, we can just put the blame for your fussiness on teething even if it really isn’t since you can’t talk and tell us otherwise. But most likely, it’s teething……or you’re gassy or have colic. Those last two are supposed to be a joke b/c they are always what adults say is wrong with a fussy baby.

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Avery: Not laughing….

Me: Sorry, maybe you will one day….maybe. So, can you feel any teeth coming in yet?

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Avery: Mmmmmmm, nope, nothing but soft gums. But they are a little sore.

Me: Well, your teeth will start coming in before you know it. Once your drooling, irritability, waking at night, and sucking start to increase, we’ll know something’s making its way through your gums. Just do your best to get through it and you’ll be chomping away on tasty things like carrots, apples, and Brussels sprouts.

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Avery: Brussels sprouts? Those little green things you constantly eat and then bad smells seem to just appear around you every so often? I’ll pass..

Me: Ha ha, get it?! You’ll “pass”, as in pass gas? And yes, that’s what I do after eating those. Yes, those are the ones, but they are sooooo good and so good for you. I’ll have to work on you with those I guess.

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Avery: You embarrass me.

Me: Yeah, that’s what dads are for dear, and it only gets worse. Wait until your first day of school!

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Avery: Crap, not looking forward it…. Anyway, dad, if I’m going to get teeth like you have, won’t those be kind of big in my little mouth?

Me: Oh, yeah, your teeth will be much smaller than mine. You see, after you’ve grown your full set of teeth, you’ll eventually lose them and the whole thing happens again over a few years.

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Avery: …………………….