Category Archives: Parenting

Reading “Hey! Wake Up!” By S. Boynton: Avery & Daddy Vlog Episode 2

Almost every day, we begin by reading “Hey! Wake Up!” A cute board book written by Sandra Boynton. This has been the current routine for at least 2 months now, and Avery is finally starting to actually go through the moves as I read.

She still has some work to do with yawning and stretching, but touching her feet/toes and doing the “shimmy, shimmy, shimmy” gets better each day. As any parent knows, routines can and do change quickly, so my wife and I are trying to hold on to this one as long as possible.

Unlike our first Vlog episode where you were graced with staring at me holding Avery as she chewed a piece of food and I desperately tried to get her to do something, anything, she was more lively this time. She actually got upset when I turned the camera off, so maybe there’s hope for more exciting vlogs from Avery and Daddy to come!

I’m trying to avoid editing anything and just posting the raw video we create each time. Obviously, there will be times when I need to shorten parts where everyone is off screen or because of some toddler mishap, but otherwise what you see is what I recorded. Time is precious, and there are flips to do and more books to read off camera!

By the way, our book collection keeps growing around here. Not only for Avery’s sake, but for our sanity as well. Reading the same book about how Hippos Go Berserk! will drive anyone…..errrr, berserk! That said, it is a cute book and Going Mom’s favorite.

Well, I’m typing with a left thumb that’s missing a nice chunk from the tip. This makes it difficult to type, so I’m off to try and regrow some skin and enjoy the weekend with my girls. This weekend is going to be low key since we have a Fourth of July 5k to run next weekend!

What did you think about the second episode?

Any suggestions for what episode 3 should be like?

A Shy Intro: Avery & Daddy Vlog Episode 1

In an effort to reduce my writing time but still post to my blog, I am trying my hand at vlogging. With the high quality built-in camera on my laptop, I’ll record any random thing that involves Avery and myself.

No clue where this will go or if it will last, but hopefully she’ll do more than stare at herself on the screen. The first episode, our “pilot” is nothing to blow your nose at, but at least you get to see a cute kid!

Let me know what you think and if you have any ideas on what to record. I’m thinking some dancing, flips on the pallet, and working out will be in the near future. I also want to record me reading some of our favorite books to her. Maybe even video product reviews too!

What else can you think of?

Vlog, yay or nay? Should I stick to just writing or you like to watch something?

Daddy-Daughter Photo Book: Birth to 19 Months

For my first Father’s Day, Going Mom made a Dad and Avery photo book that means the world to me. It’s not just something anyone can buy, and she put some obvious love and quality time into making it.

A photo book of daddy and Avery from my loving wife!

This year, for my second Father’s Day, she slipped the book from it’s spot on our bookshelf (or tried, because I noticed it was missing) to add to it with more daddy-daughter photos. In my last post, Kelley was in the process of putting it together as I wrote (all hail nap time!), and after seeing the final product, my heart turned from mush to pure liquid. Kinda sounds bad, but trust me, it’s a good kind of mush-to-liquid.

I love it so much and every time I flip through the pages beginning from the first day Avery was born to just a few weeks ago, I am still amazed at how much she has already grown. I figured I’d share the entire book in a post for everyone to appreciate Kelley’s lovely crafting skills and pictures we will hold dear for eternity.

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I’d like to note, the pictures of me wearing Avery in a Baby Bjorn are before we learned of the dangers of wearing babies in “crotch danglers” for impeding their hip development among other issues. Plus, having them face outward is also not the best. Not judging, I’ve obviously been there too, but I stopped right after learning of this and hope any babywearing parents will consider the same.

Okay, I’m done with the thought of the day. I can’t express my gratitude to Kelley enough for making this book of memories, and wish I was at least a quarter as crafty as her so I could do the same. Makes my photo coffee mug I got her pale in comparison.

I’ve said it already, but THANK YOU, Kelley, for being such an amazing wife/mother and for the best gift ever. Oh, and the beer of the month club is just stevia sweetened icing on our homemade chocolate cake! 🙂

Do you love sentimental gifts like these or prefer getting gifts from retail stores instead?

What would be your favorite personalized gift to receive? A photo book, jewelry, framed picture, kitchenware, etc.?