What I’ve Learned After 2 Days as a Stay-at-home Dad

02/01/2014 R.C. Liley 9 Comments

Not much. I’m still confused and trying to figure things out, but I am more comfortable with the role.

I have been able to get Avery to take long naps in her crib without too much fussing. Swaddling, taking queues from yawns and watching the clock are very helpful. Oh, and accepting the crying in my face for a while until she gives into sleep.

Eating while she sleeps is something I need to work on though. I get so excited about the time I have to get other things done, I sometimes forget to actually just sit and eat. For her first nap of the day, I rush to the garage to try and get in a workout. Listening to music while working out is a thing of the past, now I listen to a baby monitor. I’m still trying to learn the lyrics there….

Husband and wife do not always see eye to eye with parenting styles. This is a big a one! If I know she has been fed, changed, and burped, I will let her cry and scratch my chest with those ~~razors~~ nails longer than Kelley will. Kelley will get up, bounce around, change positions, and hum loudly until Avery calms down. Are either of us doing it wrong or right? I don’t think so, it’s just us having our own ways.

Of course we argue over these differences as I’m sure most parents do, but we can also learn from each other this way.

Just last night I tried holding the screaming Avery while laying flat in the recliner. After several minutes of her thrashing and wailing, Kelley told me I’m doing it wrong. I hate being told I’m wrong (even if I am), and usually refuse to do as suggested. C’mon, please tell me I’m not the only one like this!

I own the both of you!! Now change me, then food!

Anyway, Kelley said I need to sit up and rock so she wasn’t flat. After resisting these instructions, I gave in and did as told. Avery settled down, I then reclined and we both slept. Wife – 1, R.C. – 0.

We’re only 11 weeks into, so there is a lot of learning to come. Hopefully we learn to let each other go about their own methods and only intervene when something is seriously awry.

After making chocolate pancakes and coffee, for Kelley this morning, any argument left from last night is gone and all is well. Until night falls again….

At the end of the day, we are all happy to have our beautiful girl and know that we’re strengthening our relationship by raising Avery together. Yes, a little fighting is healthy, right?

Parents, do you and your significant other have different ways to handle your kids? Be honest, how many fights have started because of this?

Food

Grilled Goat Cheese Sandwiches and What I’m Eating Lately

01/31/2014 R.C. Liley 9 Comments

Food is the key to many of our hearts. Sadly, food is also what stops many people’s hearts because of their poor choices in fast food, going out, and just pure ignorance. Hey, I was there once, but I wanted to be better, so I read and experimented until I learned. Of course, you’re never done learning in this area.

Anyway, I could go on and on about that topic. I just wanted to share what’s been keeping Kelley, my wife, happy lately; at least in the food department. Grilled goat cheese sandwiches. It feels good to makes something that someone you love looks forward to, so I keep making them.

Baby Watching and Sandwich Making. It's a learned skill.... — Baby Watching and Sandwich Making. It’s a learned skill….

They are pretty easy to make, unless you’re doing it while holding a baby in one arm. Just add 20 minutes to the usually 10 minute process. I just made two while Avery is sleeping in her crib (yes!!!) to be ready for when Kelley gets home.

All you need is two slices of bread (I use sprouted whole grain like Ezekiel) and goat cheese. To make them extra special, I add green onions, garlic, smoked paprika, basil, and red pepper flakes. If we have it, I’ll spread hummus on the other slice of bread for extra nutrition and flavor. Sadly, no hummus today, as you can see.

If you really need instructions, you put the goat cheese somewhat evenly on a slice of bread. It doesn’t have to be perfect since it will melt once heated and distribute better. Then add whatever toppings suit you best. If you have it, I highly suggest spreading hummus on the other side. Any kind will do, but I normally choose red pepper hummus.

Heat a pan, griddle, or grill on medium high, let cook about 1 – 2 minutes on one side while pressing down, flip on the other side doing the same, then remove. Slice in half easier, less messy, eating and cautiously pass to your wife for approval. I will either have a salad or tomato soup to go along with this; both are good options.

As for me, I’m going crazy watching Avery squirm and trying to make something to eat for my one meal of the day. I sometimes get to eat again at night…

So, I steamed broccoli and carrots and decided using a spoon is the best way to eat them, along with my cup of coffee. Nothing weird about that, right? Meh, it’s all good.

At least this leftover pancake egg white sandwich with chocolate peanut butter is worthy of sharing. Yum, I want more….now!

Pumpkin protein pancakes with egg whites and peanut butter

My first day on the job yesterday went okay for the most part, but as the day went on, naps grew shorter, and then Avery did not sleep well at all last night. She spent half the night sleeping on Kelley, then I took her, fed her, and slept on the recliner the other half.

What did I do wrong? Hoping to improve this today. Maybe it was the lack of a poop yesterday. If that’s the case, problem solved as of 8 o’clock this morning!

We have friends coming in tonight to visit for the weekend, so we’re crossing our fingers nothing too upsetting happens. They do have a slightly older baby of their own, so at least they’ll be understanding.

Annnndddd my time is up, need to dry our cloth diapers and tend to Avery.

Ever make a grilled goat cheese sandwich?

Any other kind of grilled cheese you like?

Who else eats everything with a spoon? Besides salad, I seem to use a spoon all the time. I need spork to make life easier….

Uncategorized

So Far So Good….

01/30/2014 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Crap. I am wearing Avery in the Baby Bjorn and just as I wrote this title, her eyes popped open.

No crying though…yet. Lots of squirming.

Anyway, while I have the time, I’d like to say “Yay!” for having a good morning and getting Avery to take a nap in her crib for over two hours. Enough time for dad to get full body weight lifting routine in.

I was bold enough to enter and take this!

Anyone ever do barbell hack squats? It’s like a dead lift, but the bar is behind you and pick it up and down. I hit my calves and butt almost every time, but can really feel it in the quads. Plus, I think it’s a version of the squat that I can do when wearing Avery if the need arises. It’s no back squat, but something is better than nothing.

Oh, we just went for a nice walk in the 20mph wind and that was cool. And by cool, I mean not. Another cool thing is that I apparently didn’t shut the door good enough and it was wide open when we got back. So, that fat black cat, Lou, we had………not sure where he is. I’ll keep you posted, if Kelley doesn’t kill me. Oops…..

Maybe I can just make another breakfast like I did this morning and she’ll forgive me…..