Our Trip to St. Louis Recap

This week we took Charlotte down to St. Louis to visit her grandpa. Unfortunatly he hurt his back a couple of days before our trip, and we didn't know he was injured until we arrived. Sadly, his medical visits kept him pretty much out of the picture. All we could do was make the best without him.

While he was at the doctor's office Char...

Almost crashed his lawn tractor:

Took her first walk on his pontoon boat (note the "fancy" lifejacket Char purchased just for this occasion):

Took her first swing in his hammock:

And even got Mom to swing along while Char ate cookies:

The highlight of our trip was on Wednesday when Grandpa was busy sleeping in late, and then later going to the "kiiirotractor";  the three Monsons went to the St. Louis Zoo.
We saw the hippo:

We saw the elephant:

But meeting and brushing the goats was a much bigger deal:

Charlotte "hugs" animals by laying her head on them, and she "hugged" every "Nice goat!" at least twice:

Yet again, by far, the star of our show was a fountain. Luckily Daphne always packs a spare set of clothes in Char's diaper bag. When Charlotte felt the cool shoots of water in the 90 degree heat, all bets were off:

Grandpa was a lot like those gysers in the fountain, you just wouldn't know when he would disappear for another appointment:

But when he did appear; he did make a big splash upon Char:

Des Moines Arts Festival Recap

Last year Charlotte was mesmerized by the motion sculptures at the Art Festival:

This year was no different:

I know Charlotte won't remember these trips when she's older, but I'd like to think the experiences are making an impact. It's a bit like tossing a stone in a lake; you don't know how far the ripples will travel.

Speaking of water, Char was excited to see the huge painting of a lion, and she enjoyed watching the salsa dancers as she ate her first egg roll, but it's the fountain in front of the Des Moines central library that's likely to have made the biggest impression on her:

"That's Good!"

Dam to Dam Recap

Yep, I ran the 20k, but no one cares about that - even me. Daphne ran the 5k, and no one really cares about that - even Daphne. So why am I writing about the 2012 Dam to Dam road race?

Char ran the 100.

Note: all one-year-olds get a number 1 racing number. (Also notice Charlotte's grimace when asked to smile. She always makes this face, unless she's at the Omaha Zoo being held by dad and he makes the same face. That's when she smiles sweetly.)

As we lined up a lot of the kids were suprised at Charlotte's size, and many cried because they thought we had unfairly brought in a ringer:

Okay, that's not true. Anytime you place a large group of one-year-olds and their parents together; tears are bound to be shed. When the gun when off, Daphne and I held Char's hands as she ran as fast as she could. We didn't beat the kid whose dad started him off two seconds early, but we were satisfied with our finish:

I forgot I was wearing my finisher's medal (having it gets me free beer!), but soon after I was wasn't the only one with runner bling:

The "finisher's line glow" hadn't even worn off, and Charlotte was already repeating her favorite word: "AGAIN!" So,  Mom and Char took off to run another block together:

PS. I was selfishly disappointed that my finishing time was a few minutes slower than I had anticipated. But then I remembered that every time I left home for a long training run, Daphne stayed home with Charlotte so I could train. Really, just getting to run the 20k was a privilege.

No matter the event, parenting is a team sport.

At Least They're Not UGG Boots

Today was the second warmest day of the year so far, and all the cool kids were in their back yards chasing bubbles while wearing sandals and mittens. It's this year's hottest look.

Seriously, six months ago I had to fight her to get her to wear her hood. Then yesterday, in her closet, she discovered the same mittens that reduced her into a teary puddle last December, and she had to be wearing them. ASAP!

Girls are so weird.

So, What Have I Learned?

Sunday is Father's Day (my second), and my daughter will hit 22 months the day after. So, what have I learned in those months? In a nutshell: I control nothing. BUT I knew that before my wife became pregnant.

So, what have I learned about being a dad? I only have observations about raising a one year old; I don't really remember much from Charlotte's "infant days", and I'd bet I'm not alone. I think if most people could recall every minute of those sleepless nights and zombie days, they'd never want another child. But I must love my daughter dearly,  she's the only person I will allow to steal bacon off my breakfast plate.

I have learned a few lessons about raising a toddler, but I think they only apply to being a father of a girl. I've watched little boys at the park, and they cry waaaay less.

Charlotte inherited some of my best qualities, and some of my worst ones, too. Watching her behavior in times of stress reveals a lot about the both of us.
She's a born actress. I never know if the tears are real until they abruptly stop. 
Sure, you can chose when you go to bed, but she will always decide when you get up.
Stop expecting an event will be be fun for the family. Instead, be surprised when it is.
Forget spontaneity, even going to the grocery stores requires packing a small amount of luggage.
If you stop paying attention when the two of you are playing on the floor, she will stomp your crotch.
If you stop paying attention when you're pushing her in the swing, she will kick you in the face.
The distance from the store to your parked car may look like a 30 second trip, but it might take five minutes or more to get there.
The transition from laughing to crying takes less than the blink of an eye.
If Charlotte takes five steps in the direction I want her to walk, then she'll turn and run seven steps in the opposite direction.
The front yard of your house is much more interesting than you ever thought.
The front yard of your house is much more dangerous than you ever thought.
Gravity is your enemy.
Going "boneless" is an effective defense mechanism.
Missing a nap is worse than missing a house payment.
Taking a ball into church is a bad idea.
If you haven't seen or heard from Charlotte for a whole minute, that can mean serious trouble for you both.
"Daddy" is the best word in the English language.

Father's Day is June 17

I was given quite a few books about parenting when family and friends found out Daphne was expecting. Some were serious,  some were technical, some were funny, but all were good. My favorite, however, was a little book  given to me by Daphne as a first Father's Day present.

"Father to Daughter" is a compilation of advice from "... dads of successful daughters. Their daughters are academic powerhouses, star athletes, talented artists, honors graduates... This is really their [the dad's] book. I just wrote down what they said."  from the book's preface

Each page contains just one piece of advice, and I think that's perfect. The best advice is almost always a one-liner. The book is divided into eight sections with titles like "The Wonder Years", "The Mystery Years", and "Girls & Boys".

I've already learned this one:

 

Char doesn't have a true purse yet, but I did put one in her Easter basket:

 

 The best compliment I can give this book is that I have shared it with other people who have daughters, and no matter what page they turn to, they say, "Oh, that's so true."

My female high school students assure me this will happen:

I still remember how hard it stung when my dad first yelled that I was a S.O.B. So, noted:

During parent-teacher conferences I showed the book to a buddy of mine who at the time had a 18 month old daughter. I thought he might get a kick out of it. An hour later he returned the book and told me he just ordered three copies from Amazon: one for himself, and two for friends who were about to have daughters born.

Later that evening I handed it to a teacher who had just recently been granted grandma status. She too bought a copy online before giving it back to me.

http://www.amazon.com/Father-Daughter-Life-Lessons-Raising/dp/0761129774

If you're looking how to change a diaper or trying to find out what food is the best for your little girl, then this isn't the book for you.  But if you want some everyday advice from guys who know what they're talking about, then you can't miss.

Page 376 is the only one that doesn't work for me. My dreams aren't this good.

Father's Day is Just Around the Corner

Don't blow it like Jimmy did.