Chronicles of a Baby Daddy: 10 Most Surprising Things About Fatherhood

Okay, I must admit, when I was first ‘asked’ ‘told’ to write this blog about the 10 most surprising things about fatherhood- I believe I said out loud- ‘Oh I can do that in 10 minutes, done, signed, sealed, delivered’ (Allison confirmed…he did say that!) 3-4 weeks later the moment before the deadline, here I am on a Saturday morning finishing the blog!

What I’m really taking from this little exercise is that my life is extremely busy, I have a demanding career that requires me to be at the office many hours every week- throw in buying a new house, accomplishing all of the hard to reach goals I set for myself- and let’s not forget all those little things like scheduling a simple eye appointment that will work with my work schedule- to watering my new sod- to watching a little playoff baseball- to and most importantly I might add- spending time with my family and all of sudden my week is FULL.

I guess when I really sit here and reflect on it, between Lincoln’s ‘Uh Oh’s (so adorable), and the simple quietness of a Saturday morning, the #1 MOST SURPRISING THING ABOUT FATHERHOOD is – that I, actually WE, make it all work- it’s really that simple. I come home every night and spend as much time as I can rolling around on the floor, laughing, making silly noises with my son and wife- among all the other thoughts, wants, desires that crop up in a given day- I still have the time to be an engaged father. There are unquestionably all flavors of father’s out there, and I’m no different/better than the next, all I really know for certain is that the internal joy I feel from being a father is real….Fatherhood has truly been a blessing to me; I can’t even imagine myself being anything other than Lincoln’s dad. The following is really just the ‘icing on the cake’ so to speak. Enjoy…

#10: That I finally know how my Dad feels about me- My Dad never missed a game, a hunting trip, a chance to be engaged with his boys- that internal feeling is special.

#9: That I can roll around on the floor and make crazy noises like I’m a kid again, and Lincoln loves it, he rides on my back as we bark at random toys, furniture, and mama, we throw rocks and make spitting sounds- it’s awesome!

#8: That being a father would make my relationship with Allison so much stronger and fuller; she continues to inspire me by her dedication to our little family.

#7: That I would know and memorize every scene and all the words to the Backyardigans songs! ‘It’s the call….It’s the call…Of the mermaid…the ocean’s greatest mystery’! Wanna hear more: It’s the Call of the Mermaid

#6: That when people ask if I have kids I have this noticeable conceded smile on my face that says’ Ah YA!

#5: That I would hate whining, and teething so much; enough said…Right? I mean, come on!

#4: That I’m the hero of the house- it’s a pretty cool feeling I must say and I love to play the ‘good cop’ when given a chance! I’m such a softie- I am praying everyday that we do not have a girl! Ha!

#3: That I would have the energy and time to try and teach my son something new every day!

#2: That I would care about height, weight, head circumference percentiles so much!

#1: It’s simple- that becoming a father would make my life more important and connected, that I would feel like I am finally apart of something special, that I would literally do anything for my family, and most important of all- that my son has made me a better man- and he’s only 14 months old- I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of my life with my ‘little big boy’, Lincoln Cody Mack!’