One dad's unique perspective

Broken Bow

- This morning I was sitting in the kitchen having breakfast.  Bennett came around the corner with a proud smile on his face and said, "Hey Dad, here's your glasses!" (In baby babble, of course).  He had part of them in each hand.  (His thinking: two are better than one)  (My thinking:  an optimist thinks these glasses are half fixed, but they really look half broken to me).  Bennett must of known that he had to break them this month  . . . while they're still under warranty.
-  You've seen his dance moves before.  But have you ever seen him get funky on the dance floor?:

-   Watching music videos of Elmo have become a daily routine for Bennett and I.  You should have seen my jaw hit the floor when Bennett said "Ah-Choo" right on cue when the duck sneezed. (45 seconds in on the video below)  I could not believe it!  So, I replayed it again with Karah in the room.  Sure enough, "ah-choo" right on cue!  He's got the stinkin' song memorized:

Rock & Roll

Rock

&

Roll

Up

• Bennett is always bringing me books to read (My First Farm, Dr. Seuss, etc.).  Tonight he had an unusual request.  He wanted to crawl up in my lap with this bit of nonfiction (a sommelier in the making???):

• Monday Night Football was on TV tonight (yes on a Thursday.  Don't ask me.  Direct your questions to ESPN HQ Bristol, Connecticut).  Bennett spontaneously signaled "Touchdown" with both hands in the air.  Now, there wasn't really a touchdown . . . but I was impressed nonetheless.  
• I queued up some music on my iphone when I was giving Bennett a bath tonight.  Suddenly bath time turned into dance party (him, not me.)  Very funny. 
• Bennett's first deliberate word is "Up".  He uses it early and often.  He also seems to be a master climber of furniture and whatnot.  Coincidence?  I think not.  He may have been meant to grow up in the mountains (baby with an altitude).  
• Bennett loves chasing Brux around the living room.  Oftentimes Brux either doesn't know he's being chased or is completely disinterested in the game.  Bennett laughs hysterically regardless.  
• Some random summer photos:

We got Bennett a hot tub.  (easy on the hot, heavy on the tub)

Cheeser (the "S" stands for salesman)

"Hank, I'm about to give you a knuckle sandwich"

They call me the fireman, that's my name.
Making my rounds all over town, putting out old flames. 

Courage

Topless

Hey everybody.  It's Bennett.  Mom's gone and Dad is ignoring me.  So, I'm going stroke these keys so you know what's the haps.

Summer finally made it to the mountains.  I love being outside:  Hiking, playing in the grass, crawling around on the back deck . . . you name it. If I'm outside, I'm happy. 

Speaking of crawling, I'm about done with that nonsense.  I've about got this walking thing down (until mom puts shoes on me, Brux gets in my way, or Dad chases me down the hall). 

Last week was Fatherz Day.  I got to spend it with my Dad's Dad (aka Gido) and Dad.  We went for a hike and then had burgers in Beaver Creek.  (Don't worry, we did invite Grandma and Mommy too).

Why doesn't Daddy have white hair like us?

 
My other grandpa was climbing a ladder yesterday and fell from the sky.  He's in the hospital in Denver getting surgery on his back and L-bo.  I guess he won't be piching me fastballs or wrestling with me anytime soon.  Get better Poppy!





This photo is a violation of the patient privacy act and will likely get one of Poppy's daughters thrown in jail.


Since Momz in Denver with Pop.  Dad, Brux and I are at home alone (we call these days Dudesday (usually it's on Tuesday, but does it really matter?)).  Dad said we were going to have a guys weekend and said something about topless.  I was thinking "uh oh! mom's going to be mad about this topless thing when she gets home."  But, then Dad went to the garage and took the top off the Jeep.  Whew, I thought Dad was going to get us in trubble.  Riding in the Jeep just got funner. 

I took Dad to lunch today at Paddy's Irish Pub.  I was going to pay with my piggy bank money.  But, Dad is almost as lightening fast as Gido when it comes to grabbing the check. 

"I'll have the eggs benedict, extra english muffin and Hollandaise on the side"

Then we went to Home Deepo (it's not a guys day without a trip to the Deepo).  Dad says he's going to kill something.  He just bawt some spray so it's either bugs or weeds.

Dad, the Roundup is in aisle one!

We were going to the bike store (I suggested we go to the trike store) and Dad got mad that they were closed.  On the dore was a sine that said "RIDING".

Oh ya, one last thing.  Imma Monster!

Peace,

B.D. Maloley
(B.D. is for "Big Deal" or "Bad Dude", your choice)

TD!

• In preparation for the upcoming football season, I successfully taught Bennett an very important skill (Go Big Red!): 

Mr. Touchdown USA from David M on Vimeo.

• How intuitive is the ipad?  A 1 year old can navigate it.  I downloaded a PBS Kids app this morning and he was having fun playing videos of Elmo, Cat in the Hat, Dinosaur Train, etc:  



• He had one of his roughest days yesterday.  The pollen is all over the place (literally coating the back deck).  Bennett reminded me of my Army days when the showoff soldiers (not me) would intentionally keep their gas mask off during gas chamber training.  They'd come running out of the chamber with teary eyes, snot and drool.  Thanks to zyrtec he's feeling much better today (there were enough tears yesterday to last a week). 

Pedestrian

• "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
• "Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." -Steven Wright
  
  
  

• The bottles are put away and there's no more formula in our house.  The boy is growing up. 
• Karah had a very special mommy moment last night.  She was singing "You Are My Sunshine" to Bennett (just as she has since the day we brought him home from the hospital) before bed.  He thanked her by giving her an unsolicited kiss on the lips.  It brought her to tears.   
• Bennett had his one year checkup last week.  Current stats:  30.5" long and 25.8 lbs. 
• A year ago every conversation involved, "So, ya gettin' any sleep?"  Now the FAQ is, "So, ya ready for another one?" 



The 1

• The boy had his first birthday yesterday.  It's hard to believe that a year ago Bennett (currently happy and healthy as can be) was in neonatal intensive care with an oxygen cannula jammed in his nostrils.  As the Grateful Dead once put it, "What a long strange trip it's been!"  A few highlights from his birthday festivities follow:
• He likes cake (No surprise . . .  Cake is food and he loves food!): 

• We took him to the park for a birthday swing: 

• The next Tommy Lee??? Mommy prays for other mentors (Dave Grohl, perhaps?):

• He already thinks he's Superman.  I thought I'd get him the gear to match the attitude: 

• An update on Brux:  Two weeks ago, I wasn't sure that he'd be with us right now.  Much to our surprise (and pleasure) he's made quite a turnaround.  He's gone from a lethargic "old man" to his spunky old self. He's back to snagging frisbees from midair and heckling the other dogs in the neighborhood.  No doubt, he still has the kidney dysfunction and aggressive cancer to contend with.  Yet, it's pretty amazing what love, attention, and an excellent diet can do for a dog's (or a human's) health.  Thanks for keeping him in your thoughts and prayers.  Livestrong Bruxy!
• Speaking of sick . . . What's the opposite of empathy?  I was pretending to be sick (Oscar worthy acting) and Bennett thought it was just Hee-Hawlarious:



• While I was watching Celebrity Apprentice on Sunday . . . the news broke.  The current "face" of evil had been taken out (God bless those SEALs).  I can only hope that my son doesn't have to see the destruction of another hitler, stalin, saddam, bin laden, etc. during his lifetime.  Let's hope the information age can help expose such monsters before they gather substantial following and power. I just saw an interview with several kids who lost parents in the Towers in 9/11.  Their optimism was inspiring.  The American Dream lives on!
• "I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure" -Mark Twain

Bennett's puppy

• This has been a tearful week in the Maloley household. Brux had been ill for several days . . . his days mostly consisted of lying around (and puking). I took him to the vet last Saturday. We found out right away that his kidney function was poor. By midweek, we knew he had cancer.
• I drove him to see an oncologist in Denver on Thursday after work. The specialist discovered a tumor in his abdomen. She wasn't able to determine the type of cancer, but we know it's aggressive. Chemotherapy is considered a long shot and was not recommended.  
• Karah and I drove back to Denver on Friday to bring Brux home. We decided that we'd just love the heck out of him and have lots of fun with whatever time we might have left with him. Remarkably, he's showed more "life" in the last two days than he has in the last two weeks.
• I never really understood pet lovers until I picked the 8-week old Brux up in South Carolina. I thought that treating a dog like a child was pretty wacky and over the top. Now I understand! He's been our loyal companion for 3 years now. He's brought more laughs and love to us than I could have ever imagined. What he means to our family is unmeasurable and indescribable. There is no doubt that he helped Karah and I become better parents for Bennett.
• I saw this at the specialty animal hospital in Denver on Thursday night. I couldn't say it any better:

• Brux and Bennett admire a "get well" painting from our friends the Kassmels (blurry, but still captures the moment):

• Here's a quote on an lighter note (I'm a poet and didn't know it): "I named my dog 'Stay'... so I can say 'Come here, Stay. Come here, Stay.'"- Steven Wright  
• Don't get me wrong, Brux is plenty ornery (and sometimes on the lunatic fringe). He's eaten my socks (and a cycling glove), steals toys from the neighbors' yards, jumps on strangers (he calls them new friends), etc. But as far as big brothers go, he's been the best (we were worried!)! He was in Karah's hip pocket her entire pregnancy (literally following her everywhere) and has been so good to and for Bennett. I never would have guessed that such an amped-up dog could be so gentle around a baby.
• Just so this entire blog isn't about our Bruxy (and  doesn't give him a big head) . . . here's a little video. Bennett has been in awe when he sees Karah and I brushing our teeth with our Sonicare toothbrushes. Karah put a little brush head on the toothbrush and Bennett will actually allow us to brush his teeth with it (until the vibration becomes unbearable):

Dogging the dog

Bennett thinks:  "Brux, you are my bestest friend.  I love playing with you!"
Brux thinks:  "My life was much simpler a year ago.  You aren't playing with me . . . you are playing at me!"

Concrete floor = 2, Bennett's footwear =0

Walk of Life

• We saw Bennett take his first two steps tonight (and by the looks of it he'd much prefer to run than walk).
• Clifford the Big Red Dog was on TV yesterday.  The cartoon kids started to applaud when Clifford arrived in their classroom.  Bennett joined right in.  That cracked me up (and left me astounded).
• I was watching Sesame Street (no, I wasn't by myself) for the first time in almost 30 years.  They still know their audience!  They had Elmo (& Rev Run) singing a rendition of classic Aerosmith/Run DMC ("ya ain't seen nothin till your down on a muffin, and theres sure to be a change in way") tune from my youth:

• I was 35 when Bennett was born and had heard my share of annoying parenting cliches: Enjoy it while you can.  They grow up so fast.  Don't blink.  Blah, blah, blah.  Well . . . all true.  He turned 11 months this week.  I feel like our baby has transformed into a little boy over night.  The rate of growth and learning is unbelievable! 
• Speaking of songs from my youth . . . thinking about Bennett taking those couple of unsteady strides towards Karah planted another song in my head tonight.  I must have been about 10 when this song and awesome video came out.  I thought it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen!:  

• He got the action, he got the motion
  Oh Yeah the boy can play
  Dedication devotion
  Turning all the night time into the day
  
  
  
  

Swimming, Dancing, & Shish Kebabs

• I haven't blogged in weeks and the natives are experiencing symptoms of withdrawal . . . so here are some updates. 
• Bennett enjoyed his first morsels of dog food this week.  He's discovered if he can maneuver his walker to the dog dish, go up on one leg, and lean over . . . his arm will extend to the top of the mound of dog food.  He seemed to enjoy the Lamb and Rice blend (and commented that it tasted like a fine shish kebab dinner). 
• Bad hair day:

• He had his first swim last week at the Loveland Embassy Suites:  

• Here he is hanging out with his lady friends in Loveland:



Ella, Bennett, & Emma

• He's got Mom's smile and Dad's rhythm:

• They say dentist's kids always have messed up teeth.  So, I anxiously await the eruption of each tooth and thoroughly inspect it to make sure it's in good order.  Thus far we are 6 for 6 defect-free (but if he keeps playing tough guy and bumping his head . . . there are chipped teeth in the future). 
• This kid loves to laugh:

• He's starting to climb the walls ala spiderman:

iSon

• Bennett has an affinity for my iphone.  After many evening games of keep away, last night I let him hold it.  Whenever I went to grab it from him he'd tighten his grip on it and pull it in towards his chest. I know for a fact, he's been listening to the Sharing Song, but I'm pretty sure that's not Dad's iphone anymore (in his eyes at least).
• This evening I put some music on the iphone for him (and he somehow got to the facebook app on his own).  He doesn't seem to be impressed by Dave Matthews' vocals, but watch him break it down when the horns and harmonica kick in:



Home & Lost

• I had a great day with Bennett today.  Karah went skiing in Beaver Creek.  So, I had most of the morning and afternoon with him . . . which I refer to as "Dudesday".  He's quite mobile, whether crawling or in his walker.  He's starting to get into trouble . . . trying to get into cupboards, drawers (time for a trip to Home Depot for some locks).  He's pulling papers and magazines from the end tables.  I even busted him (twice) trying to take the fireplace pokers off the rack.  AND when I was feeding him he swatted at the spoon.  That sent baby food flying and splattered the dog. 
• At this moment (as is nightly bedtime protocol) Karah is having a "last dance" with Bennett before she puts him in the crib.  I usually think nothing of it (i.e. take it for granted), but tonight it seems especially sweet.  It makes me incredibly proud of and grateful for my family.  The songs she played tonight were the Foo Fighters "Home" (one of my faves) and Michael Buble's "Lost": 

"'Cause you are not alone

And I am there with you

And we'll get lost together

Till the light comes pouring through

'Cause when you feel like you're done

And the darkness has won

Babe, you're not lost

When the worlds crashing down

And you can not bear to crawl

I said, baby, you're not lost

I said, baby, you're not lost"

Michael Buble - Lost



"Echoes and silence, Patience and grace
All of these moments, I'll never replace"





what a difference . . .

A few days makes:

hot shot from David M on Vimeo.

Crawl space

-Bennett had his nine month check on Thursday:

• Tale of the tape:  23 lbs, 29.25" (~80th percentile)
• He received a shot in each thigh (simultaneously).  He had a hearty scream and cry for all of 3 seconds.  He collected himself, gave the nurse a dirty look and pout, and then it was like nothing happened (I didn't tell him that he should not let the girls see him cry.  He must have just enough testosterone to know that innately).
• She mentioned that he'd be crawling soon (sure enough (see below)).    

The heart of rock n' roll is still beatin'

-Bennett made his first crawling movements last night (he was going after the keys, but he's not ready to drive just yet).  We busted out the camcorder at the end of the action:

-More wrestling matches with the stuffed animals:

Where's Waldo?

Man in the mirror

• Bennett is approaching his 9th month.  Rolling is his favorite mode of transportation.  But, he's on his hands and knees this week and it looks like there is a crawl in the near future.
• When Bennett started making predictable, replicable sounds a few weeks ago . . .  It was all da-da-daddy.  Something happened this week (I've accused Karah of brainwashing while I'm at work), but he will no longer make the da-da sounds (Boooooo!) and it's all about ma-ma-mam ma-ma-mommy (and an occasional Ba-ba-ba for whatever reason). 
• Bennett pretty much "owns" Brux at this point . . . especially, when he's in his walker.  Bennett is becoming an expert at running over toes and Achilles (including Brux's).  He often gets Brux cornered and is unmerciful in releasing (or in this case not releasing Brux).  Also note that he's so intent in keeping Brux out that he doesn't acknowledge my presence at all:  

What's the password?

• Here's another funny little vid.  Bennett must think he's good looking.  When he discovers the mirror, he wastes no time starting to admire himself:

I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!

• There's a pretty good chance that Bennett will be a daredevil.  He rarely cries when injured, he has thrill seeker tendencies, he has lots to climb (jump off of, ski down, etc.) in his backyard and he seems a little to interested in the Xgames that are on ESPN right now.   

• Bennett bought me a great book recently (he must think I could use a few parenting pointers). If I Were Your Daddy, This is What You'd Learn. It is a collection of chapters by 35 dads talking about teaching what they believe to be the most important lessons to their kids. Although I'm only about 1/4 of the way through it, I highly recommend it for both mothers and fathers (actually, anyone could learn a lot about themselves from this book). Here's a little more info on it:

I Wanted To Change The World

By Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.

When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.

I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.

I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.

I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.

Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself,

and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself,

I could have made an impact on my family.

My family and I could have made an impact on our town.

Their impact could have changed the nation

 and I could indeed have changed the world."

Compete!

Like father like son

Bennett went retro this week with some of Dad's far out 70's fashions.  My ensemble 36 years ago (can you dig it?):



Like father . . .



Like son


I got dad's belly and forearms



Christmas and stuff

  Hey everybody.  Dad is watching football and we just dropped Mom off so she cood skee at Beaver Creek.  So . . . this laptop is all mine (if I can just keep it on my lap. Steady). 
   I just turned 8 months old . . . and not a present from anyone of you?  Whatz up with that?  I made out like a bandit at Christmas.  Lots off cool, colurful toys.  But I really liked the boxes and rapping paper best.  Rapping paper makes great sounds (and is also delicious, I might add).

   I saw lots of family at last month.  The Dankenbring side came to Colorado for Christmas and we drove to Nebraska for New Years.  Nebraska so cold it hurt and the Huskers offense was offensive in the bowl game.  I bought Grandma and Gido mugs with my mug on it: 



Coffee with Sugar

  I recently learned how to get whatever I want.  I just turn up the VOLUME.  I can holler real good now and I have been working on this ear-piercing scream that makes Dad go insane.  I have also been chasing my puppy all over the house in my walker.  You should see the terror in Bruxy's eyes when I come for him.  It makes me giggle. 
   I been saying "Dadda" a lot, but these adults won't give me credit for my first word.  Do expect me to talk in complete sentences or sit at the computer and rite a paragraph? :) They are so demanding and not as smart as they think. They need to check out this article I read in the New York Times:  New survey shows 'dadda' most likely to be baby's first word
I can't stop rubbing my eyes. I feel a nap coming on.  Off to da crib.  Laters - B.