Bits of Randomness

I’m feeling a bit random today, as I have a number of things bouncing around in my head that don’t merit an individual post of their own. So, I’m going with a stream of conscious style post today to clear the decks.

Breastmilk should be a controlled substance. Over the past two weeks we have been in the process of weaning our son from breastfeeding. My wife’s approach was to slowly cut the number of feedings starting with ending the daily trips to the lactation room at work. After ten months our son would nurse only in the morning and at bedtime and I took over the morning feeding using formula at eleven months. With her production in decline the last night feeding she handled was about ten days ago at which point I also took over that feeding. Our thinking was if we create some space between nursing and him taking a bottle we could make the transition easier for him. It seemed to work because my wife took back the bedtime feeding with her giving him a bottle for the first time ever on Saturday night. During all this we have noticed that he doesn’t fall asleep as fast, or as easy, as he did when he was nursing, which leads me to believe that it clearly had a narcotic effect.

The first birthday party. We are only eight days away from little man completing his first trip around the sun. As we get closer to his big day, we are also getting closer to his first birthday party. We are having a simple affair at our house with our family and close friends. There will be no theme, no rides and no outlandish over the top nonsense. We’ll have some food, cake and some refreshments while little man entertains us with his antics. Probably the biggest production of the whole thing will be the day or two of prep work I have ahead of me for the menu. I like to entertain when I get the opportunity and I’m always looking to out-do myself for some reason. I think it’s a trait I inherited from my grandfather who was known for his elaborate menus for his New Years bashes.

The quintessential dad task. One reason why I am excited for little man’s first birthday is because I got to do something that is quintessentially a dad thing to do – put together toys! My dad and his girlfriend got our son his first tricycle and the big box from Amazon showed up the other night. I had a lot on my plate the first night it was here, so it was killing me to not be able to put it together. After we got little man to bed Friday night I got the box out, double checked that I had all the necessary parts and began putting it together. Only a few hiccups and the tricycle was together in no time. Now I just have to restrain myself from letting him play with it for a few days.

Oma and Opa’s big visit. Another reason why we are looking forward to our little man’s birthday is because my in-laws are coming down to see him. They are great people and I am very fortunate to have them in my life. I wished they lived closer so they could be with our son more regularly, but when they are able to visit they usually stay for at least a week to get some quality time in with him. The most important gift they can ever give him is the gift of their time and we can’t wait until they get here on Thursday.

The Prius of lawn mowers. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I can’t wait to mow my lawn tomorrow afternoon. After growing weary of fighting with my barely year old gas powered mower I decided to order myself a Neuton, which I have dubbed the Prius of lawn mowers. According to the UPS site it should finally be here today.  I’m going to put it together and get the battery charged as soon as little man is down for the night. I’ve had to borrow my neighbor’s mower for the past two weeks since I can’t find the parts I need to fix my other mower. I ended up ordering them online, but one of the parts is on back order and I have no idea when it will ever run again. I’m usually quite handy, but this thing has been a royal pain, so, I’m done with it. Now, the Neuton is a bit smaller in terms of deck size, so it will take a few more passes for me to cut the lawn.  That’s fine with me, my lawn isn’t that big and I could use the exercise.  What I’m excited for, however, is no more oil, gas or filters to change. Just pop in the battery and flip the switch. I can’t wait.