Giving up Facebook for Advent. Sort of.

Dear Chicken Nugget,

As I write there are 500 million people in the world that are using something called Facebook.  It's a social network website that allows users to connect with one another around world.  It's also a great time-suck.

It's been absolutely wonderful to connect to old classmates that I lost touch with, be able to communicate with relatives in Ecuador, and let people know that something funny just happened.

But, checking in on others can take up time - especially if you end up checking in twice a day like I usually do.

So inspired by friends and family, I'm giving up Facebook for Advent.  Sort of.

First, your great uncle Barry, a pastor in Texarkana, TX, posted on a blog that we should try to read the books of the Bible in order.  I've already done that twice before and I've learned so much each time so I figured that's something I should do some day soon.

Then a friend from my running club, you may remember him as the guy in the chicken costume on Marathon Sunday, posted that he was going to give up Facebook for the rest of 2010; just as a challenge to himself.

Finally, as I was reading up on Advent I learned that people used to treat Advent much like they did Lent - they would fast to prepare for the birth of Jesus.  Although I'm not going to fast this Advent, I decided I could instead refrain from Facebook somehow.

So the end result is this:

I will read the books of the Bible in order and only check in on Facebook when I complete a full book of the Bible.  

Something you'll learn about me is that I set up challenges for myself just to see if I have the willpower to do them (like marathons, for example).  I find it's good practice to challenge yourself this way; it lets you know that you are stronger than you think you are.

Of course, I thought my Advent challenge was going to be easier.  Somehow I forgot that the first time I read the Bible straight through it took me two months.  Oh, and I also forgot to calculate the number of times I would be interrupted in my reading by you, Nugget.

had we picked a name out of Genesis you might have been named Gether or Nimrod

Not that I'm complaining.  Reading it in smaller bits has allowed me to meditate on smaller events.  But still, after Day 2 I'm on page 20 of 1,034 and just halfway done with Genesis.

So, I don't think I'm anywhere near on pace to complete the Bible by Christmas or New Year's Day for that matter.  No, this challenge might take me straight into Lent.  And by the time I get there, since it's Lent, I might as well set up a new challenge...


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

a mini High School reunion

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Today we got together with some of my old High School buddies.  Lots has changed!

Leonid was one of the first people I met in the seventh grade.

the restaurant was warm so we let you show off your chest hair

But now Leonid is a doctor and has his own baby!

Leonid and his six-month old boy Finny

You loved hanging out with my old high school friends and made sure everyone knew to hold you out so you could be a part of the conversation.

Meryl, Nugget, Adam, & Tom

Meryl was one of the first people I met in High School and is now a Veterinarian.  Adam, like Leo, went to Junior High and High School with me and is now a lawyer in Washington, DC for the US government.  And Tom is an old friend from High School who uses his degree in Finance to help people navigate the insurance world and does some acting on the side.

Beth holding a sleepy Nugget

Our friend Beth was a friend of a friend in high school and didn't technically go to high school with us but no one really remembers that.  She hung out with us so often we pretty much thought she went to school with us.  Beth was an animal behaviorist and now studies human behavior for marketing. 

We had a really good time catching up with one another, trading baby stories, and making plans to get together again.

I hope that when you get to high school you get a chance to make friends with a bunch like mine.  We spent a lot of time with one another, through the ups and downs that are a sure part of teenage life, but my memories of them are overwhelmed with laughter. 

We had a good time and continue to do so.

Eternally yours,

Tu papa

Happy First Thanksgiving!

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Today we celebrated your first Thanksgiving.  There is so much to be thankful for!

I give thanks to God for all He provides - family, friends, health, career - but this year I am especially grateful for the gift of you.  Pastor Paul at our church likes to tell new parents that their babies are not theirs but on loan from God.  We are all God's children and parents are chosen to help raise one of God's children.  No pressure, he likes to add.

Well, we're so eternally grateful for the gift of you and so is your entire family.  This year we went to your Grandma Betty's home to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in an Ecuadorian household is a little different from Thanksgiving in your typical American home, but some things are still the same: turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and dessert.  But, there's also the Ecuadorian staples: white rice, Ecuadorian stuffing, and Russian salad (I know, I said Ecuadorian, but that's what they call it).

But, of course, the highlight of Thanksgiving this year was you!  The family enjoyed playing with you, dancing with you, singing to you, and cuddling with you.

You seemed to love the attention and were in awe of the turkey...

...then you tried to make a grab for it...

... but you were caught red-handed.

Overall it was a great Thanksgiving.  We're already looking forward to next year when you can actually take a bite out of that turkey leg.


Until then, eternally yours,

Tu papa

the sins of your parents

Dear Chicken Nugget,

It's been 12 days since my last letter and you've grown so much.  You've been laughing and playing and trying to grab hanging toys.  You've discovered your hands and are constantly playing with them.

I haven't been able to sit down and write much because of work-related activities.  I love what I do but sometimes it takes up a lot of mental energy; not the kids, the adults - more on that another day.

But, today I want to apologize in advance for the fashion sins of your parents.  Your mom and I are pretty laid back people and our philosophy on dressing you as been just as relaxed.  The way we figure it, babies don't care what they look like.  Right?

Well, in case you do some day and it seems you just can't get it right, it's probably our fault.

This is what happens when papi dresses you...

your mom would like to point out the overall shorts & yellow socks

This is what happens when mommy tries to fix it...

I'm just going to point out that you've got polka dots on your white pants

It's obvious that your mom and I differ in opinion on what you should wear.  I don't think either of us are too far off the mark but I also don't think we're cultivating any form of good fashion sense. 

Luckily, I do think you're too young to care at this point.  Someday you'll care.  Until then, God help you.


Eternally yours,

Tu papi

the NYC Marathon and me

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Ever since I was little I've been a fan of the NYC Marathon.  My Aunt Bella and I would wake up on Marathon Sunday and start watching the coverage on TV and start making fake bets on who would win that year.

For a few years we lived on Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, right along the route.  We'd watch the elite runners approach on TV and then hit the street to watch and cheer them on live.  Then, as the morning progressed and a speedy few became a thundering thousand, I'd go out there to high five as many runners as we could. 

I started dreaming of running the NYC Marathon in my early 20s, before I could even run a mile, but haven't had my chance yet.  Lack of luck with the entry lottery and injury has prevented me from joining the 40+ thousand people running the NYC Marathon every year.   

sleepy Nugget on his way to cheer

 Although I've run marathons in New Jersey and Maryland, the dream of running the NYC Marathon is still alive and thriving.  This year, at just 2 months old, we took you to Manhattan to cheer for the thousands of runners in the Marathon.  You slept through all the noise but I was inspired by it.

little Nugget sleeps in the baby carrier while dad cheers along with a teammate - yes, a chicken

Seeing all those people enjoying my city and pushing themselves to the limit makes me want to get out there and join them.  As they say in sports, especially when you're a Mets fan like me, "There's always next year"  . . . and the year after that.

If weather permits, I can't imagine a better motivator than seeing you and your mom cheering me on.  Then maybe, some day, we'll run a marathon together.  


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

the sleep routine

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Today you are two months old!  It's been incredible having you in our lives and we look forward to so much more time with you.

You're growing physically and are becoming more aware by the hour.  You love hearing the vowels in Spanish and laugh when I howl like a wolf.

loving listening to the vowels in Spanish

And, you love it when your dad puts you to sleep.  You've been a really good sleeper, by the way.  When you're tired you'll fall asleep in a baby carrier, in the swing, on the changing table, and while feeding.  You've actually been sleeping through most of the night - waking up to eat once or twice but falling immediately back to sleep when done.

But late evening when you hit that over-tired point your mom and I go into the sleep routine.  While she goes off to get ready for bed, I get you ready for bed.  What started as an hour long routine is now usually done in 15-20 minutes.   It involves some walking, some white noise provided by the kitchen fan, and even some singing.

Now, while I won't promote my singing in any way, it seems that it helps you go to sleep.  I have two theories for this: my droning monotone has a hypnotic effect or you essentially give up because sleep is the fastest way to get out of hearing me sing.

So far I've used a number of songs to help lull you to sleep (in no particular order):

How's It Going To Be by Third Eye Blind
Lean On Me by Bill Withers
Stand By Me by Ben E. King
The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra
Motorcycle Drive By by Third Eye Blind
Amazing Grace by John Newton
Hound Dog by Elvis Presley
That's Life by Frank Sinatra
Donna by Ritchie Valens

Tonight, the song that made you pass out was Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra.

Somehow these songs work.  Then again, considering my monotone voice, they might all just sound the same and I'm simply boring you to sleep.  In any case, it works.

When it comes time for you to learn to sing I'm definitely handing the reigns over to your mom.  She comes from a clan of musicians and singers.

In the meantime, I'll continue to help you fall asleep for the night.  It's my pleasure to sing my baby boy to sleep.


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

When Dad Blog Babies Meet

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Today you are eight weeks old!  And, though your weight has leveled off at around 11-12 pounds, you still seem to be growing every day.  Recently you've been more alert, really curious about the world around you, and making wonderful cooing sounds.

Some friends from Birthing Class came over to meet you tonight.  Kevin and Reba had their baby girl Rosalie just three days before you arrived.  Kevin is actually documenting Rosalie's early days on NewAstoriaDad.  So, tonight was a sort of meeting of the blog babies.

Kevin holding Chicken Nugget and Reba holding Rosalie

Rosalie is very cute, with hints of strawberry blond hair, and bright blue eyes.  The two of you, however, didn't spend much time with each other - you were too busy showing Kevin and Reba what a fussy baby boy looks like and Rosalie was busy showing us what a peaceful baby girl is like.

We discussed, among other things, boy energy versus girl energy.  So far, every little baby girl we've met is always so calm and relaxed.

your mom was amazed at how mellow Rosalie was

Not our Nugget!  Our little baby boy has boy energy and constantly wants to be entertained and kept moving.  That is, of course, until Reba held you...  then you chilled out and eventually fell asleep in her arms.

Santiago and Reba

Which makes me wonder if you have a thing for blonds.  Just last week our friend Emily dropped by to say hello and you were as happy as can be.

Santi likes blonds

Hmmm.  I think I'm on to something.

Your secret is safe with me, buddy. 


Eternally yours,

Tu papa