the sleep routine - Part II

Dear Chicken Nugget,

With big work deadlines looming a week from now, a half-marathon in ten days, family worries, and general busyness keeping me from writing you these notes, I feel like it's been forever. 

There's way too much going on and it has affected my sleep and running, but there's always moments in life like this when everything seems to happen at the same time.  Luckily, deadlines pass, races are run, and relaxing times are just around the corner. 

In the meantime, I've been coming home and spending lots of awake time with you.  I haven't been getting to work until you fall asleep - sometimes 9:30pm.  Even now, it's midnight as I write this.  I've been working this entire time. 

Through all the work, lack of sleep, and stress, you've been giving me a beautiful gift for the last three nights.  In recent weeks you've fallen asleep with your mom.  But, for the last three nights, you've been falling asleep in my arms.  A couple of nights ago you had fussed a little, letting us know you were starting to get tired.  I put on some karaoke-versions of Michael Buble songs and sang to you while holding you and dancing with you. 

As I sang, you put your head on my chest and relaxed.  If I stopped singing, you lifted your head up and stared up at me until I started again.  Less than three songs into it, you were out.  It was adorable.

Last night it happened again, this time you were out in about a song and a half.  Tonight it took about four songs but it ended with you snoring on my chest.

 
So, yes, I have lots of work to do.  Yes, I could use more sleep.  And yes, I should resign from my position on any number of extracurricular activities.  But, through all that overloaded, overworked, overtired crazyness, I come home to you and your mom and get to sing you to sleep.  Totally worth it.



Eternally yours,

Tu Papa

New Year's Resolutions 2011

Dear Chicken Nugget,

As we end the second day of the New Year, I thought I'd lay down my resolutions for this year.  I'll let you hold me accountable to these.

Most people find resolutions fun and pointless.  They're a great way to reboot your personal goals but since there's no accountability, most people drop their resolutions within weeks.

To help keep me accountable, I'll offer you this:

For every resolution I do not keep, I will give you $100 cash.  I usually make ten resolutions a year, for a potential $1000 cash every year until you turn 18.  

Deal?  You just smiled at me, so I'll take that as a yes.

So, without further ado, my New Year's Resolutions of 2011:

1) Be a good father.
2) Be a good husband.
3) Run nine NYRR-scored races and volunteer for one NYRR event.  This will help me gain guaranteed entry into the 2012 NYC Marathon.
4) Become a certified USATF Level 1 Running Coach in order to better teach my Running Club kids.
5) Clean up the back room, or "man cave" as your mom calls it, once a month.
6) Finish reading the Bible, with Facebook breaks allowed only in between books.
7) Exercise every day unless illness requires rest - your mom will have to judge "illness" on this one.
8) Get my cholesterol checked at least four times this year.
9)  Donate blood at least four times this year.  Note to self: Don't do the cholesterol check and blood donation on the same day.
10) Dance with you at least once a day.

I hope to be able to complete all ten resolutions this year.  In the long run I hope you'll understand that me completing these ten resolutions is more important than the cash you'll earn from me breaking them.  Still, it's a good way to keep me focused.

Two days down and you still have earned no cash from me - off to a good start.


Eternally yours,

Tu papa

Week 26 in the belly

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Today you've been in the belly for 26 weeks.  Your mom is growing!  And, we're feeling you move around a lot.  Apparently, in the womb, you love when your momma has sweets.  Whenever your mom has something sweet, be it chocolate or an apple, you start kicking like crazy.  Nugget, apparently you're a fan of sugar. Join the club.

We learned this week that you can probably hear my voice so I started to read to you.  I started by reading a bilingual alphabet book to the belly.  We'll be playing lots of music for you as well.  I'm hoping the music will help you develop a sense of rhythm - you are half-latino so rhythm is very important.

So, keep growing baby.  Keep kicking.  And dance away the sugar rush.

We love you,

Your papa

just dance

Dear Chicken Nugget,

Recently a Fitness and Nutrition instructor at my school has been using music to teach the students how to work out specific muscles.  It's been fun to watch all the little ones get excited by music and break out into dance.

In case you weren't aware by our Justin Timberlake rule, your mom and I are big fans of dancing.  We'll actually stop and dance whenever we hear a good song.  Sometimes we'll even dance to no music.  We just like dancing.

After watching all these shy students begin to lose their inhibitions and start dancing freely, I hope that you will learn from us and just dance.  Never worry what people will say or think.  Never worry what you'll look like or if you're good enough.  Whatever you do, however you move, you can't be much worse than your parents.

In ancient Hebrew tradition, dance was a form of worship and praise.  It was an expression of joy and reverence. I will encourage you throughout your life to move when the Spirit moves you, to move when you are happy, to move when you hear a good song, to move just because.

Little nugget, I can't wait to dance with you.

Eternally yours,

Your papa

PS - Your mom does a great "Dance of Joy."  I'm sure you'll see some of those in your lifetime.