DC Urban Dad

BFFs 4 Ever

 

They say the first step is just admitting it.....

This is gonna be tough but.....folks here goes......

My name is DC Urban Dad and although I have only had it one day, I'm addicted.

I completely and utterly addicted to my Flip Video HD.  This little sucka is a badass.  If you don't have one, stop what you are doing and go get one.  My wife and Mini-Kamp are seriously sweet but I don't think they knew the monster they were going to create.

I have shot myself stretching before the big Father's Day run.....

Making pesto with my Mini-Kamp.....

My pasta explosion.....

The Mini-Kamp and her pots and pans band

Someone help. I think I need an intervention.

DC Urban Dad goes redneck for Father's Day

Hope all you Dads and Moms are having a blast on Father's Day.  Dads hope you get what you wanted.  Moms hope you give your men what they want ;)

I am having the perfect Father's Day.  Run in the morning.  Brunch with my two favorite ladies and now DC Urban Dad has decided to go redneck. (still not quite as cool as this chick).

Well almost....

Signs you might be a father.....

.....your sister-in-law brings you her toys and you know from the moment you see them which one is missing, down to the color (where is the yellow one?)

.....you can spot a pregnant woman from a mile away and still know not to ask her when she is due.

.....the moment you see a stroller you can name the brand and the model.

.....you know what the 5 S's are and can spot someone breaking them out.

.....waking up at 7 am is considered sleeping in.

.....you arrive at work with a pacifier in your pocket.

.....you spontaneously break into "If you're happy and you know it" and it just seems normal to you.

.....staying up past 11 seems like 3 am.

.....all you want to do is snuggle up to something like this.....

Happy Father's Day dudes and dads!!!!!!

Do you have what it takes?

All this week to honor Dad's day I have been hitting on the truths behind fatherhood (check out Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays).  Today I finish it off with my final truth.  And just for commenting, you will be automatically entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Marshalls. 

What are you waiting for.....you have until Saturday, 6/20 at 11:59 pm EST.  Good luck!

To be a father, you don't need one of these.....

Or one of these.....

Or something like this.....

This is a nice to have.....

But all off that stuff is just fluff.

Sure you need diapers, butt cream, some clothes, a place to sleep, but what you the truth is all you really need to be a father is a big .....

And perhaps one of these (thanks for the suggestion).....

So tell me.....do you have what it takes?

Now I want to hear from you folks.....

Today since it's Friday, let's keep it simple shall we? 

You have heard from me all week taking my attempts at some of the truths in fatherhood (check out Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays).  Well my next truth of fatherhood is that no one father or person for that matter has all the answers.  That's why you need different people from different walks of life and backgrounds to give you their perspective to help you build out and become the father and parent you want to become.

Speaking of different people and opinions, now I want to hear from you out there.

Give me some of your truths about fatherhood and parenting.

And just for commenting, you will entered to win some bad ass machinery from Petzl, the leader in hands-free lighting. 

This year they are introducing a completely redesigned series of headlamps.  These suckers have new circuitry, adjustable light settings, and greater functionality.   That means they are brighter and with greater burn times than ever before.  Perfect for all you fathers and even mothers out there trying to find your way.

And ladies and dudes, the one I am giving away does hit stores until September so if you want to be coolest on the block just leave me a comment here and you will automatically be entered to win.  You have until Saturday, 6/20 at 11:59 pm EST.  Good luck!

More giveaways and more truth

A few weeks ago Noodad shared with us the top 10 myths of Fatherhood.  This is my attempt at looking some truths behind fatherhood.  You can agree or disagree.  Be my guest and share your thoughts.  Oh and check out Mondays.  And don't forget Tuesdays.

To make it even more exciting I have a number of things to give away.

Today I will be giving away a $50 gift code to be used on anything your heart desires at the adult store Eden Fantasys (It can be only used in US or Canada and cannot be combined with sales or used on freight.)  Just leave me a comment here and you will automatically be entered to win.  You have until Saturday, 6/20 at 11:59 pm EST.  Good luck!

I am not quite sure that I understand those couples that decide to have a child in order to "strengthen" their marriage or hell just to keep the damn thing alive.  Who are these people and the what are they really thinking?

Personally, I would never trade this little beasty or my wonderful wife for anything in this whole wide world.  They have me completely.  And will always have me.

But the truth is.....fatherhood (and of course motherhood) will add stress and another layer to your relationship with your spouse or partner.

No matter how long you have been with that person and how secure you are together, having a child will intensify any money and budgeting issues that ya'll are faced with.

Fatherhood requires a time commitment in which your free time as a couple let alone your own free time to decompress and chill almost instantly becomes obsolete.  Now you must schedule and prioritize this time.  So do you have drinks with the guys or do you get a sitter and take the wife out to dinner?  Do you get away for a weekend alone or do you always have the kids around?

As fathers, we will wear many hats and our jobs will never end.  After a long, hard day at the office or at home taking care of the kid or kids, sometimes the last thing we want to do is connect with the person across the table or sofa.   Sometimes it's easy to take that person for granted and forget that you need time as a COUPLE.  Not just as parents.

But just because it's hard does not mean it's impossible.  It just requires discipline, commitment, dedication, creativity, imagination and a healthy dose humility.  And when you do take the time.....you do put in the effort....the pay off is exponentially higher.  You will not only strengthen your relationship, but your family bond as well.

So tell me Dads (and Moms), how do you do it?  How do you stay connected and keep the spark alive?

You think you can handle the truth dads?

Folks, fatherhood ain't a game of chess.  Nope it's a full contact sport.

And if you think you are going to be the coach on the sidelines or better yet in the management suite drinking fine wine and eating fancy, well think again.

You are in the middle of it.

In fact this is Iron Man football dude.

You will be playing defense and offense.  Sometimes it will feel like you are playing them both at the same time.  Sometimes you won't even understand the half you are in, what side of the field you are on, what down you are up against, but just get in there.

Get in there and get your hands dirty.

You will change diapers.  You will clean up snot, boogers, vomit, pee, poop, crusty pieces of Mum-Mums, goopy bits of chewed up and spit-out banana.  You name it, they will bring it.

You will need to hold comfort them when they are sick, hurt, sad or just bummed out.  You will need to be there when they have have gotten 4 shots and 2 vials of blood taken and the world seems to be caving in on them.

You will need to teach, set examples, share.

There will be ups and downs.  You will have bumps and bruises.  You will have broken limbs and torn ligaments.  It will hurt along the way.  But.....BUT you will be richer than anyone in the entire world.

So forget about the endorsement deals.  Nike ain't coming.  Under Armour could care less.  Reebok smeebok.  You're playing for the love of the game.

And if by chance you're not up to it, be sure to get a full supply of these or get this done now.

A few weeks ago Noodad shared with us the top 10 myths of Fatherhood and then proceeded to debunk the bejesus out of them.  Since this is Father's Day week I thought I would take a 5 day look at some of the shall we call them truths behind fatherhood.  You can agree or disagree.  Be my guest.  Share your thoughts.  Oh and check out yesterdays.

And to make it even more exciting I have a number of things to give away.  Today I will be giving away a number of books - Play by Stuart Brown, The Art of Making Money by Jason Kersten, The Man's Book by Thomas Fink and Life with Pop by Janis Spring.

Just leave me a comment here and you will automatically be entered to win.  You have until Saturday, 6/20 at 11:59 pm EST.

Who wants to be perfect?

A few weeks ago Noodad shared with us the top 10 myths of Fatherhood and then proceeded to debunk the bejesus out of them.  Since this is Father's Day week I thought I would take a 5 day look at some of the shall we call them truths behind fatherhood.  You can agree or disagree.  Be my guest.  Share your thoughts.

And to make it even more exciting I have a number of things to give away.

Today I will be giving away a $25 gift card from TJ Maxx. Who doesn't love TJ Maxx.  Just leave me a comment here and you will automatically be entered to win.  You have until Saturday, 6/20 at 11:59 pm EST.

Sorry to break it to you Dads, no single Dad is perfect (not even me, yeah I know shocker). 

And the sooner you admit that the sooner you will be able to move on and be a great Father.

Really did you think you could hit everyone of them out of the park???????  I did at first, but it just won't ever happen.

There will be times when you will be lost, you will be confused, you will lose your patience, you will be tired, you will doubt yourself.  Maybe you will wake up and not want to be a Dad.

But all this does not mean you are a bad parent. It means you are H-U-M-A-N.

Take it in stride and talk about it.  Find some other Dads to hang out with.  Reach out to your wife and talk it through.  It's not and easy thing to do, but holding it all inside will eat you up.

And remember just because you're not perfect does not mean you can't be GREAT.

What are you doing this weekend?

Whoo hoo the weekend is on it's way!

No time to sleep in. Get up and get, get get down. We got things to do. People to see.

First Mom and Dad gots to get their spin on at the Washington Sports Club.  You think these abs are getting ripped on their own?

Then immediately following, girlfriend has got to get her swim lesson on at the DC JCC.  Seriously if you are in DC and have little ones you should consider signing up.  The facilities are great and the people are even better.  At first the little bean was a bit unsure of the water.  But midway through it she let loose got her kick on and even spent some time with the instructor.  They have lessons in June and July.  You can sign up here.  You can also follow them on twitter.

Aftwards, Dad needs to get his mow on cuz dizamn the front of our house looks like the Amazone rain forest.

Somewhere in there we need to squeeze in a trip to the grocery store and Target.  Ah Target.  Yes, even Dad's love Target.

Sunday is all about DC Dads on the Run (what are you waiting for??????  Join in.  We will be hitting Beach Drive at 8:30.  Daddy, babby and buggy), little bit of Church and some Kids Restaurant Week.

Decisions, deccisions.

Art and Soul
Asia Nine
Beacon Bar and Grill
Belga Cafe
Cafe du Parc
Dino
Finn and Porter
Firefly
Juniper at the Fairmont
M Street Bar and Grill
Mie N Yu
Palette
Taberna Del Alabardero
The Hay-Adams
Wasabi
Zola

Whew!!!!!  Man, I need a weekend to recover from my weekend.

So what are you doing this weekend?