What's the right music for a baby?

So what do you listen to while in the car with your baby? I can't do kids songs. Not now. When he can sing along, maybe. But right now I can't. I try to keep the rap to a minimum. Usually while he is sleeping. Mainly for the simple fact of I dont want his first word to be f#%k or b@#&h. I would feel pretty horrible about that. So I listen to STP and Kings of Leon and The Black Keys. He doesn't know Scott Weiland is a junkie. Was, is? Who knows these days. I like the rockabye baby stuff but I need words. I need to hear something other than what sounds like a xylophone playing Metallica or GnR. Decisions, decisions. Gucci Mane is a def not. Bloodhound Gang really won't do well. Five Finger Death Punch would probably scare him. Gnarls Barkley is pretty good I guess. Cee-Lo by himself, not so good for the kid. So it's not like I can really put the iPod on shuffle. I wish I could pick up Pandora in the car and just keep it on the children's folk music channel. But I can't do that. Radio is always hit or miss. I refuse to listen to country so that's out of the question. Religion channels, no. Talk radio, no for the simple fact I dont want him to care about politics. Because they are all crooks. Hispanic music, no. So I never really know what to play. I can't wait til you get a little older so maybe you can choose. So here's to waitin on you buddy.....

Things I've learned being a parent, and things I'll never understand.

First and foremost, Patience. I thought before Adrien, I was a pretty laid back and easy going guy. I was fairly patient and easy to get along with. But once you have a child, there is a new kind of patience to learn and it will be tested daily. The crying, the whining and most of all the lack sleep. Who knew babies were such hard work? I've learned how to read his cues though. Which is good. I can tell which cry is an actual bad cry. There is a whine cry, a mad cry and an I'm hurt cry. I only pick him up for the latter of those. Just to comfort and rub the booboo. I've learned when he is ready for sleep even though he is still running and playing. I can smell a poopy diaper 10 ft away. Which really isnt a great thing, but is a good thing. I've learned the things that make him laugh and the things that make him cry. Say "arms up" and he lifts his arms and let's you tickle his underarms and squeals with laughter. Turn the handle on the jack in the box and out comes the pterodactyl shrill followed by crying. I've learned how to trick him into eating foods he doesn't really like. You give him a bite of something he likes and then 2 bites of what he doesn't. These are just a few things that I have learned. Now for a few things I will never understand. I don't understand why other parents get 2 hour naps from their kids. If he naps on me, 1 hour. Lay him in the crib, 30-45 mins. Why does he have to cry like a maniac when he does wake up in the crib? Be it when he wakes up at 7 in the morning or each one of his naps during the day. Always crying. Why does he have all these toys but would rather play with a broom or the fly swatter? Really Adrien? A fly swatter? Why is his idea of fun just running around? Why does it seem like a good idea to eat the books as I try to read them rather than just sit and listen? Why do you have to have a rat tail/baby mullet? Why do you pick up the heaviest container of blocks you have and grunt and moan and scream carrying it around? Why does thunder wake me up but not you? I could go on for days. Maybe one day I will learn these things too. But for now I just have to sit here and scratch my head. And on occasion want to body slam you. Not hurt you. Just make you realize you aren't a pterosaur. But thank you for loving me. And snuggling me. And waving and blowing kisses when I leave for work. And for reaching for me when you want me to hold you. Those simple things make everything I go through day to day all worth it. I love you boy and don't you forget it!

Kind of a preface.....

So I know that I should have maybe said a few things about myself before the first post, but I must admit I got a little blog happy. So here are a few facts about myself, in case you don't already know. Im happily married to the best wife anyone could ask for, Kim. We have been married for 3 years and some months. And if you're wondering, yes I just counted on my fingers. I have the most adorable and handsome son in the world, Adrien. He is almost 15 months old and all boy. We have a dog named Kelly and an outside cat Banana. Outside now because he likes to pee in the house. Never a good thing. We live in our house out here in the country and enjoy everyday. By day I am I stay at home dad. I cook, clean, grocery shop and most importantly watch this wild youngin'. At night I go to work at the drugstore in town which I will leave unnamed. I used to be an assistant manager but now hold the title of shift supervisor. I guess hard times means crappier job titles. By the way, after taking the cbt on social networking I must say all the views expressed herein are mine and not my employers. As if anyone would think differently. I have worked there a total of almost 8 years. With a brief stint in between at another employer. I misspell big words alot so bare with me. My wife says I'm the devil's advocate, I like to say I see all sides of a situation. I'm very analytical. Which can be good at times but most of the time not. I don't tell alot of people this, but I don't neccesarrily believe in God. I'm not sure what I believe in. If I can ever get the gumption I'm going to finish reading The Tao Te Ching. It's tough finding the time really. All of my posts on here may not be family related. Sometimes it may just be an outlet to get things off my chest. But as long as you can take away from this that I am a great husband and father and friend then my job here is done. I love my wife. We don't always have a perfect relationship. But I'd rather be imperfect than be without her. As for Adrien, well this blog is named after him. Well, his jammies. His shirt says sleep is for humans. And clearly from the pterodactyl shrills he let's out from time to time, he is all monster. But this is my life. As I see it. And I hope you enjoy.


AJ

Things I wish babies would understand......

As much as I love my son, I wish he realized everything didn't run on his time. I wish he knew it hurts when he climbs all over me and steps all over the very organs that created him. I wish that he knew how unappealing it is to whine. I wish he would understand that no means no. It doesn't mean I know you just said no, but I'm still going to do it, and then smirk at you. I love you to death boy, but goodness to everything alive, you drive me crazy sometimes. But without you in my life, it's not whole. I love you and your mother more than life itself and this blog will chronicle all of it. Does that even make sense? What does chronicle even mean? I don't know to be honest. It just sounded good there.



This is my first blog ever and hopefully not my last. We shall see how goes it.