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Dad’s Change Diapers At Restaurants, Too

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Photo courtesy of lifewithlevi.com

Photo courtesy of lifewithlevi.com

On the occasion that Sarah and I go out to dinner, whether it’s with friends, or just as a family, there comes a time or two or three where one of us will need to take Maddie or Sophia to the bathroom for a diaper change. BUT, all-too-many times, after we’ve gone to the bathrooms on our own, we have discovered that there are only changing tables in the women’s restroom. None in the men’s restroom. This makes it difficult for me to change a diaper. And it doesn’t seem to make sense. Afterall, there are plenty of dads out there that takes their kids out to eat, ya know, without a mom present. Continue reading →

Mind Your Manners and Don’t Curse Near Kids

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Sarah toting Maddie around at Sesame Place.

Sarah toting Maddie around at Sesame Place.

Sophia and I rockin' out on some tea cups at Sesame Place.

Sophia and I rockin’ out on some tea cups at Sesame Place.

I’m all for freedom of speech and being able to voice your opinion. But when it comes to using choice language and cursing in front of my kids in a public place, I draw the line. Look, I get it, you’re out to eat at a restaurant and bar and feel like you should be able to have a good time. That’s great, you should feel like that. But, at the same time, me and my family should also be able to enjoy ourselves and not have to worry about you screaming f-bombs every third word at the top of your lungs.

We had an instance at Victory Brewing Company the week of New Years. We’ve never had an issue when eating, or drinking, there in the years and years we have been going. It’s one of our favorite places to go. I used to do work with them when I was a reporter and editor at a local newspaper years ago.

We were there with both kids, and my sister-in-law and her boyfriend. It was extremely busy that night, which isn’t a surprise at all. We were sitting at a booth waiting on our appetizers when the booth behind was seated. From there, things got LOUD and OBNOXIOUS.

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Sophia’s Sixth Sense…

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Does Sophia see ghosts?

Does Sophia see ghosts?

Last night, I posted this status on Facebook after putting Sophia to bed: “While laying in bed Sophia looks at her closet and says ‘what’s the lady doing?’ What lady? ‘That lady over there!’ No one else was in her room… Not creepy at all”.

After asking her what the lady was wearing, she said that they looked like a fireman wearing a fire, fire, fire hat! Now, I’ve got to be honest here, I’m not one that believes in ghosts, in hauntings, or in paranormal activities. I just have a hard time believing it. Others do and that’s totally cool. It’s just not something that I’ve ever believed. Just kind of difficult for me to wrap my brain around, for some reason. BUT, what Sophia said last night, and the subsequent comments I got on Facebook have left me kind of, what’s the right word here… spooked I guess. Continue reading →

Be Better – For Our Kids

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I need to be better for them.

I need to be better for them.

I’m sitting here watching my cursor blink at me, trying to think of the words I want to say here. Oddly enough, the first thing that is flowing through my brain are lyrics to Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”… “I’m Starting With The Man In The Mirror. I’m Asking Him To Change His Ways”. That lyric is sticking with me right now. But, why, you ask, is that what I’m thinking about? Good question.

The longer that I’ve been a dad, the more and more I have come to see my faults. My faults as a dad, my faults as a husband, and my faults as a man. I’ve gotta be honest, realizing your own faults and your own limitations, and seeing your shortcomings isn’t all that pleasant. I’ll be honest, it’s a kick to the crotch. Continue reading →

The Dad-Bashing Needs to Stop

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One example of dad-bashing from Mom.me

One example of dad-bashing from Mom.me

Typically, I like to keep things fun, lighthearted, and all about the silly little things that happen daily in my life as a parent. But, sometimes, a stand needs to be taken. Sometimes, I need to fire back when I see something, or somethings, that are wrong. Dead wrong. This is one of those times. What am I talking about? Dad Bashing.

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Poppin’ Bottles Dad-Cast Episode 6: Head of the Heard!

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heardThis weekend, Ben and I had the pleasure of having Stephen, from Headoftheheard.com on as our guest.

Stephen is a British ex-pat living in the south of Brazil with his wife and son. It was an interesting conversation that spanned topics like moving internationally, Darth Vader comics, Stephen’s blog, and what life is like in Brazil. Did you know it’s summer in Brazil for Christmas? (Yeah, me too…). It was great to get a perspective on parenting from someone living in a different country. Go check out Stephen’s blog, like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @HoftheH!

Go and listen to Episode 6 right now. NOW! And share it with your friends and everyone you know!

Follow the Poppin’ Bottles Dad-Cast on twitter @PBDadCast and like us on Facebook

Please Don’t Stop the, Please Don’t Stop the Music

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Never a dull--or quiet--moment with Sophia around

Never a dull–or quiet–moment with Sophia around.

If quiet is what you’re looking for, then my house is not, I repeat, NOT the place you want to be. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. While I may get an abundance of headaches, they’re generally caused from the non-stop singing from Sophia. And by non-stop, I mean the only time her mouth is shut is when she is passed out asleep, and that’s not even a guarantee that she’ll be quiet. Continue reading →

Down With The Sickness

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You wouldn't look any better after your first go-round with a stomach flu.

You wouldn’t look any better after your first go-round with a stomach flu.

Last Tuesday night wasn’t unlike any other night of the week. I put Sophia to bed, laid with her for about half an hour, and she fell asleep. Later, Sarah and I went to bed. Around 11 or so, I hear Sophia crying in her room, which ins’t out of the ordinary. So, I go in to check on her. What happened, was not pleasant. AT ALL. Continue reading →

Poppin’ Bottles Dad-Cast Episode 5: Life of Dad Special!

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LifeOfDad_logo_1line_168x64

Life of Dad Special!

This weekend, Ben and I had the pleasure of having Ryan E.Hamilton, one of the co-founders of lifeofdad.com. It was the first part in what could turn into several episodes where we have one of the members of the Life of Dad crew guest hosting with us.

It was a great chat that listed the entirety of our 45 minute time-slot. We touched on a variety of subjects, most notably, the origins of Life of Dad. How it began, how it has grown, and where it is today, and hopefully what the future holds for it. We also referred to the group of dad bloggers that we are apart of as Dadvengers, and I may have called the founding father of Life of Dad, Tommy Riles, the George Washington of Life of Dad, and demanded that he wear a powdered wig! It was a great conversation. If you are one of the few dads that hasn’t yet discovered Life of Dad, go there now. I said go there. I said now. Do it, dammit!

Go and listen to Episode 5 right now. NOW! And share it with your friends and everyone you know!

Follow the Poppin’ Bottles Dad-Cast on twitter @PBDadCast and like us on Facebook

The Resilience of Kids

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Surviving and thriving

Surviving and thriving.

I’ve been hesitant to write about this since the day it happened. Partially because I felt like I hadn’t done everything in my power to protect my daughter, and partially because it was horrible day. But here we are. Back in July, I finished helping Sarah pack her car to take Sophia down to the beach for the weekend. She was taking a half day, picking Sophia up from daycare and heading down to Rehoboth to spend the weekend with her sister and her boyfriend. I couldn’t go because I had plans to do a day of brewery tours with my buddies and wouldn’t have been home in time to go with them.

Sophia and I were a little late getting out the door to go to daycare. I needed gas, so that added to the delay. After pulling out of the gas station just down the street from our house, I proceeded down the road like I do every morning. Sitting at a red light, the light turns green and I start to pull into the intersection. That’s when it happened. Continue reading →