TV sitcom dads ~ Day 1 Mon. 6.29

The 1983 movie Mr. Mom, starring Michael Keaton was on TV this weekend. I watched about 20 minutes of the 80's classic. I am not a Mr. Mom. But seeing the comedy reminded me that what I am able to do this summer by staying home with our baby is pretty rare. This entry is already too predictable.

Nowadays, I do think roles have evolved and the team effort of parenting has changed. My perspective is based on my experience growing up and what I have seen in the reruns of Happy Days. I am no Howard Cunningham either, that is for sure. I am a new breed of father - kind of a hybrid of Tony Micelli (Who's the Boss?), Steve Keaton (Family Ties) with a touch of the all-time great and funny Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable (Cosby Show). We are the dads that try to share equally in all of the parenting responsibilities and household chores that can sometimes make the days seem like they are running together. I am married to a strong professional woman who thrives in her career. I could not be happier than I am now. Let's be really honest about what 'now' is for me. Relatively stress-free. Brand new. And important.

Typically I have between two and three hours of Kavaun's nap time in a ten hour stretch of time to do whatever I want at home. I do not answer to a boss or supervisor. Kavaun's care is my responsibility. His needs trump everything else, but typically his basic needs are easy to meet - diaper changes, feedings, etc. His other needs like playtime, reading and cuddling are enjoyable for me so it is not like work. However, I will admit that by the time 6 p.m. rolls around, I do like the adult interaction I get from visiting with Beata, playing basketball, going to the gym, etc.

Some routines have developed over the last two weeks.

Typically, Kavaun is up by 6:30 or 7 a.m. He has a bottle and some time with mom and dad together. It is still a bit weird watching Beata hustle around the house getting ready for work and looking all professional while I pick eye boogers and think about brushing my teeth and throwing on some shorts. Beata shuttles off to work and then Kavaun joins me on a stroll through the neighborhood. Sometimes I listen to pod casts from NPR or Sports Radio. Kavaun is usually pretty groggy.

My walk with Kavaun usually ends around 8:15 or 8:30 and by that time, it is time for a big meal for him. The last few days I have fed him outside and we listen to the birds in the pine trees. We rock and then it is nap time (hopefully). This usually gets me to the 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. mark.

Before Kavaun, I am not sure I could sit still long enough to listen to birds in the trees. I think that is one of the gifts of fatherhood. It slows everything down. I experience a lot of things through him. I watch him listen to the birds and even though I can hear them too, it is his first experience that reminds me how nice it is to hear a bird call out to another bird. I do not have to be a nature lover to get that.

While he naps, I do have some housework to get to. Today Kavaun is spending the afternoon with one of his favorite people, Tonya. She watched him everyday when both of us were working. Today I am going in to school for some professional development.