Matt At Home, Dad Stuff

P AND V

My mom came over the other day to watch Ellie for a few hours so I could mud and sand the drywall in our bedroom.  She was able to play with her, take her to the park, feed her lunch, and put her down for a nap while I worked.  So the least I could do was make her lunch before she went home.

While we were eating, we were chatting about the day and talking about how Ellie has been lately.  She’s going through a kicking phase right now when you change her diaper right now.  “Don’t change my diaper, kapow!”  We were both discussing the reasons she might be doing it and how to get her to stop.  It was a nice relaxed conversation during lunch, until…

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Matt At Home, Family, House Stuff, My Adventures

TRASH TO CASH

I’ve never had my own garage sale before. I’ve only helped out my folks a little bit when they had one. The thought of having a garage sale made me want to puke. It sounded like a big hassle and way too much work. I’d rather just donate the things that had some value and pitch the rest. And with Aya being Japanese, the whole garage sale concept was completely foreign to her. “People sell their old junk? And there’s people who pay money for it!?” But last fall my parents held a garage sale and we included a few items of our’s after we cleaned the basement, and we made forty bucks! Feeling that cash in my hands felt great and I wanted more. If we made forty bucks just selling that small amount of junk, how much could we make if we cleaned out the garage, the basement, and the kitchen!? We decided then that we would hold our own garage sale in the spring.

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Matt At Home, Dad Stuff, Inner Monologue, Swim Class

SOGGY MEMORIES

I decided to sign Ellie and me up for a baby swim class.  I had this idea when we were in the dead middle of winter.  I was anxious to get out of the house and this seemed like something new to try.  The only problem was that I was completely insecure of the idea.  I made a million excuses to not sign-up.  It was too much money, it was too far away, it was at the wrong time.  None of these things were true, they were just covering up the fact that I hate being barefoot in public and the thought of wearing a swimsuit makes me really uncomfortable.  I haven’t worn a swimsuit since we went to Hawaii on vacation seven years ago. I didn’t complain about it then because we were in Hawaii.  But I really think this class would be good for Ellie, and it would push me out of my comfort zone, so I reluctantly and nervously signed up and have been worried ever since.

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Matt At Home, Dad Stuff, Inner Monologue

WHERE’S MY SUNSHINE?

Last week’s nap battles completely drained me.  And even though I technically won and accomplished what I set out to do, I still don’t feel victorious.  After those battles I was expected to be greeted by nice sunny warm spring weather, but instead, it’s just been cold and rainy.  I really thought we were done with winter.  I really thought I was done whining about winter.  We’vehad too many spring fake outs this year, I’m not sure I can handle another.  Wasn’t it just 80 degrees a week or two ago?  What happened?  This was supposed to be my fresh start I was waiting for.  I guess I was wrong…  Sigh…

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Matt At Home, Dad Stuff, Sleep

THE FACEOFF: ROUND FIVE

Today was the day: The Last Stand. If we could get through this successfully, then we could adapt it into our everyday routine. To keep my spirits up, I played the Rocky IV soundtrack all morning. How could you not stay pumped up while listening to Eye of the Tiger, No Easy Way Out, and the Sweetest Victory? Today fate would declare the champion. Would I sweep the series and take home the grand prize, or would Ellie come up with a secret plan and make the biggest comeback in naptime history? Only time would tell. I was as ready as I was going to be.

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