Many moons ago, on a board far, far, away.....a BOTL started a user group for "New Dads". Since we don't have user groups here, I thought I'd start an open thread for all Dads! Having my first daughter on 6/27/08 I found this to be a great tool to log milestones, compare advancements and just share stories about the joys of fatherhood.

I decided this group will be for all Fathers. Not just new ones, because I'd love to hear what lies ahead.

My daughter Alana will be 10 months on Monday. She was born on 6/27/08 @ 1:07am and weighed in at 9lbs 2ozs. Currently she's crawling almost as fast as I can, waves her hand (usually the right one) when we tell her to say "Hi" and claps when we say "Clap Hands!" She pulls herself up to a standing position whenever she can and actually lets go sometimes and can hold her balance for a couple of seconds. She wants to walk and it probably won't be too far off. She tries to imitate sounds and sometimes vocalizes on her own for long periods of time. She has a lot to say! She has her two bottom teeth and I'm hoping the two top ones will cut tonight. (My inspiration for the thread)

Mom's birthday is also Monday so today Daddy sent her off to Atlantic City for the day with her birthday $$ to try to win us some money. It was a win/win as I love to spend as much time as I can with Alana.

We went and bought Alana's birthday present for Mommy (which I almost forgot to do) and went to the park so Alana can go on the swing.

Back to the teeth.... Alana is a great baby...a true blessing. She has been sleeping from 7:30pm to 6:30am since she was about 4 months!!

Tonight, however, she's been only put in her crib 3 hours ago and has waked up several times with loud cries and restless tossing and turning. I honestly would trade anything so I can have her pain and she can have a sound sleep, but I guess this is growing up!

Well at least now I have a place to talk about fatherhood! Please feel free to add you own stories, tips, advice, whatever fits!

Thanks for listening!

This is Alana, taken today on the swings....sorry for the cell-phone pic. I'll post better ones in the future!


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Here's a link to a photobucket album we created for her. Thanks for looking!

http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n390/P_Cahill/
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Frozen water filled teething rings,keep a few handy :-)

Such a cutie!
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I aint a new father, I don't like to think of myself as an old father either.:-)
My son turned 20 on the ninth of this month. I find myself wondering where the years went.
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you may want to try dill pickles the salt helps to dry the gums out and the teeth come thru. also try a plain beagle. i know it sound weard but it works they chew the crap out of it and make a mess but it works most of the time.
words of wisdom from an old dad. and an old Jewish lady that we know.

she sure is a cutie.

stinkie:-)
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I don't think my Beagle would let her do that :-)
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Beagles are pretty forgiving - but I don't think mine will either - :-)


Ron
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Ummmm - a $2291.61 cell phone bill . . .

:-)


Ron
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Ahhh, when they first discover texting. :-):-):-)
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I second the dill pickle! My daughter thought I was crazy when I gave her son a pickle to chew on, but he loved it. The cold and salt both help soothe the tender spots. Its a long journey Patrick, but cherish every moment! I will be burning the special birthday mystery smoke on Monday to celebrate with you!:-)
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good idea, and I think this works much better as a thread than as a "social group".

If it's ok with you I might just change the word "forum" in the title to "thread"... And I'm undecided whether it belongs more in Banter or General...


Malena is 13 months old. She has perfected her walking over the past couple of months to the point where she is almost running. She will now taste pretty much whatever we are eating, but ultimately doesn't eat a whole lot of it. Babbling up a storm but no real words yet. But she does know some, and will point when we say various things

enjoying the weather yesterday...
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Oh no!!! Not another banter thread!! :-)
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Great idea for a forum.

i can honestly say that as a father of a 4 year old daughter, there is no greater joy in my life than coming home each day to her greeting and hugs.

One of the nice things about living in Orlando and working in tourism is the endless opportunities foe family fun and after seeing my stepdaughter turn 17 and want nothing much to do with parents, I am cherishing every minute with my daughter.
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Seems like it was just yesterday that they were babies.

My daughter who is now 19.

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and my son who is now 6.

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They grow up too fast.
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Great picture Patrick, thanks for sharing! I have two daughters one will be 31 next month the other just turned 27.

Really enjoyed watching them grow up and being involved in all their activities. Both were in the high school band and we spent a lot of time traveling with them going to the competitions and bowl games. Chrissy also danced from the time she was 3 through college. She went on to be a teacher and coach for the dance drill team.

Chrissy was married in Jamaica to a guy I really like. He also indulges in cigars and we've had numerous herfs together. They live in Kansas now.

Jennifer moved back to our home town after college and is working for a company that contracts with the state. Fortunately they are benefiting from the government stimulus package.

All in all a great trip. Wonderful times both when they lived at home and now that they are out on their own.

You are in for a great experience. Enjoy every minute Patrick!
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Twin 5 month old girls here. Talk about new experiences. Every day the little buggers are discovering something new. This morning one of them was able to move herself about halfway over to her sisters play mat. They've been rolling, but this was moving forward. They're taking their morning naps now...I can hear the swings clacking as I'm typing.

Couple of recent ones...

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since we're dding pics, i forgot mine...

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We have two sons. James (Michael James goes by James) 29 and Jeremy Benjamin 24.

You can never take back the words that just came out of your mouth.

You can never get back the time you chose to not spend with them.

May you all be the best fathers you know how to be.
:-)
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You guys got some cuties.:-)
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Here are Zachary and Mackenzie...
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We just got back from week 2 of a 5 week infant swimming class. The pool seems to have put Alana in better spirits!

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