Today represents a BIG DAY. Sienna's first day in the shopping cart.
To celebrate, Sienna asked if I could take her picture in front of the champagne aisle. I obliged, though I told her if champagne's your thing Piper Sonoma or her cheap cousin Korbel wasn't really the way to go. A far more interesting choice would be Veuve.
She said just take the damn picture.
Baby steps...baby steps.
-- PAPA
CHEERUPNATION has been live a week now and, already, it's gotten off to a great start! It has a long way to go for sure, but rather than focus on that now, I want to take time and extend my thanks to all the wonderful people, my CHEER "LEADERS", who helped spread the word. (Via Twitter, Facebook, Email, Stumble, Digg, etc. etc)
I LOVE YOU ALL! In no particular order, I wish to thank:
Penny at Miss Night Owl
Holly at June Cleaver Nirvana
Jennifer at Thursday Drive
Alli at Mrs Fussypants
Leslie at My Mommys Place
Shawna at Li'l Bit Squishy
Cammie at MomsMaterial
Wendy at Notes from The Sleep Deprived
Karl at Second Hand Karl
Chad at Us and Them
Minna at Lost in the Castelli Romani
Jenny at Jenny on the Spot
Alex at GypsyGirlsGuide
Mango Girl at Ramblings from Mango Girl
Deb at San Diego Momma
David Konig at David Konig
Kelcey at The Mama Bird Diaries
Mary Anne at The Stiletto Mom
Jamie at Gimme The Juice
Susanna at Susannas Sketch Book
Janet at Are we there Yet
Dave at Blogography
Beagle at Beagles LJ
Claudia at On a Limb
Jen at The Cute Kid
Kristina & Sam at ImagineKids
Suzanne at Twenty Four at Heart
Rebecca at Rebecca Wad Photography
And my friends and family: Mike, Brad, Kelly, Jordi, Mark, Jen, Melissa, Aimee, Aubrey, Ana Paula, Nancy R, Tristin G, Basia C, etc, etc!
First time visitors, please go now and check out these wonderful sites!
[Whew! That took a minute! (Wipes finger sweat.)]
And, please, god forbid, I forgot someone, notify me ASAP, and I'll add you to the list.
Have a great Weekend!!!
Continue to spread the word, but first: Go now and make CHEERUPNATION your favorite Technorati!!!!
It only takes a minute!
-- PAPA
Finally, the BIG announcement!!!!!!!!
But, first, I want to give a big shout out to Eric at Frugal Site Design. I hired him to design my site and as you'll see, he did an amazing job. He also just had his first child, so congrats, Eric! I highly recommend him. Professional, talented, and extremely friendly. Very easy to work with!
As many of you know who have been reading here for any length of time, I love to laugh, I love kids, I love to inspire, and I LOVE seeing people happy. That said, I feel that the world now is in need of some cheering up. People are losing jobs (myself included), homes, etc, etc. Everything's so heavy. We need something to lighten us UP!
As I write in my about page, what better than kids? Their joy and magic are contagious. Aren't they our biggest inspiration? My idea: to photo cute kids from all around the world holding up signs with funny/inspirational quotes...written in their native language. How cool would that be! I'll also have surprise shout-outs and more to follow! (Can't show you everything at once!)
But bigger than a website, it would fuel a MOVEMENT of joy, love and hope -- to cheer people up!
Please, help spread the word!! Facebook, Twitter, Stumble, Digg, Email, make up business cards and hand them out. Tell a friend! Tell 2 friends! Tell the guy at the McDonald's drive thru!
Anything to get the word out and fuel the movement!
Ready to smile??? :)
Go now to CHEERUPNATION.
Get inspired. Laugh. Together, let's cheer a nation up!
LOVE. XOXOXO
-- PAPA.
Due to overwhelming response, I'm pushing the launch to my new site back to: Thursday 12 Noon sharp.
As Pam Tykes writes "I'm so excited that I want to force myself to wait. That way, I'll enjoy it even more!" Tom Slippaps chimes in "Waiting never killed anyone. I'm 98!"
Thanks, Pam! Thanks, Tom!
Plus, I still have to hire the plane to fly above the Santa Monica Pier.
So check back Thursday June 18th 12 NOON (PCT) Sharp.
-- PAPA
P.S. Pam and Tom are totally NOT fictitious persons. :)
Today no matter whom your family is: whether it's your married family, or sorority sisters, your step dad, your roommate, your older brother, your dog Butch, or the little, old lady down the street -- give them a big hug.
This is your life right now...and it's a marvelous, beautiful thing.
[mural seen today in downtown Long Beach.]
-- PAPA
I recently re-read a great article that says when it comes to responding to difficult moments we either have two choices: love or fear.
Though I know several to choose: BEER.
Being dismissed from a job can be a huge blow to the ego. I say "can be" because it all depends on where you were mentally. If you're someone like me, you left the job years ago but just kept showing up to sit in the chair. Aeron chairs are very comfortable.
For awhile, I'd been talking about leaving my job but there was always a reason to stay. Had to get extra vacation time, had to put money away in my 401k, had to wait just three more months. I focused on all the reasons to stay instead of one very big reason to leave: my soul.
When your heart's not into your work, accruing sick time doesn't make you a hero. You don't need a floating holiday to float. Truth is I'd been planning for awhile to get out and do my own thing. Even made vision boards and Newsweek style accolades. But there's safety in planning.
Finally, there was nothing holding me back. It was the best thing to happen to me.
As I've hinted in the past, I've been working on a new website and, finally, on June 16, exactly two weeks after my letting go, I will take it live. Consider it my two weeks notice. This is a huge step for me as it's something I'm extremely passionate about -- and has the potential to be BIGTIME. My heart bleeds with excitement. Most importantly, YOU will love it!
For now, I will keep mum on the name, but on June 16th, I will make the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT and link to it. I've already reached out to a few of you for input and the response has been HUGE! I have some big cheer leaders, and I couldn't be more appreciative. Cheer leaders really do more than look pretty.
Saying that, I want to give a big fat hug to Tristin G. Maybe even a red velvet cupcake from Yummy's Cupcakes. Tristin's stood behind me from Day 1 saying I love it, Papa, I love it. Now: DO IT! DO IT!!!
Also a big shout out to my brother Brad, my mentor of sorts who also happens to be my younger brother. Damn smarty pants brother! For real, though, Brad's the best brother anyone could have. His wife Kelly is very lucky. As are the hundreds of homeowners's he's sold the perfect home.
Finally, I must celebrate my wife. In any big decision, it's important --critical-- that your partner support you. Ana has always stood behind me 100%. Today, she brought me a box of cinnamon bears. Drove all the way to San Diego to get them. She also went to her best friend's baby shower. But, still.
As for me?
I choose LOVE every time.
-- PAPA
...
Know anyone without a job? Send them a kind email or a card and let them know you support them.
I get the call at 4:32pm.
"Brian, can you come down to J----'s office?"
"Sure..." I say, feeling a tight knot in my stomach.
"You know where it is, right?"
"Of course."
I hang up. Stare at the phone.
Ah, the infamous end of the day call.
I look at my co-workers. They give me a strange look. "That was weird."
I walk to the bathroom, heart racing faster and faster.
I check myself in the mirror. Study my face. Breathe a long, deep breath. "This is it...This is it."
Ten minutes later I get the news.
Goodbye, J-O-B.
Welcome new beginnings. You were the kickstart I needed. A blessing in disguise.
-- PAPA
When June gloom rolls around in LA, it's hard to feel motivated to do much of anything, so when I ask Ana if she maybe wants to perhaps get Sienna's ears pierced she literally leaps from the couch into the Corolla.
As we're driving down Melrose, a strip of trendy independent clothiers and tattoo parlors, I say "Maybe while we're at it, we can get Sienna a big Dragon tat on her back, too...or a full arm sleeve like Beckham."
A wedding ring attached to a hand slaps me across the neck.
Of course, my attempt at humor is just to mask my own uneasiness at seeing my little girl in pain. No one likes to see their little angel cry, even if it's in the celebrated pursuit of beauty.
But Sienna was a trooper.
And even though it took her a good five minutes to break a smile she did say, "Hey, Dad, we're still hitting Melrose on the way back, right?"
(The hand you see in the background is part of a huge billboard at the Beverly Center.)
-- PAPA
...
What's the furthest YOU'D go in the pursuit of beauty?
Here, she plots how to get her Daddy back.
I believe it was Gandhi who said "If you wish to change the world, first change your daughter."
That may be paraphrasing it a bit but, surely, Gandhi's got to give it up for his Western brother because this PAPA's been hands on ever since the beginning.
That includes diaper changes.
Recently, we've moved into the Size 3 arena, and the results have been nothing short of eye popping.
Or as Ana likes to say "Today Sienna had a massive poo."
This is when you realize you're no longer dealing with a baby but a little girl. Even so, nothing could have prepared me for this morning.
Sienna may be 7 months but this is not 7 month poo staring back at me. This is more like a 3 year olds. Maybe 3 1/2. All long and fully formed. I want to pat her on the back and say good job but this is a two hands operation. Real men need only apply.
Twenty-two baby wipes later, and she's a new girl except now I've got another problem. Apparently, I've made someone jealous. Nikki's staring at me with her Sunday Shit eyes.
I look at Ana for help but she's not moving. The bed's sucked her in.
"Baby, can you take Nikki out today?" She makes a puppy dog face. "Just today."
I hand her Sienna and she says "No, take Sienna, too. It's good for her."
That part I miss. Are we teaching Sienna to shit outside now?
Nikki, meanwhile, wastes no time proving she's still champ. No doubt feeding off seven month's jealousy, she summons something from her pancreatic past and leaves a huge Jackson Pollock all over the sidewalk.
You know when someone steps in dog shit and you think "Sucks to be you." Imagine now it's your dog's shit and you never had a chance to move.
I look at Nikki. "Cruel. That's just cruel."
I have Sienna in one arm, Nikki's leash in my other hand and a Von's plastic bag. I've never felt a plastic bag tremble, but I swear this one's shaking (or maybe it's me) because surely he's thinking "There's no way. No way I'm any match for THAT." Just the volume alone. For that God created Ikea bags.
Juggling Sienna on my back, I squat down to pick up the soupy poopy and can you believe Nikki has the nerve -- the sheer audacity -- to tug on the leash. Jealous bitch!
Sienna's kicking me with her feet, laughing.
Cars are rubbernecking.
Later Ana and I head to Runyon Canyon for a hike. Ana goes running ahead while I follow with Sienna in the baby bjorn. Sienna squeals at all the dogs running by. She can't get enough of them after Nikki's little episode.
On the way down, I see another guy with a baby bjorn. A real guy's guy. Adidas man. His daughter's strapped in tight, smiling. He's with three of his buddies.
This is the change I see. If we were to go back a generation, I think you'd see much less father involvement. It's different now. Guys are getting more involved. And not just by playing catch or being football coaches but the touchy-feely stuff too. They're changing diapers, they're singing their daughters to sleep, they're feeding them and taking them on hikes. This includes my own guy friends.
Just look at all the dads blogging about it. There's even websites.
For awhile it was thought a baby needed her mom and the Dad's role was secondary. I think what we're seeing, though, is that the Dad's role is just as -- if not equally -- important, and it's good to see so many guys stepping up to play this active role.
As for the guys who are still on the fence or just stumbled upon this accidentally, let this be a wake up call. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty.
You don't know half the shit you're missing.
-- PAPA
...
Do YOU see more Dad's taking an active role?
Today I want to pay a special tribute to Deb, who writes at San Diego Momma.
A couple of months ago, she emailed asking if I wanted to take part in a writing project for a new website by T. Rowe Price and Disney aimed at helping parents talk to their children about managing money. The idea: to share a childhood story about money and the lessons learned. I immediately jumped at the (paying) opportunity.
Today, the site is live! Please click over and check out all the amazing bloggers that took part, many of which you may already know: Melissa at Green Girl In Wisconsin, Darcy at Mommie Pie , Jennifer at Thursday Drive and, of course, Deb at San Diego Momma. You'll love the stories.
I feel very honored to be in the company of such great writers and a wonderful project.
Thanks again, Deb, for an incredible experience!
-- PAPA
We are in bed. We are celebrating bodies. We are love making.
Suddenly, she stops.
"Where's the lub?"
I study her lips again. "The what??"
"The lub."
Blank stares. She sighs, reaches under the bed -- and pulls out a bottle of KY.
"Oh, lube."
"Lube, lub. Lub, Lube...What did you think I met?"
Smiles...
Tickles.
Pokes.
We carry on. We are lub making.
-- PAPA
...
Reason to get married to a Non-Native English speaking Wife #23:The pronunciation of certain words including, but not limited to: lub, knucs (knuckles), eighty, eighty (88 degrees), servietta (napkin), juggle (jug)...
So many pictures...Where to look?
Don't give up. Look again!
I spread them out on my bed nice and neat to make it easier for you.
[click to expand]
Still looking?...
Hard, isn't it?
Okay...
What if I told you the reason you can't find it, is because...
It's not there.
Yes, it's true. Promless Papa. All the good girls were taken, and even though I was on the fence about going, I didn't want to go to Prom with my sister like my friends suggested.
Because, you know, then one of them couldn't go to Prom.
Good news is you can still check out all the fun! Make sure you head over to The Stiletto Mom and Blissfully Caffeinated; they have awesome Prom Flashback Pictures as well as links to even more Prom flashbacks, so it's very possible you'll spend the whole morning in FlashBack mode.
Makes me want to head to the mirror and "feather" my hair. I may not have gone to prom, but I put the F in Feather!
-- PAPA
And here's a fun song to take you into the weekend. Enjoy!
UPDATED! More prom pictures from Miss Night Owl . Balloons galore!
These ragings waters are carrying my boat so fast...
Is that a huge waterfall?...
Oh, my god, it is!
Can someone please save me?
-- PAPA
...
Don't forget about Friday's Flashback Prom pictures! Email me your vintage Prom pics and join the fun!
Are you wearing your favorite shirt today?
You should. Nothing says CELEBRATE like when you look in the mirror see your bright face and say "I'm f*cking hot!"
I OWN IT.
Seriously.
Don't wait. At work? Leave. If you're boss says, "Where you going?" Say:
"I'M GOING HOME TO PUT ON MY FAVORITE SHIRT."
And keep walking.
You got business to do.
Today, celebrate YOURSELF.
...Also, be sure to click here and here . Jen and Mary Anne, the super fab gals of Blissfully Caffeinated and The Stiletto Mom, have announced Friday’s Prom Flashback.
"And we totally expect all of you cool kids to post your prom pictures too."
Just dig out your prom pics and post them on your blog next Friday, May 15th. Then leave a comment with either Stiletto Mom or myself that includes a link to your post. We will so totally link back to everyone who participates. It will be so totally awesome. And like, funny and stuff.
We would also totally heart you forever if you spread the word on your blog, email or Twitter.
Can’t wait to see you all in your formal attire best (or worst) next Friday!"
Join the fun! Anyone can play.
In the meantime, be sure to re-visit The Fuglies.
-- PAPA
Shortly after our daughter was born, Ana laid Sienna in our bed and, against my many protestations and infinite wisdom, whispered "Just for one night, baby. One night."
One night turned into six months.
Now, after six months of no sleep, Ana has decided: IT'S TIME. Sienna needs to sleep in her crib.
Funny what no sleep will do to you.
Anyway, as Sienna has no crib, we spent the weekend looking at cribs which unlike MTV Cribs is not terribly exciting. You'd be surprised, though. Some of them carry pretty hefty price tags. Especially ones that double as sleighs. But we had a budget, and we were sticking to it.
Which we did. I fist bumped Ana for our huge score. That's when she dropped the bombshell on me.
"Now we have to buy the mattress, bedding, and bumper shields."
You mean that doesn't come with?
We I decided we could shop for that on a different day.
So today, the very next day, she calls me from BabiesRUs with the salesperson held captive beside her which she typically likes to do because it adds a sense of urgency to the call like ihavetomakethedecisonrightnow!!! Plus, she has the uncanny ability to call when I'm busiest at work.
For example, 10:30-11:15 am is generally never a good time to talk. Interesting how many calls she sneaks into that window.
She calls to say there are three choices: $169, $189 and $279.
Funny, I only hear 1 choice.
She pushes on. "I'm here with the girl, and she says that the $169 doesn't have ______ and the $189 is good but _____ so we should really think about the $279. It's good quality and will last a long time...like four to eight years. Plus...if we have another one --
..............................
"Baby...? Baby...?
I bend over and pick up the phone that somehow fell out of my hand. "I'm here."
"I thought I lost you. So, yeah, the $279 one is more money but like the girl said, 'It's an investment'. Think, baby, four to eight years....And it's beautiful..."
I like that the modifier comes after the hard sell.
"Beautiful, baby...Besides, I'm just thinking long term, you know. Smarter to go with an investment for our future, don't you think, baby...?"
"Definitely," says the sucker to the salesperson.
Don't want to miss a good investment.
-- PAPA
Who's the salesperson in your relationship?
