Happy Birthday Miss Ezzy!

I have been making a point to write a letter to my kids on their birthday's. My plan is to package them up when they each turn 18 and give them a little booklet of love from their dad.

Here is my first letter to Esmée on her 1st birthday. A little late in getting it published, but here it is.

In fatherhood,
B
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                                              December 22nd, 2012 Your 1st Birthday

Dear Esmée,

Wow, I cannot believe you are 1 already! In just twelve short months you have grown from a teeny little newborn baby girl, into a beautiful little girl that I am so proud of already. From the moment your mom and I found out we were having you, our little girl, I was ecstatic. Every dad wants his own little girl to care for, to watch grow, to respect, to love and to teach how she deserves to be treated. Years away I know, but I want you to grow up to know that you are beautiful no matter what others say. You are beautiful because you are and always will be loved just for being you. 

I enjoy every day with you, watching you learn how to navigate your surroundings in new ways - crawling into trouble, climbing onto things you shouldn't climb on, screaming when Otys touches your dress! All of these things make you my little Miss Ezzy and every time you climb into trouble as a little 1 year old, I chuckle and laugh. My favourite thing to do with you is to have blabbering baby talk conversations with you. I say "ba" and you say "DA-DA!", we blabber in a language that only you and I understand, and I love every minute of it. 

Ezzy, we have only spent a year together, but you have given me so much joy and you and your brother truly make getting up to start each day, such an exciting adventure. I am looking forward to watching you grow even more and developing a bond with you that only a dad and his daughter can have. You are my little blue-eyed beauty, and I am so very proud of you. 

Thanks for being you Miss Ezzy. Happy 1st Birthday.

Love,
Daddy

The true meaning of Christmas for all Dad's!

My friends over at Life of Dad in the U.S.A. are a sort of genius that all dad's become once they enter fatherhood. The genius I am talking about is our ability to not be shy about acting like a kid again once we have kids. I really enjoy being a part of the community at Life of Dad and really encourage you to check them out. They are slowly gaining a Canadian contingent, and our brothers from the South really know how to have fun.

I really enjoyed watching this video because it is definitely something I would do. I am really not ashamed to say I love to have dance party's with my kids, and they enjoy seeing daddy act like a complete goof-ball while singing, completely off key I should mention, and dancing like a crazy man to any song that comes on. I really think you will enjoy watching these dads express that the true meaning of Christmas is not how much you can rack up on your VISA card, but being able to spend true, quality time with the most important little folks in our lives. Enjoy!

Sound off! Let me know what you think.

Kudos to my friend Tommy Riles for producing this. Maybe we'll look at doing things like this in the 306.

In fatherhood,
B

Elf on the Shelf

Last year J and I bought this little thing called, "Elf on the Shelf". Basically, it is a little Elf figurine with a story book. The story goes that Santa sent the elf to keep watch on the kids. He belongs to our family, and watches the kids during the day, flying back at night to report to Santa. There is only one rule that Santa gives the Elf: 1. The kids cannot touch!. The Elf also cannot talk to the kids, but can listen. Well, last year, we really just used the Elf as a decoration because O wouldn't really understand what was going on. This year, O named him YoYo, and is having a blast already with the little Elf, finding his new hiding spot in the morning.

I thought I'd write, or at least post a photo, of YoYo's adventure each day until he heads back North on Christmas Eve. I hope it is entertaining, and that you enjoy reading/looking, as much as J and I enjoy playing with the kids.

 (This was YoYo's first spot. He sat here nicely while we put up the Christmas decorations on Saturday! Rather than fly to the North Pole on Saturday night, YoYo asked me if it would be alright for him to rest up here in the same spot for another day. Of course I obliged.)

(Otys is here, introducing us all to YoYo)

 (Otys found YoYo clinging to our wedding picture this morning.)

(Here's a close-up of the crazy little guy).

In fatherhood,
B

Where has the time gone??

Wow! I really cannot believe that I have not written anything since June. I guess to say the last half of 2012 was a whirlwind would be an understatement!!

Bootcamp for New Dads and my work on Fatherhood in the city and province is off to a good start, and I really enjoy being a part of the "birthing" community in Saskatoon, to give support to dad's and offer that perspective. Fatherhood is truly the most amazing journey I could've ever imagined taking, and I enjoy every last second I have with my kids. It is this pure joy that I have from spending time with and watching my children grow, that I developed my passion to invest a part of my life in the community, and ensure that men and fathers have the support they need during this extremely tiring and amazing journey!

I will be on more frequently now to write, now that things have slowed down. After my last post was about the time I made the choice to run for public office, and that consumed a large part of my life for quite some time. While I was not successful in getting elected, I did learn a lot about the life of a politician, and more importantly, my desire to help people. It has started the gears turning on a few different things, so you will have to stay tuned for more!!

In 19 days, my baby girl will be one! She has changed every day this past year, and while it may be cliché, I really find it surreal that my little Miss E is about to have her first birthday. She adds so much to my little family, and watching her and O interact is truly amazing. I am thrilled for what lies ahead for us all!

Talk to you soon!

B

The Dad's in the 306 Pledge

Tomorrow, at our Celebration of Fatherhood downtown dad's can sign "the Dad's in the 306 Pledge". Here's the pledge:


As your father I COMMIT to:


1. Put my family first;


2. Always invest in my children;


3. Love my children; and


4. Love and respect the mother of my children.


I will be a good DAD every day.


By signing this pledge, I am honouring all of the above for the name of your children.


Each day I will work to fulfill this pledge and build myself as a man who understands the PRIVILEGE and RESPONSIBILITY of being your father.


Signature: ___________________
Date: ____________________

For Immediate Release - Bootcamp for New Dads SK!

Celebration of Fatherhood and Kickoff to Bootcamp for New Dads!

This year in Saskatoon, we at Birth Rhythms and Bootcamp for New Dads will be honouring all father's at our first Celebration of Fatherhood. This year's event is on Saturday, 16 June 2012 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. downtown at Birth Rhythms Pregnancy and Parenting Health Centre (248 3rd Avenue South). Be sure to check it out! Here are the details:

Join us to celebrate your dad, your partner, being or becoming a father, meet other dads & parents and enjoy some refreshments. The celebration will include a formal kickoff to Saskatoon's first prenatal program for men, Bootcamp for New Dads, daddy and baby activities and more! Activities will be posted as they become available! Everyone is welcome, donations are appreciated at the door in support of Bootcamp for New Dads and pre and post natal activities for men. Tentative schedule: 3:30 p.m. - Welcome and kickoff presentation 3:45 - 5:30 p.m. - Socializing, Birth Rhythms Programming info, door prizes. 4:45 p.m. - Prize draws. Door prizes include: - $50 Mother's Melody Gift Certificate. All you need in a pregnancy and parenting store, right onsite. - Free labour intensive workshop (Lisa Wass) - Gift Certificate and 2 movie passes (Movies for Mommies) - Kindermusic Package (2) - Jerry's Food Emporium - Free Daddy Bootcamp Session for a Rookie Dad - Mommy (Daddy) Connections Gift Certificate (Roberta Cain) Grand prize: - Family Package (Baby/Toddler Car seat, and other family items) Preston Crossing Canadian Tire Really hope to see you out at this event!  Yours in fatherhood, Blair