The Centennial

So as it turns out, this is my 100th post here on MetroDad.  I wish I could celebrate this auspicious occasion by throwing all of you a party with an open bar, valet parking and overnight childcare.  Maybe even splurge a little and have the Stones or Coldplay perform for your behalf.  But in lieu of that, I thought I'd just wax nostalgic for a little bit and send you on your way. 

Anyway, it's hard to believe that when I first started this blog in July 2004, the BossLady and I were 3 months away from becoming first-time parents.  It seems like such a long time ago.  I was a semi-nervous future father, spending long nights staring at the ceiling and contemplating the ramifications of fatherhood.  And because it was impossible to find a shrink who worked nights and accepted my crappy health insurance, I started this blog as a way of sorting out thoughts, seeking advice and sharing both the joys and griefs of parenthood.  So far, it's been great.  Writing has proved to be a great therapeutic release for me and starting this blog has been a great way to chronicle my entry into fatherhood.   

Now, just over a year later, my little Peanut is 10-months old.  And, needless to say, it was love at first sight.  It's true what they say; the love for your child is unlike any other love you'll ever experience in your life.  Fatherhood teaches you that love is not a zero-sum game.  Your capacity for love somehow just increases exponentially.  And whereas some people might find having kids is a hindrance or a burden, I've found that parenthood has greatly enhanced my life and made me a better person.   

I'm still amazed at the fact that I'm a father.  The BossLady and I will often spend countless hours just staring at our daughter as she lays peacefully in her crib.  We'll sit there in total silence until my wife eventually nudges me and, with a voice of wonder, whispers, "can you believe that's our daughter?"

The birth of our daughter has taught me so many lessons.  But I think, more than anything else, it's taught me not to take anything for granted.  I'm not a religious man but I know how blessed I am to have a healthy, wonderful baby.  My only complaint is that the time seems to be flying by.  And while I'm sure I could peruse all my literary anthologies and find a deeply profound quote by Neruda, Yeats or Kipling that captures the true essence of how I feel about the passing of time, I think instead I'll just leave you with my new favorite parenting quote (discovered while unsuccessfully trying to take a dump at my doctor's office)...

"The days are long but the years are short."-John Leguizamo (InStyle Magazine, July 2005)

So while I'm looking forward to watching the Peanut grow up, there's a part of me that just wants to freeze her at this moment.  Because this moment?  The one right now?  It's pretty fucking great.  You know what I mean?

Comments

[enygma]

I love that picture of Peanut just chillaxin' in her little chair. :)

[Wood]

Well, it's about time you posted a picture of peanut. We've all been waiting...

She's gorgeous. Congrats on the 100 posts.

[The Beans Dad]

And it just keeps getting better.

Congrats on the centura-post!

[Ko]

Thank you for being a constant reminder or what is good with parenting. So many parents use their blogs purely as a place to vent that it can be easy to forget that parenting isn't all tears and heartache. With every post you make the love you have for your wife and your darling peanut shines through. So thank you for being a candle in the darkness.

P.S. The blog looks good. Much more manly and heaps easier to read.

[Brent]

Congrats on the 100th post, MD! Thanks for the pic. Your little Peanut is adorable.

[landismom]

Great picture. Happy blogiversary (is that a word, or did I just make it up? if so, sorry)!

I know exactly how you feel (about freezing the Peanut). Sometimes, I feel like my kids keep moving, and I'm the one who's frozen, and before I know it, they'll pass me by and leave me behind. sniff!

[Carmen]

Congratulations on your anniversary! It's been a great read.

Your little peanut is adorable! A couple of my girls had the same hairstyle - we couldn't get it to lay down at all. After the second one was born with the same hairstyle, we stopped trying and let it poke up.

[Angela]

OMG...The Peanut is so adorable!!! I have two little boys. I so want a little girl.

Happy Centenniel. I love your blog.

[Corinne]

Wow! She is BEAUTIFUL!!! I don't know how you get anything done! I know when our baby is born, I want to do nothing but look at her/him for hours and hours. Congrats on the 100th post :)

[Queen of Ass]

The probelm I've found is that you want to freeze them at ANY moment. My son's 6, and has been warned that, should he decide to grow even one year older, he'll be grounded for life.

He just laughs and does it anyway, the snot!

[Krissy]

Gorgeous baby. Skillful parents. Excellent writing.

Congratulations on all of your successes!

[Richard]

Congratulations on the 100th post. Just found your site from the article on you in Blogging Baby. I thought you came across as both funny and intelligent. I'm looking forward to reading more of your site.

[Geoff]

We constantly have those "Can you believe that's our daughter?" moments. But then we also have twins, so we follow that by saying, "yeah, and there's another one just like her in the other crib!"

congrats!

[L.A. Daddy]

As a long-time reader of MetroDad, I just want to say thanks for keeping me entertained for the past year. You're a great writer. Congrats on the 100th post!

[Sheryl]

She's a cutie, kids are so much fun!

[BIYF]

Congrats on #100! Being a dad rules!

And let me just say that if I were Elaine from Seinfeld, and you showed me that picture of your ridiculously cute little Peanut? I'd shove you back so hard that you'd end up on the set of Merv Griffin in Cosmo's apartment.

GET OUT!

[Sadie]

Why are Asian babies so darn cute? Your little Peanut is precious! Don't know if you have any Irish friends but our babies come out all red and freckled (at least my family does). My best friend is Korean and her son is scrumptious. I just want to eat his cheeks.

Congrats on the 100th post!!!

Wotta beautiful kid!

Congrats on Post #100, too. I guess we started our blogs about the same time - July 2004. Lotta water under th' bridge in just a year, huh?

May you enjoy every sweet moment with your little one. Alas, they don't stay little forever...but then again, watching them grow is a most wondrous thing.

[Elisson]

Whoops - that last one was mine.

"Fill in all spaces, then hit Post." Duh.

[Jennifer]

Look at her! My how she has grown! I gotta tell you buddy, those "can you believe that's my daughter" moments don't go away. 15 months later I still say it daily!

[Grace]

She's adorable! The Hubs and I were just talking last night that we wish our daughter would stay little (she's calm) and our son (very feisty) would GROW UP!

[amanda]

I know exactly what you mean.

[Busy Mom]

She is a doll! I can relate to wanting them to stay where they are, but she is on the verge of a really fun age, so much more to come!

[Stacy]

She is GORGEOUS!

[Susie]

Oh such a beautiful girl. I hear you and the quote is great. Happy ten months of Fatherhood.