Baby Mojo and I went to this last week and they’re doing it again this week. Storytime at Alpharetta Library, 10:30 AM on April 6. They read a couple of books, had some stuffed animals to help tell the story and it was specifically geared to those 0-3.
They’ve got an older kids storytime immediately following the one for the younger children too. The Alpharetta Library is located at 238 Canton Street, Alpharetta, 30004. Your local library also will have readings as well, they’re free and they rock.
Children’s Garden Storybook Time at Atlanta Botanical Gardens on April 7, 10:30-11. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a magical place, especially in the spring.
When Baby Mojo was really young he reminded me of an astronaut.
It was usually late at night or at a time when I was really sleepy. I would pick him up and he’d look like I imagine a stereo typical astronaut looks. Their legs would be straight and their arms are curved like he’s about to give me a bear hug. One night I needed a mental pick me up and David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” popped into my head. (ed. note. I know Major Tom is technically a Peter Schilling song, but Space Oddity is so much better.)
From then on whenever I had to change Baby Mojo’s nappy at night, I always thought of Major Tom. That was until one night his onesy didn’t fit anymore and that’s when Elvis entered the picture.
Baby Mojo’s onesy didn’t fit anymore. The cute collar flayed out at an uncomfortable angle, the top button didn’t fasten anymore-which made his chest bow out a bit. The bears on the onesy looked out of place, suddenly more like he was wearing a snuggie or a lounge suit.
It was the classic Elvis intro song, See See Rider that stuck in my head too. Great song from his Elvis’ lounge days in Vegas. Those horns and that energy from those recording really pumped me up at the chance to change a diaper at 4:00 in the morning.
After a couple nights of denial we had to cull the wardrobe of all the the clothing that had gotten too tight. The Vegas jump suit gave way to a snuggie that just looked disturbing. Speaking of which, now that I’m a parent, I’m slapping myself for not thinking of the snuggie a couple years ago. I bet you the inventor of the snuggie has children and wanted to bogart off the comfort that our kids have from wearing the onesy.
The lesson that Daddy Mojo learned from this: take more photos of the baby in funny and potentially embarrassing clothing.
I know that men aren’t supposed to use ‘sweet’ unless you’re talking about food, but the other day Mommy Mojo came home and said the sweetest thing.
“I just can’t thank you enough for staying home with our son, I know it’s difficult, you put your career on hold and it really means so much to us” And suddenly I was in the middle of a Lifetime movie and the only thing missing was a walk in cameo from Meredith Baxter Birney.
I jest, but it really was a sweet comment that I needed after an especially hard day of baby tantrums. It also helped remind me of how well the arrangement between us works.
During the week, I do most of the things relating to Baby Mojo. Mom may help feed him in morning, or mercifully, help him get dressed, but that’s it. During the weekend Mom has most of the work and I’ll hop in when needed.
Most of the parents around us don’t seem to break up the baby duties along daily lines. For us, it’s a lifesaver: Mom gets loads of quality time on Saturday & Sunday, I can relax, listen to my 70’s Soft Rock Pandora stationhttp://bit.ly/56aY61 (it rocks, in a mellow 70s way and is great for all Dads) or go for a bike ride.
The weekend off helps me get my Mojo back, gives Mom her maternal Mojo and starts Monday off on the right foot for a good week of parenting.
That’s one of the unexpected things about being a dad, I think I’ve learned to share more. My procrastination has also gotten a little better, partially because of the fact that my new 18 pound client won’t take “no” for an answer.
While I was teaching ESL I was a master of children’s songs. Itsy Bitsy, How’s the Weather-all of them I could bust out at a moment’s notice when the crowd started to get fussy.
One of the classics I discovered was Five Little Monkeys. No doubt you parents know this song, but if you don’t it can certainly calm down one irritable toddler. In a classroom setting this song is great because it’s active, the children can yell, jump and move around.
The other day little Jake, all 18 pounds of him was in a tizzy. A full blown, teething mess of baby that could not be quelled by any of the usual tricks. The Wheels on the Bus were just coming off and I reached into my pocket and started Five Little Monkeys.
Immediately we had success! The red faced, 10 octave, screamapiller had been replaced by the baby who can make any parent melt.
All was good and well, baby meltdown averted (or at least curtailed) and we were clear to proceed to bedtime. My parenting genius affirmed and thankful for my mad rhyming ability I sauntered downstairs to relax.
Come the next morning I get out of bed and notice a newfound tenderness to my groin. In my zeal to maintain the monkeys jumping, i.e., me lifting up the baby and bringing him down on my lap; I realized that I may have been a bit too forceful in his descent.
While there weren’t any baby sized foot prints or bruises on my lower stomach, thighs or groin; I immediately knew that his teeny, tiny feet had pounced one too many times in a geographically sensitive area.
The lesson for this Stay At Home Dad: Be gentle when singing Five Little Monkeys if you want to have any more little monkeys.
Also, get familiar yourself with a greater variety of children’s songs-I’m a Little Teapot, Itsy Bitsy, etc. We still do Five Little Monkey, just a bit slower, with his feet touching the sofa or ground, instead of dad.
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