Big Kid Parent

The ramblings of a gay childish parent.

[bigkidparent]

Hey buddy, it’s been a minute.  I get caught up actually experiencing being your parent that I forget to document it here. So much has happened since my last post. You were in hospital, you started swimming lessons, you learned so many new things I can’t even begin to list them. At the moment we’re in Columbia, Missouri. Having Christmas and bringing in the new year at your grandfather’s house, with your American family. A couple days away from flying back home to Sydney. We’ve been here for three weeks. With each other day and night. You’ve attached yourself to me like I’ve never experienced before. Cadence says you’ve got a favourite parent at the moment - and it is not her. I love that the first thing I hear in the morning is a high-pitched “Cec!” accompanied by an aggressively sweet hug... but I’m not diggin’ having a book shoved in my face first thing. Like before my coffee dude. I have so many photos. But here you are, confused and thrilled, learning what Christmas Day is. You’ve been spending time with your great grandfather (Papa). You’d never met him before but you’ve formed a bond with him in such a short amount of time. You point to the back of strangers’ heads if they have white hair and say “Papa!”. There are 92 years between the two of you. It meant so much to him (and Cadence) that you got to spend this time together. He loves you fiercely. 

[bigkidparent]

"Listen Cec, I just really want to stick my stinky vegemite fingers in your nose like why is that so hard to understand? Right, well I'll just wait here until you change your stupid mind."

[bigkidparent]

He was patting the dog.. then started patting the girl 😕

[bigkidparent]

You're such a weirdo sometimes. I love it.

[bigkidparent]

Grandma Silas.

[bigkidparent]

Kid goes to zoo for the first time. Loves it.

[bigkidparent]

This may be a strange, but I swear I just saw Silas in a commercial for the iPhone. The video is called Shot on iPhone - Mother's Day on youtube if you're curious.

Oh yeah that's just Silas' secret twin, Pilas. He's cool too. I'll check out the ad if I can find it ;)

[bigkidparent]

This has been us lately, kid. We’re best mates. We have the same sense of humour.  We play stupid games but they amuse us greatly. We can communicate now! We get grouchy at each other. You’re obsessed with me but it’s okay because I’m a little bit obsessed with you too. It’s weird.. you’re not even a baby anymore. You’re a toddler. Also please for the love of Xena, stop pulling all the books off the bookshelves.

Peace. One love.

[bigkidparent]

Permanent heart eyes for these two.

[bigkidparent]

Hey kiddo, This is how you greeted me this morning after your first nap of the day. Yep, Ace Ventura hair and everything. You've been sick and run-down the last couple of days so we've been extra good parents to ya. Promise. Still, it's not fun seeing you unwell. So please hurry up and get better!

[bigkidparent]

That belly though.

[bigkidparent]

MY BOY IS ONE TODAY! Silas, this time last year we were just meeting you. Your mother and I were counting your tiny fingers and toes, cleaning blood off your tiny face and studying your features. We were gently brushing our fingertips over your bruised face and head. You were beaten up from the birth and Cadence was even worse off. In a year we’ve learned how to be your parents. How to keep you alive and happy. It’s an on-the-job kind of learning that nobody can ~really~ prepare you for but we did it. And we rock. The three of us started the day with present unwrapping and cuddles. You followed me around the house as I sleepily made my second attempt at making gluten free pancakes from scratch (that didn’t look scrambled this time).  Then we caught the train to Darling Harbour and took you to the aquarium. A lady on the train with kids of her own asked how old you were and with the goofiest hint of pride, Cadence said “One.. today!”.  You absolutely loved the aquarium. You were giddy and happy the entire time. Waving at the fish and staring in awe at the rays and sharks. Somehow Cadence and I knew you’d be able to take all of it in. You’re the type of baby toddler that needs constant stimulation and your brain greedily soaked everything up. When we got home you had the world’s longest nap while I set up for your cake smash photo shoot. Cadence baked you a cake and after you had woken up we popped you down behind it. You were confused and sleepy but eventually decided to touch the cake. After a brief wave of disgust at the icing on your fingers you finally took a taste. Then it was all hands in.  You didn’t even care about the studio lights in your face. You were a champ.  Happy FIRST Birthday, little dude. I love you madly. 

[bigkidparent]

What a weekend with Silas looks like.

- lots and lots of walking - putting up with an(other) IKEA trip - trying on wigs - baby jail frustration - hide and seek fails

[bigkidparent]

2 days until this babe is the birthday girl. 😍

[bigkidparent]

MWUAHAHAHAHA! Cec & Cadence - 1 Quincy Bangarang - 0 #babyjail

[bigkidparent]

Some new (boring) things.

So there was a big shift in my work situation and long-story-short I now work two jobs. 3 days at a print management company as (mostly) a graphic designer but do a lot of finishing too. And then 2 days at my old job, a digital printing agency as print production manager and graphic designer.

It was really sudden and kind of threw a spanner in the works and it was a really stressful situation.

I’m definitely getting the hang of going to two different places now and am enjoying the new job. Especially getting to work with more people in a more artsy/agency style environment. The only thing I miss about working full-time at my other job is how much I move around when I’m working there. I’m constantly on my feet doing something. When I’m not doing design work, it’s pretty physical. So I miss that but that’s about it.

Another thing that changed was my hours. I work an hour later now. So by the time I get home it’s dinner time. Then it’s immediately bath time/cleaning up Si’s mess from dinner while Cadence gets his bath started. Then it’s getting Silas ready for bed time. Then Cadence feeds him in the rocking chair while I chill for like 10 minutes. Then Cadence will put him in his cot and then it’s a two hour battle to get him to sleep. We tag-team him trying to get him down for the night. But he just cries. He stands up and cries and cries and cries no matter what we do. He just does not want to be put to sleep.

Tonight was especially hard. Cadence and I are exhausted.

I’ve also been insanely stressed about my parents’ health. They’re both battling different health issues right now and it’s not fun to watch. There’s nothing I can do for them.

So boohoo I’m having a sook. And I know this is a shitty update after not updating in a while.. and no my life has not just been shit since my last update but it’s just been particularly challenging and I’m learning how to cope with it.

[bigkidparent]

Well I guess I have a toddler.

An active toddler. Like constantly moving. Like he won’t stop haha like not even when it’s bed time HAHA. LIKE WHY WON’T HE SLEEP HEHEHEHE.

Fuck I need sleep.

Also Silas if you’re reading this in the future - I love you and you bring me so much joy. Just… go to sleep, yeah?