One Year In

Last week, Baby Dude had his one-year doctor's check-up. I can't believe how quickly the last year has whirred on by. And even more so, I can't believe how much growth and how many changes my little guy has been through. It's hard to believe that the almost-five-pound runt from a year ago is now a talking, smiling, character with the physicality of a bull in a china shop (just like his dad).

A few weeks ago, I was chatting with the mom of a 6 year old. She was reminiscing on her son's first year and she said she much prefers the steady developmental speed of an older child rather than the exponential growth of the first year. Think about it: in one year a child goes from being a pooping, crying blob on breast milk to a mobile, communicative kid (complete with tons of personality) who eats big-people food and has curiosity to spare.

Sure, this pace of development can certainly make a parent's head spin. Just when I was getting used to one set of skills and needs, Baby Dude would go and move into new territory and I'd have to adjust all over again. I think this first year of parenthood taught me a parent's most important lesson—when I put on my "parenting pants" (let me suggest the Dad Dude Jean, ha), I've got to roll with whatever comes my way.

Now, if I could just learn to apply that to the other areas of my life, I'd be all set......

An Endorsement for The Dad Dude Jean

feed-time ensemble

We've all heard of mom jeans. And, yoga pants are the uniform of a certain stripe of fit young mothers. Well, today I'd like to introduce you fine folks to The Dad Dude Jean—the perfect uniform for today's stay-at-home dad with style.
But wait, that's not all....

The ample side pockets of the standard-issue Dickies Carpenter Jean is a perfect fit for the dad on the go. The larger, angled side pocket is ideal for bottles. Even an 8-ounce bottle with its cap on fits as snug as a bug. You can complete the feed-time ensemble with the other, smaller side pocket, which serves as the perfect place to jam in a burp cloth, which is best left dangling gas-station-attendant style. On the other side of the jean is a loop meant for a hammer or, in this case, the clip attached to a baby monitor.

monitoring the situation

But wait, that's not all....

The handy, dandy Dad Dude Jean has many, many purposes. A favorite of the moms who take Gymboree classes with me and Baby Dude is its ability to keep unseemly plumber crack at bay! That's right, there is ample room in these jeans for modesty while I crawl, lunge and contort with Baby Dude throughout the day.
But wait, that's not all....

As Baby Dude gets older and morphs into Toddler Dude, the side pockets can conveniently serve as a portable fruit roll-up and string cheese warmer. And the ample front slash pockets and rear pockets will certainly allow for juice boxes, Cheerios and toys. (Not to mention the small change pocket that is perfect for storing guitar picks.)

I wholeheartedly endorse The Dad Dude Jean.