Things Overheard from a Pregnant Lady Part One

"My stomach is too full of baby and burrito!"

"I can't sleep because I'm too full of blood."

"Breaking  Bad is no Project Runway"

"I like leggings.  They're like socially acceptable sweatpants."

Thanks, Dad!

Dad, my brother and I on my wedding day.

    With The Kid on the way, I think it's important to look back at what makes me, me.  It's very easy to view yourself as a constant.  "Oh, I'm this way", but the thing to remember is you weren't always that way.  You were once a small wailing ball of puff that pooped and peed and ate and that was about it.  Then things happened to you; people happened to you.  Every little experience shaping who you would one day become.  So you aren't just you.  You're you in progress!  Since this is a dad blog, I thought I'd look back at one of the people who had a huge part in me becoming the Mike I am today; my dad!  Here's some things he taught me (whether he was aware of it, or not...)

LESSON 1:  SHOW DON'T TELL

    Very few of my Dad's lessons were of the Sitting-by-the-fire-in-his-study-with-a-cigar-a-snifter-of-brandy-and-I'm-gonna-tell-you-how-it-is variety.  Most of the things Dad taught me were by example.  Whatever I gleaned from him, it was through watching him in action.  Lead by example is something my dad had down!

LESSON 2:  DO IT YOURSELF

    Around the Ferris household, it seemed like there was always a project underway.  Whether it was installing a

sliding back door, putting in a new deck, replacing part of the driveway or putting new carpet in the basement, Dad was always up to something.  Even in situations where it necessitated a professional, Dad would be in the mix.  I don't know if the motivation was cheapness ("Next time I'll be able to do it!"), genuine curiosity, or what I seriously suspect was the answer...

LESSON 3:  HELP OTHERS WHENEVER YOU CAN

    Sometimes it's little things.  Mowing the part of the lawn that you share with your neigbors.  Or sometimes it's big things like helping a buddy build a garage.  He showed me growing up what it means to be selfless, helpful and focussed on others.  I've tried to embody that spirit in my own life, and feel greatly rewarded anytime I get to help out friend, family or stranger. 

    Dad did a heck of a job passing on lessons about being hard working, compassionate and friendly.  Everybody knows my dad.  And anyone who's ever met him knows that they can come to him if they need anything.  As a kid I was always under the impression that my dad was a super hero and could do anything.  Looking back as an adult myself, I'm sure Dad simply did the best he could using what HIS Dad taught him.  If I can do half as good a job passing on these qualities that my dad impressed upon me, I'll call this whole "Parenting" thing a success.

EXCITING PARENTING ASPECT OF THE WEEK:

This one's a little bit more than my previous EPAWs have been.  On October 2nd we find out whether we're having a boy or girl!  I'm quite excited to find out which pronoun I'm going to be using.