You're Now Like... A Kid Or Something
Monday, April 14, 2008 I drove a little slower that day, 6 years and 8 months ago. Not because I was shell shocked (I was). Not because a cocktail of apprehension, bliss, excitement and confusion was coursing through every vessel in my body (it was).
It was because you needed me. I was no longer inconsequential. No longer a reckless Ronin. I mattered.
True, you were but a peapod in suspended in ... stuff. But soon you would grow fingers that would need someone to stick a Scooby Doo band-aid on (even though I can't see this "cut" that you're screaming about). You would grow legs that were "too tired" to walk around Disneyland on (meaning my neck and shoulders will continue to keep chiropractors in business for years to come). You would develop a biting sense of humor that needed a comic foil (and would spawn a blog of epic proportions... ahem).
You sprung this fatherhood thing on me with no advanced warning. I wasn't even done playing Summer Fling Guy with your mama. Talk about now, now, now, now, Dad!
And just when I've begun to acclimate myself to the fact that I have a baby, you go and do what? You turn into a 6-year-old kid! Just yesterday, I was scratching my head over what to do with this:
But back then, all I knew about survival was "keep your hands up," so I figured you were doing alright.
Once we passed the "seven day guarantee" offered by most pet shops, mom and I were relieved that we were at least following the instructions properly. Then we started to have fun with it. Do you remember hearing me sing "Rocket Man" while cracking up and pointing at you? Here's why:
When you weren't strapped to imaginary jetpacks, you were my little lion cub. In fact, I wanted to go to the bar where I met your mama and hoist you up Lion King style for all to see. Instead, I got my Mufasa on by taking naps on the plains with you.
Of course mom had her fun with you too. Her favorite things were your chubby cheeks and tiny feet. And we have so many pictures to prove it.
Oh, I also have to thank you for indulging all my whims, as proven here:
... and here.
I know, you couldn't even stand up on your own yet and there I was getting you ready for your ring debut. But come on, let's be fair. You put us through a lot too--even when you couldn't "walk"--like that time I totally busted you messing with my office equipment!
And then one day you actually learned to walk! As I caught it on film I thought "wow, a self-propelled being!" Despite my comparing you to a guided missile, it was a pretty moving moment.
Now that you could walk, you were a certified bad ass. And training got underway in earnest. First, you had to get that grimace down:
Then, of course, you had to dress the part:
But underneath it all, you remained that cute kid that no one could get enough of.
Considering you had such big shoes to fill, you did a kick ass job!
... and along the way, you gave me a pretty big job as well: Chief Lego Engineer.
Lucky for me, you also began picking up other hobbies. Like bike riding. Which to this day has been my most exhilarating moment with you yet. This also happened to be the day it dawned on me that you were no longer "the baby."
I mean, would a baby have the balls to do this?
You are becoming a true warrior, my son. And I am damn proud of you!
But can you do me one favor? You may be a full fledged boy, and at times (like Sunday at Hooters) even one of "d Boys,"...
... but now can you slow down?
HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, FURY!
- Love, Dad
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Reader Comments (90)
Happy birthday!!
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[BusyDad] :) I'll pass it along to the baby - dang - the BOY.
Great Post. Happy Birthday.
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[BusyDad] Thanks Michael! And I'll pass along the b-day wish.
BusyD, Great post! I like the grimace lesson. The Mufasa sleeping on the plains one is pretty good too. I've got one of me and Nukeboy1 in silent slumber in the ole' lazy boy. Awesome. Don't tell the Doc I used that word.
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[BusyDad] Thanks NukeD! I have come across a ton of Dad/Kid slumber pics on many of the blogs I frequent. Someone should collect them all into one post. It would be a great one!
Happy Birthday Fury!
What a kickass blog entry for his birthday too!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Sue! I will read this (and the others) to him later :)
Happy Birthday Fury!!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Ashley! I'll make sure to pass it along when he gets home :)
Happy Birthday, Fury! Super sweet--and funny--post!
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[BusyDad] :D Thanks! He's a sweet and funny kid.
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Fury,
Happy Birthday to you!
Best wishes today, and always...
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[BusyDad] Iron Chef Fury says domo arigato, Secret Agent Mama-san!
How cool! My favorite is the Dr. Evil pic. Looks like you're raisin' him right! Happy Birthday Fury!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Stephen! Haha - yup, I could not resist, as I am sure is the case with many other dads.
That post is as much a gift for you (and us!) as it is for Fury. Awesome! And Happy Birthday to the most authentically Aries 6-year-old that I've ever met -- if only two-dimensionally!
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[BusyDad] Thanks JMax! And so true... he's like that in 3D as well!
That was lovely. Happy birthday indeed to Fury. 6 is a really big deal. You can't really call a six year old a baby without sounding like one yourself.
Our girls turn 2 next month. I don't know how my hubby's going to handle his first birthday home with them, but I know it's going be a little mind-boggling for him.
An aside - I thought you would appreciate knowing that your blog affects decision-making in our home. My Mom suggested getting the twins a sandbox for their birthday, and my husband said no, citing Fury's preference for soil.
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[BusyDad] Haha thanks Sadia! Too funny about the sandbox. Yup, save the time, sweat, money and tears. A pile o dirt'll do ya!
Happy Birthday Fury!!! Six is the best age ever - when they are just starting to assert some independence which at times can give you a much needed break but also still need that Mommy or Daddy love to will fix all that ails them! Beautiful words (not that we've come to expect anything less!!) Just wait, BD, my son just turned 17....thats when your heart will really start to break.
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[BusyDad] Thank You Kate! I'll pass it along to him. You're so right about the independence thing. I owe my available blogging time to Bionicle and Legos. He can play for hours. And I'll enjoy this time while I can because 17 may seem like forever to me right now, but I know that'll fly by too.
Best Wishes for a Happy Birthday, little er BIG man!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Ed! And I'm glad you caught yourself there. Many a waiter has felt the wrath of Fury for calling him that.
What a fabulous birthday tribute! Love the pics...Dr. Evil I think was my fav! Happy Birthday Fury! I hope all of your wildest dreams come true!!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jodi! I'll wish him a happy b-day for you. Don't you love his expression in that pic? It just shouts "oh jeez, Dad!"
Awww, Happy Birthday,big guy!
Time does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it?
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[BusyDad] Thanks! I'll let then Big Guy know! It is insane how time flies. Downright scary...
Man, why is this lump in my throat so HUGE?
Happy birthday Fury!! Jim, I find that putting two bricks on their heads once a day seems to do the trick...somewhat. My mom always threatened to. ;-)
BD, check this out..
http://cheeseinmyshoe.blogspot.com/2008/04/drumroll-please.html
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[BusyDad] Haha the brick trick sounds effective. I'll pass along your b-day wishes to the kiddo. And that post - WILD! (in a good way).
Awwww....he is such a ham! Just like his daddy no doubt haha. They grow up waaaay too fast. My daughter just turned 11 and in all honesty I am pretty sure these past 5 years were one big blur...so don't blink-it goes even quicker now!
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[BusyDad] Haha - yup, you got us two pegged. So, you're saying the next 6 or so years goes even faster?? Is that even possible? oh boy...
Happy Sixth Fury!!! Great photo montage.
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jason! I'm gonna read all these to him later. Glad you liked the photos. As I was doing them, I could not believe the transformation this kid has gone through in a few short years!
I like this post, BD. You can remember every detail!! Happy 6th birthday, Fury. You need to slow down or daddy won't be able to catch up with you. He's getting old, you know?
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jo-N! and I will be sure to pass your b-day wishes along. And there's no need to remind him that I am getting old. He tells me that everyday!! grumble... grumble...
Happy Birthday, Fury!!!!
(Hey BD... You do realize this means that you're starting to get old, right? Like really, really, really old. :)
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[BusyDad] No. I am not. not not not notnot not notnot nto!!!
Awesome post! I especially like the Mini Me picture! and the one with his ankle taped, and the grimace, and rocket-man....alright...I liked them all!
Happy Birthday Fury!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jared! Passed along your wishes! haha - those were all my favs over the years. ESPECIALLY Rocket Man.
Happy Birthday Fury! I loved all the photos.
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[BusyDad] Thanks for the b-day wishes! I'm glad you liked them - it was hard to pick the right ones because we have SO MANY!!!
I am rarely sentimental when it comes to the dad thing-for lots of reasons-but this brought tears to my eyes. Mind if I blog about this?
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[BusyDad] Flattered and speechless, I am (at your post).
Damn - I got through Mr. Lady's post w/o crying, but this one I had to fight back the tears. Happy bday Fury! Busy Dad, you still got another 6 years of it just getting better and better...
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[BusyDad] She loosened the jar. For sure. Thanks for the wishes and I can't wait to see what the next 6 bring.
Happy Birthday Fury!
Love the photo of the warriors :)
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[BusyDad] Thanks guys!! Does Jaden wear his armor out on the street? Fury does! haha. We went shopping the other day in full gear.
Those photos were GREAT! I love the one with his foot taped - too cute!! Happy birthday, Fury!
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[BusyDad] Thanks! funny thing is he asked for that tape. He saw me doing it and stole a piece of my tape and started doing it. I helped him finish the wrap.
That was so adorable, BD! I especially love the napping photo. Mini Fury (not just mini you)! Too cute for words.
Happy Birthday, Marcus!!
What a fantastic tribute!
Hey, you might be interested in this:
http://www.blurb.com/book/blogbook?ce=google_blog&gclid=CLLfiYi63ZICFRE0FQodW22y_g
Don't know much about it (and haven't tried it), but it seems you can basically make a book out of some of your blog posts. That might be a nice memory for Fury. Just sayin'...
I always love your photo blog posts but this one tops 'em all!!
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[BusyDad] thanks SoapyB! I wished him happy b-day for you :) Yes, I discoverewd blurb a while back - been dying to try it out. Looks like great stuff! And making all this a book is exactly what I intend to do (and give it to Fury the day he turns 18).
I'm such a mom/girl. I teared up. Geez. I loved his little baby boobs in the MMA outfit shot. :p
And um, who's the hottie in the navy blue shirt at hooters?
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[BusyDad] Haha - he has done some push ups since that day. He actually has some killer pecs (for a 6 yr old) now. And, sigh,that is my friend Joey. The Fireman. Don't worry, we've had to deal with that for the entire decade I have been friends with him.
He's all big now! I can't fit his feet in my mouth. Waaaah! I love the pic of you two sleeping the best - always loved that picture. Look at what we made!!! :)
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[d Hubby] We done GOOD!
that was so sweet I'm rushing to finish this comment before I slip into a diabetic com.....
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[BusyDad] Just priming you for when you have your own bundle of sweetness. You can't just go into it cold. You'll thank me later.
What a sweet tribute! Happy Birthday!
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[BusyDad] Thank you Nicole! I read him this and all the others last night. He was beaming.
Those are some great photos! What a great post - tell him Happy Birthday!
--TW
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[BusyDad] I certainly did! After his b-day dinner, we sat and read all of these together. Happy kid.
Sigh...I wish they'd slow down. What in the world will we do for blog fodder once they're grown?
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[BusyDad] Is it scary that I had the EXACT same thought while watching him roam the aisles at Petsmart a couple days ago?
Gorgeous pics. Gorgeous boy! If you figure out how to get him to slow down, will you pass on the info?
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jenni! You know if I figure that out I will post about it. And make a video and a comic and twitter and flickr and....
Happy B'day, Fury! And remember... no matter how old you get, you'll never be as old as your dad! And you can hold that over his head later, lol.
What a wonderful post, Jim!
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[BusyDad] :) Thanks Jen. And thanks for the lesson in perspective. I think.
Happy Birthday Fury!! Agh, so does that mean we also got 6 years older? :( I refuse to believe it! Seriously, it was yesterday I was carrying him around and he peed on me because I didn't change his diaper in time. He was a cute little chubby babbling (and peeing) dollop! and *sniff* yup that's my nephew with that tiger! Aaaaw (no tiger comments!) How did time fly so fast?? Happy birthday to the cutest little charmer!
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[d Bro] He laughed when I read that part about the pee. And I am tempted to tell him the bittersweet story of your poached tiger.
Wait! I have to know...will Fury be re-tooling his response to questions about his age in Roman numerals? Is that three fingers...for VI? So he can wallop some poor unsuspecting granny who thinks he's "older than 3"???
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[BusyDad] Very funny and well-thought out question. You should see the 5 and a half he's been flashing people. A "V" on one hand and a "redrum" half finger gesture on the other.
Perfectly perfect! Happy Birthday Fury! You are one kick ass Jedi and the coolest kid on the block! Hope this birthday brings you lots of Bionicles and a trip to D&B!
Great post Jim. As always.
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[BusyDad] Thanks Miss! And of course I had to read this to him. Now I owe him a Bionicle and a night out at D&B. Hey, let's kill 2 birds. Bring SBJ along!
My older daughter will be 6 in July. Perhaps we can talk about an arranged marriage???
They would make a very cute couple...does he like strawberry blondes???
Happy Birthday little man!
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[BusyDad] Heh - thanks Sonia! If only I had it so good at 6.
Happy Birthday to Fury! And happy Survived Six Years Of Being A Dad to you, Busydad! You may wear your stripes proudly.
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[BusyDad] Oh I be flossin them stripes! Dad cred. I've earned it now! And thanks for the b-day wishes. I delivered them all to Fury last night.
Whoot! Happy B-Day Fury... and BD, way to go raising such a cool, kick-ass little man. Reading this got me all verklempt, nicely done.
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[BusyDad] Thank you Tara! And Fury thanks you too (read him all these last night). Is that how you spell it? I never had the slightest clue.
Happy Birthday Marcus!!!
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[BusyDad] Hey Julia! Fury smiled real big when I told him Auntie Julia wished him happy b-day.
Jim those are fantastic photos! Rocket Man especially . . . Happy birthday to Fury!
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[BusyDad] Big thank you from the birthday boy (he has great manners, doesn't he?). I love Rocket Man. My fav pic of all time.
happy birthday, fury!
that was the most kick ass birthday post i've ever read. i laughed OL at least four times.
now, to go download (legally) rocketman...
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[BusyDad] Thank you ZJ (from both of us)! We've had plenty o funny moments over the years. and if I'm gonna get a song stuck in your head, it might as well be a good one like that!
Very nice, BusyD! Though, this makes me a little sad that Baby Daddy doesn't have a boy of his own...perhaps this post will inspire...
Not! Fate would give him another set of twin girls :)
Happy 6th Fury!
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[BusyDad] Thanks HuckD! Fury likes your name. I wish I had twin girls - yours make the funniest videos!
Awww... a beautiful post. They grow up way to fast.. SLOW DOWN. Love the hooter pic with all of his men around. LOL. You guys are so cute.
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[BusyDad] Thanks Ohmommy! Fury loves Hooters. They really are nicer to him than at other restaurants. And Dad doesn't mind taking him there.
Hi, BusyDad! I found your blog through another one I read. This post was so sweet it brought tears to my eyes. You are an awesome dad! I loved the pic of the two of you napping together.
Happy Birthday, Fury! (A little late.) You are one precious little boy.
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[BusyDad] Not late at all! I read them all to him last night! Thanks for visiting my blog and for your kind words. And I thank Kori for bringing you here :)
Love the daddy sleeping with the kid pic. Those are priceless everywhere and good for those cheesy slideshows you do later when you're having a 30th birthday party and you talk about how you were a partier staying up all night even then, bla bla bla.
Happy 6th Fury. 6 sounds so much older than 5 doesn't it? I went through that with my now 6 year old a few months back.
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[BusyDad] haha great idea. He does know how to party, that kid. And totally. 5 can still pass for toddler - almost. 6? Forget it. You are bonafide KID by then.
Aww, great birthday post! Pls greet the bday boy for me. :D
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[BusyDad] Thanks! and I did! :)
Aww, BD, that was too sweet. I'm getting all misty!! Happy birfday Fury!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Jenny! I read him this and you know what he said? "She spelled birthday wrong!" hahahaha! I said that was intentional, and he was like huh? Kids...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUR MINI ME!! He's so kickass!
Our future is looking mighty bright with this one at the helm.
Awesome post!
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[BusyDad] Thanks Piper! And he loved your "kickass" comment, btw.