But the years are short (part three!). Today is my son’s third birthday. Still seems like just yesterday we were packing an overnight bag en route to the hospital.
Reflecting on a busy year, I’m sharing an updated list of things that I’ve learned in my last 365 days of Dad Life:
- Taking care of two children leaves even less room for personal time than taking care of one child
- Daycare is still the best check we write every month
- Gout is for the birds
- You can’t out train heredity (thanks Mom & Dad)
- Babies have fewer opinions than toddlers
- The Sphere in Las Vegas is incredible. If an act you’re remotely interested in is playing the Sphere, buy tickets and go (your financial adviser says its OK)
- Potty training is a game changer
- Expectations matter
- Hard Knocks may have set my expectations for the Chicago Bears a little too high
- Near misses are the most significant drivers of behavioral change
- No one has a longer to-do list than a toddler at bed time
- College football games are too long
- People are generally happier when the stock market is up
- It would be OK with me if I never had to go through the process of buying another car
- Lifting weights from time to time never hurt anyone
- Flying on an airplane sans children is amazing and should never be taken for granted
- I’d be OK if we never got the norovirus again
- Toddlers have an internal clock that tells them what time to wake up. Unfortunately, it only seems to work on weekends and holidays and is set an hour earlier than necessary
- Fall is the best season
- Having a partner to share in the good times and bad times is still paramount—I would be lost without mine
Finally, your annual reminder: Call your family. Turn off the news—especially true this year during election season. Take the risk. Go to the show. Share your feelings. Get outside. Take the trip. Order dessert*. You only get one shot at life so enjoy the ride. Whatever you do, spend the time, I promise you won’t regret it.
Will
*Unless you have gout, then don’t order dessert.