“God Baits You Into Having Another One” – #40Days40Dads

Today’s #40Days40Dads project participant is my friend Bryan, who started dating his wife shortly after I started dating mine, beat us to the altar and wasted no time in having their first child. Now there’s another bun in the oven and Bryan took the time to muse on his role as a dad. Thanks, Bryan!

#28: Bryan

Bryan is the father of a 16-month-old son and another baby that is 16 weeks along in utero.

What was the moment when you first felt like a father?

It was probably some time when we were waiting for James while he was overdue. At that point you can basically see the baby rolling around in there.

What’s your favorite part about being a father?

Seeing the joy on my son’s face when I come home and how much he just wants to rough house with me.

What’s the hardest part about being a father?

For me it is definitely trying to master how to watch my son and still hold an adult conversation with others. I really struggle with multitasking in that way.

What’s the dumbest/funniest thing that your kid has cried about or fought with you over?

That would be when we tried to give James solid food for the first time. James did’n’t exactly care for sweet potatoes.

What are you most proud of having taught/shared with your kids or what are you most looking forward to teaching/sharing with them?

Obviously faith is a popular Catholic dad answer here. Which is true. Seeing James get excited at Mass or when you can tell he recognizes priests as distinct is too awesome to express. But I’m gonna say it is teaching him special songs my dad taught me. He can’t sing the actual words but he has really good pitch.

What’s your favorite thing about your kids?

I love the way my kids complete our family. You really can’t remember what it was like when you didn’t have them around. And I wouldn’t trade them for all the free time I had before. Babies are fun.

If you could go back in time and give yourself a piece of advice when you first became a father, what would you say?

You don’t have to change your baby at 3 in the morning. He’ll make it through the night. Relax.

Any other comments to share on fatherhood?

It is super cliche, but you really have to try and enjoy every stage. It is beautiful watching your child grow, but my wife and I always look at old pictures and get a little happy-sad seeing how little our son used to be. Be careful with this because then God baits you into having another one!

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