Dahlonega Dad

New Rooms

I’m officially the worst blogger ever!  The goal of this blog has always been to create an account of the kid’s lives for them to look back on later in life.  I have no plans to update daily but I am gonna strive for an entry every month.  

The biggest thing to happen over the last few months are your new rooms!  Campbell has outgrown her crib and I’ll be the first to admit it made me terribly sad.  You are my princess and I love the little girl you are growing into but I often look for the slow motion button.  Moving from a crib to a bed was just a sudden wake up call that you are growing up.  We moved Carter’s old bed into your room for you complete with brand new pink bedding.  I love that this bed is in the family; it’s over 60 years old and was Poppa’s bed when he was a little boy.  The transition hasn’t been so smooth.  With such a “big” bed you want someone to lay with you every night!  We are hoping this is a short phase but right now it takes 2-3 hours just to put you to sleep!!  

Carter, your new bed is the old guest bed!  You’re only 5 years old and already have a queen size bed.  You’re gonna be even more spoiled than you already are.  This was more a matter of convenience and budget since we already had this bed.  You love your new bed though and I’ll admit it makes laying down with you a lot more comfortable.  You continue to have your own bedtime issues and it’s easily the most stressful time of the day.  The Cox children do not like to go to bed!  However your mom has come up with a clever solution!  Last night was the first night you went to sleep by yourself.  The “Night Fairy” came by yesterday and left you a note.  She told you she would check on you every night to see if you went to sleep by yourself and stayed in your own bed.  If she found that you had done so she would leave a present.  You did it and they night fairy made good on her promise.  You were super excited and we are hopeful that the Night Fairy will help you go to sleep alone and sleep through the night in your own bed.  

These are just a few things you guys have been up to.  You are both so active and curious.  There’s never a dull moment with you two around.  I’m going to try and document it better from this point forward.

Here we go

Carter yesterday was your first day of school: Pre-K.  Pre-K now is a lot more formal than when I was your age.  It’s state funded with an actual curriculum designed to teach you basics, routines, and behavioral expectations.  I knew the day was coming all summer and, of course, since you were born.  However, the day it was actually here, it hit me a lot harder than I ever anticipated.  Sunday before you started Elmo and Poppa were visiting and went with us to your school’s open house.  We all met your teachers and saw your new classroom.  For you it’s not as a big of a change because your Pre-K is at First Presbyterian Church off Enota Drive in Gainesville, GA where you’ve been going to daycare for the past three years.  Nonetheless, it was an emotional day that I kept to myself.

After visiting your school we piled back up in the cars and went to Wal-Mart.  Your ever doting Elmo and Poppa wanted to buy you a backpack since we learned Pre-K required them.  We all thought you’d surely go for the Cars 2 pack but you were set on a Transformers Bumblebee backpack.  Your sister got in on the act and got herself an Elmo back pack so she could be like her big brother.  It was starting to hit me at this point but I still wasn’t too worked up over it.  

Every year on the first day of school so far I take you guys to school because its a busy day for mommy at work since she’s a school counselor.  I was happy and excited to take you for the first day and your mommy’s not as good about taking pics.  Mommy made it easy on me; she laid out everything from outfits to breakfast (truth be told this was more of a strategic move to make sure I had y’all in matching outfits and not covered in syrup).  You were so excited on your first day!!  You got yourself dressed and kept packing your backpack over and over trying to decide what all to carry to school.  You even packed Campbell’s for her ensuring that you both had paper and books in your backpacks.

Once we got to school you were busting at the seems with excitement but by now I could see a lot of it was nervousness.  We dropped off Campbell in her new room.  She was very apprehensive about her new room.  However, once she saw Ms. Christine she relaxed a little and proudly hung up her new Elmo backpack and informed Ms. Christine she had a pull up on.  I started to get emotional at this point because I realized you’re both growing so fast.  I remember you going to the 2 year old room and making the switch from diapers to pull-ups.  We went down to your room so that I could drop you off and take some pictures of your first day in your classroom.  By this point you were very nervous but at the same time very brave.  We found your hook and hung up your backpack.  You went to the play mat and let me take some photos of you.  You wanted lots of hugs and reassurance but I promise you I wanted more of both.  I’m so excited and nervous for you as you begin this journey.  

Education is one of the single most important things you will do for yourself, your family and community.  It’s my obligation and privilege to foster an environment conducive to learning, introspection, curiosity and growth for you and your sister.  I pray every night I don’t let either of you down.  I’m probably being overly concerned but then again that’s a parent’s burden.  I look forward to this journey with you; I hope to be the best possible guide through it all.  

I pray for the wisdom and patience to be the best possible Daddy for you and Campbell.

Here we go,

Daddy

Your Daddy

After last night’s post, I thought more about stories I liked hearing from my childhood. One thing that still fascinates me today is what my parents were like at the different stages of their life before I “knew” them.  Just a few weeks ago I was playing 20 questions with Poppa about his triathlon days.  

I’ll tell you a little bit about my world right now; I’ll invite your mommy to do a guest post to give her perspective.  For the past 4 years, I have been the practice administrator for Northview Orthopaedic Associates and Northview Orthopaedic Surgery Center. I have been doing healthcare administration since I left NGCSU.  Carter is always fascinated that Daddy used to be a Soldier and live in Germany; you keep saying you are going to do the same, but I hope you join the Air Force and stay closer to home.  

I like working in healthcare because it is a service industry providing critical services to the injured and sick.  I work at a desk (stand-up desk) but I interact with many different people everyday and that suits me.  I enjoy working with people and would never do to well in an isolated work environment.  I’m also involved in the community in several different capacities.  This is something that I enjoy and also raises a great deal of internal conflict.  I try to temper what I see as a requirement to give back and improve the community with being as present as possible for you guys.  I want to help improve the community where we live and for you two to grow up seeing service and volunteerism as a way of life.  Conversely, I want to spend as much time with you guys as possible and not give so much that I take away from my babies.  I hope I am striking an appropriate balance and that I can impress upon you both that family and community service are the two greatest worthwhile endeavors.  I just finished a term as the President of the Dahlonega Rotary Club.  I’m currently the Chair Elect of the Community Helping Place in Dahlonega and a member of the NGCSU alumni council.  I’ve promised myself and you guys I won’t take on anymore than these 3 things.

I’m definitely into fitness and nutrition right now in my life.  I’ve always exercised and thank your Elmo and Poppa for setting the example and importance of movement.  Recently I’ve gotten much more into nutrition at the prompting of a great friend Great Moore (Daddy to Sam and Ben who you are friends with).  I try to eat all whole foods which consist of primarily meat, vegetables, fruit, eggs and nuts.  I hope to insidiously and covertly through example impress the importance of these on you.  I took some photography classes last fall to help document your childhood.  I thought this would be a hobby that I could do that wouldn’t take me away from you guys and provide all of us with lifetime memories.  I’m not very good but I enjoy taking pictures of you two even if you aren’t very cooperative most of the time.

I’m blessed with a network of friends that are way better to me than I deserve.  Most of my close friends are from NGCSU: Great, Wes, Ben, Adam Stead, Adam Nash, Mike Basham, Mike C, and many more.  I still hang out with and talk to Robert Franklin who I’ve known since 1st grade.  We’ve known each other a long time and he will always be one of my best friends.  I talk on the phone and meet up with these guys often.  I usually serve as the de facto social coordinator because I try to keep up with a lot of the group.

This is a little about me at this time in your life.  Right now is a typical Sunday morning.  I’ve returned from a trail run with Great, you guys are on your 2nd breakfast and we are about 30 minutes away from going on a Sunday adventure.  I love you both so much.

I love you!

Daddy

Take Two

I’m going to try blogging again without any fanfare.  Carter & Campbell this is mainly an attempt to keep a journal charting your childhood.  I subscribe to a blog:  All Pro Dad that had a great post this week.  It reminded me of how much I remembered loving to hear stories about myself as a baby, toddler and child

 http://www.allprodad.com/top10/parenting/10-stories-about-your-children-to-tell-them 

However, I wasn’t blessed with a good or even average memory.  I’m going to try and jot down notes, anecdotes, tendencies, likes, dislikes, accomplishments, etc. to chart some of your childhood.

Carter since you’re the first born we will start with you.  You’re a complete ball of energy; it’s both heartening and exhausting.  You’re the stereotypical boy who is wide open and into everything.  You love all kinds of activities from swimming, puzzles, running around, tormenting Mikey and Madison, reading, and lots of jumping off of stuff!!  You have a great little network of friends:  Collin, Sam, Colt, Jake, John Michael, Caroline, Isabella and many more.  You enjoy playing with your friends and if I’m being honest a lot easier to manage when you are with one of your friends.  Like your daddy you don’t do a great job of entertaining yourself and require constant attention.  

You have been having some behavior issues lately mainly centered around not listening or obeying me and Mommy, your teachers and the grandparents.  We are working hard to reinforce the importance of listening to us and obeying.  And while we are being honest you only have one volume: loud as heck.  We are working on your inside voice and one day when you’re having to scream at me because I’m deaf you’ll only have yourself to blame.  You are going through a phase where you are extremely attached to Mommy.  You won’t allow me to do much for you which makes me very sad but I know these things go in cycles.  You insist she put you to bed, read to you, bathe you, etc.  We both can’t wait for the day this evens out a little bit.  

You crack me up with your eating habits.  You eat around 3-4 breakfasts everyday and by the time dinner roles around we usually can’t get you to eat a thing.  It’s like your a camel or something.  You eat entirely too much sugar and your mommy and I frequently disagree about what to feed you.  You absolutely love tacos, hotdogs, cereal and waffles.  I’m convinced these 4 foods make up 90% of your diet.  You also love milk and Capri-Suns.  

Campbell you’re at an age where your personality is certainly starting to shine through and it’s so fun to watch.  You definitely love your older brother and for better or worse take a lot of your queues and interests from him.  You usually want to be into whatever Carter is doing.  You’re doing stuff he would have never dreamed of doing at that age.  You climb, jump, approach with a reckless abandon that has sent you to the ER once already with a head injury.  At times you seem like such a little tomboy.  You love getting dirty, playing with bugs, and playing trucks.  Conversely, you are such a little lady at times always wanting to help with chores, love your dolls and paint your toe nails.

Lately, you have become more and more of a Daddy’s girl and I LOVE IT!  I put you to bed every night.  I read you 3 books, sing to you and then cover you up.  It’s a night time routine that I cherish.  Our last words every night are this:  Campbell:  Daddy I want to rub your arm.  Daddy:  OK, I love you!  I let you rub my arm hair for 30 seconds or so then I rub your leg, pat your bottom and walk out of the room.  We do this every single night.  Usually sometime in the middle of the night you, like Carter, wake up and get in the bed.  9 out of 10 mornings you wake up in the happiest of moods.  You’re even more precious in the mornings with your mussy hair and grogginess.  You wake up talking, hugging and wanting food.

You are Carter are pretty much on the same nutrition program; you literally eat 3 breakfast meal or snacks in the morning.  You’re actually not as picky as Carter and eat a better variety.  However your favorites are definitely cereal and waffles as well.  Where Carter woofs his food down you take forever!!  Most of the family will have moved to the living room and you’re still eating away at your small table.  You also like to take food off of other’s people’s plates.  You want to try whatever me or mommy are eating and I usually end up sharing whatever on my plate you want.  You are a complete apple juice addict and usually have a sippy of the stuff nearby.  

Carter and Campbell you bring an indescribable amount of joy into my life.  You two are wonderful children who amaze me everyday as you grow and learn.  It’s a pleasure and honor to be your Daddy.  I pray every night that I’ll be the best Daddy for you.  I hope, if nothing else, that you know you are and will always be loved tremendously.

I Love you!

Daddy

Labor Day 2010

Fall is around the corner and the Cox’s couldn’t be more excited.  We love that Dahlonega gives us as much of 4 seasons as a Georgian can get, and in Dahlonega, Georgia autumn is one of the best seasons.  We will soon be inundated with leaf lookers and the Northeast Georgia Mountains will be alive with tourists.  Even though we live in this area we like to get in the mix as well.  Today we went to Hillcrest Orchards in Elijay to visit their apple house and petting zoo.  The kids enjoyed it immensely and you could see their young minds at work taking it all in.

I took my camera along and tried to get some shots of the kids enjoying the day.  These are my last photos as an uninitiated amateur.  Tomorrow I begin photography classes at NGCSU’s continuing education.  My track record as a student at North Georgia hasn’t been the best—understatement of the year—but I hope to change it all tomorrow.  I am definitely looking forward to the classes and learning how to take good photos of the kids.

Field Trip!

I am so excited (and a little jealous) for Kelli and Carter today.  Kelli is going with Carter on his year-end Field Trip.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t get off today and will be working instead.  Carter’s field trip is some where in Gainesville; he doesn’t know and doesn’t care, he is just excited to see his friends.  Carter is looking forward to seeing all of his friends and teachers after spending the past week and a half at home with just Kelli and Campbell; I think he is ready for some boy time after spending all day with two girls.  

Kelli will take lots of pictures and I will post some here on the blog.