Give Me More

So I talk to a friend and she tells me she wants more. Well, I am Frank Sinatra and I do things my way! I will take your suggestion and see how I may apply it or not. Tonight I presented a workshop and in my head the question arose. "What will C.J. learn from me?"

I say that because so much of who we are is learned behavior. I would like to think that C.J. will be a risk taker, open minded, one who likes to be challenged, one who values all people, one who is willing to explore and one who looks for the good in people. Hopefully she will learn this from watching her dad and mom.

As I have grown I have learned that children are impressionable. If you teach love they will love, if you teach hate they will hate. My niece was in church while I was preaching and she thought that I said that she did not have to share. She went weeks literally not sharing with anyone simply because her uncle "Rudy" said so. It was not until I was asked my her Pop to correct her that she changed.

The presentation challenged students to step out of their comfort zone and dare to be different. It is my pray that through a solid home foundation and by learning to accept all people for who they are that C.J. will not have a limited zone of comfort. This will make it possible for her to communicate with all people as MLK outlined it in most of his speeches.

As I play beat the clock I have no C.J. updates for today. Shatema did share that she was lifting that head well during belly time but me being away I did not have much interaction with my girl. However as usual she is always on daddy's mind. So with ten minutes to spare I meet the deadline to keep decent chronological order. As I go, remember to pray because prayer changes things.

Usually Shatema edits but she is sleep so their is no telling what is wrong or right grammatically. It is late and my brain is fried.

They Grow Up So Fast

I have to let you all know that my daughter is sleeping through the night. I am proud of that too because it could be much worse. She is getting on schedule with Mommy and Daddy and it is a great thing for us all. We all get to where we need to when we need to be there.

A couple of things about today. I decided that I was going to arrange her marriage now. I contacted some friends that I know who had boys and told them to put in applications. My thought process is this, if I watch now and groom the young fella by the time she finishes her doctorate degree he will be ready. Straight through and she will be done by 30. I mentioned it to a few women...they laughed, the guys understood my feelings. I just want to rid myself of the whole dating era she will go through. She can date my approved boy and call it a career.

I also bought her a cell phone. Not a real one, sillies. It does flip open and make sounds but she can't call anyone on it. The phone is cute though even has a little mirror on it so she can see herself. This is just one of those toys that a daddy buys to help with development. At this age if a toy is not educational I do not want it. Mommy thought I was nuts but I like getting C.J. little things here and there...ok all the time...LOL!

Man I can not believe it has been two months and counting already. C.J. is getting so big and doing new things all the time. Someone said today, that soon it will be PreK, then Prom, then college! I said aaahhhhhhhhh! This is all coming too fast. That is why I must live day by day and try not to think about C.J. growing up because if I do, I will Peter Pan her and keep her little forever. Just playing, really I just want to make sure I am there every step of the way to usher her into each new milestone in life. Today kids grow up so fast, even my little nephew and niece are both in school and it seems like just yesterday that they were born.

So as I go to watch C.J. grow while sleeping, you all remember to pray as always because prayer changes things.

Being a Daddy Is So Underrated!

Ok, so I get off work, hit smooth traffic (due to the fact that no one but me had to work today), get to the babysitter in record time and I am home by 5:00pm. Now I was supposed to prepare for two presentations that I have later this week, but when you are a new daddy, only one thing can stop all of that. For this Daddy it is his darling C.J.!

So we get home and Daddy prepares dinner. Next, C.J. was up so I turned on the music for her to listen to. I mean you had to see her little feet moving and her arms jerking to the beat. There was some Earth Wind and Fire, Jagged Edge, Stevie Wonder and then one of Daddy's favorites, Al Green. She was moving so much to "Love and Happiness" I decided to hold her hands (while she was in her rocker) and dance with her. C.J. and Daddy were two stepping nicely, if I do say so myself. She smiles and giggled, I smiled and kept up with the beat. What man would not enjoy that moment? I was speaking to one of my kids (the ones I take care of on the job) and I expressed to her that they were my training for C.J. in the future. She said I was a great dad. Well, I believe great kids make great dads and C.J. is already great! I enjoy every moment around her, even the moments I wish we were both asleep. So the time well spent with C.J. means I will be up all night, but who cares? Dancing and singing with her is more important than anything else I could have been doing. If I do not do it she will begin dancing and singing stuff she does not need to with someone else.

I enjoy doing things with C.J. I even got her dressed in the morning to look all pretty. I like seeing her smile when she is all bundled up and ready to go. She looks cute as ever with the different clothing hook-ups, and I guess Daddy being a clothes fiend doesn't help either. I just take pride in how I look and C.J. will learn to as well. I just have to work on her not being conceited.

So this daddy thing is really underrated. I do not think some guys know what they are missing in not being a part of their children's lives. I mean they miss the twinkle in an eyes, the smile on a face when they see you, and my favorite, the sigh of comfort when you hold them in your arms. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. So fellas, my gem to you is, get involved. If your lady is acting up, fight to get involved. Time spent with your child or children is very rewarding and it costs you nothing. They love you and you should show them that you love them too.

A little tear in the well of the eye as I sign off tonight. As always remember to pray because prayer changes things.

Note to C.J.: Whenever you want to chill with your Daddy, holla! We can do whatever, wherever and whenever. You are priority #1 in Daddy's life. I do work, I do preach, I am involved in many other things, but all you have to do is say the word, and Daddy will make it happen. Daddy is going to make fatherhood the popular thing to do, and no that doesn't mean being someone's baby's daddy. That means cherishing what God has blessed you with and nurturing your child to grow into a beautiful flower.

Today Was A Good Day

As with every Sunday since I have returned to church, I had to leave my ladies this morning. Before I left I prayed and applied the daily kisses to the forehead. C.J. actually slept through the night. This is becoming a habit that I can enjoy, and a happy Daddy means a happy C.J.

So on the ride home, I heard C.J. while I chatted with Mommy on the phone. This little girl of mine will be like her Daddy and have the gift of gab. She actually enjoys hearing herself make sounds, which means she is going to like talking when she is able to formulate words with the sounds she makes. These are good signs that C.J. has the possibility to be the weather woman on Good Day New York.

I must say that when I hear C.J., especially when I am not around, I desire to be close to her quickly so she can chat with her dad. Which makes me begin to think about the future chats we will have. Those about school and sports and the dreaded ones about boys. I cringe inside and out by just thinking of that day. Let me move on quickly from here, lol!

C.J. is responding to sound a lot more too. She is developing those skills that she will need to operate within society on any given day. She is always observant of her surroundings too. Her eyes follow me whenever I am around. She will move those eyes all around a room in response to the slightest crack in the floor, which again, I believe is good.

So with football on all day, C.J. did not watch any. Mommy said not on her watch. I told Mommy that she needed to support me on C.J's. development and she replied, "What development?" I told her, "Her athletic development. The more she sees the more intrigued she becomes." All Mommy could do was laugh! We will have to continue praying for Mommy's sports interest. Folks I will let her decide on what she wants to do but I do want to introduce, just like music, a wide variety of sports to her and then she can choose whether or not she would like to participate.

So as the day comes to an end, it was a good one. Great worship, good weather, good little league sports, the Giants demolished the Raiders and C.J. is cooperating a lot more. I love these kind of days and I love my little C.J.!

Until another day, always remember to pray because prayer changes things.

P.S. It is 9:30pm and C.J is chilling in her little seat. I am so loving her being a big girl!

It's A Family Affair

Everyday will not be filled with excitement or C.J. doing something remarkable. However days like today are so special and fulfilling. Today in our home the main agenda was SLEEP! I mean we all slept until we felt like getting up. Now when I did get up I thought I had screwed myself because I needed a haircut and getting to the barber after 9AM on a Saturday is just plain crazy. However he was late and I ended up being on time. The three hours I spent there, you best believe I nodded a whole lot, but the rest I needed was taken. I returned home and had lunch with Shatema which is always cool. The great thing about it is that C.J. allowed it to occur. She is now sitting in her rockers and bouncers quietly. This allows Mommy and Daddy to eat together, do dishes, laundry, clean the house, shower and other things that come up. I am so proud of my little lady!

Now back to the sleep. After lunch and loading the laundry, Mommy and C.J. went into the bedroom to lay down and go to sleep. Now Mommy fell asleep and then zoned out. C.J., my little princess, realized Daddy was watching football and decided to cheer so I went and got her. I positioned her in my arm and proceeded to watch Arkansas trounce Auburn. We enjoy SEC football because all the teams have the potential to win. As usual, C.J. paid attention and smiled too. I still do not know who her favorite team is, but if she is smart and I know she is, Notre Dame will be the team she cheers for. She can like the Longhorns too if she desires.

We will always enjoy these lazy weekends because they mean that everyone is home. So I guess I need to find C.J. and I matching outfits, so we can watch football in style. I am on that task immediately. Well, C.J. and I need to prepare for the LSU vs. Florida game, so she needs to take a bath and Daddy needs to go get an ice cream sundae. Until tomorrow my friends, always remember to pray because prayer changes things.

P.S., C.J. thank you for allowing your Mommy and Daddy to get things done and to get some rest today. Daddy appreciates it and I know Mommy does too! You're becoming a big girl already.

What A Long Week

I don't usually say this, but TGIF. This was one long week. Getting up at a quarter to five in the morning is something I still have to get used to. However it is what has to be done for everyone to be in place on time. I will have to say that I am pleased with how everything is working out. We are pleased with the sitter and she likes C.J. Shatema is adjusting well, and I have not lost my mind from all the driving I do.

I will admit one thing though, the days seem so long and the nights even longer. We still get in all we need to with C.J. too. Prayer and reading...we do not miss a beat. C.J. is starting to do more and more, too. She likes to roll over as much as she can and she yaps her gums a mile a minute. Pretty soon those magic words will come from her mouth, Daddy! That will be great. It is when the phrase, "Can I have" follows is when we have a problem.

C.J. and I have big plans for tomorrow. Once I get back from the haircut I still need, it will be she and I on the couch watching football all day. This is the first weekend in a very long time that Daddy has no obligation to anyone but home. These are the days I long for because these are the days I get to show C.J. all my attention. Even though any and everything I do directly affects her, she needs to know and understand that Daddy enjoys kicking back with his princess. If no time is made for her now, then no time will be made for me later. My sole purpose with this blog is to be an example of fatherhood, family and a good relationship between a father and daughter. So I have to drop gems as I go along. I must practice what I preach and I preach family. So never will you see me not making time for the little one I have. Her welfare, her well-being and her needs and wants are my first obligation. So if it means missing a meeting, it's missed. If it means being late to work, I am late. If it means me not being able to dress jiggy, then she had better get a job (sike), then I am ragged, because I vow to make sure that C.J. Johnson is well taken care of.

So the week was long but that is OK. A man has to do what a man has to do. Now I am at the end so I am going to finish up and get in the bed for some much needed rest and relaxation. Until tomorrow, remember to pray because prayer changes things.

P.S. C.J. you have been asleep since we picked you up from the sitter. Please make sure you stay asleep tonight too. Come on folks I know it is a long shot but I can hope for it right!

Gem of the Day - A man has to do what a man has to do.

Two Months and Going

We are two months in, good people. Yes it officially was yesterday but you all know I was incoherent last night. Time is flying, no I want to use this one, time is rocket blasting by. I mean C.J. is trying to roll over, holding the head up a little better, exercising the voice box and her reflexes are being perfected every minute. I try not to think about what I miss during the day because I would want to see it all first hand. Maybe I can hand in my resignation letter and get a reality television show offer. You never know, I mean if Flava Flav, Real and Chance and that non talented Tiffany Pollard can get shows, then how about airing the lives of a daddy and his princess. We could be the new age One on One (that just took some of you back...that is the show with Flex and Kyla Pratt).

We went to the doctor's office today. If I have not said it before I will say it now...I absolutely love the fact that his hours work for professional parents. Today was round two of shots and my girl took them both like a champ. She whimpered a little afterwards, and then as usual, cried because she was hungry. She is growing at a good rate and is healthy. Shatema and I were amazed at how well she sat for the doctor. She smiled and wiggled and twisted and almost kicked her vaccines on the floor, lol!

After two months, we are truly a team. Honestly in this house, it probably will be Daddy and C.J. against Mommy. Nothing serious but we will hang and Mommy is going to scold both of us when C.J. is up past her bedtime. We are scolded when C.J. is playing, instead of eating, or when Daddy is acting loud, which she says stimulates her. Hey I just love playing with my kid. Who can blame me, she is such a cutey?

We had a great day today, we were a little tired but C.J. will refresh your day anytime she is around. I love that kid! Welp, until later, always remember to pray because prayer changes things.

Listen C.J. when you read this I want you to know that you were a good little baby up until this point. Mommy and I tried a lot with you and we found the right formula (not milk) that would prepare you to be successful. So when your older and don't want to watch Sid the Science Kid please understand it is only for your professional growth. Love you much!