Fatherhood For Dummies - The Review

When we pulled into the plaza I suddenly had this sinking feeling that this might be a "Teen Dads" thing and we'd be 100 years older than anyone else in the room.

We weren't.

The room slowly filled with couples in our age group, most due around the same time (end of June). The night began with the 3 ladies who run the event explaining to us what a doula is and why everyone should have one.

We then went around the room, and the men introduced their partner and read their "affirmation" (read: cheesy inspirational saying) and share what your affirmation meant to you. Most of the men seemed to be a little skeptical of the awkward, share-your-feelings start to the night.

Once everyone was sufficiently introduced, three fathers (the doulas brought in) shared their stories. I felt like we were at one of those bait-and-switch, free weekend if you listen to our time-share pitch events. The fathers shared about how much easier the labour/delivery was with a doula, and how much better their doula-delivered kids are.

Next we broke up into groups (fathers and mothers) and took 20 minutes to make a list of things we'll need for the labour/delivery/aftermath. This part of the night was very useful. I now have an extensive list of things I need to pack for our stay at RVH. Once our 20 minutes was up we re-convened and compared lists. The guys' list was more practical, while the ladies' list included more abstract things like "patience", "support" and "listening ears".

Once we completed the practical part of the evening, we moved on to a list of encouraging things you can say to your wife during those times she wants to rip your face off. Classic lines every wife wants to hear... like "Ride the wave, it'll only take you higher." and "It's pain for a purpose. You are giving life to your baby." The goofy lines, combined with the easy listening Delilah-esque delivery, was almost more than I could handle. I had a hard time containing my laughter. I felt like it was a Saturday Night Live sketch, or maybe some hidden camera gag for Just For Laughs.

Despite the cult-ish feel of the night, I did take away some practical information. I feel like I have a better grasp on what the delivery process will be like, and what to pack for the hospital.

Would I do it again? Probably. My stress/anxiety level when thinking about the labour has decreased, so I think I'd do it again. I mean, what do you expect for free?

Fatherhood For Dummies

Tonight we travel to Newmarket for a "Daddy-to-be" class at the Newmarket Pregnancy Centre. I figure I can use all the help I can get, so Crystal and I head to York Region to try and glean as much information as we can.

Look for a post tomorrow recapping the experience.

Angry Birthday Birds

Cake boss eat your heart out!

A playable Angry Birds birthday cake!

Quick Hit

It's Family Day, and because you've got the day off it's a short post.

Quote from Rework:
“When you stick with your current customers come hell or high water, you wind up cutting yourself off from new ones. Your product or service becomes so tailored to your current customers that it stops appealing to fresh blood. And that’s how your company starts to die.”

So what are you doing to attract new people to your business/church/ministry that might tick off your existing customer?

Meet Baby Martin

Valentines

Valentines Day.

Chocolates, flowers, sappy greeting cards, and a celebration of having someone to journey through life with.

It wasn't always like that. Here's the real story of Valentines Day, courtesy of Relevant Magazine.

Castles In The Sky

There's a commercial on tv for a frozen pizza that says: "If there's one thing men like more than their two favourite things, it's a third thing made of those things."

That's how I would describe the latest film from Taylor Steele. I love travel, film, surfing and surf culture. Combine all these things into one and I'm hooked.



Maybe a Valentine's gift?

Are guys supposed to get gifts on Valentine's Day?

What Makes You Tick?

Last night I had the opportunity to attend my first MTR meeting at Connexus. MTR is a group of leaders from each ministry (students, children, tech, etc) who get together once each quarter and act as a sort of sounding board for the church leadership.

Connexus has a simple mission: "To create a church that unchurched people love to attend." I think that's why I love serving at Connexus.

I think it comes down to what makes you tick. Some people love going deep into scripture and stuidying with other people who have been believers for much of their lives. Others love to debate and discuss various aspects of the Christian life.

I love the excitement and enthusiasm of people who are experiencing God for the first time, or the first time in a long time. They don't know all the "rules" that are suddenly put in place once you say the sinner's prayer. They are rough around the edges. Their faith is a little more raw.

It's messy.

It's passionate.

It's awesome!

I got home late last night and even though I was so very tired, I couldn't sleep because I was so excited for what the next couple of months holds for the Connexus community. I don't want to give anything away, but I think we're on the brink of something HUGE!

I'm so glad/fortunate/stoked to be a part of what God is doing at Connexus. I love my church!

So... (your turn). What makes you tick?

Superbowl Entertainment

The Superbowl is one of the events that is watched by everyone. Even non-sports fans tune in to the big game, partly because of the commercials.

While we get a lot of the same lame commercials we've seen for the past 6 months, US viewers get some wildly creative ads that are (in a lot of cases) more entertaining than the game itself.

Thanks to the internet, you can watch all the commercials HERE.

This ad for VW was my favourite.

Random Friday Ramblings

- I'm liking the new Brandon Heath album. Leaving Eden is a quality album. Too bad it's not available in the iTunes Canada store.

- I had the chance to put together some videos this week. (Go to a Letters To God showing and you might see some of them.) I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to developing more video content.

- I kind of want to see the Bieber movie.

- I'm kind of excited to see my parents tomorrow. We haven't seen them since Christmas.

- Looks like the Dallas Stars are finally being bitten by the injury bug.

- SuperBowl is Sunday in Dallas, if they can dig out of the ice.

- We're switching to Bell TV, much cheaper than Rogers.

- I wish we got HalogenTV in Canada.

- Departures is still my favourite tv show.

- Sometimes I'm excited about becoming a father, sometimes it scares the crap out of me. (It changes hourly)

- Next week is halfway through the pregnancy, doesn't feel like it because Crystal is due at the end of June and it feels like summer is so far away.

- I love playing hockey. It's how I make it through winter.

Have a great weekend!

Great Date Experiment

On my show earlier this week I talked about the Great Date Experiment. If it sounds like fun and you'd like to try it out yourself, HERE is the link.

Happy dating!

Leaving Eden

I'm starting to dig this Brandon Heath guy.

I like his new album, and after watching a video like this, he moves up in my musician rankings.

Plus, he's a super fun interview. Totally chill guy.