Shout Out

Like many, I have a blog roll on the side of my blog.  To be honest, I added it to make it easier for me to follow all of my friend's blogs.  And, while I know some of my friends and family check out the other blogs listed, I'm sure most don't pay much attention.  But, today I am listing a podcast that you should definitely follow. . .

I have to admit, as technically savvy as I like to think I am, I am not.  We joined Netflix 30 days before they raised their rates and separated the streaming service from mail-in.  I figured out what Pandora was about three months ago (although, arguably, I probably don't know how to use it effectively).  I am not on Twitter.  I don't regularly look for and download apps.  Hell, I have tagged 76 songs with "Shazam", many of which I intend to download, but still haven't.  I know of podcasts, only because I was looking for ways to upload audio to Blogger one day and "get an account for a podcast" came up as the general solution.  I quit shortly thereafter because reading about how to start a podcast seemed too much for my overworked, overtired brain.

That said, my friend, Matt Owens, and his brothers, John and Mark, started a podcast entitled EngineeringFatherhood.  And, when Matt updated his Facebook status to say "The three Owens brothers have started a podcast about fatherhood. The latest episode is about our adventures in potty training our kids. Check it out if you get a chance."

Well, he had me at "potty training".  If you've read my post a few months ago (see I Missed My Calling In Life) or heard me argue with Hannah that "big girls pee in the potty", you know that I am willing to try ANYTHING to reduce our reliance on Pull-Ups.  Armed with my iPhone 4, I easily downloaded episode 4.  And, low and behold, what I found was a very entertaining, hour-long radio show. 

Okay, I know, you can't call it a "radio show" because it's not on the radio.  But, I don't know how else to describe it. EngineeringFatherhood reminds me of Garrison Keillor crossed with Cheers.  It's three brothers talking about anything/everything over a beer.  It's scripted in that they have a topic (or three, thanks to their new "random topic" format), but the comments are unscripted, uncensored, and very entertaining.  Okay, maybe it's more like Cheers.  But John's soft spoken, laid back attitude and Matt's insistence on playing folksie music for the intro does remind me of listening to Garrison Keillor with my mom as a kid. 

All in all, I highly recommend the EngineeringFatherhood podcast.  If you are on iTunes, you can search and download it for free.  Or, you can listen by going to their website by clicking here. 

I hope for the sake of Matt, Mark, and John, my little-read blog increases the number of listeners above 10. 

Love, The Trahans

Parents Say the Darndest Things

Typically, my blog posts are littered with entertaining comments that my kids say.  Tonight's post is a little different. . .

Lately, Hannah has not been sleeping well.  She claims to be afraid of the dark.  But, I think it is safe to say that she is afraid of being alone.  You could put her to bed in her room with all the lights on and she will still wake up.  I know this to be true, because I changed the bulb in her night light to a 40 watt bulb, up from 15 watts.  And, when she does, she won't go back to sleep in her own bed.  Even if you succeed in getting her back to sleep in it, she will wake up again.  Bring her into a bedroom with other people?  Miraculously, she can sleep without any lights on.

In desperation, I let her sleep in Mikie's lower bunk.  Long term, I know this is not a solution.  Mikie is 7 and I'm sure he will soon be sick of having a roommate.  But, until we can make Hannah's room cool enough to overcome whatever phobia she has, it has been one big sleepover in Mikie's room.

While cohabiting makes the bedtime routine much more streamlined, Hannah has figured out a new way to prolong putting her head on the pillow.  The drink of water.  You could give her a drink of water one minute, and, the minute you put your hand on the doorknob to leave, she is insistent that she needs another drink.

This evening was no different.  However, after a long day at work, my patience was a lot thinner.  By the third request, Hannah received a Dixie Cup with the caveat, "I don't care if you die of thirst, this is the LAST cup of water you are getting tonight."  To which she responded with one of her famous, "O-kay", like I am the most unreasonable person on the planet earth.

I reached the door, I turned, told them both "Goodnight", "I love you" and "Get a good night's sleep" as per my usual routine.  As I walked back down the stairs, Mike laughed saying, "I don't care if you die of thirst?  I love you? Nice mother."  

Clearly, the nun's who threatened me with starving kids in third world countries had a big impact on me. . . 

Love, The Trahans