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Fatherhood Chronicles: Part 5 -Buttons-

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The Devil, Hitler, The Person who thought it was a good idea to put buttons on onsies. At 4:20am, the time I am writing this, I’m not sure who #1 should be on that list....... I’ll make this short and sweet today. Buttons on onsies could be one of the single worst things ever created, hands down. I was given this advice before Rocco was born. Now I am passing it off to any couples expecting a child. When you’re all excited and buying baby clothes along with cute little onsies. If you pick something up and it has close to 1000 buttons on it. Just put it down. Walk away. The cute little dinasour or animal on it is not worth it. Go find anything and everything that has a zipper. At 3am when your child is screaming and you’re moving as fast as you can. Zippers are King.  You can thank me latter.  Rocco - 3 Brandon - 2 

Fatherhood Chronicles: Part 4 -Bath Time-

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Today was BATH DAY! (that’s how excited I have to get when I am talking to Rocco regarding Bath Time). Usually Bath Time is around 7. Then he enjoys a delicious bottle. Then it’s bedtime. Today Rocco had other plans for me. At around d 3p Rocco starts crying as he awoke from his slumber. I picked him up and started to change him. Rocco is laying on the changing table, he looks up at me, gives me that Infamous smirk, and starts to  pee. Everywhere. All over himself, the wall, the changing table, and me. This incident probably lasted about 5-6 seconds but as it was happening it felt like forever. You know In Action movies when a sidekick dives in front of a bullet or an object that is heading right towards their friend? That is what it felt like for me when I was trying to protect Roccos face from his incoming pee.  After that fun filled diaper change I decide Bath Time would be now.  In our loft we do not have a bathtub. We use a baby tub that sits in the sink. It’s actually pretty conv

Fatherhood Chronicles: Part 3 -Leaving the House-

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As I spend more time with Rocco I am realizing how easy tasks become harder than usual.  Leaving the house, BR (Before Rocco) all I needed was keys and wallet. Leave whenever I wanted and put off getting up and getting ready. AR (After Rocco) I have make sure I give my self enough time not just for me but to get him ready and make sure I am not forgetting anything. The clock starts about an hour before I have to leave.  Rule #1 is real easy. -Don’t forget the baby-. I have that mastered.  It’s everything else I need. I seem to always forget something. There is so much you need just to go to the grocery store.  -An extra pair of clothes for when he spits up/throw up. Or the always fun “blow outs” -diapers -bottles -blanket  -A shirt for me incase any of the above gets on me. -Wipes -burp rag -bibs -pacifier -back up pacifier -back up to the back up pacifier  (If you lose the burp rag just look on your shoulder)  That is just for a quick stop. If we’re going for a long period of time lik

Fatherhood Chronicles: Part 1

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My 14 day -Mr. Dad- began at dusk today. While Elizabeth begins her life back at work I am tasked with staying home with Rocco. 4am rolled around and I was awaken by the slight roar of a child in need of a change and food. Preparing a bottle is a lot like a pit crew In NASCAR. If I don’t work fast enough I will lose the race. Good thing for me, this race will last at least 18yrs and I don’t want to disappoint him already.  After the bottle it was back down for hopefully 4 more hours of sleep. I was able to get 3. I will take it.  As Elizabeth kissed us goodbye I knew the next 9 hours would be won in the trenches. The trenches today consisted of entertainment. I laid out the ground work for a fun filled day of play chair to play mat. I also Sprinkled in a little tummy time and a nap. I knew if the game plan was kept this would be a victory for me.  Rocco and I bounced around and when all the routines were done......it was 1230p....... I discovered a high pitch voice that se

Fatherhood Chronicles: Part 2-Naps-

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Naps. Something I thought going into this was a given. Babies nap. That’s just what they do. At 3months, which Rocco is, all they do is eat, poop/pee, and sleep. Well lucky for Eizabeth and I we created the only newborn that doesn’t want or like sleep. In saying that he sleeps really well at night. He will go to bed at 8pm and only wake up once to eat, but as soon as 7am rolls around he is up all day.  Rocco will take cat naps. Two to three 10-15 minute naps. That’s about it. Now, a 3month old who doesn’t take a nap, entertaining them for 9 hours is tough, but trying to get him to sleep when he doesn’t want to is a battle that goes 12 rounds every day with the judges giving the unanimous decision to Rocco every time.  I honestly think he does it on purpose. We will be sitting in the chair, he’s eyes are about to close. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Then. Bam. Roccos eyes are wide open and he gives me a smile. Now, not a happy smile. It’s more of a “smirk”.

Stay Safe. Stay Sane. - Siclari

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A photo of me looking to go out on a Friday night during COVID-19. We're all this guy right now. First off. I hope everyone is doing well during these times. Not only with staying safe, but staying sane. My family is doing really well at the staying safe part.  Its the sane part that I am struggling with. 2020. You started out so well. Seven days in you gave me my son Rocco and things were looking upward. Then it all went to shit. Not with Rocco just with everything that is going on. Instead of taking Rocco out in to the world we are showing him around our 1200sq foot loft with no yard and only 3 small windows that will open. COVID-19 has taken over 2020. Lets go back to Jan, the last time you heard from me. I can let everyone know that Brandon Siclari has kept a human being alive and well for 3 months now. Whoever bet under 3 months, I will be awaiting your apology. Social Distancing has gone OK for me. I will be the first one to tell you that I am not one of these &q

My 1st Week - Fatherhood / By: Siclari

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Yes. That below picture is me. Right after the Bills playoff game. You're probably thinking there is no way that guy could be a father. Fast forward 2 days. . . . . Early Tuesday Morning at 12:30 am after an exhilarating premier of The Bachelor (Go Madison!) Elizabeth tells me its time to go to the hospital. Baby Rocco decided to come into the world on his own terms. It has been a week now and I have learned a lot. Not about what I am supposed to do (I'm just winging it right now) but I learned some odd ball things that I really didn't notice until now. First off. It amazes me that dog parents have to go through a background check and a house visit before they can have the dog. All I needed was a car seat. They cut off his wristband and we were on our way. You don't even need a car or reliable transportation. Some lady was let go before us because she needed a ride and it was coming at a certain time. You could live under a bridge for all they know. All you need i