by Kerry Taylor
Three months ago, my life changed for the better. On April 6th, I became a father. Every emotion that you can experience, I experienced on that day. My main hope is that I am able to be the best father I can be for Adrionna. I hope to teach her many of the lessons I learned in life so she can realize and achieve anything she wants in her life. Needless to say, I am overjoyed with this adventure that I will be on. But, so far, she has been the one that has brought back to the forefront some simple things in life that I think fall to the wayside in our busy lives. Yes, I have learned from a baby. She has taught me some lessons. Three simple ones I think you can also learn and apply to your life more so than you do now.
Lesson 1- Speak up when you want something.
The one thing Adrionna definitely knows how to do is speak up when she wants something. Well, it's not necessarily words, but she definitely lets you know from the top of her lungs that she is ready to eat, her diaper needs to be changed, or she needs a nap. As a baby, she doesn't know any better, she just knows what she wants and asks for it when she does. But, as we get older everything shifts a little bit. We get scared sometimes to ask for what we want. Why is that? I am not sure. What I do know is this- 1. A closed mouth doesn't get fed, 2. The worst someone can say is no, and 3. You'll never know until you ask. Next time you desire something and there is someone that can help you get what you desire, ASK! Babies do, why can't you?
"It's time to feed me!"
Lesson 2- Laugh and smile a lot everyday.
There are times when Adrionna and I are just sitting relaxing and out of the blue, she starts to smile. For no apparent reason at all, well, she knows the reason. But, my point is that we can all smile and laugh more, it's contagious. Every time she smiles, I smile and laugh and it goes back and forth between the two of us. When you smile and laugh, you feel good and when you feel good, good things happen. People are going to be affected by you positively or negatively. If you're going to affect someone, make it be positive.
"Smile or I will knock you out!"
Lesson 3- Progress takes time, be patient.
Three months seem to have flown by. And I see so many changes in Adrionna each day that goes by. When she was born, I was like, "alright, let's go play." Of course, that wasn't going to happen yet, but I wanted it to. Back then, she didn't make any sounds except for her special way of telling us she needs something or her own baby version of the fart game. But, now she is making all types of sounds and noises trying to communicate with everyone. She couldn't hold her head up, but now she is doing her baby push ups and rolling over. Her legs move like crazy, but we haven't mastered the arms and legs together yet, but I am sure she will very soon. I can't wait to see what happens next! Progress happens in time. Whether it's a big step or a little step, it doesn't matter as long as it's going in the right direction and that's all we should care about. We always talk about that 1 extra degree. Give that extra degree of effort to get to where you want to be and you will get there, just be patient.
I am sure there are going to be a ton more lessons I will learn from this little lady in time. I can't wait to share mine with her. Be great and continue to live a life 1 degree above everyone else!
