The Evolving Dad

The Bedtime Challenge

Fri, 4 Jul 2008 07:30:00 -0300

Since our adventures with Jacob climbing out of the crib last week we've upgraded his bed. Taken off one of the railings and replaced it with a simple bar the covers about half the length of crib. It's keeps him from rolling out of bed during the night while allowing him easy access to and from his bed when he's awake. Overall it's been a great success, he loves his 'Big Boy Bed' and the freedom it provides, but that freedom has it's own set of problems. When it comes time for bedtime, if Jacob doesn't want to sleep he gets out of his crib. We've child proofed his door knob so he can leave his room if the doors close, but there are a lot of toys in his room.

Last night was a challenge, he just didn't want to go to bed. The reason was he was over tired. He didn't nap well this afternoon so by the time I got home he was tired and a tired Jacob is a cranky Jacob. So we had a bit of a struggle. I tried to leave him in his room, not engaging him, like we've done quite successfully a number of times since he got his Big Boy Bed. But tonight he would have none of it. So I was left with a couple of choices, I could have laid down on the floor of his room like I did the first couple of nights or I could try and get him to fall asleep in the big bed. I chose the big bed, mostly because I didn't feel like laying on the floor, it took a little while, but he did fall asleep and transfered to his own bed without a problem.

Our problems the last couple of night probably have as much to do with him being sick as with the new bed, hopeful as he recovers from his cold and we get into a good consistent routine for bedtime it will get easier.

Random Pictures from my Phone

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 15:15:50 -0300

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Afternoon at Nana's house

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 21:38:47 -0300

Afternoon at Nana's house, originally uploaded by Johnsonmr.

To celebrate Melissa's birthday and Canadam day we went to Nana's house. It was a hot afternoon so Jacob and a friend cooled down in the pool.

Software I use: Launchy

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:19:20 -0300

When you want to launch a program in windows you have to either use a short cut from either your desktop or the Quick link bar, or you use the start menu. The start menu is useful but if you install a lot of programs it can get quite large and makes it hard to find the one you are looking for. Windows Vista has solved this problem with the start menu search, but if you are still using Windows XP then you need another solution. I have tried a number of solutions some Commercial and others free and the one I like best is Launchy. It's open source and it's simple interface makes it easy to launch any program with just a few key strokes. If you don't like scrolling through long lists of programs then this a program you should try.

Day at the Farm

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:58:41 -0300

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Software I use: Digsby

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:48:12 -0300

Instant messaging is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, the problem is everyone has there favourite service. There are a ton to choose from and once you get your group of friends on one it's hard to switch. I have friends on MSN, Yahoo, and GTalk. So instead of running three different clients I run one that can connect to all three services. That client is Digsby, though it's still in beta it has features that my old multi-protocol client Pidgin (formerly called GAIM) doesn't. Things like integration with Facebook and Twitter.

When I read a review of Digsby, then in early private beta, I thought I should give it a try. So using the code that was included with the review, I signed up and downloaded a copy. The program has a clean interface that is easy to use. It was quick to add all my different IM and Social network accounts and get right to using it. Early on two features really stood out, first was that it would synchronize across multiple computers. If I added a contact or even changed the theme it would be there the next time I logged in on my other computer. This Continuity is something I always wanted in Pidgin. The second was the widget, The ability to place a chat window on my blog so that anyone who visits my blogs can chat with me seemed neat. To be fare nobody has really used it, but I thought that it was cool.

Of course being a beta it's not perfect, the Memory footprint is pretty big, and there have been a number of bugs over the months that I've been using it, most of which are promptly fixed. What really stands out is how many features they have added, things like Twitter support and Facebook Chat just making more useful then ever. So though it's a bit of a memory hog now, I know that it will get better.

The only concern I have with it is how is it going to make money, with Pidgen I new that it was a lienced under the GPL and would always be free, but with Digsby I'm not sure. I don't see a business model for them to keep providing such a great program with out some form of revenue. Clearly they are in the build a following mode, I worry about when they go to a make money mode. I left one multi-protocol IM client when they went free only to a lite and pro version. I hope that I don't have to stop using Digsby for the same reason.

Time for a big boy bed?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:35 -0300

Over the last few days Jacob has told us it was time for a big boy bed. He has not done it in words but in actions. It started a couple days ago when Melissa went to get him out pf his crib and was startled by him walking toward her. It continued the next morning when he came into our bed room saying 'get up mommy'. Though we haven't seen how he's doing it we know that he wakes up amuses himself in his bed. then once he's thrown everything out of his be. Including his diaper he tries to climb out. Simple. clearly the Climbing out wasn't that easy other wise he would do it before stripping. Well this morning climbing became his first choice. At quarter to 6 yesterday morning he climbed to the bed and said 'get up mama. get up Dada' as wake ups goes it's effective.

So now we've got to decide what to do about his bed. The last couple night I tried to put him to bed with out the side of the crib. he loved it. but not as a bed. It was a new toy in his bedroom. He would climb up. giggle. lie down sit up. anything but go to sleep. In the end I gave up and the side went back on. with the intent of taking it off while he slept. but I worry about him rolling off the bed so until I get some sort of barrier I think we'll leave it on. So now I either have to find something to add to his crib, or get a whole new bed. We've been hoping that he could stay in the crib till we get a larger place. We'll see how the next couple of days go. He did stay in his crib this morning, let's see how the weekend goes.

A Day out

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:30:00 -0300

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Software I Use: Firefox

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:30:00 -0300

I've been planning to start writing about different programs I use for a while, and today just seemed like a good day to start. The program I'm righting about today is Firefox. More Specifically the latest version 3.0 which is scheduled to be released tomorrow. For years I've been telling everyone I know to use Firefox as it was/is the best browser out there for windows. So when I found out that they were trying to set the world record for most downloads in 24 hours I thought it was time to do a write up and to encourage my readers to help set the record.

I've been using Firefox 3.0 from the time it was in Alpha, and there are a number of enhancements that make it a must upgrade if you already use Firefox, and a more compelling choice if you don't. The single biggest change apart from the stability and memory improvements, is Places the new system for handling Bookmarks and History. To access the power of Places the Address bar now allows you to just type a word and it searches through your Bookmarks and History automatically presenting you a list of sites that contains it. This makes finding places you've been or bookmarked much more intuitive. No more scrolling through Menus just type the title of the site and it appears.

It is also simpler to install add-ins, with recommended add-ins being listed right in the Add-ins interface. Making it quick and easy for any user to discover some of the great enhancements written by the community. I'll be highlighting a few of my favorite add-ins in the coming weeks.

Some additional features include the ability to pause and resume downloads with the improved download manager. Better support for web standards like CSS. Improved Font and text rendering and a new zoom feature that remembers your settings for site between sessions. Plus some other goodies for Extension developers.

A very worth while update, so don't forget to go download it on the 17th.

Second birthday

Mon, 9 Jun 2008 22:53:25 -0300

Today is Jacobs second birthday. seems so unreal. I can't fathom where the time has gone. I still remember the first time it clicked that I was a father, It doesn't feel like It's been 2 years. Standing in the NICU going over the x-rays of his chest with the doctor. In that moment more then any before I new that I was a father. That there was a little guy in this world that would look to me for protection. guidance and love. It was seemed so surreal at the time... even looking back on it now it's so clear in my mind. Enough about the first moments of his life, let's get on with how we celebrated his Second birthday.

On the weekend we celebrated with family and friends. We had a BBQ in Melissa's moms backyard. Except for the record breaking heat the weather was perfect. I hope every one had a good time. Here are some pictures from the day.

Not only the kids found relief in the pool

And of course there was the cake

and Presents

Tonight it was just the three of us. Melissa made Spaghetti, one of Jacob's all time favourites, and we played with his new toys. It was a nice family evening. As I write this my little family is sleeping, and I thinking back of the last few years I realize how lucky I am.