Our president made CHANGE the center of his campaign. I have talked about it much lately, too. It is an inevitable thing. We cannot avoid it. Change comes to us all in many forms and many connotations. In less than two weeks I will embark on yet another change in my life. I’ve seen numerous changes to my life in the last two years, and perhaps the best has been the addition of Jacob into it. He is an absolute joyful son and each day with him has been a blessing.

Now the hard part is coming….letting go a bit. In September I go back to work full time and Jacob will be enrolled in nursery school three mornings a week. The rest of the time he will be with my amazing mother and another fantastic woman, Valerie, a mother of four boys, all grown. Of course, my mother-in-law will help plenty, as well. She is terrific and Jacob loves both his grandmothers so much. This was the best we could do for the first five months of the school year. Bridget and I wanted to ease the little man into school and also allow him to keep his nap schedule. Again we are lucky to have great support - even if we have to pay for some of it.

CHANGE is upon us all in many good ways, but I know I will feel a huge pang of sadness at letting go of the best two years of fatherhood - staying home with Jacob. I have bonded with my son and he has done the same with me, but I somehow feel he will be more resilient. Ironic, isn’t it? He’s two and a half and I am thirty one, but he is better equipped at letting go. How did that happen?

The newest and best news I have to offer is that Bridget and I are expecting again. Yes, it’s true and you can feel free to send a congratulations our way if you feel inclined. That CHANGE will be here in February. Until then, Jacob will be telling all who will listen, “I’m going to be a big brother.”

Resist. Multiply. Accept CHANGE because what is the alternative?

I recently read this article about Obama’s view of what a father is and should be. Click here to read it for yourself. As we approach Father’s Day remember it is probably still one of the most important jobs in America - especially when the economy is bad.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dads and dads to be!

Resist. Multiply. Spend half the money and twice the time with your child(ren).

I discovered a copy of an awesome book entitled, “Rhinoceros Tap” in our home bookshelf tonight. It is a great story to read to your toddler because there is a fun CD that comes with it. There are 15 songs that go along with the story and I found it especially entertaining for me and for Jacob. He was dancing and bopping his head to the music. I highly recommend it.

The book also has a second section with sheet music and the full lyrics - so talented people like Bridget can play the piano and sing the songs to Jacob the Dancing Warrior.

Listen to the songs here.

Resist. Multiply. Buy this book!

So this morning I gave Jacob a bath. This has become a daily necessity since he gets so sweaty the day before while playing in the warm soon-to-be summer sun. Today he struck me as particularly smart when he said, “Look, Daddy, I swim like a fish!” Sure enough, he was laying on his stomach, kicking his legs like a little swimmer.

Then he proceeded to drink the dirty bath water in the tub and all thoughts of genius were erased. Yikes!

Nevertheless, Jacob continues to amaze me with how expressive his language is getting. I read somewhere recently that the more we encourage him to speak, the more we actually speak to him and explain the world around him, and the more we introduce new words to him, the more he will gain language and understanding of his surroundings. It is an awesome thing to be a part of. I feel a certain parental pride when he speaks and speaks well. To me, it is a huge milestone and one I am happy to witness daily.

Interestingly enough, I am probably the second quietest Prescott in my immediate family (my mother being the first), and I always knew that there was a chance that he would be a talker - much like my father and brother. Hopefully he will learn to filter his speaking, as my father has not yet mastered this ability at 63 years young. Oh well, as I said before he is the best and worst of me. I only pray that Jacob is the best of me in this arena. Sometimes silence is the preferred mode.

For now, I will sit back and listen to everything the little warrior has to say to Bridget and myself. He is quite the talker in and out of the tub. Now if I could only get him to stop drinking the bath water!

Resist. Multiply. Don’t drink the bath water.

I am a lucky son-in-law. My in-laws own a beach property in Long Beach Island. As a result, Bridget, Jacob and I have many trips down the shore. Bridget’s parents are terrificly wonderful people. I love them like my own parents and Jacob is so lucky to spend quality time with them in the summer months. 

Here’s to spending time with family in a beautiful climate with plenty of positive things happening around us. I look forward to more and more Prescott children basking in the warm summer glow of endless beaches and ocean views.

Here is a recent shot from our Memorial Day visit. Look at that sky. Breathtaking and in New Jersey. Who would have thought it?

Resist. Multiply. Enjoy the sand.

I am alive a short thirty one years and I have come to learn some important, crucial lessons in the that time. I am more observant of these lessons lately. Maybe it has everything to do with the changes in my life over that last two years. Maybe it has to do with more time spent with my father and son over that span of time. Maybe it even has to do with the constant examining, and reexamining of my role in Bridget’s life, in my family’s life, and how I view myself. I am not my jeans or my Manchester United tee shirt. I am not the facial hair on my face that is not completely clean-shaven, but not completely dirty either. I am not the 7 o’clock bedtime we have set for Jacob, or the 6:30 wake up call he sets for us the next morning. I am so much more than that and I know it. The world views me the way I view the world. I guess. I hope. 

The truth is I have come to learn one thing in all this time with a great deal of certainty. I am the best and the worst of my own father. What I mean by this is actually quite simple and not at all deep by any means. DNA is inescapable. It makes us who we are. It defines so much of us before we are even who we know as “us”. The more time I spend with my own father (the amazing 80’s Dad) the more I realize in many respects I am just like him. Sure I hope that I am also a better model in some ways, but the best parts of him are also me, too. I want to keep those parts and I can only hope that Jacob will keep those parts of me, as well. That needs to be repeated - an example for each generation of Prescott man to replicate. The worst parts are probably there, too. I have worked hard to lessen their severity, however. I am almost exactly half the age of my father and with that comes a greater ability to change. When you are 63 years old - so easy it is not. (Yoda)

The point (maybe): Regardless, I am more aware of the fact that my father was my first teacher. He showed me how to be a man. The version of the man I am today has plenty to do with how he taught me - in actions and deeds, in successes and mistakes, in happy times and sad ones. Jacob is already learning these lessons from me. 

With Father’s Day coming up think about your dad and the influence (good or bad) he may have had on you. I am lucky I have a father who is terrific. He is always there for me and a big reason why I am hopefully going to be a great father, too. 

I hope this post makes sense. I hope you read it and reread it and pass it along to others. I hope I am not being too presumptuous. If I am…..well…oh well. I had good intentions. I guess I get that from my father, too.

Resist. Multiply. Enjoy this funny picture of Jacob and Bridget’s foot. That’s my DNA, son!

This is the last official month of my two year tour of duty taking care of Jacob and being dubbed the primary caregiver. I am trying my best to enjoy each moment, but it is hard to realize that a situation that I have come to know and love is coming to an end. Like I have said in past posts, everything must come to an end.

Easier said than done.

With change comes uncertainty and maybe even a little nervousness. Though I am excited for the future - for the prospect of greater independence and social maturity for Jacob - I remain a little sad that I will not be there for every moment. I guess that is reality. That’s the natural order of things. I will have three months of painting to come to terms with it.

Side note: Recently, Jacob has really developed a great sense of communication with Bridget and myself. He is talking so much and expressing so much lately. It’s pretty rad. I am happy that he is so expressive and that he understands even more when he is spoken to by either Bridget or myself.

Additional Side Note: Last weekend Bridget and I threw an awesome party in our backyard. We had plenty of food, drinks, and good music for our guests to enjoy. The forecast was bad, however. Earlier in the day I asked two of my buddies to come by and help me put up a tarp to ensure that wet weather would not ruin the festivities. Jacob had a ball running around the backyard while we managed to hook up this tarp.  It did rain, and the crew that remained latest stayed dry under our tarp. Good times. (Flip cup - a popular college game - was a main attraction and a trip down memory lane for many of us.) Only one casualty of the party - the back steps broke under the weight of one of my buddies. They had rotted and have since been replaced by a competent handy man my father is friends with. Jacob thought he was a real life “Handy Manny”.

Back on track: Life is short and it is important to cherish the good times. I plan to have some more friends over this whole summer and enjoy the company that they bring. I plan to enjoy my son and my current situation as long as I can. I will always be his father and he will always be my son, but that dynamic is an ever-changing one. That’s cool with me.

Resist. Multiply. Play some flip cup.

I am sure that the United faithful are very, very disappointed tonight. Even if the team won several trophies this season - including the Premier League title - there is not much that can be said for a loss in the Champions’ League Final in Rome. Red Devils expect to win every title match. A loss is a missed opportunity for glory.

I sat on my couch this afternoon (after a long day painting a fire escape off of a 32 foot ladder) watching my favorite European football squad try their best to defeat a Barcelona team that looked ready to wipe the floor with United blood. Ten minutes in there was a goal and it was not by Ronaldo, Giggs, or Rooney. Instead it was Barcelona glory that was being celebrated. No worries, right? There were still 80 minutes of the beautiful game to be played. 

At around the 70th minute Jacob started to stir from his slumber. His mid afternoon siesta was ending and so were United’s chances to score an equalizer. Jacob woke with a fury just as Leo Messi scored off a beautiful header that sealed the victory for Barcelona. I calmed the little man in his crib while Manchester tried their best to attack, but they continually got shot down by the strong passing and defense of their opponents.

As Jacob and I sat and watched the closing minutes of a spectacular season, I could not help but think back to all the good things that have happened this past year. Sure Manchester United did not bring home two of the five total awards they had hoped to garner this year. Life is like that. You can set goals, but not always achieve them. A wiser man once told me you cannot reach a goal if you do not set one to aspire towards. The reality is that as hard as we may work (or play in this case) we can’t always win all the time. We can only try to win every time. I don’t believe in the old saying “It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it only matters if you have fun.” What is the point of playing if you don’t strive to win? Winning is not everything, but it is the most fun. Losing sucks.

Back on point: I consider myself a winner because I got to stay at home with Jacob for a full two years. I did not lose my mind, I got to feel vital and appreciated by my wife and son, I got to experience many firsts, I bonded with the warrior, and I hopefully taught him a thing or two. Life is too short to not try your best to be a winner in all your actions and deeds. Striving for excellence is not a sometimes type of thing. It becomes habitual and it is something you can pass to your children. I know that Jacob will be a winner, too. His mother is tough as nails, and his father got to be there for the formative years. Neither of us have a losing mentality. 

Back to our favorite team: So United lost today. Tomorrow they will wake up and start training for another championship. That’s just what champions do. They may be sad for a few hours, but they live to fight another day. We should all learn from that example.

Resist. Multiply. Play to win.

Fire trucks and boys. What could be better? It is weird how little boys and perhaps grown men gravitate towards them.  I watch RESCUE ME to fulfill my fire truck appetite. As a boy I wanted to ride on one so badly. I would beg my parents to take me to the local fire station but it didn’t happen for me until I was in first grade and the Easter Bunny visited school on a fire truck. I got onboard and I swear it was like heaven on earth for a few fleeting seconds. I even wore a fire hat that day and I remember the Easter Bunny smiling at me - as if to say, I’m with you brother - that’s why I took this job. 

There is nothing funny or lighthearted about being a fire fighter, however. That job is way dangerous and the men and women who do it are flat out heros. I respect them and what they have done. 911 aside, they have made remarkable attempts to save life and we often do not recognize their efforts enough. 

Back on track:

Recently I took Jacob to a local toddler museum in northern New Jersey. My mother was the one who prompted the visit. She came along and told me that Jacob would really “remember” this trip. I had no idea why, but I humored her. She’s my mother and Jacob’s grandmother and I have learned that whatever she says goes. Call it being smart on my part. The same is true for my mother-in-law, Jacob’s other grandma. Whatever she says goes, too. It’s the best way to survive. Of course, Bridget is the only one who has the power to override whatever my mother or mother-in-law says. Don’t tell her I said that. Okay?

So we entered the museum and Jacob was ready to explore. There were dinosaurs, trains, helicopters, cars, horses, all kinds of animals, space shuttles, bull dozers, etc. After some smiles and laughs we came across the fire truck. Jacob quivered with excitement. His face lit up. He shouted, “Look daddy, a fire truck!” I helped him up and he sat alone in the chair as I snapped this picture.

I think his face says it all. Little boys love their fire trucks. What a great day for the warrior.

Resist. Multiply. Remember your childhood.

Keep in mind this is only a beginning for a possible book about my experience staying home with Jacob the last two years. I am not even sure about it yet….oh what the hell….read it and let me know that you think.

In April of 2007 my life changed yet again for the better.  Besides getting married some four and half years ago to a terrific woman, the birth of my son is the next best thing to ever happen to me.  The adventure all began with a conversation in bed in May of 2006.  My wife, Bridget turned to me and said, “Let’s make a baby.”  Knowing that this would ultimately mean increased amounts of intimacy I thought it sounded like an awesome idea. Typical guy thing to say, right?

Seriously, I did not just think about the constant stream of sex that always accompanies the whole “trying to get pregnant” experience.  I really wanted to start a family.  Truthfully I was hoping for a boy, but I was just happy that my child was born healthy.  I want my family name to live on, and I am glad that my son will be able to carry that dream true. Most guys won’t admit that kind of thing, but I am trying my best to be an honest person, and I think it is only fair to start our relationship on the right foot.

When Jacob was born, I was ready for it, and I knew Bridget was going to make a great mother. There were many trials and tribulations along the trip, but you can read more about that in my next book. I haven’t written it yet, but be ready for it. I am sure to write it - as soon as I finish this one.

I am just playing around with a beginning right now. I have plenty of material - the trick is finding a way to organize it. Wish me luck!

Resist. Multiply. Write a short novel, a book, a story - WRITE SOMETHING!

Hey I know it is unpopular to say, but I love a good rainy day. Of course, this time of year we are all hoping for some sun and warm weather, but I am still okay with a few rainy days in a row. Recently in NJ we’ve hit some back-to-back days of rain, but it is okay because warmer, sunnier weather is in the forecast. Besides, without the rain, all the flowers, plants, and grass will not grow to all its beautiful splendor. We need the rain, brother and sisters.

I just bought a cool new product called Scott’s EZ Seed and I am eagerly waiting to see if it works as well as it claims to work. Time will tell, but in the meantime I am happy to have some rain everyday because it means less work on my part. So do you get what I mean, people? Rain is not such a bad thing - as long as it happens during the work week. Weekend rain is out. We don’t want or need you then. Enough said.

Other Thoughts:

My time with Jacob in the current situation we are in (me at home from teaching, only working two days a week painting) is almost over. With less than two months left on my 20 month tour of duty, I am beginning to feel a little sad about having to leave the little warrior. Though I am a firm believer that change is good and that Jacob is ready for nursery school, it is still hard to know that next year at this time, I will be knee deep in twenty other kids’ lives. Sure I enjoy the impact I make as a teacher, but nothing compares to the impact I have felt as Jacob’s father. That will always be the best feeling - seeing him grow and learn is the ultimate. 

Nevertheless, I am thankful for my time and my chance to do what I’ve done. I know how lucky I am, and how much this has given me as a father. It is hard to put into words. Of course, as I type this post out I can hear the warrior from his crib. He’s supposed to be napping, but instead he is shouting, “I pooped daddy, I pooped!” I think I will have to tend to that disaster now. Until next time…

Resist. Multiply. Change a dirty diaper.

This weekend we all got a preview (at least on the East Coast) of what summer heat is like, after being subjected to the endless winter cold that we have been feeling for the past few months. Despite the heat wave, I remain optimistic that being outside in the sun is much better than being shut in the house with none. Can I get an Amen?

This week brings a new change to the Jacob and Dean routine - the last gymnastics class. I know this sounds funny, but the last four months have been blissful, having had an opportunity to let Jacob run, jump, skip, climb, and tumble all around the 1,000 square feet of gymnastics heaven that is the gymnasium that we go to every Thursday morning. He got to play with kids his age and younger. I got to talk with some open-minded adults. We both had a lot of fun. Of course, Jacob got a great little outlet for all his toddler energy.

The experience of things beginning and ending is one that I am growing used to as a parent. Everything must come to an end. Time waits for no man. The truth is that we all are heading to a conclusion of sorts and with the end of something wonderful is hopefully the beginning of something else to fill the void. I am going to fill our Thursday mornings with the park or a long walk through the neighborhood. Jacob is going to be there every slide or step of the way. After all, I can’t leave him at home alone!

For those of you who enjoy the parks…enjoy this clip from the new NBC comedy, Parks and Recreation. It is a very funny show. Bridget and I highly recommend it.

Resist. Multiply. Enjoy new beginnings and the warmer weather. 

I know it is silly to suggest that because Jacob and I were wearing our Manchester United jerseys on Sunday during the great “come from behind” victory of five unanswered second half goals that the team won as a result. It is a bit far fetched to say that we are the team’s lucky charms, but I am Dean Everton Prescott, and I am a bit far fetched myself. So I will suggest we are the team’s lucky charms, and I will even go a bit further and say we are going to wear our jerseys this week when they play Arsenal in the Champion’s League. The boys have found the net and this fire will not die out. They know how to finish the season the right way. Jacob and I will support them every goal of the way.

Needless to say, my son is the real lucky charm. As I put him down for an afternoon siesta I returned to our living room couch and resumed the game that I thought the Red Devils were possibly going to blow. Instead, like the champions they are and will continue to be, they came back and wound up winning 5 to 2 against a less than spectacular Tottenham Hotspur team. Bravo boys, bravo.

Here is the highlight video. Click on the link and enjoy. If you are fan of Liverpool - you may want to cry your eyes out. Just kidding.
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur Highlights

Next Time: Summer Preview

Resist. Multiply. Go United!
 

Jacob is a Talker… So recently (like the last month or so) Jacob has become quite the little talker. He is spitting fire these days - speaking no longer in the strange tongues of a baby, but rather in the broken English of a toddler. Surprisingly, he makes a lot of sense lately. He is able to form simple sentences like:

“Daddy, I need help.” or “Please, mommy, give me milk.” 

It’s actually pretty amazing to witness your child develop a sense of language and be able to communicate with the world around him. This was an area we were very concerned with, and when Bridget and I started to get conversation from our little warrior, we were very happy and relieved. Since we live in a day and age where autism is such a fear, we always were aware that there was a chance our child could be touched by this disorder that affects expressive language and social development. My master’s in Special Education has always made me aware of this - with plenty to be concerned about when it comes to boys, more so than girls.

Now it is an exciting time for Bridget and myself, because we are able to sit back a bit more and let Jacob interact with us in a whole new way. He is able to feed himself - though preparation of food still lies with his mother and me. He is also able to say things like “Please.”, “Thank you.”, “No thank you.” and “You’re welcome.” - without being prompted as much as we used to prompt him about these things. I am of the frame of mind that if Jacob is polite he will have a more successful life in general. I have found that the polite kids in school get more chances to be successful and are also more likable from a teacher’s perspective. Those of you who are educators know what I mean.

Other News…… Speaking of teachers - I am closer to returning to school each day that goes by. Soon I will give up this primary caregiver role to Bridget for the summer months, while I paint houses full time. After that, my mother will have Jacob two days a week (like the last two years) and nursery school will have him the remaining three days. We are excited about this change - but it is still a sad time for me personally, as I have grown quite accustomed to this wonderful lifestyle of the last two years. At any rate, something amazing happened last week - I was awarded a chance to teach fourth grade in a different school next year. This is a great CHANGE for me. Despite feeling sad that I will not be a part of the everyday life of warrior Jacob, I am happy that in my professional life I will have more happiness and less aggravation. It is a good thing. 

Instead of counting the days until I return to full-time teaching, I enjoy each day with my beautiful wife, and my terrific son. I am a rich man, and thankful everyday for the opportunities of the past two years at home.

Next Time: Manchester United Lucky Charms

Resist. Multiply. Count your blessings.

Here’s the picture of Jacob in his Manchester United jersey. Today we cheer the boys on as they play at 12:30 p.m. on Fox Soccer Channel in the Premier League. Go United!