One Year With William

This month marks the end of the first full year I've been dating my girlfriend and have been in William's life. I've witnessed his first steps, heard his first words, felt his first temper tantrums, and sat down and talked with him on more curbs than I can think of. And that's where I will begin today: The Curb Talk.

It started before William could even talk a little. We were at Game Parlor before it closed down and he was having a particularly angry day. He has never been the kid to nap anywhere. Unless he is in a car or at home he will not nap, not even if he is comfortably in his stroller. As my girlfriend and I tried to get through a little game of Warmachine William began to get restless. It got to the point where I had to take him outside so my girlfriend could finish her game. William and I sat down on the curb and I talked to him about how I knew he wanted to go play, but he had been playing all day and it was his nap time now. After a little while we went back in, where he started to fuss again.

There have been a few other times we have curb talked. Where I will take him outside and sit on the curb and sit him down next to me. Lately I have had trouble with him not making eye contact which makes them hard because I know he's not listening. It's simply a time out for the most part, with me talking about why he should not act like he is.

Another moment of brief, bonding clarity was a lunch at Five Guys. We were sitting, eating, and Def Leppard's "Rock of Ages" came on the overhead speakers. I have mentioned William's love of this song in a previous post, but it was not until recently that I learned what he says when his mom plays it for him at home. Apparently he keeps asking for me when it comes on, and my girlfriend thinks it reminds him of me somehow.

There are other moments like the ones above that stand out as well. There are moments I've had with William where he and I connect. While most fathers and father figures probably bond with their children  using sports and activities (as the movies tell me) William and I bond over moments of inaction. Without a home to go to, without a place to stay, he and I are constantly moving about on days that I am alone with him. The moments of inaction are a stark contrast to the normal hectic pace, and I'm glad I can give him a few of them.