Dad's biggest worries

Like all parents, I worry. Sometimes a lot, sometimes not enough, sometimes just right. This parenting thing is both harder and easier than I thought, if that makes any sense. It's hard not to worry when you hear about so many horrible things happening to so many children throughout the world from HIV orphans to kidnappings/exploitation/abuse. I actually think things have gotten better over the years, but the fears of a parent are greater now than at any time simply due to large access we now have to all sorts of information. Any isolated, yet sensational event that harms a child will travel the world in a matter of days or weeks, so that everyone's tragedy is globalized. While these events can drive good change, it can certainly drive our monkey brains crazy, since we don't process the number 6 billion well, or the fact that because we hear something happening a lot, doesn't necessarily mean it is happening more frequently than before.

It's very easy to look at Katrina and want to just hold her tight and not let go. So what are my biggest worries? I worry about what person she will turn out to be, whether I will give her adequate tools to not only succeed in life, but to be happy with whatever success she gains. I worry about all the things I cannot directly control, and I sometimes even worry about this blog, in the sense that I like keeping in touch with so many people I can't easily see, and worry about who else might be looking. Thank god our monkey brains have many defense mechanisms against going totally crazy with worry :)

One note: everyone send good thoughts to Alexandra's aunt, who has fallen ill--let's hope she makes a speedy recovery!

And to lighten the mood, some funny/cute pictures:

Vitamin C is important...



I'm talkin' to you

Katrina enjoying her Secret Santa Gifts

Attack of the 50ft infant!!