I launched DadBloggers on November 30, 2005 so the site is 2 years old today.

Six dads have been with me from the very beginning and continue to write: Jared, Jason, Jeff S, Jesse, Steve L and Tom. I appreciate you guys.

I certainly also want to thank the rest of our members who are currently contributing.

And thank YOU, dear readers, for your patronage.

Does this sound like an acceptance speech yet?

The folks over at National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) sent me a CD titled, ”When Duct Tape Won’t Work(TM).” The interactive, animated computer program is intended for expectant or new dads. The CD presents information on children safety and care. When Duct Tape Won’t Work prepares dads for the delivery room, gives tips for child-proofing the home, and provides up to date information. Some of the topics covered by the CD include:

• Fevers and the Common Cold
• When to Take Your Child to the Doctor
• Injuries
• Immunization
• How to Calm a Crying Child

The software consists of two parts. The first part is an animated, interactive tutorial. The second part is essentially a manual full of useful information. The content was developed by medical professionals and fatherhood experts. However, the material is general in nature and not intended to dictate the appropriate course of treatment in all situations, nor is it intended to substitute for professional medical treatment or care.

As a father of three young children, there really wasn’t a lot of information in the CD that I didn’t already know. However, I can tell you that the CD would have been very helpful seven years ago when I first became a father. Like many of you, I learned on the job. There were times when I wished I had more information about how to deal with the various situations I found myself in. When Duct Tape Won’t Work doesn’t cover everything you need to know, but it’s a start.

This is one of those scenarios where I wished for something and got it.  My two boys, now 4.5 and 3 are really into Christmas this year.  No matter how much I tell them we can’t start worrying about snow and Christmas until after Thanksgiving it is no use.  In the very active minds of the boys, Christmas is occupying a big chunk of their attention.

During the day, the kids will always randomly drift back to questions about Christmas.  Well, mainly one: “When will it be Christmas?” BigBrother woke up early the other day, after a fitful night of sleep.  He has a cold and it’s throwing him off a little bit.  He wandered bleary eyed into our room - more asleep than awake.  He stared blankly at DearWife and said “When is going to Christmas Eve? When is it going to snow?” Their excitement is really starting to build.

You’d think (or at least I would) that the main focus about Christmas would be the stuff.  When we go through the toy section, they routinely ask if they can have this or that toy for Christmas, and I tell them to put it on their list (except for the NASCAR truck. I don’t encourage them to put that on the list).  But their excitement, at least for now, is about the season and the decorations and the stories and maybe being with family.  It’s about the event.

I know pretty soon that it will be more and more about stuff.  But right now, I am going to enjoy this one little moment in time that I know I will never get back.  Young kids at Christmas with all of their energy focused on being excited and happy about Christmas, and focused on the truly magical parts of the season.

We’re going through a tough stretch at home.  You see, my oldest son’s dog ran away and it has made him rather sad.

It’s not easy for the rest of us either.  The younger boy, at 20 months, hasn’t really grasped the concept that the dog is gone.  It is like he just assumes that they keep missing each other.

My wife and I are trying to put on a good face, but the truth is a) we loved the dog, and b) it is painful to watch a 4-year-old boy be so sad.  I remember having similar situations in my own childhood and how my parents had handled it with the perfect mix of stoicism and compassion.  I didn’t realize how hard that was until it fell to me.  Who knew that being on this side of fence would be so hard?

My hope is obvious, that the dog be found healthy and safe.  My fear is that she will not return and the endless questions that will surely follow.  We’ve been fortunate enough to get this far without facing topics of death (I replaced the fish) or discussions of existentialism, and frankly I’m not ready to face them yet.  Yes, these topics, like all others will be approached at one point or another, but the innocence of childhood is fleeting enough and I feel no need to rush it.

We’re missing a dog and there is a hole in our home.  My optimism runs thin.

DadBloggers will turn 2 years old a week from Friday.

In honor of that momentous occasion, I planned to launch a redesign of the site. The only problem is that I’m impatient and didn’t want to wait until then so here it is.

A couple of minor additions:

You can now subscribe to our RSS feed via email and receive a nice little note in your inbox whenever a new entry is posted. I’ve also provided a spot for Link Love in the sidebar. The premise is simple...you link to DadBloggers and we’ll link you back. Just let me know.

Hope you like it.