Matthew is a star and he doesn’t even know it yet.  Everywhere we go he turns heads, he gets looks, and almost always people ask about him.  He is taking is all in stride – which is pretty easy since he isn’t even crawling yet.  What is ironic about this, is his mother, my lovely wife, wants nothing more that to not get ANY attention.  In fact, she will never order fajitas in a restaurant because it causes too much attention.  (Yes… really)

I’ve noticed that Anne is more comfortable with Matthew around.  In fact, whenever asked about him, she never shies away.  For years I have been wanting to see her get out of her comfort zone.  Matthew seems to be the antidote.   Tonight at dinner we sat down and immediately drew questions and “fans” from the table next to us.  The family of four had a young daughter around 4 or 5 that decided to pull up right next to Anne and get a closer view of our little man.  She was basically sitting on Anne’s lap and kept coming back for more.  The couple chatted for a quick moment and then moved on.  Shortly after they left I looked around and saw people checking us out and smiling at Matthew.

Now I know he is a cute kid.  I’ve heard it a lot over the past 4 months.  However, when strangers are staring at your kid and then you make eye contact, what else are they going to say?  That he is “breathtaking”?  I hope I never hear that.  For those of you that aren’t familiar, it’s a Seinfeld reference.

It’s a pretty normal pattern for people to comment to us – or even to overhear them talking amongst themselves saying how adorable he is.  I always have a big sense of pride when I hear this… not only because he is my son… but also because he currently looks just like me.  So by the property of transitivity, all these people are saying I am cute, adorable, precious and the adjectives could go on and on.  Ok, so I know that’s not really the case, but I’m running with it.

The next couple to occupy the table right next to us, basically came in staring at all of us.  It was awkward and Matthew was sleeping on my shoulder.  The guy stated that they requested to sit at that table so they could be close to us.  Well I hope in this case, just Matthew.  They gawked and asked a few questions and then went about their business.

I’ve always been a people watcher.  In fact, many times I’ll be listening to someone talk, but looking off in a totally different direction because I am distracted by what others are doing.  I have even always loved little kids and found babies cute.  With all of that being said… I can’t imagine ever sitting down next to someone with a baby and telling them I requested the table to be closer to their kid.  Granted he (they) were harmless… but weird nonetheless.

Matthew doesn’t just attract a lot of attention when he is out and about.  In fact, the most attention that he draws is when we are home with him.  What time we wake up, what time we go to bed.  Will he be ok while I shower?  What about when I go to the bathroom?  When does he need to eat?  Does his diaper need to be changed?  Basically every function of our day now needs to be coordinated to satisfy his needs.  I am more than ok with that, however it is quite an adjustment.  Tonight, Anne asked me something along the lines of if fatherhood is what I expected.  Looking back I wasn’t sure what to expect on a day to day basis.  I had visualized many “moments” in my head… coming home from work and rolling around on the floor with him… throwing the ball in the back yard… cheering for him at his first game.  But I never put much thought into what our everyday routine would be.  At this point now, it’s something we have to think about daily, if not hourly.

With Matthew getting all of our attention, there has been one guy who has suffered.  Our 4 legged boy Riley.

Give me some attention too!

We have had Riley for just over a year.  Before Matthew I had to think about many of the same issues around planning my day for Riley.  A walk before work in the morning.  Getting home as soon as possible from work to walk him in the evening.  Waking up early on the weekend to get him to the dog park to play with his friends.  Making sure he had plenty of toys and treats to keep him happy when we weren’t around.

He definitely is jealous of the time we give Matt.  We make an effort to keep Riley away from Matthew for the most part.  If all comes together as planned, they will grow up together and be the best of friends.  There has already been several times that the 3 of us have been parked on the couch together and I break out the song… “We’re the 3 best friends that anyone could have, we’re the 3 best friends that anyone could have…”  (Thanks to The Hangover for that little diddy).

I certainly hope that as Matthew grows up that he doesn’t shy away from being the center of attention.  Anne still stays away from it, and I was shy a good part of my life as well.  Perhaps Matthew will break the mold and be comfortable in his own skin… or at least be able to order Fajitas in public.