My son in Los Angeles

This weekend I took my son to Los Angeles with me. It felt so good not having to worry about the clock! We went to Montebello and Altadena. Met my uncles, aunts and cousins. It just felt great that for the first time he was mine on my weekend. I know I keep repeating myself but it just feels so good.

Here are some pictures of my son in Los Angeles with me and his uncle:





On Sunday we went to a friends house here in San Diego to watch the Chargers get beat by the Patriots. So sad but there is always next year. (yet again!)

Here are some pictures of my son :







:) happy!

And so my increased time with my son starts!

So my son was dropped off at my house tonight. I could not be more excited!! Are first order of business??? We're going to Los Angeles!! We're going to visit family that my son to this day, 2yrs 4 mos, still has not met. But tomorrow that will all change. He WILL meet more family. He WILL meet more of my friends and NO ONE can stop me! NO one. I've had to suffer for 2 yrs at the hands of the courts and unnamed person(s). I feel so liberated! And since this is "for the benefit of the children" I think it benefits my son to meet his other family, don't you think?

We're going to Altedena California, Montebello California and Ontario California. It should be fun! I will post some pictures of our one day trip to the City of Angels (and San Bernardino ..Ontario..)

Single Daddy Online

Here is a website I am working on. It focuses on what us single parents need the most! RESOURCES!!! YES!! It's a one stop shop for County Courthouses and Court papers!! Right now it's a work in progress focusing on California but it will expand to every state. Since I am the only one working on this, it will take me a while to complete. But it will be done!!

So what I would like you fine single parents (and married) to do is check my site out and let me know what you think!

Single Daddy Online

Single daddy resources

So I have this great idea that I need to tell you all about. I have registered a domain name on godaddy.com. I will be creating a website where single dads (and moms) can go and find information regarding issues that affects single parents.

I'm hoping to be able to work on this website on my own. It will be no easy task but I have a lot of time on my hands and if I can help and direct one single parent to the right resources, then I have helped one too many and that's a good thing!

For the mean time enjoy my blog, leave comments and let's all share experiences that makes being a single parent great!!!

More stories regarding my son and I sometime this weekend. It's a new adventure everyday I have my son, so stay tuned for funny and amazing stories, maybe videos and maybe pictures too. Who knows? Just keep chekcing back often and subscribe to my blog. Link me too! :)

Court resources for single parents!

Ok ladies and gentlemen, let's shift gears for quick moment. I want to touch upon a very important topic that helped me save a little bit of money filing my court papers for for a court hearing and modification of time with my son. This applies only to California Residents. And if anyone has resources for other states, let me know so that I may link them in my blog.

If you are a single dad struggling to fill out the paperwork, let me tell you that it's no easy task. Check in your local county courthouse to see if they offer free services. Most should (I live in San Diego), but different counties operate differently. I cannot offer advice as I am not qualified to answer legal questions but I will tell you this: If you have already gone to court for custody and mediation, study the final paperwork that you may have. Study the paperwork that you may need. Doing this helped me fill out the paperwork with minimal mistakes. The reason why I chose to do it myself and not get county help is because, you could be stuck waiting for help ALL DAY! and even then it's not guaranteed they will have time to help you. You have to be there early (7am) and try to beat anyone in line outside the court house. It's a mess. I simply don't have time to do this. So it helped me to learn to do this paperwork on my own. like I said, study you old court paperwork. If you have an attorney, they can help you BUT, it will cost you an arm and a leg! (you should already know that)

I know this can get a little discouraging, but don't give up, be it single mom or single dad. There is hope! So here is the link to the paperwork you need to file in California, you can also get papers for other types of cases.


California Court Papers

and for San Diego County residents, here is the San Diego Courts resource page

San Diego County Resource Page

I hope I have helped even one person. I know I cracked my head trying to figure some stuff out but I am here to tell you that it CAN be done!!

Introduction to Alphabet flashcards

I was shopping at Wal-Mart last week and I needed to get some office supplies. While in the office supply isle I saw some flash cards. A pack of 4 flash cards from the company Rose art. The flash cards it had contained, Numbers, Letters, Shapes and colors. I also bought some flash card from Crayola, same themes as Rose art.

The other night when I had my son with me, I decided to try them out with him. The cards are meant for pre-schoolers and ages three and above. My son is two years old.

(*Note: the flash cards I talk about are in the amazon banner to the right)

I start with the the letter flash cards. And I go down the Alphabet. I would point to the A and would say, "A" he would repeat and say "A" there is an apple under the A and I say "apple" and he says "apple"
I get to the letter E and I say "E" He repeats after me and he says "E" under the E is a picture of an eagle, as I point to the the eagle, he shouts "BIRD!" So much for word associations eh? He is right, it IS a bird but for association purposes I had to tell him, "E for Eagle" I just hope he doesnt think all birds are now eagles!
When I get S he repeats S then before I can say "Snake" he beats me to it and says "snake!" And when I get to T is for Train, he stops me right there. I guess my son love trains because he would not let me go further than T for train. I would go to "U" and he would cry, saying "NO!! Train!" He would go as far as saying "choo choo train" and even called the train "Thomas" So I only got to the T's. Behind the T card is another T with a turtle, so next time Im going to flip the card.

(*Note: the Cars I talk about are in the amazon banner to the right)

My son just amazes me at the things he remembers and the things he knows. For instance, my son has these cars from the move "Cars" in which you shake them and when you put them on the ground they take off. And the harder and longer you shake them, the farther they travel. Well under the cars is an on and off switch. I turned them of because the roaring engines annoy me. My baby's mom was at my house and I was telling her that there is a button to turn them off. She told me she was glad I told her because she didn't know you could turn them off(she has these at her house too). Then I tell her that my son used to know where the button was but that I was pretty sure he forgot. My baby's mom says to me, "don't keep saying that there are buttons under the car because the baby's going to figure it out" not even 2seconds after she says that (keep in mind I was right next to him when he did this) he flips over the car and flips the switch to turn on the annoying cars! I was simply in SHOCK! My son is 2 yrs and 3 months(27 months). I never thought a kid this small could actually understand everything we we're saying. Apperantly I was wrong!

Oh and one last funny thing, I bought him a bat and some baseballs at Toy's R us for Christmas. They are made for kids, firm but the surface is made of some soft material for the balls and the bat. Well he was banging on his toys with the bat. I shout at him and tell him "Isaiah, stop banging on your toys and give me that bat!" He comes to me and hands me the bat. Seeing that was upset, he comes back with puckered lips and I give him a kiss. This little brat, can you believe that he knows how to soften me up? OMG!! am I do for a battle!!! A battle in discipline! I hope he doesnt think he can get out of trouble by trying to soften me up!

Pondering on what to do with my son with so much time

Ok so ever since I got the time I wanted with my son from the courts, I have been going crazy thinking about all the things I want to do with him. I want to take him to Disneyland but I want to do a 3 night stay at the Disneyland hotel with two days of park fun. One day at Disneyland and another day at California Adventure. I want to book and pay for my trip when I get my taxes. I am so excited that now I have my son every other weekend and I don't have to ask for permission to have my son go anywhere with me. This has made my New Year 2008 start off with a BANG! I haven't been this happy in such a long time.

So this is what I want to do with my little boy:

1. Disneyland.
2. Hollywood.
3. All over Los Angeles and take him to meet ALL my family up there.
4. San Diego Zoo (I hate the zoo)
5. Knott's soak city (Chula Vista)

And I don't know what else. I mean I had so many things and ideas I wanted to do with him and now I don't even know where to start. I think I need to take a breather and regroup.

For the past 2 years I have not been able to throw my son a birthday party because I could not get him long enough to do one. But this year when he turns 3 I plan to make him a HUGE party. A party that combines the two years I have never been able to throw him a party. I'm going to hire a DJ, a Live band, magigian, a taco guy or a Taquero, buy "Cars" theme Piñatas and Car's theme party favors. I'm really going all out and I am invited a mob of people, ALL my friends and family because in two years of my son's life there are STILL a lot of friends and FAMILY that have not yet met my son. Unbelievable. But now I have the flexibility to do a lot and I could not be more happier!!! On a side note, my son's 3rd Birthday isn't until September so I have a lot of time to buy the stuff I need now and get all the small stuff out of the way and save for everything else I want to provide.

So to all you parents, single or non-single, give me some ideas on what I can do with my son?

More time means MORE TIME!!!!

So today went to mediation and I got a lot more time that I can spend with my son that is un-interrupted!!! Now I can plan things with him and do more with him!! I am so happy!! One of the most happiest moments of my life!!!

So expect to see a lot more written about my experiences with my son as they will increase!!! More trips, more outings, picnics, zoo, Disneyland, OMG I cannot wait!!!!

The best thing of being a dad

The best thing of being a dad is when you kid loves you! The best feeling in the world worth more than gold! I love spending time with my baby. Yes my baby is 2 yrs old but he will always be my baby for the rest of his life. I really don't want him to grow up. Here are some pictures of out recent trip to Corvettes Diner in San Diego.

Activities for a rainy day

Ok so it's been a rainy weekend here in SoCal so I have a question for you parents out there. What is there to do indoors for a two yr old? He has tons of toys and there is always something to watch on TV (noggin anyone??) but I want to do something fun with me and him indoors. Any ideas anyone?

New words 1-05-07

It never ceases to amaze me on how fast my son is learning to talk. At first he was very slow but now out of nowhere he is saying things I never knew he knew how to say. Like this morning he's trying to open the door to my room to go into the living room and he says, "daddy open the door" First time I ever heard him say that. I'm just amazed.

Oh yesterday was quite a evening. I had given my son a few Cheeto's on a plate for him to snack on. When he was done he asked me for more. I said no, he already had enough. Well he throws himself on the floor (which is rare but he's two so it's expected) and decides to throw a tempter tantrum. I looked at him and then just turned away. The tantrum lasted no more than 10 seconds. One thing I will NOT do is cater to his tantrums in order to get what he wants. When I say no, it means no. But I can see how a kid so small already is smart enough to test the system.

Well my son goes back with his mom in about 30 minutes. It's really hard to see him go. I grow more and more attached to him every time he stays with me. The bond that we have I can't even explain but it 100% love! I love my son sooooo much. He says today "daddy, I love you" To hear those words come out of my son's mouth is worth more than diamonds. I don't know if he is fully aware what the words mean but I tell him that all the time and I smother him with kisses.

I hate it that it is raining here in San Diego today. I wanted to go outdoors with my son but I wont take him out in this kind of weather.

Single Daddy adventures 1-04-08

So I pick up my son from baby mamas house at 6am. I bring my son home just as the sun is rising. But my son is no longer sleepy. He wants to stay away and start playing with his toys....oh and he has TONS of toys. I wish I could of had that many toys.

I tune the TV to Noggin. Thats about the only thing I let my son watch. All TV programs suitable for toddlers and I do see that my son learns a lot from it. I see how my son remembers characters names. This to me is very important. I see his memory is working well. I don't use it as a substitute from what I teach him but the time that I'm not teaching him then this is a good pass time for him. I cook him some eggs, scrambled and some French fries and some chocolate milk. For lunch, I gave him a PB & J sandwich. He loved it! And by 12:30 Pm he took his nap.

I don't really deal with a lot of fuss but he constantly wants to show me things, He says "papi ven" and grabs my arm and pulls me to whatever it is he wants me to see, or sometimes he wants me to play with him and his hot wheels.

Right now that he is still napping, I need to hurry and think of what to feed this kid, otherwise its a can of Campbell's Soup! hehehe, but on a side note, I know how to cook!!

FYI: We're Mexican so this house is bilingual and my son already speaks both languages. Sometimes he says his words in English and sometimes he says his words in Spanish. I really like that. My main goal is for him speak both languages equally.

Single Parenthood

Yes, I am a single dad. For one reason or another me and his mother are not together and this is as much as I will touch in this subject. The main purpose of this blog is to document as well as touch on subjects related to caring for my son as a single father.

It's hard to take care of a child by yourself but it is very challenging and so much fun! To see the look on my boy's face of whatever his mood is, is wonderful!

Allow my to introduce my son. His name is Isaiah. He is two yrs old little boy but by definition is still a toddler. My headache began in 2005 when he was born.....now let's fast forward to today shall we?

Now I am dealing with a two yr old toddler. For the most part he is a good boy. I did notice he is in his terrible two's but 3 months into his two's he behaves pretty well.

Well, stay tuned for mishaps and adventures and all that good stuff, Maybe even some pictures or videos will go up to accompany the topic. I encourage you to participate and leave comments or tips and advice. And if you see something done right, use it! I hope more dad's single or not, step up and participate but this blog is open to all parents single or not. Just keep in mind that this blog is catered to single dads.

Enjoy your time with your kids!