A Primo Papa is a prepared Papa

EARTHQUAKE!!!

What an interesting turn of events! Last night I started a draft about what to have at the ready in case of an emergency. I envisioned dashing through smoke and fire in the predawn hours with wife and child in tow. Then having to turn back and watch your house go up in flames. This morning I was gently reminded of where I live by a 5.4 earthquake.

This was not "the big one" and thank God it wasn't because we would have been in bad shape. We don't have anything set aside. We have been too preoccupied with every day parenting disasters to worry about a real one.  So as much as this is a to-do list for me, it is a strong nudge for everyone out there also. Now go get ready for that universal peril, the dreaded house fires, and whatever flavor of natural disaster that is unique to your neck of the woods. Here is what I need to handle a few days on my own with the family after a quake.

The PrimoPapa disaster kit:

Cash money: A couple hundred dollars at least! No power and now phone lines means no credit cards nor ATMs.

I.D.: Make copies of Driver's license, S.S. card, medical cards etc. You may have to run without your pants.

Drinking water: 1gallon/person/day. Water purification tablets if you have to drink from an unknown source. This includes the garden hose, there could be damage to the water line.

Canned food: have a hand opener, hand breast pump, formula and or baby food etc. (age appropriate)

Camp stove: or grill for cooking outdoors (keep all fuels and lighter fluids out of children's reach)

Matches: Matches? Yes, you will need some stinking matches!

Utensils

Drugs: A weeks worth of any prescriptions for you or your child. Don't forger extra prescription glasses.

First Aid kit: Your local camping supply store should have a good one or get a few small ones from the drug store.

Eyes and ears: Flashlight and radio with extra batteries and bulbs.

Clothing: A few changes of clothes for each season. You never know when something could happen.           Comfortable shoes.

Carseat: Hopefully, it is already in the car in case you have to get a move on.

Shelter: Sleeping bags and a tent.

Tools: Cresent wrench in case you have to turn off your gas (If you do turn it off, let the gas company turn it back on after inspection). Screw drivers, pliers, and a Leatherman or Swiss Army knife should do.

Storage: Plastic garbage bags, 1 gallon zipper bags, and rope.

Last but not least keep, all of this in the fewest number of bags possible. The best is one huge duffle on wheels. Store in a cool dry place. Check the contents of your kit every six months. Jr. won't be able to fit into those sames onesies by winter.

Best wishes,

PIT

Did I forget anything?

All in the name of "family time"

I pride myself on being a guy who is open to new things, but a baby jogger exercise club? That is a stretch even for me. This past weekend was my second visit to the baby jogger exercise club my wife attends. On my first visit I was assured that dads join in on Saturdays. Despite my suspicions I went along. As we approached, I could plainly see I would be the only potty trained male.

Here I am in a public park with 11 babies and 11 moms talking about getting their bodies back, and I am being invited to do jogger jazzercise! I couldn't help but laugh at myself for having gotten into this situation. I am talking "kick and reach and squeeze", the whole nine yards.

You know that saying "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me"? Well shame on me!  On my second visit the husband of the instructor stops by toward the end, he extends a hand and tells me that other dads are missing this week and some of them are even former NCAA D1 ball players.  He obviously didn't remember seeing me out there the week before (sole dad then too).

Any time spent with my wife and son is great, and the ladies are all very nice. The group is great for moms and dads (so I am told) who don't get to the gym like they use to before Jr. arrived. Perhaps this is one time where being a Primo Papa doesn't mean you have to be an "everywhere, all the time" Papa.