I brought him downstairs and brought him some cereal. He pushed the bowl away and I asked "what's wrong? 당신 don't like this kind?" He climbed out of the chair and walked over to the countertop. I turned around and asked "what?" He pointed to the cookie jar and said "those." I stood up and said "you can't have 쿠키 for breakfast silly!" He looked at me and said "yes!" I said "not this early" and he repeated "yes!"
I picked him up and tried to get him focused on something other than the cookies. I brought him back to the 표, 테이블 and said "here's your cereal." He said "cookies" and I said "let me check to see if there's a different kind of cereal." I turned around to look in the cupboard and then I heard something hit the ground.
I looked behind me and noticed that Christian's bowl of cereal was spilled out all over the floor. I walked over to it with paper towels and started to clean up the mess. I looked up at Christian and asked "you didn't throw your bowl on the floor; did you?" He said "I don't want that; I want cookies!" I sighed and said "look at the mess 당신 made Christian!" He said "I want 쿠키 daddy!" I said "I told 당신 no Christian."
He didn't like the idea of me telling him no and when I came back into the 부엌, 주방 his facial expression showed his irritation. I picked him up and cheerfully said "someone's grumpy. We can have 쿠키 later; I promise!" He asked "why won't 당신 give me a cookie?" I said "because I don't want 당신 to have a cookie. Do 당신 want an apple?" He crossed his arms said "no!"
When I went to 침대 that night, I couldn't believe how out of the ordinary Christian was acting. I'm hoping a good night’s sleep will put him in a better mood. I definitely wasn't expecting what happened today. That's not like him at all.
***
I was just walking through the door after a long 일 of work, when I saw Christian and my mother in the living room. I walked in and my mother didn't look happy. I sat down 다음 to her on the 침상, 소파 and asked "how was your day?" She sighed and said "Christian hit me today." I almost didn't want to believe her because the idea of Christian hitting anybody seemed so crazy! I asked "what did 당신 do about it?" She said "nothing; you're his father. Enforcing discipline is your job; not mine Michael. I'm going to head 집 now; see 당신 after the weekend."
She shut the door behind her as she left and I just stared at Christian with a blank look on my face. I didn't know what I should say 또는 do because I didn't think I would be faced with something like this. I 옮기기 myself closer to him on the 침상, 소파 and we sat there in awkward silence for a few minutes. I quietly said "it wasn't very nice for 당신 to hit grandma. Why would 당신 hit her?" He didn't answer me because he was distracted 의해 the TV. I asked with an unsure tone of voice "you don't want to have to be put in timeout; do you?"
The 초 I said that, he burst out into tears and ran out of the room. I immediately chased after him and caught up with him at the end of the hallway. I knelt down in front of him and sincerely asked "what's wrong?" He uncontrollably shook as he continued to cry and said "no hit me daddy please don't!!!" I asked "hit you? Why would I do that?" I was about to pick him up when he pulled away and I felt terrible.
He ran upstairs and I walked into his room to see his feet sticking out from underneath the bed. I crawled underneath the 침대 and said "hey; it's okay Christian." He asked "you won't hit me?" My eyes started to water and I said "I would never hit you; EVER!" He said "mommy hit me when I was with her!" I pulled him out from underneath the 침대 and said "that's not what a normal mommy 또는 daddy does Christian! 당신 don't have to worry about her anymore buddy! I don't think it was right for 당신 to hit grandma either though." He responded "I call her and say sorry." I said "I think that's a good idea."
We went downstairs and I dialed her phone number. I put it on speaker phone and she said "hello." I said "hi mother; it's Michael and Christian has something he'd like to say to you." Christian said "sorry grandma" she said "thank 당신 for saying you're sorry. I hope daddy told 당신 that it's not nice to hit." I said "I think we've come to an understanding. We'll let 당신 go now because I have to get 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 started; bye." She said "goodbye; see 당신 Monday."
***
My bodyguard Tim was excited to introduce me to his sister and niece because they are in town for the weekend. I told him that he doesn't need to come into work so he will be able to spend time with his family; but he insisted on at least coming in for an 시간 because his sister is a huge 팬 of mine.
Tim, his sister, and his niece arrived at around 10 o'clock in the morning and I said "you must be Jessica; it's nice to meet you!" She hugged me and said "I've loved 당신 since I was a little girl! I 사랑 the new album! I saw 당신 on the tour at your Louisiana show!" I said "thanks for supporting me; I hope 당신 enjoyed the show!" She said "of course I enjoyed the show Michael!"
I looked at the little girl she held in her arms and asked "how old is she? What's her name?" Jessica said "this is my daughter Sarah; she turned two a few months ago." I grabbed Christian from the 표, 테이블 and said "this is my son Christian; he turned three two weeks ago."
I put Christian on the ground 다음 to Sarah and he immediately hid behind me. I said "I bet Sarah would like to play with 당신 Christian." He clung to my leg and Jessica asked "are 당신 shy?" I chuckled and said "yeah he is." Sarah said "mommy bathroom" Jessica asked "can I use your bathroom Michael?" I said "of course 당신 can. It's right over there."
Afterwards, I asked "she's toilet trained already?" Jessica asked "yeah; isn't Christian?" I said "no; I wasn't even thinking about that." Just as we were getting into the conversation, Tim said "Jessica; we don't want to miss our lunch reservation." She picked up Sarah and said "thank 당신 for letting me meet 당신 Michael!" I said "I'm glad I got to meet 당신 too; have fun this weekend Tim." He said "I will Mike; thanks for the time off!"
I was getting Christian ready for 침대 after getting him bathed and decided to hint at getting rid of the diapers. I said "maybe it's time for 당신 to be a big boy." He looked at me like I was crazy and I asked "you don't want to learn to use the potty?" He whispered "no" and quickly tried to change the subject. He said "I want a snack daddy!" I quickly said "I'll get 당신 a snack in a minute. 당신 really don't want to be a big boy?" He didn't answer me and I said "well; I'd be glad if 당신 did! I don't think 당신 want to be wearing those anymore; do you? Those are for babies; don't 당신 want to be a big boy?" He whispered "no" again and I decided to drop it to think about it for a while.
***
I was woken up 의해 a knock at the door. I came downstairs and answered the door. I was shocked to see Rosemary standing there. I immediately asked "you're not going to take him back are you?" "She laughed and said "of course not Michael; I'm just required to make a surprise evaluation to make sure I made the right decision with letting 당신 adopt Christian. I'm supposed to give 당신 an in-depth background of Christian's history. I figured I would come stop 의해 unexpectedly early enough in the morning; so Christian isn't awake yet. I only need to ask him a few 질문 when he wakes up and until then 당신 and I can have a conversation about his past."
I got the two of us some coffee and we went into the living room. I have to admit that I'm curious to hear about where Christian came from and how he got to the point of being in foster care. I passed her the cup of coffee and she looked like she was about to cry. She said "first of all, I can't thank 당신 enough for taking Christian and giving him the 집 that he deserves because I have a feeling he would've been at the orphanage for a long time if it wasn't for you!!!" I hugged her and said "you don't have to thank me! I 사랑 Christian and I don't regret pursuing adoption.
Rosemary cleared her throat and said "alright; I will warn 당신 that some parts of Christian's past are going to be hard for 당신 to hear; but I think it's important for 당신 to know just in case he asks 당신 질문 one day. I took a deep breath and said "okay; go ahead."
She said "Christian's mother had him a few months after she turned 18 and she was living with her mother at the time. Melissa was always in and out of trouble with the law. Her mom kicked her out with Christian and she decided to 옮기기 into a three-bedroom place with a guy who would later become her boyfriend Adam. Everything was good for the first six months of Christian's life; but then Melissa seemed to get sick of being a mother." I asked "what about Christian's biological father? I saw the picture of him in the folder of all his information." Rosemary said "that picture was the only thing we were able to find of him. We don't know where he is. We don't know if he's alive 또는 dead. We don't know if he's a good man 또는 if he's like Melissa. We don't even know if he knows that Christian exists.
It was stunning to me to find out that there is so little known information about Christian's biological father. I asked "how did Christian end up in the orphanage?" She said "the neighbor 다음 door to Melissa's house reported hearing crying for hours coming from the house. She said she thought she had seen Christian looking out the window and crying. She alerted us and we went over there. We had to get a 검색 warrant to get inside the house because Melissa wouldn't let us in and that's when we realized she had locked Christian in the bathroom while she got drunk to the point of disorientation! We estimate that he was stuck there for close to 24 hours. We think she got fed up with taking care of him and totally forgot about him."
Tears streamed down my face and I said "that's horrible! That woman is so demented! I can't believe she would do that to her own son!" She said "okay; enough about this! Why don't 당신 take me to Christian's room to see if he's awake yet; so I can ask him a few questions." I wiped the tears away and walked upstairs as she followed behind me.
I walked into Christian's room with Rosemary and she said "wow Michael; this is the coolest room I've ever seen! Christian is one lucky kid!" I picked Christian up and whispered "wake up buddy!" He opened his eyes and looked at Rosemary. She said "hi Christian; do 당신 remember me?" Christian said "hi" and I put him down on the floor. He started playing with his toy racetrack and I sat down on the floor 다음 to him with Rosemary. She asked "do 당신 like it here with Michael Christian?" He said "yeah; he's my daddy." She asked "does daddy take good care of you?" He said "yeah; he does!" She asked "what's your 가장 좋아하는 thing about having a daddy Christian?" He leaned in to give me a 키스 and said "kisses and hugs!" Rosemary laughed and I asked "what's so funny?" She said "I honestly can't believe that he just gave 당신 a 키스 Michael! Never in 1 million years did I think this shy little boy would ever be open to a parent's affection; let alone just walk up to 당신 and randomly give 당신 a kiss! His speech is getting so much better and whatever 당신 doing is working. He's come so far since the last time I saw him and that's all because of you! I'm 더 많이 than comfortable with my decision to let 당신 adopt him permanently!"
Rosemary got off of the floor and said "I better get going now because I have to catch my flight back to London." I asked "will 당신 be checking in again?" She said "no; I trust 당신 Michael. I guess this is the last time I'll be seeing 당신 또는 Christian." Both of us gave her a hug and I said "it won't be the last time; we'll visit 당신 one day!" We waved goodbye to her and started our day.
***
I had been dreading the 일 when Christian would need a haircut because I have a feeling he's not going to like the idea of scissors near his face. I invited my hair stylist Karen Faye over because I knew I would need her help. Christian was watching TV in the living room and moving his hair out of his face.
Christian was sitting on the floor with his back up against the 침상, 소파 and I gestured for Karen to slide onto the 침상, 소파 and try cutting his hair without him noticing. She was a few snips in when he realized that she had scissors in her hand. He ran behind me and I said "it's okay; I just want 당신 to have your haircut!" He looked at the scissors as if they were daggers and I picked him up.
I sat down on the floor with him on my lap and said "just cut his hair as fast as 당신 can Karen.” He started squirming in my arms as I said "it's okay buddy!" I felt absolutely terrible as I had to hold him down so she could cut his hair. I only did it because I didn't want him to get poked in the eye.
Once she was done cutting his hair, I looked at Christian and said "you look so cute!" That wasn't so bad!" I don't think Christian was very happy with me because he didn't say anything to me until after Karen had left. I was sitting on the floor in front of him while he sat on the 침상, 소파 and watched TV.
Out of nowhere, Christian smacked me on the back of my head! I turned my head to look behind me and said "that wasn't nice Christian! 당신 need to say you're sorry because I told 당신 it's not nice to hit." He crossed his arms and said "no!" I said as I continued to look back at him "you need to say you're sorry Christian!" He said "no" again and I really didn't know what to do.
I thought about it for a few 초 and got off of the floor. I said "alright then; I guess it's time for a timeout." I picked him up and once he saw that I was actually bring him to a chair in the kitchen, he said "I'm sorry daddy; I'm sorry!" Part of me wanted to believe that he was actually sorry; but I knew deep down that he was just saying that because he didn't want to have a timeout.
I pulled the chair out from the 표, 테이블 and placed him in it. I looked at him and said "it's not nice to hit people Christian!" He started crying and I felt awful. I started the timer on the microwave and said "three 분 Christian." As I stood there at the counter a few feet away from the table, Christian cried "daddy; I'm sorry daddy! I 사랑 당신 daddy! I be good!" It took all the willpower I had to ignore him because I was on the verge of tears!
When the timer finally beeped, I walked over to the chair and asked "do 당신 know why you're in timeout Christian?" He said "it's not nice to hit daddy! I'm sorry daddy!" I hugged him as I picked him up and said "thank 당신 for saying you're sorry. Do 당신 still 사랑 me even though I put 당신 in timeout?" He said "yeah" and kissed my cheek.
***
I heard Christian walked downstairs this morning and said "come here buddy." He walked into the living room and I had shopping bags in front of me on the floor. He sat down 다음 to me on the floor and I said "wait until 당신 see what I got you!" I opened one of the bags and asked "what would 당신 think if I told 당신 that I threw out all your diapers? He said "no 당신 didn't!
He went to the place where I usually keep them and when he noticed that I was serious, he looked at me with a blank look on his face. I took some of the Mickey 쥐, 마우스 underwear out of one of the bags and said "look buddy; Mickey!" He just looked so distraught and I picked him up to comfort him. I know because of his past I can't make this into a negative thing if it's going to work.
I sat him on my lap and sat down on the 침상, 소파 as I said "it's okay buddy! I promise 당신 that it's not going to be the end of the world! Look, don't 당신 want to be a big boy?" He started crying and I said "look at how cool these are!" He shook his head no and said "diaper!" I excitedly said "big boy" and he said "I'm scared daddy!" I asked "of what; these?"
I picked up the underwear and said "these aren't anything to be scared of!" I put them on my head and he started to laugh and I joked "what's so funny?" I brought him into the bathroom and explained to him that there wasn't going to be any 더 많이 diapers and he didn't want to hear that at all. It was hard enough to convince him to wear the underwear; I don't think I really know what I just got myself into.
There was a knock at the door in the midst of all this; so I went to answer it. It was Frank and he said "I brought the book cover for your book Michael; so 당신 can see what it will look like! Why do 당신 have Mickey 쥐, 마우스 underwear on your head?" I reached my hand up to the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head and realized that they were still there. I laughed and said "it's a long story!"
Christian came into the 부엌, 주방 and said "diaper!" I said "I told 당신 buddy; 당신 don't need those anymore!" He started crying again and Frank said "on that note I think it's time for me to get out of here; good luck with that Michael." Just as he said that, I noticed that Christian was soaked. Frank chuckled and said "I told 당신 that 당신 weren't cutout for parenting Mike" as he shut the door.
I said "uh –oh; that's why you're supposed to tell daddy when 당신 have to go! It's no big deal buddy; we'll try again 다음 time." He said "I don't like this daddy!" I said "like I said, that's why 당신 have to tell me 다음 time!"
***
I invited my sister Latoya over for lunch because she hasn’t gotten a chance to really get to know Christian. I had ordered lunch because I didn't want her to have to wait for me to cook anything. Christian was just coming downstairs after taking a nap when Latoya finally pulled into the driveway.
I let her inside and she helped me set the 표, 테이블 for the Chinese 음식 that I had ordered. I said "Christian; time to eat buddy." He slowly walked into the 부엌, 주방 and asked "can I sit on your lap daddy?" I lifted him onto my lap and moved his plate of 음식 in front of him. He looked at Latoya and I said "this is your aunt Latoya Christian." He waved at her and started to act shy.
He was barely touching his 음식 and I said "you have to eat Christian." He said "I don't want this." He dropped his fork on the floor and Latoya got up to grab him a new one. She brought it back to the table; but Christian was still refusing to eat. I tried feeding him because I want to be a fun dad; I don't want everything to end up with him being in trouble. I've only had to put him in timeout once and I don't really want to have to resort to that again.
He just kept pushing the fork away and I looked at Latoya as she said "I think he's adjusted to having a daddy Michael." I asked "I know 당신 don't have kids; but do think it's normal for him to act like this? He only acts this way when he wakes up from a nap. It's definitely not like him to be like this." She said "I think he's just getting used to having a daddy and I have a feeling he wants to test 당신 to see what he can get away with. It's just part of being a three-year-old Michael. Every three-year-old challenges their parents’ authority over them at some point. I don't think he's going to act like that for very long because if he's as sweet as 당신 say he is he won't want to frustrate you."
Christian grabbed the fork out of my hand and started eating because I think he realized that he wasn't doing what I wanted him to do. I said "thank 당신 for eating buddy." Latoya asked "what's your schedule like this week Michael?" I said "I have an interview with 'Jet’ magazine tomorrow and then I'm heading to New York for a couple of days 의해 myself because I have a meeting with a publishing company to talk about my autobiography." She asked "what is the magazine interviewing 당신 for?" I said "I'm hoping that it's just a small interview because I want to introduce Christian to my 팬 and I want the tabloids to stop harassing me. They all want to get a picture of Christian because word has gotten out that I've adopted him and I figured if I let the magazine feature the two of us on the cover they'll leave us alone. I just want Christian to have a normal life and I want the paparazzi to stop harassing him because he's just a kid." Latoya asked "who is going to watch Christian while you're in New York?" I said "mother is out of town for a 월 because she and Joseph went on vacation; so my hair stylist Karen is going to watch him for me." Latoya asked "how do 당신 think Christian's going to handle being away from 당신 for two days? He hasn't been away from 당신 overnight since 당신 adopted him." I said "I don't know if I'm going to tell him until after I'm in New York because I just can't handle hearing him cry! He should be fine during the 일 because I usually don't see him until I get 집 from work every 일 around 5 o'clock. When it's time for him to go to 침대 at night he might be a little worried because I won't be there to tuck him in like I always am. Karen will know that I'm only a phone call away if she needs me! If she needs me to come back I'll be on the 다음 flight back here as fast as I can."
***
I looked at my watch because I was worried that the "Jet" magazine journalist and photographer would arrive at the ranch within minutes. I was in the middle of debating with Christian. I sat on the bathroom floor and Christian just looked absolutely terrified. It's all his mother's fault that this is so difficult for him. I think my approach of trying to be extremely positive about toilet training him isn't going to be enough. After 읽기 some parenting books, they say that if it doesn't start to work within the first few weeks I should probably take a break. I hate to say it; but I think it's time for a break.
Christian started crying and said "don't leave me in here 의해 myself daddy! Don't lock me in here!" I sympathetically said "sweetheart; I'm not going anywhere! I'm staying right here and I promise 당신 that I won't lock 당신 in here like your mother did!" He said "I'm not ready for this!" I said "okay, okay, but 당신 have to promise to tell me when 당신 are ready."
I had a feeling that something like this would happen; so I didn't end up throwing out the diapers like I had told him I did. I was hoping that if he didn't think they were there he would be 더 많이 prepared to use the bathroom instead; but I guess I was wrong. I quickly changed him back into them and he reassured me that he wasn't ready 의해 saying "not a big boy yet daddy." I said "that's okay Christian."
The journalist and I photographer from "Jet" magazine knocked on the front door and I opened it up. One of the men introduced himself as he said "hi; I'm Andrew. I'm so glad 당신 decided to discuss Christian for the first time publicly with the interview in our magazine Michael."
Before we started the interview, the photographer took a bunch of pictures of me with Christian; so there would be a lot to choose from to use in the magazine. Christian was surprisingly patient with having his picture taken so many times in a row. I didn't expect him to be okay with these two people that he never met before because he’s usually so shy.
Afterwards, I sat down with Christian on my lap and Andrew across from me; so he could ask me 질문 for the interview. He asked "how did 당신 come to the decision that 당신 needed to permanently adopt Christian?" I said "I just felt like I was meant to be his father and I couldn't leave him with his mother; she was just awful!" Andrew asked "what's the best part about being a father?" I said "being able to make him smile and when he just randomly walks up to me to give me a 키스 and hug out of nowhere; for no reason at all!" Andrew asked "what did it feel like when he called 당신 daddy for the first time?" I said "to be completely honest, he brought me to tears when he called me daddy for the first time." He asked "why did he make 당신 cry?" I said "I didn't cry right away; I waited until he was asleep. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and reality just hit me. I said to myself 'I'm officially his daddy now!!!' I just burst out into tears because I knew I didn't have to worry about wondering if he was okay. I had no idea if his mother was even taking care of him when I had to give him back to her. When I finally did get him back, I felt terrible because he was in horrible condition." He asked "how would 당신 describe your parenting style Michael? Are 당신 a strict dad?" I laughed and said "no; I've only enforced any kind of discipline with Christian once so far and that was tearing me apart! I couldn't imagine what it would be like if I disciplined him for every little thing! Plus, he's a really well behaved little guy. I don't really have to deal with him giving me issues. He has the occasional moment where I can tell he's thinking 'oh; I wonder if he’ll let me get away with this.'" Andrew laughed and asked "have 당신 mastered the 'you better not do that’ look Michael? Do 당신 do the 'I'm going to give 당신 until the count of three and 당신 better not let me get to three’ thing?" I chuckled and said "no; I don't do the whole counting thing! I'll definitely have to try that look 당신 were talking about one day. I've always wondered if that actually works!" He asked "if 당신 had to pick the worst part about being a father, what would it be?" I said "that's a hard 질문 for me to answer because I enjoy pretty much everything about being a father; but I’d probably have to say it would be having to leave him for any amount of time. I always miss him so much; even if it's just for a few hours a 일 while I'm working." Andrew said "thank 당신 so much for letting me interview 당신 Michael!" I said "you're very welcome. I think they're going to leave now Christian; I'll make 당신 something for lunch because 당신 must be hungry! That took a lot longer than I thought it would."
***
I leave for New York tomorrow and I'm just enjoying some quality time with Christian. I had bought some double stuffed Oreo 쿠키 and they were on the 부엌, 주방 counter. Last night, I was up 읽기 parenting 책 in hopes that I would find some 더 많이 toilet training tactics; but I guess I'm going to have to figure out something on my own. I know I'm supposed to be giving him a break and I think he's glad that I'm not asking him every five 분 if he has to go; but I know that he's 더 많이 than ready. He will literally tell me that he needs to be changed before he even goes; which in this case isn't a good thing. I just wish his mother never locked him in a bathroom! Why would she do that to him? She's the reason why he's still wearing those diapers at three years old!
Anyway, Christian had just finished eating 공식 만찬, 저녁 식사 about 20 분 이전 and I was doing dishes in the 부엌, 주방 when he walked in. He walked up to the counter that he can barely see over the 상단, 맨 위로 of and saw the package of 쿠키 sitting there. He asked "can I have 쿠키 daddy?"
I put the dish I was washing back inside the sink and looked over at the cookies. I looked at Christian and said "I'm sorry buddy; 당신 can't." He asked "why not?" I picked him up and said "because those 쿠키 are only for big boys." He looked like he wanted those 쿠키 so much and I felt like maybe this might work. I lightly teased him as I said "oh; it's too bad 당신 don't want to use the potty because I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy these 쿠키 all 의해 myself." He stuttered with a look of shock on his face as he said "but, but, but that's a lot of 쿠키 daddy; 당신 can't eat all those 의해 yourself! Maybe I could just have one!" I had to hold back my laughter as I said "I'm sorry; these are only for big boys Christian. 당신 could go use the potty so 당신 can have some." He sighed and said "no; that's okay daddy! 당신 can eat them!" I put him down on the ground and he walked back into the living room.
I stood there at the counter and said to myself "come on Mike; that almost worked!” I thought for sure the 쿠키 would work. I said "time for plan B; it's not considered teasing him with the 쿠키 if I'm doing it for a good cause." I poured some of the 쿠키 in a bowl and walked into the living room.
I sat down 다음 to Christian on the 침상, 소파 with the bowl of 쿠키 and that immediately caught his attention. He watched me start to eat one of them and I said "wow; these are good!" He tried to grab one of the 쿠키 and I said "I'm sorry Christian; 당신 can't have these!" I could tell that he was debating it back and forth in his mind. He complained "I can't go daddy!" I joked "oh; that's too bad that 당신 can't; because all it would take is a few 분 and these 쿠키 would be yours. I think he was getting frustrated with me because he could tell that I was deliberately making those 쿠키 seem amazing. That didn't work either because he just went upstairs to his room. He is definitely making this difficult!
***
I was just returning to the hotel after meeting with the company that's publishing my book and the phone started ringing as soon as I entered the room. I answered it and my hair stylist Karen said "thank God 당신 finally picked up Michael!" I asked concerned "why; what's wrong?" She asked "will 당신 talk to your son? I can't get him to go to sleep. I told him you're in New York and that you'll be back tomorrow night before he goes to bed; but he keeps crying for 당신 Michael."
I could hear her pass Christian the phone and he was sobbing. I asked "what's wrong Christian?" He asked "where are you? You're not here to give me good night kisses" I said "I know buddy; but I had to do something for work! I'll be back before 당신 have to go to 침대 tomorrow." He continued to cry and I started to sing to him the lyrics of "smile."
A few 분 later, Karen picked up the phone again and whispered "he's asleep Michael; thanks!" I said "no need to thank me. I knew he would have a meltdown when he realized I wasn't going to be 집 의해 tonight. It's getting late; so I'll see 당신 tomorrow when I get back. She said "bye Michael" and I hung up the phone.
***
I walked through the door of the house and Karen said "I just put him to bed; but he might still be awake because he wanted to wait for you." I said "okay; thanks for watching him for me. Have a good weekend Karen." She said "you're welcome Michael; I'll watch him anytime! I hope 당신 have a good weekend too!" She shut the door behind her and I started to make my way upstairs with my bags.
After bringing my suitcase to my room, I walked down to Christian's room to see if he was still awake. When I walked in there, his 침대 was empty and that made me panic. I started looking everywhere upstairs and said "Christian." I went back into my room and I could hear whining coming from down the hall. I exited my room and followed the noise down the hall.
It led me to the bathroom and I pushed open the door. Christian was standing at the sink and trying to wash his hands. I don’t think he saw me there watching him and I said “hey buddy; what are 당신 doing in here?” He asked “daddy can I have cookies?” I said “I told 당신 buddy, 당신 can’t have those unless 당신 use the potty.” He said “but I did!!!” I walked over to the toilet and realized that he wasn't just saying that to trick me into giving him Oreos. I looked over at him with a stunned look on my face and said "oh my God; 당신 really did go."
I excitedly picked him up and said "THAT'S MY GOOD BOY! I KNEW 당신 COULD DO IT!!!" He started laughing at my excitement and asked "I did good daddy?" I said "very good; I still can't believe 당신 actually went potty! What happened? I thought 당신 didn't want to be a big boy Christian!" He said "I wanted to make 당신 proud of me and I want those 쿠키 a lot!" I laughed and said "well, I'm definitely proud of you! Do 당신 know how long I’ve wanted 당신 to do that Christian? I'm so proud of you! 당신 have no idea how happy I am right now buddy!"
He loved having me be so ecstatic over him going to the bathroom. What he said 다음 completely shocked me. He said "daddy I don't need those diapers anymore because I'm ready to be a big boy!" I said "thank God; I was worried I'd never be able to get 당신 to give those up! I'm seriously SO proud of 당신 right now buddy! I didn't expect to come 집 to 당신 wanting to be a big boy! It wasn't as scary as 당신 thought it would be; was it buddy?" He said "no; but I missed 당신 and I wanted 당신 to be here daddy!" I said "I know buddy; I can't believe I missed it! If 당신 had waited about five 더 많이 분 I would've been here. I won't miss the 다음 time buddy! Let's go get 당신 some of those cookies!"
After he had eaten the cookies, I brought him into his room and put him into bed. I covered him with the blankets and knelt down 다음 to the bed. I said "I know 당신 were really scared to be in the bathroom; but I'm so proud of 당신 for going potty!" He gave me a 키스 and he whispered "I did it daddy!” I shut off the light and said "yes 당신 did; big boy!!!" He said "I 사랑 you!" I responded "I 사랑 당신 더 많이 Christian" as I walked out of his room and into mine.
the "Jet" magazine with Michael and Christian on the cover
