Now every parent gets exited about their child's firsts. Yesterday we had another first...her first Haircut.

This was a big day. In fact, it was huge! Our daughter is now approaching 2 years old. Twenty-two and a half months if you want to talk semantics. We have been waiting and waiting...and waiting some more for her hair to get to the point were she...

a) did not look like a boy

b) was long enough that the hair would hopefully not roaster tail at the back.

and, I guess...

c) we could not stand the disheveled look anymore.

We had talked about how exciting it would be. How this would be is a great Mother-Daughter bonding experience.

Would she sit still long enough for the stylist to work her magic? How we would keep a lock of hair to signify the day. Well, most of that happened. Unfortunately, my wife had to miss this experience. We had been trying to find a time where she could be there, but as she is due with our second child at the end of January. Finding the time when she had the energy, among all the other commitments during the holiday season, is almost impossible. So as reality begins to sink in, I grabbed the camera on the way out the door.

There is a local chain called Beaner's that specializes in "fun cuts for kids". It used to be about a two minute drive from our house, but after the porn shop opened up next door to it, they thought that maybe it was time to move. After getting their, I could see why it is so popular. They have cartoons to watch, a ball room to play in and fun chairs to sit in. We chose the pink Jeep. After we got settled, it was...Snap, snap, snap! I managed to capture the experience for her mom but I realized after, I kind of feel like I missed it too.

The problem I find with trying to capture those special moments is that you are not actually in...that moment! You are simply a bystander to the whole event. Worried about the composition, the lighting, the subjects movement and trying to make sure you do not miss the smile. You somehow, unintentionally miss out too.

It is funny how that happens.

My wife was happy, the pictures turned out well, so I guess it was a successful moment in time. Then something happened that put it all in perspective for us.

My wife was home alone with our daughter and thinking that the day was a success and that she still felt like she was apart of something special. I went out to play my weekly sport and came home earlier than expected. Thinking the day was already a success, my wife turns to me as we watch a little TV and says. Our baby told her that she loved her tonight!

So really, who cares about a silly haircut anyways!

I guess there is one thing that I am still not comfortable with as a dad. It is the "V" word...you know, down there!

As a SAHD, I am the one responsible for feeding my child, putting her down for a nap, changing her diaper and among other things, to take my daughter to the doctor when she has a problem. In past visits, I have never had any issues, but it is not very often that a guy has to go to the doctor to discuss your daughter's V-J-J*. Although, now that I think about it, I have been stressed about it since she was born. I still have plenty of time to prepare for the teenage year and boys...boys...boys...boys! The problem there is...I was a boy!

As a boy (now a man), growing up in an all boy family, we never had to encounter these topics - you know, "girl problems". In fact, the biggest "girl problem" we knew about was us! Boy, how things have changed.

Now back to my story...

Other than with baking, guys tend to know very little about yeast. That's Right, I said it! YEAST!!! That is a girl problem, or at least I thought it was a girl problem...

I know that all children get diaper rashes from time-to-time but that is where I thought it ended. Apparently, little girls (and little boys) can develop a "Yeast Diaper Rash" - I think it is just a nice way to say yeast infection...but I could be wrong.

I didn't know that boys can get them too. I don't know if I am just ignorant or if I been living in a bubble for most of my life, but I guess until you need to deal with certain things you just go through life with your head in the clouds. - this is a lot easier for me since I am quite tall. The air is thinner up here.

To top off the experience, our regular doctor was away so we had a new doctor...a female doctor...and my wife was not around. This is one of those situations that you wish you had the 9-5 office job that lets you avoid having these conversations with strangers...doctors or not. So now, I have a mission to find out all about yeast. I do not like looking ignorant nor do I like feeling ignorant. I'll also take a page out of my 19 month old's book who in front of the doctor, without any hint of embarrassment, pointed to her privates and used the proper word!

Next time I go to the doctors, I will be more knowledgeable, ask more questions, and not be so embarrassed.

- QDaddy

* - trying to keep it PG