I brought him downstairs and brought him some cereal. He pushed the bowl away and I asked "what's wrong? आप 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 कहा "those." I stood up and कहा "you can't have कुकीज़ for breakfast silly!" He looked at me and कहा "yes!" I कहा "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 तालिका, टेबल and कहा "here's your cereal." He कहा "cookies" and I कहा "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 कहा "I don't want that; I want cookies!" I sighed and कहा "look at the mess आप made Christian!" He कहा "I want कुकीज़ daddy!" I कहा "I told आप no Christian."
He didn't like the idea of me telling him no and when I came back into the रसोई, रसोईघर his facial expression showed his irritation. I picked him up and cheerfully कहा "someone's grumpy. We can have कुकीज़ later; I promise!" He asked "why won't आप give me a cookie?" I कहा "because I don't want आप to have a cookie. Do आप want an apple?" He crossed his arms कहा "no!"
When I went to बिस्तर 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 दिन 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 अगला to her on the सोफ़ा, सोफे and asked "how was your day?" She sighed and कहा "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 आप do about it?" She कहा "nothing; you're his father. Enforcing discipline is your job; not mine Michael. I'm going to head घर now; see आप 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 या do because I didn't think I would be faced with something like this. I हटाइए myself closer to him on the सोफ़ा, सोफे and we sat there in awkward silence for a few minutes. I quietly कहा "it wasn't very nice for आप to hit grandma. Why would आप hit her?" He didn't answer me because he was distracted द्वारा the TV. I asked with an unsure tone of voice "you don't want to have to be put in timeout; do you?"
The सेकंड I कहा 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 कहा "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 बिस्तर and कहा "hey; it's okay Christian." He asked "you won't hit me?" My eyes started to water and I कहा "I would never hit you; EVER!" He कहा "mommy hit me when I was with her!" I pulled him out from underneath the बिस्तर and कहा "that's not what a normal mommy या daddy does Christian! आप don't have to worry about her anymore buddy! I don't think it was right for आप to hit grandma either though." He responded "I call her and say sorry." I कहा "I think that's a good idea."
We went downstairs and I dialed her phone number. I put it on speaker phone and she कहा "hello." I कहा "hi mother; it's Michael and Christian has something he'd like to say to you." Christian कहा "sorry grandma" she कहा "thank आप for saying you're sorry. I hope daddy told आप that it's not nice to hit." I कहा "I think we've come to an understanding. We'll let आप go now because I have to get रात का खाना started; bye." She कहा "goodbye; see आप 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 घंटा because his sister is a huge प्रशंसक of mine.
Tim, his sister, and his niece arrived at around 10 o'clock in the morning and I कहा "you must be Jessica; it's nice to meet you!" She hugged me and कहा "I've loved आप since I was a little girl! I प्यार the new album! I saw आप on the tour at your Louisiana show!" I कहा "thanks for supporting me; I hope आप enjoyed the show!" She कहा "of course I enjoyed the दिखाना Michael!"
I looked at the little girl she held in her arms and asked "how old is she? What's her name?" Jessica कहा "this is my daughter Sarah; she turned two a few months ago." I grabbed Christian from the तालिका, टेबल and कहा "this is my son Christian; he turned three two weeks ago."
I put Christian on the ground अगला to Sarah and he immediately hid behind me. I कहा "I bet Sarah would like to play with आप Christian." He clung to my leg and Jessica asked "are आप shy?" I chuckled and कहा "yeah he is." Sarah कहा "mommy bathroom" Jessica asked "can I use your bathroom Michael?" I कहा "of course आप can. It's right over there."
Afterwards, I asked "she's toilet trained already?" Jessica asked "yeah; isn't Christian?" I कहा "no; I wasn't even thinking about that." Just as we were getting into the conversation, Tim कहा "Jessica; we don't want to miss our lunch reservation." She picked up Sarah and कहा "thank आप for letting me meet आप Michael!" I कहा "I'm glad I got to meet आप too; have fun this weekend Tim." He कहा "I will Mike; thanks for the time off!"
I was getting Christian ready for बिस्तर after getting him bathed and decided to hint at getting rid of the diapers. I कहा "maybe it's time for आप 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 कहा "I want a snack daddy!" I quickly कहा "I'll get आप a snack in a minute. आप really don't want to be a big boy?" He didn't answer me and I कहा "well; I'd be glad if आप did! I don't think आप want to be wearing those anymore; do you? Those are for babies; don't आप 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 द्वारा 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 कहा "of course not Michael; I'm just required to make a surprise evaluation to make sure I made the right decision with letting आप adopt Christian. I'm supposed to give आप an in-depth background of Christian's history. I figured I would come stop द्वारा unexpectedly early enough in the morning; so Christian isn't awake yet. I only need to ask him a few सवालों when he wakes up and until then आप 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 कहा "first of all, I can't thank आप enough for taking Christian and giving him the घर 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 कहा "you don't have to thank me! I प्यार Christian and I don't regret pursuing adoption.
Rosemary cleared her throat and कहा "alright; I will warn आप that some parts of Christian's past are going to be hard for आप to hear; but I think it's important for आप to know just in case he asks आप सवालों one day. I took a deep breath and कहा "okay; go ahead."
She कहा "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 हटाइए 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 कहा "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 या dead. We don't know if he's a good man या 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 कहा "the neighbor अगला door to Melissa's house reported hearing crying for hours coming from the house. She कहा 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 खोजिए 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 कहा "that's horrible! That woman is so demented! I can't believe she would do that to her own son!" She कहा "okay; enough about this! Why don't आप 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 कहा "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 कहा "hi Christian; do आप remember me?" Christian कहा "hi" and I put him down on the floor. He started playing with his toy racetrack and I sat down on the floor अगला to him with Rosemary. She asked "do आप like it here with Michael Christian?" He कहा "yeah; he's my daddy." She asked "does daddy take good care of you?" He कहा "yeah; he does!" She asked "what's your प्रिय thing about having a daddy Christian?" He leaned in to give me a किस and कहा "kisses and hugs!" Rosemary laughed and I asked "what's so funny?" She कहा "I honestly can't believe that he just gave आप a किस 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 आप and randomly give आप a kiss! His speech is getting so much better and whatever आप doing is working. He's come so far since the last time I saw him and that's all because of you! I'm और than comfortable with my decision to let आप adopt him permanently!"
Rosemary got off of the floor and कहा "I better get going now because I have to catch my flight back to London." I asked "will आप be checking in again?" She कहा "no; I trust आप Michael. I guess this is the last time I'll be seeing आप या Christian." Both of us gave her a hug and I कहा "it won't be the last time; we'll visit आप one day!" We waved goodbye to her and started our day.
***
I had been dreading the दिन 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 सोफ़ा, सोफे and I gestured for Karen to slide onto the सोफ़ा, सोफे 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 कहा "it's okay; I just want आप 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 कहा "just cut his hair as fast as आप can Karen.” He started squirming in my arms as I कहा "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 कहा "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 सोफ़ा, सोफे and watched TV.
Out of nowhere, Christian smacked me on the back of my head! I turned my head to look behind me and कहा "that wasn't nice Christian! आप need to say you're sorry because I told आप it's not nice to hit." He crossed his arms and कहा "no!" I कहा as I continued to look back at him "you need to say you're sorry Christian!" He कहा "no" again and I really didn't know what to do.
I thought about it for a few सेकंड्स and got off of the floor. I कहा "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 कहा "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 तालिका, टेबल and placed him in it. I looked at him and कहा "it's not nice to hit people Christian!" He started crying and I felt awful. I started the timer on the microwave and कहा "three मिनटों Christian." As I stood there at the counter a few feet away from the table, Christian cried "daddy; I'm sorry daddy! I प्यार आप 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 आप know why you're in timeout Christian?" He कहा "it's not nice to hit daddy! I'm sorry daddy!" I hugged him as I picked him up and कहा "thank आप for saying you're sorry. Do आप still प्यार me even though I put आप in timeout?" He कहा "yeah" and kissed my cheek.
***
I heard Christian walked downstairs this morning and कहा "come here buddy." He walked into the living room and I had shopping bags in front of me on the floor. He sat down अगला to me on the floor and I कहा "wait until आप see what I got you!" I opened one of the bags and asked "what would आप think if I told आप that I threw out all your diapers? He कहा "no आप 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 माउस underwear out of one of the bags and कहा "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 सोफ़ा, सोफे as I कहा "it's okay buddy! I promise आप that it's not going to be the end of the world! Look, don't आप want to be a big boy?" He started crying and I कहा "look at how cool these are!" He shook his head no and कहा "diaper!" I excitedly कहा "big boy" and he कहा "I'm scared daddy!" I asked "of what; these?"
I picked up the underwear and कहा "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 और 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 कहा "I brought the book cover for your book Michael; so आप can see what it will look like! Why do आप have Mickey माउस underwear on your head?" I reached my hand up to the चोटी, शीर्ष of my head and realized that they were still there. I laughed and कहा "it's a long story!"
Christian came into the रसोई, रसोईघर and कहा "diaper!" I कहा "I told आप buddy; आप don't need those anymore!" He started crying again and Frank कहा "on that note I think it's time for me to get out of here; good luck with that Michael." Just as he कहा that, I noticed that Christian was soaked. Frank chuckled and कहा "I told आप that आप weren't cutout for parenting Mike" as he shut the door.
I कहा "uh –oh; that's why you're supposed to tell daddy when आप have to go! It's no big deal buddy; we'll try again अगला time." He कहा "I don't like this daddy!" I कहा "like I said, that's why आप have to tell me अगला 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 तालिका, टेबल for the Chinese खाना that I had ordered. I कहा "Christian; time to eat buddy." He slowly walked into the रसोई, रसोईघर and asked "can I sit on your lap daddy?" I lifted him onto my lap and moved his plate of खाना in front of him. He looked at Latoya and I कहा "this is your aunt Latoya Christian." He waved at her and started to act shy.
He was barely touching his खाना and I कहा "you have to eat Christian." He कहा "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 कहा "I think he's adjusted to having a daddy Michael." I asked "I know आप 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 कहा "I think he's just getting used to having a daddy and I have a feeling he wants to test आप 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 आप 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 कहा "thank आप for eating buddy." Latoya asked "what's your schedule like this week Michael?" I कहा "I have an interview with 'Jet’ magazine tomorrow and then I'm heading to New York for a couple of days द्वारा myself because I have a meeting with a publishing company to talk about my autobiography." She asked "what is the magazine interviewing आप for?" I कहा "I'm hoping that it's just a small interview because I want to introduce Christian to my प्रशंसकों 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 कहा "mother is out of town for a महीना because she and Joseph went on vacation; so my hair stylist Karen is going to watch him for me." Latoya asked "how do आप think Christian's going to handle being away from आप for two days? He hasn't been away from आप overnight since आप adopted him." I कहा "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 दिन because I usually don't see him until I get घर from work every दिन around 5 o'clock. When it's time for him to go to बिस्तर 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 अगला 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 पढ़ना 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 कहा "don't leave me in here द्वारा myself daddy! Don't lock me in here!" I sympathetically कहा "sweetheart; I'm not going anywhere! I'm staying right here and I promise आप that I won't lock आप in here like your mother did!" He कहा "I'm not ready for this!" I कहा "okay, okay, but आप have to promise to tell me when आप 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 और 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 द्वारा saying "not a big boy yet daddy." I कहा "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 कहा "hi; I'm Andrew. I'm so glad आप 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 सवालों for the interview. He asked "how did आप come to the decision that आप needed to permanently adopt Christian?" I कहा "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 कहा "being able to make him smile and when he just randomly walks up to me to give me a किस and hug out of nowhere; for no reason at all!" Andrew asked "what did it feel like when he called आप daddy for the first time?" I कहा "to be completely honest, he brought me to tears when he called me daddy for the first time." He asked "why did he make आप cry?" I कहा "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 कहा 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 आप describe your parenting style Michael? Are आप a strict dad?" I laughed and कहा "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 आप mastered the 'you better not do that’ look Michael? Do आप do the 'I'm going to give आप until the count of three and आप better not let me get to three’ thing?" I chuckled and कहा "no; I don't do the whole counting thing! I'll definitely have to try that look आप were talking about one day. I've always wondered if that actually works!" He asked "if आप had to pick the worst part about being a father, what would it be?" I कहा "that's a hard सवाल 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 दिन while I'm working." Andrew कहा "thank आप so much for letting me interview आप Michael!" I कहा "you're very welcome. I think they're going to leave now Christian; I'll make आप something for lunch because आप 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 कुकीज़ and they were on the रसोई, रसोईघर counter. Last night, I was up पढ़ना parenting पुस्तकें in hopes that I would find some और 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 मिनटों if he has to go; but I know that he's और 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 रात का खाना about 20 मिनटों पूर्व and I was doing dishes in the रसोई, रसोईघर when he walked in. He walked up to the counter that he can barely see over the चोटी, शीर्ष of and saw the package of कुकीज़ sitting there. He asked "can I have कुकीज़ daddy?"
I put the dish I was washing back inside the sink and looked over at the cookies. I looked at Christian and कहा "I'm sorry buddy; आप can't." He asked "why not?" I picked him up and कहा "because those कुकीज़ are only for big boys." He looked like he wanted those कुकीज़ so much and I felt like maybe this might work. I lightly teased him as I कहा "oh; it's too bad आप don't want to use the potty because I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy these कुकीज़ all द्वारा myself." He stuttered with a look of shock on his face as he कहा "but, but, but that's a lot of कुकीज़ daddy; आप can't eat all those द्वारा yourself! Maybe I could just have one!" I had to hold back my laughter as I कहा "I'm sorry; these are only for big boys Christian. आप could go use the potty so आप can have some." He sighed and कहा "no; that's okay daddy! आप 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 कहा to myself "come on Mike; that almost worked!” I thought for sure the कुकीज़ would work. I कहा "time for plan B; it's not considered teasing him with the कुकीज़ if I'm doing it for a good cause." I poured some of the कुकीज़ in a bowl and walked into the living room.
I sat down अगला to Christian on the सोफ़ा, सोफे with the bowl of कुकीज़ and that immediately caught his attention. He watched me start to eat one of them and I कहा "wow; these are good!" He tried to grab one of the कुकीज़ and I कहा "I'm sorry Christian; आप 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 आप can't; because all it would take is a few मिनटों and these कुकीज़ would be yours. I think he was getting frustrated with me because he could tell that I was deliberately making those कुकीज़ 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 कहा "thank God आप finally picked up Michael!" I asked concerned "why; what's wrong?" She asked "will आप 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 आप 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 कहा "I know buddy; but I had to do something for work! I'll be back before आप have to go to बिस्तर tomorrow." He continued to cry and I started to sing to him the lyrics of "smile."
A few मिनटों later, Karen picked up the phone again and whispered "he's asleep Michael; thanks!" I कहा "no need to thank me. I knew he would have a meltdown when he realized I wasn't going to be घर द्वारा tonight. It's getting late; so I'll see आप tomorrow when I get back. She कहा "bye Michael" and I hung up the phone.
***
I walked through the door of the house and Karen कहा "I just put him to bed; but he might still be awake because he wanted to wait for you." I कहा "okay; thanks for watching him for me. Have a good weekend Karen." She कहा "you're welcome Michael; I'll watch him anytime! I hope आप 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 बिस्तर was empty and that made me panic. I started looking everywhere upstairs and कहा "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 कहा “hey buddy; what are आप doing in here?” He asked “daddy can I have cookies?” I कहा “I told आप buddy, आप can’t have those unless आप use the potty.” He कहा “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 कहा "oh my God; आप really did go."
I excitedly picked him up and कहा "THAT'S MY GOOD BOY! I KNEW आप COULD DO IT!!!" He started laughing at my excitement and asked "I did good daddy?" I कहा "very good; I still can't believe आप actually went potty! What happened? I thought आप didn't want to be a big boy Christian!" He कहा "I wanted to make आप proud of me and I want those कुकीज़ a lot!" I laughed and कहा "well, I'm definitely proud of you! Do आप know how long I’ve wanted आप to do that Christian? I'm so proud of you! आप 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 कहा अगला completely shocked me. He कहा "daddy I don't need those diapers anymore because I'm ready to be a big boy!" I कहा "thank God; I was worried I'd never be able to get आप to give those up! I'm seriously SO proud of आप right now buddy! I didn't expect to come घर to आप wanting to be a big boy! It wasn't as scary as आप thought it would be; was it buddy?" He कहा "no; but I missed आप and I wanted आप to be here daddy!" I कहा "I know buddy; I can't believe I missed it! If आप had waited about five और मिनटों I would've been here. I won't miss the अगला time buddy! Let's go get आप 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 अगला to the bed. I कहा "I know आप were really scared to be in the bathroom; but I'm so proud of आप for going potty!" He gave me a किस and he whispered "I did it daddy!” I shut off the light and कहा "yes आप did; big boy!!!" He कहा "I प्यार you!" I responded "I प्यार आप और Christian" as I walked out of his room and into mine.
the "Jet" magazine with Michael and Christian on the cover
