We are just a day away from the deadline on October 5th, when the producers for Live with Kelly decide who makes it into the Top 20 for the Co-Host for a Day Contest; chosen from the Top 40 which I am a part of.
If you are a little confused on how exactly to vote for me, I want to make it really easy and quick for you right now:
Next, leave a comment on it, telling everyone how you know me and specifically why I would be the best choice
After you’ve done that, share that link, promoting me as your top choice on your own Facebook page
Also, tweet that same link on Twitter as your choice: @nickshellwrites
I am so grateful for everyone who has been helping me out by liking, commenting on, and sharing my 1st video; since I made it to the Top 40 for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest, less than 2 weeks ago. After all, my chances of winning are definitely based on how the free market (that’s you) reacts to my video on Kelly’s website.
On October 5th, we’ll all find out if I made it to the next cut; to the Top 20.
So on October 5th, we’ll see if I’m worthy of the Top 20. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
I am so grateful for everyone who has been helping me out by liking, commenting on, and sharing my 1st video; since I made it to the Top 40 for Kelly Ripa’s Co-Host for a Day Contest, last Friday. After all, my chances of winning are definitely based on how the free market (that’s you) reacts to my video on Kelly’s website.
On October 5th, we’ll all find out if I made it to the next cut; to the Top 20. So in addition to how well my 1st video does based on the public’s views, comments, likes, and shares, my success in the contest will be based on my newest assignment:
Make a video to showcase my ability to demonstrate how to do something in 60 seconds or less, which also features my personality.
I would have chosen to feature my adorable 5 month-old daughter in the video, using the angle on me being a daddy blogger.
However, no one under the age of 18 was permitted in the video.
So I decided the next best choice was for me to feature my “Manly Vegan Protein Smoothie” which I invented 3 and a half years ago, and have been drinking every day since then.
I chose this for a couple of reasons…
It gave me a reason to feature my Rubik’s Cube coffee mug. Who wouldn’t think that’s cool?
Plus, there aren’t a lot of vegan males out there. Being such a rare demographic makes me stand out from the crowd.
But ultimately, it’s not about a smoothie; it’s about me selling my personality in 60 seconds; to prove that I can be both classy and quirky.
So on October 5th, we’ll see if I’m worthy of the Top 20. I’ll be sure to let you know how it goes.
Remember that n the meantime, here’s a reminder of how you can help me out, if you haven’t already:
We ended up with some money still left on our baby registry for you at Target, so this weekend Mommy and I took you and your brother to figure out what exactly to spend the money on; as we knew we would like some sort of device to keep you occupied each night while we eat dinner at the big table.
It didn’t take long at all before Mommy and I found exactly what you needed: The Animal Party Bouncer by Fisher Price. At about $30, the price was right on budget, by the time we also accounted for the $7.50 for the required size D battery; which I couldn’t find in anything less than a 4-pack.
(Though once we got home, we realized we already that size battery upstairs in the supply closet.)
I assembled your new bouncer while Mommy made lunch. By the time our vegan quesadillas were ready, I had finished putting it all together.
And yes, it was a success!
Mommy and I were able to actually eat lunch without having to get up. You were entertained by the “fun bouncy action and removable toy bar” as well as the “gentle calming vibrations”. I like how your own body movements cause the bouncer to softly bounce.
Though we haven’t had the Animal Party Bouncer long enough to try this part out, it apparently is also “soft and comfy for soothing and snoozing”. I look forward to you being able to fall asleep in it easily while in your bouncer, which would seem to be an easier and more natural way for your to nap instead of Mommy or me picking you up and going through all the motions of getting to fall asleep for naps.
And since the Animal Party Bouncer can hold up to 25 pounds, I know you’ll be able to use it for a while before you outgrow it. (You’re still in the 25th percentile for your weight; yet the 82nd percentile for your height.)
I’m not sure who’s going to like your new seat more: you and your parents.
Part of Christmas came early while we were at Nonna and Papa’s house a couple of weeks ago when they surprised you and your cousin Calla with your very own bikes for when you visit. This is your very first bike… it’s a big deal!
You and Calla got to work right away, driving down Nonna and Papa’s new driveway. I helped you as Uncle Andrew helped Calla.
The main thing you really needed my help with learning how to use the brakes. It took a few tries before you were able to get the muscle memory down of peddling backwards to stop.
You learned the hard way when we made it all the way into the neighbor’s yard across the street and almost crashed into a tree, as I saved you just in time. But you learned how to brake.
However, your main concern wasn’t to learn how to ride a bicycle, but instead, to race your cousin down the driveway.
“Calla, I’m beating you!” you repeatedly taunted.
She kept reminding you, “It’s not a race, Jack. I’m just having fun.”
Then when she eventually was in the lead, you declared, “Calla, all you care about is winning!”
You even became concerned that Dana pushing Cousin Darla in the stroller would beat you in a race. You didn’t take them lightly.
However, the spirit of competition ceased once the two of decided to take a break and jump on the trampoline; which is another Christmas gift that Nonna and Papa gave you and Calla early this year before the weather gets too cold.
When you got back to school the next Monday and one of the teachers asked you how your weekend was, you immediately responded with a big smile, “I got a bike!”
Needless to say, you are very happy about your very first bike, as well as the trampoline, for you to enjoy whenever you go to visit Nonna and Papa’s.
This is a special blog post by Jill Shell, the wife of the man behind Family Friendly Daddy Blog.
Let me just start by stating the obvious: being a parent is hard work. Anyone who has been lucky enough to have a child, or perhaps two or three (or more), can testify to this. It is a full time job with endless responsibilities, long hours, restless nights, and well, you get the picture. Tack onto this a job outside of the home and you bring life to a whole new level of “crazy.” Our family welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world 5 months ago and have been learning to get into a new groove of life with two working parents, a Kindergartner and an infant and it hasn’t been easy.
Before taking maternity leave, I worried about everything: about leaving my duties in the hands of others; about missing too much; about not being missed; about being replaced; about meeting the needs of two children at once; and mostly about returning to work and the numerous anxieties of leaving my kids and having to perform as if I hadn’t just brought another human being into the world. It was a whirlwind of thoughts and angst that was building up in me, but seemingly it dissipated as the baby arrived and we began a new routine at home. My focus was on my family and I was getting good at balancing the caring, the cooking, the cleaning, and everything in between. When, alas, my four months was quickly coming to an end and the reality of being a working mom set in.
I’ve been back to work for 5 weeks now and it was harder than I could have ever imagined. For the first three weeks back, it seemed like I could get to the middle of the week still afloat, but by Wednesday evening, I felt like the world was caving in on me. Every minute of the day was spoken for and it was rush, rush, rush through it all. I found myself day dreaming about any other way I could support the household income and raise my children at home. Then it happened. The transition period ended and it feels like we’ve gotten to a new level of “normal.”
As I look around, I see lots of families, moms and dads, in the same boat and it’s comforting to know that more people are there supporting you and watching you succeed, rather than waiting to see you fail.
After watching the Chicco “Performance Review” video which is part of their #NeverStopGrowing campaign, I love the response from Jess’s co-worker, Aaron, in the video where he sincerely tells her that he has no idea how she does what she does. Because the truth is, Jess probably doesn’t even realize half of the tasks she takes on and completes. She’s doing what she needs to do. She’s found her new normal and with the help of her family and co-workers, realizing it’s a natural fit.
Family Friendly Daddy Blog 