BABY DADDY SWAG

As our delivery date nears and the baby showers wrap up, I've noticed the lack of "Daddy" quality gifts at the baby showers. Don't get me wrong. I know we need everything and I'm eternally grateful to the family and friends that attended the showers with their gifts... but, as the father, it would be nice if some of the gifts were for me. Does that sound selfish? I know my wife is doing all of the work carrying the baby, having the baby, ruining her figure, dealing with the pain but it would still be nice to get something. After some extensive Google searching, I've found some items that would make great gifts for the soon-to-be or new daddy who would like to maintain Man Card status while still fulfilling daddy duties.

The Daddy Toolbelt - Although marketed as a gag gift, the Daddy Toolbelt actually carries some very important "tools" that can be very handy to first-timers. The 5-pocket canvas toolbelt contains items such as metal tongs (for the real nasty diapers), surgical face mask, latex gloves, ear plugs and safety glasses. Also included in the toolbelt is a step-by-step diaper changing instruction booklet for the completely clueless dad. The bag is actually durable enough to convert to a real toolbelt capable of holding nails, screws and actual hand tools. Check it out at www.daddytoolbelts.com/

Diaper Dude Diaper Bags - If you've ever been forced to carry a pink diaper bag in public, this bag will be the Man Card saving grace. Available in several different man-friendly versions, the diaper bags contain all of the same pockets and compartments found in normal diaper bags but with more interesting and masculine color themes. The camo colored version is one of the most popular but its also available in solid black, skull & cross bones, and peace sign versions as well. Check it out at www.diaperbags.com/daddy-diaper-bags/

Rockabye Baby! - Its bad enough we dudes have to turn the volume down in the car with a newborn in the back seat but do we really have to listen to the Wiggles? Not anymore! You can now satisfy your picky backseat audience with the same pleasing sounds from typical lullabies but with a twist. Rockabye Baby has created soothing lullabies to the tunes of AC/DC, Metallica, Boston, Aerosmith, and even Kanye West (for those of you into hip-hop). The tracks are not as hard or beefy as the originals but at least its not some stupid purple dinosaur or coma-inducing crap that will put you asleep behind the wheel. All are great with the exception of the Coldplay album... their music still sucks as a lullaby. Check it out at www.rockabyebabymusic.com/

Allow me to Introduce myself...

When the Rock sent me an email a month or two ago, I was both excited and nervous about contributing to such a highly regarded online blog. I was in the midst of launching an NBA blog myself (Dirk's Glorious Mane) which in time has kinda fallen off but is slowly coming back and also trying to figure out some of the more interesting situations life throws at you. So, here I am finally contributing to Da'Man Cave. I am a single (that's right ladies, single) 20-something teacher who loves baseball, golf, football, and video games. Other than those 4 things, some may say I like food, trying to like it less the older I get. Anyways I don't want to bore our millions of readers out there with my bio, I want to get to my main reason for signing on today.

Ever since I started college back in 2001, there has always been a debate about what college has the hottest girls, or which state is has the hottest co-ed population. My default answer has ALWAYS been Texas. This past weekend I ventured out of my home state to attend a wedding in Lafayette, Louisiana, home of the Ragin Cajuns and some of the best food I have ever tasted. While I have done alot of traveling over the last year for numerous work events and personal trips, I usually catch a glimpse of that city's "finest" in the airport. Kansas City, Missouri was less than impressive. PAY ATTENTION TO THIS NEXT STATEMENT TEXAS GIRLS


STEP YOUR GAME UP! Louisiana Girls will catch you! I mean it. I stepped off the plane and the first 10 females I saw in the airport were top notch. And then on top of that throw in the Cajun accent. I was privileged enough to get to hang out with 6 of the best looking ones in Lafayette before, during and after my buddy's wedding. They don't mess around down in the Bayou. For the longest time, national polls and opinions say that the fight is between Texas and California for best looking women, I stand here today and tell you Texas Girls, you are fighting the wrong foe. Grab your hairspray and mini skirts and head East. There you will find your newest arch enemy!

Fight the good fight.

-Dearing