Today at Gymboree I had two women call me "Mr. Mom." They were being very complimentary of course.
The first was a Mom in our class who said, "I told my husband that there was a Dad and Daughter in class and he said 'how about I quit my job and be Mr. Mom, and you go to work.'"
The second instance was a woman coming in for the next class who opened the door for me as I left and said, "awe, look at Mr. Mom... I think that's awesome!"
As I drove home, I thought to myself, "why Mr. Mom?" Why is a Dad who takes an active role in parenting called "Mom"???
I know the movie was popular and everything, but that was the 1980's. Times have changed, haven't they? I absolutely LOVE the time I get to spend with Charlotte. I can't imagine NOT having a few days a week just for her and I... and I know she feels the same.
Beck and I are very fortunate to have the opportunity to share the responsibility of raising our baby girl. It may or may not stay that way for long, but while it lasts all I know, is that I don't feel like a "substitute" for Mom... I feel like a Dad who is head over heels for his daughter.
For the record: No one could ever replace or sub-in for the way my wife cares for and loves our sweet little girl. She is a GREAT Mommy. As for me... I prefer to just be called "Daddy".
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Too fast
Is it possible your 3-month old could be getting too old too fast? It sure seems that way. Not that I want my baby to stay this way forever, but sometimes I miss that little girl who could curl up on my chest and fall alseep for 2 or 3 hours.
But I suppose I'll trade that in for all the great smiles, funny faces, and sweet little giggles she makes now. It's just amazing how much a baby changes from day to day, week to week.
Sometimes I look at her and see a little girl now, not a baby. Sad and wonderful all at the same time!
But I suppose I'll trade that in for all the great smiles, funny faces, and sweet little giggles she makes now. It's just amazing how much a baby changes from day to day, week to week.
Sometimes I look at her and see a little girl now, not a baby. Sad and wonderful all at the same time!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
My Valentine
I told Mommy a few weeks ago that I have a new Valentine now. Truth is, now I finally have my chocolates to go with the beautiful rose I've had for years. The crazy thing to me is that Beck and I have celebrated Valentine's Day for however many years its' been, but I've never been more in love with her.
I know, I know... here's that sappy guy again. Sorry everyone, but there's just something about watching my wife care for our beautiful daughter that makes my heart skip a beat everytime.
I never realized how much having Charlotte in our home would enhance our relationship. We have always had a great partnership, and worked together well. But caring for our daughter has made us really focus on our teamwork, and our marriage seems to be flourishing because of it.
You hear all the stories about what fatherhood does to guys... it seems so ironic that most of us are so afraid to become Dads, when becoming one holds the key that unlocks so many of our restraints.
I know, I know... here's that sappy guy again. Sorry everyone, but there's just something about watching my wife care for our beautiful daughter that makes my heart skip a beat everytime.
I never realized how much having Charlotte in our home would enhance our relationship. We have always had a great partnership, and worked together well. But caring for our daughter has made us really focus on our teamwork, and our marriage seems to be flourishing because of it.
You hear all the stories about what fatherhood does to guys... it seems so ironic that most of us are so afraid to become Dads, when becoming one holds the key that unlocks so many of our restraints.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Reflecting
You know, the other day I was telling a friend who is expecting his first child in March a few stories about our experience. Among them was the story of our ride home from the hospital with Charlotte. I sat up front and Beck sat in the back with the baby.
I had the radio on, but very low, and I swear it was the quietest ride I've ever had. Beck and I were both so nervous. You could almost hear the thoughts in both of our heads over the "Dan Patrick Show" on the radio.
We were both overwhelmed with the gravity of the moment. Here we were, driving home with our first child, with NO IDEA what we were doing. That was the scariest moment of my life, and I'm sure Beck felt the same way.
We walked in the house, set our stuff down, and were both thinking, "okay, what do we do with her now?"
Reflecting on that day now, it seems like a lifetime ago. Charlotte has carved out her place in our home, and it seems like she has always been here.
One of the most amazing parts about becoming a parent I think is how, if you put in some effort, it comes naturally to you. Don't misunderstand. I am not by any stretch of the imagination saying Beck and I are experts. However, I'm sure if we could have seen some video of us now, back BEFORE we left the hospital with Charlotte, we would have had a much livier ride home that day. I needed a diaper change when we got home too!
I wish there was a way to pass that feeling along to new parents so they don't have so much anxiety about coming home; Just to let them know it will be okay. What a gift that would be to a brand new parent. It just goes back to an earlier post here about being able to pass along those feelings and experiences to someone with just a touch of the hand (like the Nissan Maxima commercial).
It's amazing now how when my daughter smiles at me, those feelings of inadequacy that new parent feels seem so distant. I'm sure they'll return again, but my baby girl's smile sure does melt all of that away!
I had the radio on, but very low, and I swear it was the quietest ride I've ever had. Beck and I were both so nervous. You could almost hear the thoughts in both of our heads over the "Dan Patrick Show" on the radio.
We were both overwhelmed with the gravity of the moment. Here we were, driving home with our first child, with NO IDEA what we were doing. That was the scariest moment of my life, and I'm sure Beck felt the same way.
We walked in the house, set our stuff down, and were both thinking, "okay, what do we do with her now?"
Reflecting on that day now, it seems like a lifetime ago. Charlotte has carved out her place in our home, and it seems like she has always been here.
One of the most amazing parts about becoming a parent I think is how, if you put in some effort, it comes naturally to you. Don't misunderstand. I am not by any stretch of the imagination saying Beck and I are experts. However, I'm sure if we could have seen some video of us now, back BEFORE we left the hospital with Charlotte, we would have had a much livier ride home that day. I needed a diaper change when we got home too!
I wish there was a way to pass that feeling along to new parents so they don't have so much anxiety about coming home; Just to let them know it will be okay. What a gift that would be to a brand new parent. It just goes back to an earlier post here about being able to pass along those feelings and experiences to someone with just a touch of the hand (like the Nissan Maxima commercial).
It's amazing now how when my daughter smiles at me, those feelings of inadequacy that new parent feels seem so distant. I'm sure they'll return again, but my baby girl's smile sure does melt all of that away!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
February begins... almost 3 months old
We finished our second week today; Charlotte and I. What's funny is that on one hand it seems like it's been so long, and on the other, it seems like just a couple days. Let me explain.
I realize two weeks is not a very long time, but Charlotte has changed so much in the last two weeks. She changes so quickly, it seems like she ages in double time.
Two nights ago, she woke up at 4:30am and wanted some food. Midway through her feeding, I took her to her room to change her diaper. She was so attentive and happy while I changed her diaper. She smiled SO much and laughed and cooed the whole time.
When I brought her back to our bed to finish feeding, she laid in her Mommy's lap, leaning back to look at me while I lay next to her. She starred at me, and begin talking. Not just single sounds... but sentences (in baby talk of course). We talked for what seemed like 10 minutes. We giggled and had a conversation about something... and all I know was that I had never seen my daughter so animated and excited about talking as she was that night. She was so excited, she raised her voice to a very loud level, laughing the whole time.
I'm sure many of you know exactly how much my heart warmed while we carried on our talk. I couldn't sleep the rest of the night, and of course Charlotte took a little longer to wind down after this feeding than normal.
She LOVES to talk. She absolutely loves it. She paces her "words" and I swear she has even started to use some similar intonation that she hears from her Mommy and me.
And that smile. Man. I can't handle that smile. It just melts me. I'm telling you. I don't stand a chance when this girl gets older. I am toast!
My favorite part of this week happened tonight, when Beck came home. I just finished feeding Charlotte and was burping her over my shoulder. Beck came into the kitchen and Charlotte lifted her head off my shoulder and started to talk to her Mom. She stared into Beck's eyes, smiled, and told her the story of her day (in her language of course). She spent a good 5 minutes, holding her head up, taking turns with Mom, telling her about everything she did during her day. And when she was done, she put her head down on my shoulder and let out a big sigh. Unbelievable.
No one can ever prepare a new parent for the amount of love they will have for their baby... My girl has me so wrapped around her little finger, and I love it.
I realize two weeks is not a very long time, but Charlotte has changed so much in the last two weeks. She changes so quickly, it seems like she ages in double time.
Two nights ago, she woke up at 4:30am and wanted some food. Midway through her feeding, I took her to her room to change her diaper. She was so attentive and happy while I changed her diaper. She smiled SO much and laughed and cooed the whole time.
When I brought her back to our bed to finish feeding, she laid in her Mommy's lap, leaning back to look at me while I lay next to her. She starred at me, and begin talking. Not just single sounds... but sentences (in baby talk of course). We talked for what seemed like 10 minutes. We giggled and had a conversation about something... and all I know was that I had never seen my daughter so animated and excited about talking as she was that night. She was so excited, she raised her voice to a very loud level, laughing the whole time.
I'm sure many of you know exactly how much my heart warmed while we carried on our talk. I couldn't sleep the rest of the night, and of course Charlotte took a little longer to wind down after this feeding than normal.
She LOVES to talk. She absolutely loves it. She paces her "words" and I swear she has even started to use some similar intonation that she hears from her Mommy and me.
And that smile. Man. I can't handle that smile. It just melts me. I'm telling you. I don't stand a chance when this girl gets older. I am toast!
My favorite part of this week happened tonight, when Beck came home. I just finished feeding Charlotte and was burping her over my shoulder. Beck came into the kitchen and Charlotte lifted her head off my shoulder and started to talk to her Mom. She stared into Beck's eyes, smiled, and told her the story of her day (in her language of course). She spent a good 5 minutes, holding her head up, taking turns with Mom, telling her about everything she did during her day. And when she was done, she put her head down on my shoulder and let out a big sigh. Unbelievable.
No one can ever prepare a new parent for the amount of love they will have for their baby... My girl has me so wrapped around her little finger, and I love it.
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