Daddy's Girl

Before I got pregnant with Baby A, my husband and I had a discussion about what our expectations were for each other as parents. I wanted him to be a hands-on dad, and that did not include just changing diapers and preparing bottles, but getting involved in our child's life. In my mind I could see the two of them playing catch in the backyard, fishing on the lake at the family clubhouse, and playing tennis at the park, etc.; all of these, together.

Little did I know that was part of the plan all along. My husband surprised us all those first few days after our daughter was born. While I was in the hospital after giving birth via C-section my honey stepped up and took care not only of me, but of our baby girl too. And his role as caregiver hasn't changed one bit, except now there's a bit of fun added in. Nowadays he rocks her to sleep, swims in the pool with her, and introduces his favorite sports to her (she's a big fan of the Blues and the Cardinals, and has been exposed to the "Phelps Effect" much like the rest of the United States who've been itching for their Olympics fix).


Baby Girl loves to spend time with her daddy, and looks forward to his return home from work each day. She enjoys watching him come up the stairs from the garage, and then the greeting begins. It's really cute to watch, but at this point, I'm just a bystander. Once he arrives I become the proverbial piece of chopped liver, because she only has eyes for him. But honestly, I don't mind. Especially since I get her all to myself each weekday, and poor daddy has only a few hours each evening to play with her. Besides, as she and I have that unbreakable mother-daughter bond that just is, she and her daddy have a different, but equally unshakable relationship that has been beautiful to see flourish.

We are richly blessed, and extremely fortunate, by the addition of Baby A to our family. She has brought out the best in the both of us, as she has touched each of us in a special way that is indescribable. As our personalities shape hers, she in turn has been shaping ours. And all I know at this moment in time is that the best is yet to come.