Happy Father's Day

Last Father's Day I was pregnant and so I could celebrate the fact that your daddy was soon going to be a father. Your daddy was very excited to meet you and excited to be a father, but that doesn't really show what kind of father he would be. I knew he would be great and was eager see him step into this new role. And while I never doubted if he'd be a good father or not, I am blown away by just how incredible of a father he truly is.

I have always said what a great husband he is, never falling into society's traditional views on husband vs wife. He cooks, he cleans with me, he does laundry with me, you name it, he does it without being asked to. We are one united team and work great together. Maybe it was the dry heaving that took place when he changed your cousin's dirty diaper for the first time, but I just didn't think our roles as parents would be quite so equal. I knew he would adore you boys with every fiber in his body. I anticipated him being there to love on you boys and to have fun. But in all honesty, I assumed I'd be doing the majority of the feedings, diaper changing, and night-time shifts...and I was okay with that.

Let me say, you have one of the most hands-on, loving, gentle father's I have seen. He jumps at the opportunity to do any and everything you boys need. I don't think there was one night-time feeding he slept through. Even once he went back to work, your daddy was up, changing your diapers and helping me with those long nights. Now, when he gets home from work, exhausted and ready for a break, he jumps right into our wonderful chaos at home and takes care of you boys.

From someone who had changed one or two dirty diapers in his life and didn't really know how to take care of babies, I am just amazed at his natural parenting abilities. Your daddy is just a pro! I'll never forget the first diaper change in the NICU. I was snuggling with you Wiley, when the nurse asked if we wanted to change you, Ryan. Your daddy didn't even hesitate, "Absolutely! But you'll have to show me." Watching him work so carefully and lovingly around your tiny body and wires, like he had been doing this all his life is a moment I won't forget.

 

 

It is so clear that you boys appreciate his love for you already too. We surprised him at work a few weeks ago. Wiley the second you saw him, your eyes lit up and you smiled like I had never seen. It wasn't just an, "I'm happy smile," there truly was something deeper in your eyes. It made me tear up seeing how much you boys love him already.

Each day when we talk on the phone, you hear his voice and both turn to look for him. It does not surprise me that you love him already because he just loves you boys that much. He has shown nothing but love for you and already you know that. The other day he was smooching on you both and seriously asked me, "Do I kiss them too much?" Before I even had a chance to answer, "No way!" he answered himself, "No! I can't kiss them enough. I just love them so much!" You boys are very lucky to have a daddy who loves you as much as yours does. I love the relationship the three of you already have and am excited to watch it develop as you grow.