Hello and good Sunday morning everyone! This morning Daddy's girl woke up before her brother. We're sitting here enjoying a slice of banana cake that my wife made from scratch yesterday. It's nice to spend some one on one time with her in the stillness of the morning. She won't always be this little and snuggly. I feel some urgency to enjoy it all I can now.
So much of my experience as a parent has been spent in anticipation of things to come. There was the waiting for them to be finished brewing in my wife's belly and come out to meet me. I saw my children in ultrasound images and delighted as they took on greater, or at least more specific, form in those images over time. I saw my wife's belly button pop out like the button on a Thanksgiving turkey. I thought at that point that it must be time any day now. Still, the waiting continued.
When they were infants laying swaddled in my arms or on their play mats, I wondered how long would it be until they could crawl and, of course, watching them try to push up onto their knees and pull themselves up on the coffee table brought with it almost intolerable suspense.
I remember thinking: "I can't wait until I don't have to buy diapers or wipe little patoots any more!" I seriously considered throwing a party when Lila joined Todd in no longer needing any potty time help. It seemed to me as though that day would never come.
There was the long awaited still only sort of achieved milestone of no more screaming fits, but talking instead. Of course the crying babies who cannot express themselves days are gone. Todd tells us very clearly what is on his mind even when he is very angry. My daughter still throws a fit and is hard to comprehend sometimes when she is angry. We're working on it. She's got a temper. I have no idea where it comes from. It must be from her mom's side of the family. {{lockewasright clears his throat, looks away and struggles to keep a straight face}}
Sometimes I think that some peace and quiet on my days off while they go to school might be nice. Or an opportunity to take their mother on a lunch date while the teachers have the kids would be great.
All of the above and more... How will they do in sports? Will they excel in school? At what subjects? Will Lila be as beautiful as a grown woman as she is as a little girl? When can I start swapping filthy jokes with them?
The tendency to look to the future impatiently in anticipation of less needy little people, or great free time, with hope for their enormous potential, and excitement to see their personalities develop is both part of my personality and something that I imagine is just part of being a parent. There is so much thinking of what's to come.
But at this moment, this morning, all that I want is for time to cease its endless march for a Daddy and his Petunia. For my baby girl to stay tiny and cute and cuddly and for this moment to never end. Right here, right now, is just fine with me.
Here are three canadian fellows who seem to understand:
Yeah, like this:
Here's a song I've just uploaded because every version that youtube had was one that I found to be lacking:
This one doesn't need a reason:
Such a sweet sound:
Keepin' those strings busy:
You had to know it was coming:
A little action from The Velvet Steam Roller:
Jeff Healey and Dr. John:
A little Otis Rush just for good measure:
The kids and I thank you for coming by to spend some of your Sunday with us. Our day has been improved by sharing it with you. We hope that you will join us in the comments section to add whatever tunes you'd like or just to enjoy the company of some great people.
Remember, Todd and Lila love you.