Dear TAco, This post is for you. It would have been a tragedy for you not to be a daddy. Your boy loves you so much. I get so warm when I hear you and Peep in the other room deep into one of your "construction" projects, building the greatest swing set any man, woman or child has ever seen or the most elaborate sand box a Peep could ever need or want. The steam roller rides at night and the skink kisses before bed are more than many boys ever get and they are unique to you. Each night at 5pm, an hour before you're home, like an eager pup Henny prepares for your arrival. He begs to hide so he can surprise you as you roll into the house. He gets so happy doing this. He picks out your pencil for the day with great thought and attention. Speaking of pencils, if you ask him what one is used for he says, "As fingers to type with." He loves singing with you and I am sure there is not another boy alive who has taught their son all the words to Just a Gigolo. Perhaps, only you would drive around very slowly and lovingly, neighborhood after neighborhood on an Easter Sunday so your boy could take a restful nap in the car because while out of town he can have a troubled time trying to sleep.
You go to work everyday, long hours so that I can have the honor to stay home with the boy. I feel I can't tell you often enough what a gift that is. I know what a sacrifice it is for you. You would love to be in my shoes as we climb the stairs of the pool slide on a sunny afternoon, as we go on a fall nature search, or to chase him through the library on a rainy day, but gratitude is not lost here. Someday your lil' buddy perched on your arm rest will be too heavy with legs too long to partake in a ride around the block but you'll find new ways to be close with your boy, because that's what great dad's do. We love you. Thanks for being such a man. Love, Wifey and your little Pizza Wolf
Henry wanted to say.... Hanny Henny Hinny, Henny, Pinny Penny Pine, Pinny Penny Pinny,
Another special day with you. Big deal right? Every post Mommy makes she says something about it being a very special day. Well, I just can't help it Henry. Every day since you came along has been a little more special and today is no exception. Today is Papa's first Father's Day! We started off the day by going to church together. You were a little gentleman as always in your little checked button up and blue overalls. When Mommy went for communion you came too and Father Bob gave you a blessing and to repay him for the gesture you threw out a huge giggly smile to him. Daddy held you most of the time cozily in the crook of his arm. Toward the end of mass Father Bob gave recognition and a blessing prayer to all of the fathers and Mommy's eyes were a tad misty; partly because this was Daddy's first Father's Day and partly for the grey-haired wrinkly men present alone with their wives because their babies were off having their own lives and party for those who are still waiting for their first day. Those old men had their first Father's Day long ago, just as you will have your first someday far ahead. Mommy felt so proud to be there with her two guys. I am pretty certain Daddy was proud to be with us.
So... for your first Father's Day you honored Daddy three ways.... 1. On Friday we had fresh warm cookies from Baked! delivered to Daddy at work as a surprise. We also went to have lunch with him.
2. On Wednesday we were sneaky and went to Latest Glaze and made Daddy his first Daddy mug, complete with your footprint. You LOVED this. I took your Bumbo to sit you in so you could be a part of the painting process.
I gave you two big fluffy brushes, which you enjoyed wielding around. At one point I looked up at you to smile at your loud coo's and your face was super wet! I thought, "Man! You're really droolin' up a storm!"
I wiped your face dry and went back to painting. Then I figured out why your face was so wet! You had discovered in less then five mintues that you could dip your brush in the clean bowl of water next to you and paint all over your face. You were in love with this but Mommy did not know if this was such a good idea and when I moved the bowl away you were not phased. You stretched your lil' arms out and over and dipped that brush anyway and went to touchin' it on your toes and legs. It was cool because it was the first really independent meaningful action I've seen you take. It served a purpose with a clear cause and effect. You have a brain that is rapidly developing so I'm not sure why this shocks me so much. In that moment of laughing at you a sad lil' twist found it's way in. You're growin' up already?
So, we were painting Daddy's mug...Mommy chose a bright blue on the outside a medium green on the inside, dark brown letters, a greenish teal footprint, and greenish blue stars. We marked the inside bottom with a heart and all of our first initials. We unsuccessfully tried to ad a footprint on the inside but as soon as I stuck your foot down in the mug you started wigglin' it around. There turned out one big toe mark and a chaos of brown. I think it will look lovely, even with the dancing foot inside! We have to pick it up on Monday. That was the quickest firing time they had. It was fun doing this with you and we will definitely do it again.
3. The last thing we did was put a Father's Day ad in the local newspaper letting Daddy know that we love him. It is super cute and Daddy was touched that his Leetha and Taquito thought to honor him in the official record so.
Now Daddy is nappin' out back while listening to his I Pod and you're hanging out on your blanket with your duckies. Mommy is going to have some cream of wheat before going to a parallel parking contest at the Greek's. Too bad Daddy doesn't have his van yet to drive. He is the best parallel parker I've ever seen. One smooth move into the spot! One smooth move out.