Sunday, June 16, 2013

Dinah's Frog

When I married my husband, I was completely convinced that if we ever had kids, he'd be a crazy good Daddy. That was solidified in my mind the second Dinah came into the world. He stepped into that role so effortlessly. He is exactly the kind of Daddy every girl needs. He'll be exactly what our boy needs too. He was clearly made for this role. 

There isn't a single part of parenting that gets left completely up to me. He prays for her, and with her. He plays dolls or blocks or baseball -even Dinah's version, which means if someone gets a hit, everyone runs the bases. He gives rides on his back, or attempts to draw whatever it is she asks. He feeds her, bathes her, reads to her, disciplines her, puts her to bed, cuddles with her, and attempts to fix her hair. 

He gets up on Saturdays and lets me sleep. He doesn't mind at all if he has to watch her by himself. He does everything I do, and especially right now, sometimes more. She was three days old before I changed a single diaper. I thank God every day that I have the husband that I do, and that our daughter (and soon-to-be son) have the daddy they do. We couldn't ask for more. 

I'll never tire of seeing the way she lights up when he walks in the door, or the look of absolute joy and contentment on her face when he dances with her. I'll always cherish hearing her sweet little voice praying "help Daddy get home" before we eat our lunch, while he's at work. 
 




Thank you, Dean, for being the man you are. Thank you for working so hard to protect us, and provide for us, and love us. And yes, even spoil us. You may never understand how special you are to us, but I pray that you'll feel our love and appreciation daily. 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Fire-Breathing Dragon

Heartburn is a common symptom during pregnancy. If you've been pregnant, or spent much time around anybody who was, you probably know that. I had some heartburn with Dinah. I never had enough to bother with buying Tums or anything, though. But this time? The amount of heartburn I've had is ridiculous. They say the more heartburn you have, the more hair the baby will have. If that's true, I may be having a spider monkey. That could explain the amount of acrobatics this kid does, too. 

The other night I had to warn my husband that if he got too close, he might get his eyebrows singed off. I had a doctor's appointment today, and she prescribed something for it. So, hopefully that takes care of it while I still have some of my esophagus left. Now, if I could just get some sleep. If I could cut down on the heartburn and the crankiness, maybe I wouldn't so closely resemble a fire-breathing dragon. 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

So Sad, but So Sweet

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, motherhood may be the most bittersweet experience in life. 
You find out you're pregnant. You're so excited for the next chapter, but you know life as you know it will never, ever be the same. There's no going back. Then you have the baby. You miss the days when you and your husband can go on dates whenever you like. You miss your sleep. There's no way you'd ever go back, though. This little person is more precious and wonderful than you ever could've imagined. 
You are so sad when they grow out of being a baby. Each milestone brings you a little farther away from that precious baby you brought home. Oh, but each milestone is also so exciting and it's so much fun to be a part of it. It's sad to know you'll never have that sweet baby again. But, you wouldn't trade the sweet little ball of energy dancing before you saying, "Mama, dance with me!" 

There's that little pang of longing for what she once was, followed immediately by the joy of what she has always been.