Madelyn's Daddy

I've been a daddy for almost five months now and I have learned a tremendous amount about daddy-ing and about myself. Discovery #1 - I'm a big softie. So I now offer you a short, and no where near all-encompassing, list of... the Blessings of being Maddy's Daddy

Her Smiles - and I'm not talking about casual grocery store clerk ringing you up pleasantness. I mean high-powered, best christmas morning ever, contort her whole body, almost uncontainable joy. It drowns out every other crummy thing that's happened in my day and makes you realize what's truly important. It doesn't matter whether it's a first-smile-of-the-morning smile, or a daddy-just-got-home-from-work smile, or a just-got-up-from-a-nap smile Maddy always seems excited to see me. It does wonders for my ego.

Her Happy Noises - her high-pitched, super excited, I can't contain myself squeal forces me to chuckle. You can count on it when she's kicking in the bath; when she "stands" with our help, when flying as "super-Maddy," when we play peek-a-boo or zerbert her belly, or when mommy sings "If You're Happy and You Know It." Then there's her cute-as-a-puppy-on-a-toilet paper -commercial cooing and babbling whenever she's on the changing table. Apparently being naked makes her vocal. Her first real words will probably be "naked baby." And she let's mommy and daddy know that she's done with her nap by having a conversation with her hands and feet in her crib.

Her Unhappy Noises - her cries melt my heart and sometimes turn my stomach, but they also remind me how much I love this beautiful little person. It's a feeling that I could not anticipate. I hurt for her.

Her Learning Milestones - i'm already her biggest cheerleader in the world. From her first smile, to first grab, to first roll-over, each and every one is a bigger accomplishment than my best ever was. I want her to accomplish it more than she does... and I'm guessing that will continue to be the case for a long time.

And every other everyday seemingly inconsequential act -

• Holding my fingers
• Jumping in her jumperoo
• Winning a staring contest with me while I eat dinner
• Reaching for Marley as he snuggles on the floor next to us
• Watching me while I give her a bottle

Bless those of you that are already parents. To those that are not: You've got to try this!