Being a Dad is great

I often defer some of the 'routine' kid stuff to Amy, as I know she likes having one-on-one time with Layne when it comes to bed and/or bath time. Plus it gives me time to do the housework ... er ... do the dishes ... er ...

But last night Amy was at book club and I was lucky enough to be responsible for getting The Hurricane to bed. Normally, she takes a break from her goodnight bottle to yell, "Night, night Da Da!" about five times, while Amy rocks her, but last night, as she looked into my eyes, she just whispered (and my heart, subsequently, melted).

I don't often reflect on how amazing it is to be a parent, but I know now why my Dad always stares deeply into my eyes. OK, OK, he doesn't (because I'd likely ask him what the hell he was doing), but I bet he did a few times when I was 15 months old.

I've always considered the 'time flies' cliché to represent how long it has been since high school or carefree partying, but it's so much different as a parent. The months just fly by and, like a TV commercial I didn't flip past in time, I can see Layne getting on the school bus, and graduating junior high, and going off to college. I have friends that sent their kids to school for the first time this year, and their kids are supposed to be babies.

But I don't dwell on that, because each and every day is a gift and if I start planning too far in advance, who knows what I'll miss today?

But we have close friends who just brought their new daughter home 10 days ago, and close friends who just announced they're expecting a baby in April, and I expect they'll know how amazing this experience is very soon, if they don't already.

It's the most amazing thing in the world.

Comments

[Kimmer]

Wow, i got chills Dwight!!! This was a good one!

[Jen]

Look at you, getting all sentimental and nostalgic. :-)

Time really does fly. We just celebrated our baby's fifth birthday --- some baby! And on the one hand, it seems like Cooper and Sophia were just born, but on the other, I can't imagine a time without them. Funny, that.

[Larry]

Yes time does fly and yes even to this day I wish it had slowed down so I could enjoy the moments more. Be sure to get as many of those moments as you can!! Thx for the pictorial reminder too!