Big Day

Amelia's grandparents are in town, I borrowed a bounce house for her to play in tomorrow, she has ballet class (which she seems to be happy about), the weather is supposed to be nice, and the Gators play a big game tomorrow night...some days just seem like they are built to be special.

Shocking

Either I just told Amelia the shocking news that Sophie isn't technically her sister or she just happens to have freakishly long hair that likes to stand on end for no apparent reason...

Checking Off the List

As I was painting Baby Boy's room this weekend it crossed my mind that we are really crossing most of the items off the list. I can't recall the timing of all this before Amelia's birth. (Actually, I can't remember much before Amelia's birth. I think two years of limited sleep has erased my memory.) That said, it feels like we are ahead of the game a bit on some of the items. We are still 4 months out and we have painted the room, we have placed all the furniture where it is going, we have several articles of clothing, etc. So, going down the list it appears we are ready to have our baby. Oh yeah, that's right, we don't have a NAME. Oh well, we won't know what the hell to tell people to call him, but he'll be wearing nice clothes in his freshly painted blue room.

Love....Continued

On the walk down the stairs this morning, Amelia grabbed my hand and said "Daddy, you're my best friend". I'm telling you all, I am eating up every ounce of this age. I know the day will come where she finds out I'm actually not that cool. That's okay. It will be a better day than when she figures out that I'm not nearly as smart as she thinks I am just because I can do her flash cards. However, until that day comes....I will continue to let her tell me I hung the moon as often as she wants to say it.

Getting is Better than Giving

Amelia is finally at an age where she can give love as much she gets it. I know she has always had that instinctual daughter-father love for me. That love feels great. But, that love is nothing like what she offers these days. I submit two examples of what I get to be around...feel free to be jealous...

Yesterday, I walked into the house and she ran to the door, grabbed my leg, and said "Daaaaaadddyyy!!! I love you!!"

Tonight, we were sitting next to each other at dinner when she gave me a big hug around my neck and said "Daddy, I missed you so much!"

Life Imitates Art

This song reminded me of Amelia the moment I heard it. Since then, it pops into my mind any time Amelia and I are doing the simple things and yet having the time of our (most likely MY) life. Yesterday was a perfect example. We stopped at a local pizza place for lunch after our smashing success at ballet. After settling into our booth, Amelia yanked off my hat and put it on her head. A few seconds later I was blowing her pizza to cool it a bit and she started blowing on my head. She began cracking up at how hilarious she was. Then, I did the only reasonable thing I could think of...I began tickling her. As we sat there laughing hysterically with my hair looking like I just woke up from a 3 day bender, Amelia wearing my hat and her ballet costume, and not caring that others were looking at us like we were crazy, I realized this was a moment that I'd always remember and yet, Amelia would have to read about it on the blog someday. To me, it was the highlight of my day. To her, we were just having pizza.

Ballet Pt. 3

Meggan had to work an event today so I had the pleasure of taking Amelia to ballet all to myself. She wasn't really all that excited to go so I made her a deal (which I am very against as a parent). I told her she could have a surprise if she didn't cry at dance today. In retrospect, I should have been more ambitious and specific in my request. I'm not sure if you can decipher the grainy picture (from a cell phone of a mirrored reflection on TV) below, but you may be able to see there is an ENTIRE class of students on the left and there is one lone wolf sitting on the floor on the right. Yep, that lone wolf is my daughter. She sat down at the beginning of class and didn't move a butt cheek for the entire 45 minutes. The other kids danced near her, around her, and at a few points tried to speak to her. She just sat. It was reminiscent of the scene in Good Will Hunting where he was forced to go to therapy...He went to therapy, but sat there in silence the whole time proving the point that you can make him go, but you can't make him participate. Well, I can take Amelia to ballet, but I can't make her dance. The worst part - when she walked out of after class was over, the first thing she said was "Daddy, I didn't cry". She got me on that one. So, we went shopping for her surprise later in the afternoon.