Father's Day 2010

Fathers Day came and went, and I am just now posting about it. So, first I'd like to give apologies to Daddy Danny, this is in no way a reflection on his fathering skills, but a reflection of my time management.

It's hard to believe that last father's day Danny received his first father's day card with a positive pregnancy test inside! Of course, his response was a bit anti-climatic -
Danny - this isn't positive, no, I don't believe it...go take another one.
Me - that is my second one
Danny - well, take another one in the morning
Next morning:
Me - yep, still positive
Danny - alright! My guys can swim! (maybe I should have left that part out...but I need to document that this really was his reaction...no, no, honey, I love YOU more...)

Then, on father's day, we skyped and called family to let them know! One year later, we have our little Ruthie Anne!

First, a recap of father's day 2010...
He woke up to cards from Ruthie, Punkers and myself (yes, Ruthie and Punkers had their own cards because both are advanced and have excellent penmanship) alongside of this:

We then went to Lowell's at the Public Market for breakfast before going on a hike to Franklin Falls (man, I'm a good wife, I let him take me and my baby for a hike!)



I swear Ruthie is in there somewhere...I was a bit overprotective with the padding...










She refused to sleep at Lowell's, but was sound asleep as she stood in front of a huge waterfall...splashed by water. Normal?






It was a fun day topped off by the big present, a new grill - the ultimate Father's Day gift. I though I'd get him good gifts now before Ruthie grows up and gives him strange ties year after year.

And now to let Danny know how much we love him -

A top 10 list of why I know my husband is an amazing father. The ideas were given to me by Roo herself.

10. All he wants is for her to be happy. I had to sneak sponge baths in the first few weeks because she cried during her first one. Danny couldn't handle it and announced no more sponge baths.
9. He will do anything to see her smile. He has quite the crazy dance he does anytime she isn't happy. I just hope the neighbors are watching.
8. He has quite the grandiose plans for her as she grows older. Every Saturday they will have a new excursion - parks, zoos, etc. I can't wait for this stage! He is pushing for her to be left-handed (because THAT'S controllable.) She will speak Mandarin. She will NOT be a doctor, and she will be athletic. No pressure, little one, no pressure.
7. Everyday I get a text that says "PHOTOS!!!!!PHOTOS!!!!PHOTOS!!!" Meaning, he is missing our little Ruthie and needs photos of her.
6. He's already claimed me as the disciplinarian. Not that a pushover makes a good dad, but at least he's honest with himself - he's wrapped around her finger.
5. Every morning I hear him go into Ruthie's room to give her a kiss before he goes. She usually wakes up as he gets ready, coos for awhile and goes back to sleep until wake up time. I hear her cooing at Danny every morning. It is precious.
4. Every night when he gets home, after he gives me a kiss, he goes straight to his Ruthie to give her kisses. He is counting the days until she can scream "DADDY!" when he comes home.
3. Every night before bedtime, after bath and prayers, he reads poems to her. It started with Shel Silverstein, and we have now moved to Caroline Kennedy's collection of poems. I'm not allowed in the room because that is their special time.
2. Ruthie herself is obsessed with him. She refuses to eat if she hears his voice. Since she was two weeks old, her little neck would crane around looking for her Daddy.
1. He is an amazing husband, and that is necessary in order to be a wonderful Daddy. The Lord has really blessed me with an amazing family.

Father's Day was also a day to thank our dads as well. I can honestly say that we wouldn't be where we are in our marriage if it wasn't for our dads. They are amazing. Papa, you have encouraged me through the toughest of times and have been my rock since day one of my life. When I was at my lowest, you were there to pick me up. You are honestly a picture of what God's Grace looks like. Some people can't fathom the Grace of God because their own relationships with their fathers are so scarred by tempers, anger and fear. But, dad, you have been a true blessing in my life in that I have always know what unconditional love looked like. I hope to show Ruthie the love you and mom showed me through the years.

Dadaw, you too are amazing, and I know that Danny looks up to you in a way that I hope our kids look up to Danny someday - with respect, love and gratitude. You also mirror the grace of God to your kids. We have the most gentle, loving and Godly fathers, and I know that Ruthie is the luckiest little girl to have them as her Papa and Dadaw. We can only hope and pray to be the parents that our parents are to us.