Luckily for my husband, Father’s Day never gave him negative/hard feelings while we were TTC. He was always very focused on celebrating his dad and was of the mindset of if it’s going to happen for us, it will happen, if not, it won’t. I definitely wasn’t that relaxed about it, and obviously we needed ART to bring Stella into our lives, but I do admire his ability to just have faith that things would work out the way they were supposed to. Because he never built this day up in a negative way whatsoever, it continues to be a day filled with joy, celebration, and love that is untouched by bittersweet emotions. Thankfully, this year we were able to celebrate with his father his first year of being a father to Stella. It was such a good day. 🙂
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| Stella with her Father and her Father’s Father! |
This day was filled with so much laughter and love. We spent eight hours up at Charlie’s parent’s house eating, laughing, talking, singing along to old music on the ancient boombox, and playing with Stella. It was pretty much perfect. 🙂
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| Playing airplane with Daddy! |
Charlie is such an amazing father to Stella. I know these first six months of her life have necessarily been very mommy-centric, and sadly, I know that there have been too many times that I have been too short with him regarding her. Too often I just wish he could read my mind and intuitively read Stella better like I do, but whenever I make myself step back and just watch, I remember that we are both so new to this, and we are both doing what we can to be the best parents possible to Stella. For example, when I can tell that the one last game of airplane when she’s sleepy is going to send her over the edge and I am frustrated he won’t stop before it reaches that point, I need to remind myself that he is playing that one last game of airplane with her because he loves her so much and he loves to make her laugh. He loves her just as much as I do – he just is her Dad, not her Mom, and his relationship with her is entirely different than my own, and that’s okay.
We love you Charlie – you are an amazing Daddy.
What a beautiful post, Josey!"Too often I just wish he could read my mind and intuitively read Stella better like I do, but whenever I make myself step back and just watch, I remember that we are both so new to this, and we are both doing what we can to be the best parents possible to Stella. " I have especially loved the lines because they seem to ring true to me.On a side note, how many naps does Stella take in a day? When you spent those hours at her grandparents' house, was she was awake and playful all the time?
Great post! So true about the frustrations of not knowing her as well as you do! I have to think about that and cut my hubby a break!
Glad Charlie had a great first Father's Day!!
Great post, and a good reminder as well…I need to zip my lips sometimes!
"when I can tell that the one last game of airplane when she's sleepy is going to send her over the edge and I am frustrated he won't stop before it reaches that point,"I've talked to my mom about this exact situation and she reassures me that every daddy does it and that he will never stop doing that. And you're right, the only reason they do it is because they love their kids so much. Happy daddy's day to C!
Aw! It sounds like you all had a fantastic first Father's Day!I have to keep reminding myself that Hubby is figuring out his relationship with Baby G and unless Baby G is in danger, I just need to take a step back and let them figure it out together. I didn't think I'd be so in tune to Baby G as I am, and if I've spent enough time with him during the day I'm pretty good at anticipating what is about to come. I wish Hubby could read my mind too! Keeping my mouth shut is easier said than done, but I'm getting better at it 🙂
AWW! Happy fathers day to Charlie!! Love those pics!
Naps totally vary depending on how long they are (sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes 1h15 minutes). I try to put her down after she has been awake around 2 1/2 – 3 hrs (or sooner if she's rubbbing her eyes). She took a couple of naps at grandma and grandpa's yesterday – we just put her on their bed surrounded by pillows.
Yep, my Mom had the same advice for me. She said my Dad STILL does that with us kids. LOL
Awww yes – the old Daddy riling up the baby before bed game! We go through this pretty much nightly with McMister and Gracie sprinting around the house after bath. Luckily once I was mega-pregnant (and now that I'm usually nursing Lyla), HE has to put her down. So I've let it go since I'm not the one to deal with it if she gets too crazy to go down 🙂 So soon, he'll be the one accepting the consequences (good AND bad) of fun time 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful day!
What a great post! So very true words – great reminder. And you should get that airplane pic framed – it's fantastic!!!
Great post and great points. Sounds like you guys had a great day! Happy Father's Day to Charlie!
Great pictures Josey!! How does Stella always smile perfectly for the camera?? Charlie looks so happy. Thanks for reminding me of these very important things before our baby comes, that it's important for the dad to have his own relationship with the babe without me interfering.I'm a bit of a micro manager, and would love for Mark to learn these things on his experience without me being a helicopter mommy. Looks like an awesome day!!
Well, I see where Charlie gets the handsome from! Beautiful words about the father-daughter relationship. She's a lucky little lady!
I really love the last paragraph. I find myself doing the same thing and need to take a step back, take a breath and remind myself of the same thing.I just LOVE Stella's smile. It's the best!
Love the last part…so true 🙂 Glad you guys had a good day!
Great post. Love the first pic, smiles all around.
sounds like it was a perfect day. i'm so happy for y'all! looks like daddy is pretty much stella's favorite. 😉 so sweet!
Thanks for that bit…
I really get that whole wishing he could read your mind… that seems to be a pretty frequent occurance around here too. I have to constantly remind myself that just because my Beloved does something with the kids differently than I would doesn't mean it's wrong. Lovely pics… 🙂
[…] me last night that yesterday felt like his first “real” father’s day. He said that last year she was just so little (6mo) and it seemed overwhelming and not like reality to him yet, but that […]