tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66826228945805522752024-03-13T14:14:54.528-07:00Now I'm a DaddyAdventures of a first time fatherDaddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-53683881519066005742018-07-11T05:57:00.000-07:002018-07-11T05:57:47.062-07:00Where do the days go to? Forget that, where do the years go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Having children is great. Yeah, everyone says that, and at the same time everyone gets run ragged during the same journey, but really, honestly and truly, having children is great.<br />
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One great aspect of having children is watching them progress. Starting from this helpless bundle that leaves the hospital with you, reliant on you to do everything from feed, change, bath and even burp them. So helpless, pure and innocent. Then you watch them as they start to crawl, make those first few moves towards walking as you nervously try to catch them and make sure they don't fall into anything sharp or hard. Reminded of the anxiety of that as I write about it! Slowly they begin to talk, or in most cases just make some noises that only parents can decipher as 'talking', and even then with some effort.<br />
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In what seems a few days they are constantly talking to you, asking questions that amuse and amaze you - "Daddy, you can't drink coffee in a car because drinking and driving is bold" - and in public discussing what sometimes seems like the most thought out ways to embarrass you.<br />
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On it goes, at lightning speed, to pre-school or school - that first day where you are more nervous that your child, and like all the other parents tiptoe around the room nervously, exchanging anxious smiles with other parents. This moment, while you don't know it at the time, is when they start their own lives independently. Up to now everything in their life and behaviour has been managed and controlled by you. Their interactions have been with who you have decided and you have been there to jump in whenever needed. Now, they are on their own. And perhaps more of a blow - you are.<br />
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All that is about a four-year journey, and definitely there are times where it feels like years longer (usually when you are up for your tenth sleepless night nursing a sick or sleepless child), but taken as a whole it seems like days. That child who is answering you back, who is disagreeing with you on bedtime or that they are old enough to play Minecraft because their classmates are, is suddenly no longer your little baby. They have morphed into a fully independent individual with all that entails. How did that happen?<br />
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However this strange distortion of time happens on the parenting journey, the lesson I have learned and will share is that parents should embrace every moment, record every memory, and really be mindful of the many, many stages of development we are privileged to share. Do it now, because these days, months and years will fly by and they only happen once in a lifetime.<br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-16556552017280931142014-04-09T03:45:00.000-07:002014-04-09T03:45:18.088-07:00Music and DancingRebecca is a real girly girl. She is so full of love and cuddles and care for everything (her brother Alan being the current top recipient, after Daddy).<br />
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We dance together some evenings, and the last few days we have been watching 'The Beatles' videos and songs on my chromebook. It is great fun dancing with her - no inhibitions, and for someone with as little dance coordination as me that's a great bonus!<br />
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We watched hello/goodbye a few times and I think it is her curent favourite. It was essential she kew who the guy in the red was, in the yellow, in the green, the guy on the drums.<br />
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Next was Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band, where they are in the same colours. The question there was - Who is Sargent pepper Daddy?<br />
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Next we watched "come together", which had an animated video...and that is where Dad was truly confused - the colours were swapped and I had to map the yellow man to the blue man, the green to black and all while dancing, and holding Rebecca in my arms.<br />
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Still the most fun I've had all week!<br />
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I think I'll wait a while before we go onto Pink Floyd. Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-25168056868690175532014-02-27T01:29:00.000-08:002014-02-27T01:29:29.562-08:00Cabin feverThe weather here has really been terrible lately. I've managed to walk Rebecca to school two days this year, but most other times one of us has driven. Same goes for Alan - he has barely seen the outside world since Christmas. <br />
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So, when I saw this I felt a pang of jealousy!<br />
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Still, the weather seems to have turned a corner and be settling down, and the odd spell of sunshine is breaking through. Roll on the Summer and enjoying living in the countryside.Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-1576543130325253692014-02-18T02:44:00.000-08:002014-02-19T04:06:45.629-08:00When sickness comes to townParenting is tiring. There are no two ways about it, it is really tiring. Not in a bad way, it is just that kids have sooooo much energy and kind of feed off attention. That takes some getting used to but every parent gets there and the rewards are worth every bit of it. It is a balance of yours and your children's needs, but you know at the end of the day you will have a bit of time to sit back and relax for a few minutes, or go to the toilet on your own without waiting for a scream/crash/cry, so inevitably you spend your day dedicating every moment to your children's needs. Just as it should be in my opinion.<br />
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For us we have a 3 (and a half) year old and a 7 month old. That's a lot of attention and care to give, but I know there are families of 6,7,8 out there so don't get me wrong - I know we have it easy. Where that balance becomes difficult is when someone gets sick.<br />
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If it is one of the adults you have to keep the kids away from that parent. The other parent is then left taking care of the kids on their own all day. Manageable.<br />
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Then suppose one of the kids gets sick too. So one adult is sick, and one child. This means the other parent is caring for two sick people and one healthy and trying to quarantine the sick away form the healthy. Awkward, but manageable in the short term.<br />
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Now let's up the game a bit. Two sick adults. One sick child, one healthy child. Now you have to care for a child while staying away from them. You are likely to be up all night with the sick child. And you are battling your own sickness too. Bloody hard.<br />
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Next let's not go to the all sick step, but rather what happens in reality. One parent gets better. Sick child gets better. Healthy child picks up sickness from remaining sick parent. Remaining sick parent gets well just in time for healthy parent to pick up sickness from the now sick child. The sick child gets well, but the healthy child picks up sickness from the now sick parent. Take that loop and repeat for 5 or 6 weeks and you have exactly what is happening in our house.<br />
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And do you know the funny thing? Apart from being very worn out, we're all having great fun together. That's the great thing about families - being together is all you need. Still, I really want my health back thank you very much!<br />
<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-16707576412980241232014-02-10T01:33:00.003-08:002014-02-10T01:33:41.237-08:00Dada dada dadaAlan started to say dada dada dada over the weekend. I know it wasn't actually a word, and wasn't directed at me but it still felt great. It makes up for the fact he hasn't slept the last four nights!<br />
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He is coming on so much, interested in more things, and much more interactive (he always was, just more-so). I think this is the start of that transformation into us being four people interacting fully. Up to now we all make an effort to interact with Alan as much as possible, and he is so smiley it is a very rewarding pursuit, but I feel now he will more and more start to call us to interact.<br />
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I see it with his feeding too. He has an immense hunger and will basically growl for more, leaning forward to you, mouth open. It sounds like such a small thing but when you think it through this is the basics of a conversation. From Alan's perspective - I am saying to you give me more of that lovely food. If you respond by acknowledging this and giving food there is a smile, but if not there is more "ughhhhh...uugghhhh" until you do. OK, not exactly the Socratic method, but it is the beginning. Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-35803925952849110562014-02-07T07:45:00.000-08:002014-02-07T07:45:00.075-08:00Haggle haggle haggle...I think Rebecca will do a fine job in business. She has the concept of haggling right down,although she is still a bit hasty with her counter offers, prior to doing the maths. An example:<br />
<br />"OK Rebecca, if you eat four more bites you can leave the table."<br />
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"No, five more bites!"<br />
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"OK love, you win. Five more bites. Now eat up."<br />
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Everyone happy with the outcome. Long may it last.Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-60832940165008350452014-02-06T04:54:00.002-08:002014-05-02T07:44:16.694-07:00Going to pre-schoolRebecca started a big chapter in her life, which is a big one in Mummy and Daddy's too. She has started going to our local Montessori pre-school.<br />
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She started back in January, but with a flu, an ear infection and a bad old cough she didn't really get to go properly until last week.The first few days before she got sick she seemed not to be taking part in things too much, which had us a bit worried.<br />
She wasn't her usual self when we asked about school. Usually she is a fountain of information, but on school it seemed that she was segmenting that as her out of the house life, and Mummy and Daddy should be happy enough with her in the house life and mind their own business. Or so it felt at least! From the small nuggets of information we were able to pull from her we found out that "The children clean up the toys at the end of the day". Very good, but a follow up "And did you help?" was answered with "No. The children did it.".<br />
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I am glad to report that she is now finding herself to be one of the children and is taking part in lots of activities. She has even brought Daddy home a giraffe. Yes, I am prouder of this giraffe creation than I am of my degree in fine art. And why wouldn't I be?<br />
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It is a big trust thing for me to let me little girl go off into the care of someone else. I know every parent has to go through the same, I just hadn't been prepared for it myself. I guess it is one of the down sides to being a work-from-home Daddy: I am very attached to my kids.<br />
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Still not so bad, I get a huge big cuddle when she gets home.Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-82202258433367506672014-01-31T02:11:00.001-08:002014-01-31T02:11:27.738-08:00Feeling lovedThis morning I was up before the rest of the house feeding Alan in his room. When mummy and Rebecca got up they first washed hands, face, teeth and then Rebecca wanted to come in and see if Alan was awake.<br />
In she walks to the room, sees me there and sighs "Oh no. Not again." before walking out of the room.<br />
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You need to be fairly thick skinned in this house!Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-38808503877843361572014-01-07T02:09:00.000-08:002014-01-31T02:09:43.810-08:00Balancing twoIt is yet again ages since I've posted. Sorry about that.<br />
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Since Alan was born last July it has been a roller-coaster here - fun, exciting, new, adventurous but physically and emotionally exhausting. Trying to balance Alan's need for around the clock care with Rebecca's needs as a 3 year old is a steep learning curve, and good training for a job at the UN in the US-Iran department!<br />
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It is also strange the differing reactions we have to the same thing from both children - Rebecca screams out in the night and it is a thought along the lines of "what could be wrong? She is tucked in, has her nightlight, a drink and teddies", compared to Alan doing the same and it is "I guess that's a wet nappy" or looking at the clock and wondering if it is feed time.<br />
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Obviously I am totally smitten with both my children and balancing them both isn't really that difficult. It is a fear of missing some chance to give one of them some loving or fun because I am focused on the other that causes me angst. I'm a worrier by nature, and perhaps I should do as one family member suggested - chill out and enjoy being a parent more rather than worrying so much.Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-24560036096485671492013-09-17T07:19:00.001-07:002013-09-17T07:19:44.898-07:00Who is the parent and who is the child?Having kids keeps you young they say. I'd agree, but then it also puts years on you!<br />
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We were driving up to the local village last weekend to have some breakfast as a family in the cafe there. It takes a good while to pack everyone into the car now there is Rebecca's little brother Alan as well. A newborn is a lot of work, a toddler is a lot of work, but together...go luck!<br />
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So my better half is already getting Rebecca into the car seat and I am taking Alan out in the baby chair when I see two of Rebecca's teddies on the floor - TT and Mr Floppsy. Surprised that she's left them behind I check with my wife who suggests sticking one into my pocket just in case. TT is the lucky candidate, mainly because it's a teddy blanket so easier to stuff into a pocket with my wallet, phone, ipod and keys. <br />
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We head off and have got about 100 metres from the house when Rebecca starts screaming that we have to go back, TT and floppsy are not in the car. Cue - moment of feeling like Daddy the super hero saving the day when I pass TT back to Rebecca with a smile.<br />
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Not so fast super-dad. Rebecca - "Where's Mr Floppsy? We have to get him!"<br />
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OK, I can work with this. Daddy - "But Rebecca, someone has to mind the house for us while we're out"<br />
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Mummy decides to help - "Yes, she has to take care of meeko" (Meeko is our cat).<br />
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I bring it up a notch. Daddy - "Yeah, if meeko needs to get in Mr Floopsy can open the door for her"<br />
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Before being brought firmly down to Earth. Rebecca - "Don't be silly Daddy. Mr Floppsy's only a teddy".<br />
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Yes Rebecca, yes, he is.<br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-78500495676942331532013-09-06T02:18:00.002-07:002013-09-06T02:18:35.931-07:00And then there were two<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rebecca now has a baby brother, Alan. He was born back in August, but it has been so busy I hadn't a chance to note it here until now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So I guess Rebecca is going to have to share this blog with her brother. I am thinking that will be a lot easier to deal with than having to share Daddy, Mummy, toys, the cat, TV, etc. etc.</span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-66119528613526120432013-09-06T02:16:00.002-07:002013-09-06T02:16:35.699-07:00Today you dressed yourself<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was so proud this morning. Rebecca dressed herself. Every single part - from vest to socks to shoes. Not bad for a two year old!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This was just the icing on the cake for me - yesterday evening after supper we played a little kick around with a ball on the patio and were counting. Rebecca counted from 10 to 1, i.e. backwards, with no mistake. Just did a countdown while I was running away with the ball.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am so proud of my wonderful little girl, but at the same time want her to stay my little girl. She is growing up so fast!</span>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-45400675635680225922013-06-18T12:36:00.000-07:002013-06-18T12:36:00.801-07:00Can't fault you on logic<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We were talking during this week about growing, what with the new baby on the way and us explaining how Rebecca would be a big sister.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was saying how I was in Grandma's tummy, then a small baby, then a bigger baby, then a small boy, a bigger boy, a small man and now a big man. Rebecca then asked me to tell her backwards which I did.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">After I had finished she spent about 5 minutes staring into space with a look of deep thought and consideration on her face before saying "Daddy, next time Grandma is visiting you go back in her tummy.".</span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-60712610597576377842013-06-14T12:29:00.001-07:002013-06-14T12:29:19.944-07:00New bedroom<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Things are all change at the moment for Rebecca. Last night she had her first night in her new bedroom. What we have always called 'the green room' since we moved here five years ago, will from here on be known as 'Rebecca's room'.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The other big change of course is that she will have a new brother or sister in the next month, all going to plan. That one is taking a little bit more getting used to, but Rebecca is on board with the whole idea. While we were doing bedtime this evening she was crying saying "I want the baby NOWWWW!". It is hard to get the idea across that babies come when they want to come and not exactly when we want them to (wouldn't that make things so much easier!?!).</span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-59806155407144767132013-04-04T02:28:00.002-07:002013-04-04T02:28:02.553-07:00Creativity<span class="userContent">When you don't know the right word, improvise. <br /> <br /> "Daddy, the toodle on my train is broken"</span>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-62055916921994602452013-03-14T08:05:00.004-07:002013-03-14T08:05:50.972-07:00Smart girl!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rebecca amazes me every day. Really blows me away. She is such a smart girl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An example:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rebecca was having a nap, and had woken up and got out of bed. We were downstairs in the hallway and heard her opening her door (with some difficulty) and were watching from the bottom of the stairs when she came out of the room an stood at the stairgate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rebecca: Come and play Mummy & Daddy</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mummy/Daddy: What are you doing out of your room? You're meant to stay in your bed until we come and get you. If you need us call us from your bed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rebecca proceeds to run back to her bad, jump in and shot "Mummy, Daddy, come and play with me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I say, smart girl!</span>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-20357134812680139012013-02-11T12:31:00.000-08:002013-06-14T12:33:24.863-07:00In a bed, bye bye cot<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Getting so big. In a grown up girls world now that you are in your very own bed starting tonight, and your cot is being set aside. Bed rail in place to stop you falling out, and lots of room for all your teddies to cuddle up to. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">We have always done our bedtime reading and playing in the bed, the difference being now I don't carry you over to your cot, instead you get tucked into your bed. My big little girl. Won't be long now before you're borrowing the car...</span> Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-73322799564854342842013-02-05T02:59:00.000-08:002013-02-05T02:59:43.503-08:00The things you say<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Me: I'm a boy, and you're a girl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rebecca: Noooo! Don't be silly Daddy, you're not a boy you're a Daddy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rebecca: Get me out of my way Daddy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Rebecca: Daddy, thank you for having breakfast with us. (As I head off for work) </span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-40869511188443106562012-12-11T06:37:00.001-08:002012-12-11T06:37:16.149-08:00Gorwing up fast<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You have changed so much in a year Rebecca. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On Friday you had a wonderful time playing with the Christmas decorations Mummy and Daddy put up. Of special interest are the balls and stars on the Christmas tree. What fun they are. You get a big fright when one falls off onto the ground and run away. Not to worry - Daddy is here to put them back. No harm done. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We brought you to see Santa on Saturday last in Galway. You were full of awe and Mummy picked you up so you could see him while we were in the queue. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When we got in to Santa's cabin you were a bit scared, and clung to my leg. But soon enough you were fine and told Santa what you wanted for Christmas (a different toy and a trike). Santa gave you a gift bag with some bubbles we will play with outside when the weather is better and a big bouncy ball that has glitter inside that swirls about when you move it. One of the elves who were helping Santa took a photo of Santa with you, Mummy and Daddy. It was seeing this and when we got home seeing the photo of us with Santa last year that reminded me how much you've grown. You were only starting to walk a little this time last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After visiting Santa we walked around Galway and looked at all the lights and crowds. Then we came back nearer home and had lunch out. For the first time in the Anglers Rest you sat up on the seat beside Daddy instead of in a high chair. My, how you are getting so grown up.</span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-81248518717748601242012-12-10T06:49:00.000-08:002012-12-11T06:50:39.672-08:00Hip-hip hip-hip horray! Santa's on his way!"Hip-hip hip-hip horray! Santa's on his way!"<br />
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We started chanting this tonight as we zoomed around the kitchen on your 'princess' buggy. You had Mummy's santa hat on and looked super cute in your Dora the Explorer jammies. The best part of every day is playing with you.<br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-9919456153466222392012-11-12T07:59:00.002-08:002012-11-12T07:59:44.658-08:00Watching Elmo in Daddies office<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a treat when I'm working late and Rebecca comes to look for me for supper, she will come into my office (I work from home) and I'll let her climb up on my lap and from there she will demand Elmo on the computer, while we draw a picture of elmo on my desk. I'd love if that was how I spent every day. </span><br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-73871206528896062892012-11-10T09:33:00.000-08:002012-11-10T09:33:00.316-08:00When I finish work<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love how excited you get when I finish work. You start screaming and running around in circles. Run up to me and hug me and then run away with excitement. Pull me to show me the toys you are playing with, one room to another, and round and round the room. I am worried sometimes you will hit your head off something but it is still wonderful to receive so much love. Thank you Rebecca.</span>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-4212659083672792332012-11-09T07:05:00.001-08:002012-11-09T07:05:03.606-08:00It's the little things you sayIt is the little things Rebecca says that make me smile every day. We communicate together more and more now. But it is how you pick up phrases, like this morning taking myself and Mummy by the hand in the kitchen and saying "Let's go in the sitting room. Follow me".<br />
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"oops a daisy. uh-oh!" when I drop something.<br />
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"I'll see you later Daddy. At dinner time" when I go into the office to work.<br />
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Or the best so far, when I was in work you had this exchange with Mummy -<br />
R: "Where's Daddy?"<br />
Mummy: "I don't know."<br />
R: "Probably in the toilet."<br />
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-17413618041411402702012-08-17T09:35:00.001-07:002012-08-17T09:35:33.794-07:00Daddy's cereal<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Over the last few weeks we've started doing a lovely thing together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Rebecca watches 'Sooty & Sweep' on CITV at 8.58am, and I make myself a bowl of bran flakes for breakfast and we both sit on the sofa watching the show. I remember the old version when I was a kid myself, although I think that was on a black and white telly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There is nothing like breakfast with my arm around Rebecca to cheer me up for the day, while she reaches over every few minutes and picks some of daddy's cereal and shoves it in her mouth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I thought it was just me who loved this time together, but the last few days Rebecca comes over to me screaming "Daddy's cereal!" and this morning while I was turning on the telly to be ready she came in from the kitchen with the cereal packet (that had been in the press) saying "Put in the bowl - daddy's cereal!". </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can't beat the happiness being a Dad brings.</span></span>Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6682622894580552275.post-83637594730243735472012-07-23T03:38:00.001-07:002012-07-23T03:38:13.727-07:00You talkin to me?<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
Yesterday Rebecca was 21 months old, and she is talking away to us. Sometimes it's the sort of talk that anyone but a parent would hear as "Dawawa sada caaat baabaanabalawa ona tawah" but we hear as "Daddy said the cat isn't allowed on the table".</div>
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The happiness it brings to me hearing her pick up a new phrase is momentous. And I am so proud to hear her tell me about the fly on the floor, the green tractor that has gone missing in the field, or even just that she wants to have a 'snack and a drink'.</div>
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It also gives me some insight into how she is recognising things that look similar, like when we are in the supermarket and she sees a grey haired man with his back to us and shouts "helllloooo gwandad!". Also in the supermarket we walk down the veg isle and Rebecca names off all the fruits and veg. It turns grocery shopping from a chore into a delight.</div>
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<br />Daddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15633285040648804044noreply@blogger.com0