Today marks one year since we found out that we would be having a child. And what a year it has been!
We didn’t know if we’d be having a boy or a girl. We didn’t know everything that we would need to take care of this baby. We didn’t know where to register. We didn’t know who to tell or when to tell them or what we would name a baby (well, sorta). We didn’t know…ANYTHING other than we were happy and blessed.
All we knew was that we had about 7 positive pregnancy tests and some Famous Dave’s BBQ and Gigi’s Cupcakes to eat. As we sat down to eat that night, we had no idea what the future would hold. I’m not sure how we sat still and ate our food or watched TV with this world-changing, Earth-shattering news.
Whatever we imagined, Emerson is better than all of it times 1000. She is the perfect baby for us. Her smile. her attitude, her general existence is a joy to behold. How she has opened our world up to so many people. How she has been loved and accepted and brought people together.
Dad-brain
I’m sure we have all heard of pregnancy brain. But I think there may be something like Dad brain too. Here are a list of things I have done since being a Dad. It truly is like nothing else I have ever experienced. I know it’s supposed to be life-changing but it has changed the way I think about EVERY decision I make.
1. Put a coffee cup upside down under the Keurig making coffee go EVERYWHERE
2. Put my keys in the freezer one morning
3. Forgot to close the lid on my coffee mug after putting it in my backpack and spilled coffee all over everything when I bent down to kiss my wife and daughter goodbye
4. I haven’t made it to work on time in well over 3 months – something comes up in the morning…or there is traffic…or I just want a few extra minutes with my little girl
5. I can NEVER find my gosh darn wallet!!!!!
6. My multitasking ability is down to an all-time low
And others-
I’d trade a night with E over a night out grabbing a drink (although every now and again , it’s a MUST to get out!
Movies…eh, still love ’em but they have taken their rightful place as entertainment and not something I feel I HAVE to do.
As part of my Father’s Day present(s), I got a new digital camera to replace my shoddy one. While we still haven’t quite figured out all the fancy features on it, we love trying it out. Some of my other presents were some matching daddy and daughter t-shirts and the promise of a future picture day!
A few weekends ago, we made this happen and here are the results. E is super…and adorable…and any number of other adjectives
Becky and I talked about who we wanted to help guide our daughter in her spiritual walk long before she was here. We are really big on the roles people play in our lives (and now our family) and making sure we make as informed a decision as possible.
For the Godfather, we couldn’t have picked anyone other than Tyler Henson. He has been a friend to me since 1999 (really) and has seen so many phases of my life – from the college kid who made ridiculously stupid decisions to a somewhat mature adult to the end of my bachelorhood into marriage and now fatherhood. He’s put up with more than his fair share of my BS and has stuck with me the entire way. We are in each other’s weddings and celebrate almost every major event together. Heck, we even get together every February for a group Hibachi dinner. He is a true definition of friend.
I love thinking about him praying for our little girl and our daughters playing together in the future. She’s one lucky girl and we are two lucky parents.
I think it’s never too early to think about college for our little girl. The estimated cost of a 4 year degree is $442K. What? Really? How did I get out of school in 1998 with a 4 year degree that cost about $20K…and from a reputable Sun Belt conference school.
With that being said..Becky and I are hoping that we can use birthdays and Christmas as times to add on extra to her account. We have a TN Stars 529 account started for her already – Dad started this as soon as we got her SSN.
Thank you for your support!
Becky and I have both gotten to experience a ton of firsts this year. But the sweetest of all is probably our first Mother’s Day and Father’s Day! Both are so great…I was happy to spoil Becky and she did so for me as well – though I would have been fine with a belt or tie and a nice card! Either way, we got to spend time together as a family and dote on our little one who made this all possible.
Mom woke up at the crack of dawn and was ready to PLAY! We got some coffee and donuts at Krispy Kreme (E wanted some too but we had to say no). We had a bit of shopping to do so we checked out Walmart where Dad picked out a delicious cookie cake for Mom..and we got our daughter a new shirt (can’t leave the store nowadays without one). We actually went to 2 parks on Mother’s Day – Aspen Grove Park and Centennial Park.
Dad ordered Mom 2 deep dish pizzas from Giordano’s and surprised her with that. We decided to save them for the next week or two and enjoy some family time at home.
I think Mom had a great first Mother’s Day 🙂
Father’s Day
Daddy got up early after getting back in town from a wedding in California. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with his little one. Becky got up and made monkeybread for breakfast – yum, yum, yum!
We relaxed for a bit and took E to Bicentennial Park and walked around for a bit. It was so busy and full of people. We dipped E’s toes into the fountains where we took our post engagement pictures.
Later, we went to the Southern downtown for brunch. How yummy! You’ve gotta try their Chicken and Waffles!
To cap the night off, we had family time upstairs and watched the Spurs dispatch the Miami Heat.
I’m sure I missed a ton of other stuff that happened but that’s the best part – so many good things that I can’t even describe them all.
On Tuesday, we had this deliciousness below for dinner – oh yeah, Becky had 8 Italian beef sandwiches from one of my favorite all time restaurants in Chicago shipped in. We still have 4 left after last night so it looks like Father’s Day will keep going on.
There is one thing that being a dad and even being an expectant dad has brought into my life. I have closed my circle of friends and family. One unexpected part of that is that the people inside that circle are more important and valued than ever. Friends who I would normally go weeks without seeing and days without talking to, I now want to see all the time.
GiGi came to visit this past weekend. The weekend flew by so quickly without us really doing anything. Showing my mom the new house and watching her hold my daughter was more than amazing. Epic? Legendary? Yeah, I think the last one applies.
GiGi with her first
Keshia came to visit the weekend after my daughter was born. Past trips included going out for margaritas or a fancy restaurant. I think all 4 meals we had were takeout. And the trip was amazing.
Aunt Keshia falling in love
It’s so great how the roles of people in your life and your loved ones lives change so drastically. Becky is now a mom and a wife. My mother is now a grandmother just like Emma Jean was to me. Keshia is now an aunt just like my Aunts (Jean, Elsie, Gretta, etc). And they are all perfect for the jobs as mine were before me.
We spent Easter 2014 at home. We were lucky enough to get Emerson’s newborn pics back just in time to enjoy them for the weekend – including one special shot of her in her Easter basket. Man, I love that kid. Thank you Aaron Yung Photography!
We took E to the Easter Bunny at Cool Springs Mall for her first visit. She slept the whole time and we got a good pic.
We shared an awesome Easter lunch with the Wakefield family – it was great having time to fellowship and enjoy some good food with our friends.
All in all, a successful first holiday weekend for our sweet girl. We are hoping to spend future ones with our family and friends.
