2 First Father's Days

It was a sad irony that my first Father's Day as a Father was Kara's first without her's. The wounds of his very recent death are still very fresh, so I was unsure how today would go. I wanted to celebrate my first, but did not want to impose my joy on those who weren't ready.

But Kara made today very special for me. I awoke to her talking and laughing with my very talkative daughter in the nursery. I love baby monitors on these days. As Emmie becomes more "vocal" it is easy to get lost in conversation with someone whose vocabulary consists of coos and squeals. Beginning my day with the sounds of mother and daughter having a ball is, well, indescribably awesome. Kara had a stack of presents for me at the bottom of the stairs when I came down to the smell of coffee and home made monte cristo sandwiches. My favorite was this photo in a frame:

We went to target to buy some supplies for Emmie's first time in the pool. We bought an itty bitty swimsuit, a giant floaty boat, and some baby sunscreen.

We had some folks over for a cookout and then tried out the pool. Emmie LOVED it. Just for your enjoyment, here are some photos:

The later is post swimming in a tube top that her Aunt Jill (one of Kara's fellow Chi Omegas) made for her. Not that I want her in sorority garb just yet, but she did seem to like wearing the thing.

Children, especially perfect ones, can bring joy in the midst of sorrow. Check this out. Yesterday I let Emmie try out her Jenny Jumpup. She could not get enough. She is by far too small, but has enjoyed every minute (and taste) of it. Here is a video for your viewing pleasure:

We miss Papa Jack and each day we try to remember the good parts of a great life and not the tragedy of his death. Today, Father's Day, I remember what an amazing job he did raising my wife and strive to give some guy, some day (in other words...60 or so years from now) the gift of a well grounded and brilliant woman who knows what she wants and how to get it, just like he gave to me.

To all the dads out there, especially Papa Jack, Uncle Garrett, Pops, and Daddy Bob, happy Father's Day.

Papa Jack

As many of you may know my father was killed last Tuesday June 9, 2009. It is a very hard time in my life but Emmie is helping in ways that I can't even describe. She makes me get out of bed in the morning and see a little piece of God's goodness everyday. I have posted the one of the only pictures I will ever had of these two together but I thank God that my dad got to know her and she for a short time knew him. He loved her and was so excited about her...I am going to have a big job describing him to her. Emmie has gotten off of her routine because of all the people and all the commotion but luckily her Pops and GG were her to give her a constant. Thank you to you both for helping us in such an awful time. Please pray for my mother, Cody, and I that we can endeavor to keep Papa Jack alive for my little girl who he loved.

Poopita the Great

O'h Poopita and her schemes..... This is Ms. Emmie's new nick name. Before it was Grump Grump but she is not so grumpy anymore. Ms. Emmie, unfortunately, inherited my difficult tummy and has some trouble in the number two department. BUT we are working on that. She is the best of babies. She is pulling up with her Grandma ( NANA), rolling over -- although she can't roll back yet, and singing/talking all the time. Everyday she is becoming more precious to me and I thought that I loved her more than I had ever loved anything the day she was born. She makes me happy to race home everyday and be with her. She also makes me so thankful for my partner in life (yes, I mean Cody) and partner in the ever new and wonderful adventures of Poopita.

We were hanging out at the house today while mommy went to work. When she gets home, she and daddy will do a tradeoff and he will go for the evening session of the State Senate.

After the morning nap and daddy rushing to do some work while Emmie slept, we got dressed and took some photos on what has turned out to be Emmie's happy spot...the changing table.



The is going to be a busy month. The baptism is a few days away (the 14th) and the invites and birth announcements are still in my briefcase. Sorry Kara. Everyone, consider yourself invited!

Emmie is proving to be a trooper and thankfully makes us all better people after stressful days.

Until next time...happy dreams!