the.betterleys.com

I am Dad.

September 18th, 2007

Every weekday morning I wake up around 6:00 am to a loud buzzing alarm to ensure I hear it and get up. Kamie rolls over and presses snooze. Now depending on the day of the week, I either get up shortly after the second snooze or the third. The extra 9 minutes is needed for days that I shave, which is every other. I take a shower, and think about what needs to be done today. What is needed at work, what is needed at home, do we need to shop for essentials.

If it is a Tuesday I try to remember what is coming out for rent at the movie store. Renting a movie is our treat for the week, along with a cheap take out dinner from Taco Bell. It’s a sharp contrast from before, when we would go out to eat at a sit down restaurant, and do some shopping for something we didn’t need. I wouldn’t have it any other way though.

So after the shower I get dressed, and get to listen to my kids coo and sqeak on the baby listener. Normally one of them is just waking up or awake, but not upset, just enjoying either him or herself in the crib, probably looking at the mobile. I get dressed, and walk over to my wifes bedside, and give her a kiss goodbye. Most of the time she is probably going back to sleep for a little bit until both kids are up and ready to eat. Some days the kids are ready to eat then and she is getting up as well to feed them. Those days, while not Kamie’s preferred, are the ones I like. This is because when the kids are still content and Kam is going back to sleep I do not go into the nursery to get a look at them or kiss goodbye so I don’t wake them up. So the days they are awake I get to say goodbye to them which is a treat.

Then it’s off to work, arriving sometime before 7am. I usually then work till somewhere around 4pm, getting home at a different time pretty much each day. I like to finish off things I’m working on, or will stay later if needed. I normally arrive home to Kamie nursing the kids. I change into comfy old over sized clothes because normally I’ll get spit up on at least once that night. I go back to the kids and if I remember, will give my wife a kiss and ask her how the day went. Some days are more tiring then others. If it was pretty bad I offer to go out to pick up supper. When the kids are done eating they begin to notice dad is home. This is when I am rewarded for the day, and reminded that I am very fortunate to have them. They each give me a smile to die for. James’ smile is huge and filled with glee. Big and round, widening his eyes, he smiles with his entire face. Evelyn’s melts my heart. It is subtle, but expresses so much. Her eyes convey love already. She smiles by raising only one side of her mouth slightly, with her mouth just slightly open. I look forward to this moment for every minute out of the day. Some days I do not get the smile right away, but I eventually get one.

Kamie will be off to make supper while I try to tend to the kids. She normally takes one into the kitchen with her, putting them on a bouncer she has on the counter. I spend time with the other, talking with them, bouncing them on my leg, letting them practice standing, talking back to there coos, and trying to give as much attention possible. After supper, we may get our for a walk or run some errands at the store. Trips out of the house are fun. The kids draw quite a bit of attention from people. Oh twins they say. Sometimes I would just like to be left alone, but for the most part the attention is nice. I’m a proud father and I don’t mind showing off.

Back at home for the evening, we end up walking the kids around because they get sick of looking at us or the same room it seems. We give them tummy time, read a book, and try to draw their attention with some toys. We give them one last diaper change and then set them up for one last feeding, normally forgetting to swaddle them up. We then remember to swaddle them half way through and I take care of that. Once asleep we each bring one up to bed. We put them down in the same crib and turn on the white noise machine. Close the door, and wait for whichever one that may wake up again deciding they did not want to goto bed quite yet.

Kam and I normally go our separate ways at this point, taking care of something we’ve been needing to get done or wanted to do. I go to the video games or just sit on a couch and relax. Kam goes to the computer to catch up on message boards and email. A little while later it’s off to bed. What will the next day bring? What new surprises will the kids bring? I can’t wait for the morning…

Entry Filed under: Baby, James