It becomes easier and easier to give to my children. It seems that a little more of the selfishness of my youth is eroded daily as I see their wants and needs and try to be a good father and give them a little bit of both. At least, that's my hope. Jack struggles with some health problems--his stamina with colds, coughs, and other respiratory ailments has always wavered somewhere in the Bobby Darin sphere--but he still seems to enjoy the majority of every day, not letting it get him down, playing whenever he can and loving his mama and papa. I'm storing up for when he's a teenager, because if he's anything like me, by then he'll be a total jerk.
And Julia...what to say? I don't know what I'm doing as far as raising a daughter goes, but man is it fun anyway. She's smart enough that it makes me nervous and unsure I'll be able to keep up. She's funny enough that I get her in trouble because I'm laughing too hard when she misbehaves. And she's girly enough so that I feel like absolutely nothing I learned the first time around with Jack is applicable.
Chelsea continues to outshine me. I do my best, but she nonchalantly leaves me behind in all areas of care, thoughtfulness, and forward thinking. If I were a polytheist, I would have no doubt that she was in some way an avatar of Gaea--strong, loving, caring, generous, and the bedrock upon which this family stands.
Enjoy some videos and pics below, and if you have kids, hug them.
YouTube video here.
Vimeo video here.
Abby. Jack says hi, hugs, and kisses her every single time we visit the store.
Chelsea went to get a tape measure to see how long the table was. When she came back Jack was doing this and said, "Mom, it's THIS long!"
She looks like she's on the cover of an 80's Meg Ryan VHS.
The definition of smugness.
Doc actually fell asleep like this. Notice the paws. Buddies.
Dude's got a camera smile down.
Ell-pant!
She was asking to ride a horsey for two weeks before and after this moment.
Windswept!
Some days are fun girl days when boys are gone.
Cutie.
She can tell you all about each bunny she has. This one was just recently dressed.
I'd work like this too if I could.
Circus time!
He even got a special toy.
I LOVE THESE PEOPLE!
We're on our way, Nono...
I'm In A Boat
Two of us, writing letters...
The hills are alive!
I kind of wish he'd been wearing an orange sweater.
Good molars!
One of many costumes around the house.
Check out that smirk!
Serve me up an order of hot piping Chelsea!
My favorite pic, actually, except for Matt hitting on my wife.
He made it to the wagon!
