Home Again:-(

Just when we thought she was better, it got worse today. Could it have been that the wind chill was -20? No matter what it was, I have had a great day with the little princess. The morning was rough, but we have had a great afternoon!!!! Anyhow, how do say no to a two year old who looks you in the eye and says, "I stay home with Daddy today, please." Yeah, I'm behind at work. Yeah, she has been home for most of the past two weeks. That doesn't matter. The work will still be thee when I get back. Anyway, how often does a dad get to see his little girls face when she goes poop on the potty for the first time? What a great day!!! My wife and I promised to by he the Little People Zoo when she finally did it, so being the sucker that I am, I bundled her up (really tight) and took her to two different stores to find it. As I am sure any parent as already guessed, she has been playing it non-stop. Word of advice, if you want your child to take a nap, DON'T buy a brand new toy before nap. Wait until AFTER!!!

The things we learn as our kids grow up:-)

Sick daughter:-(

What a week it has been. Our daughter was diagnosed with RSV shortly after birth and has had trouble with her breathing ever since. Thank God, it has gotten better in the last two years, however, that does not take away the pain from seeing a two year old girl gasp for air.
I think being a parent has made me realize how much people in the world take for granted. The air we breath, the food we eat and the water we drink do not come so easily for some people. You might think I am crazy because before my daughter was born I would have never thought that you could take the air for granted. I, nor anyone in my family growing up ever had asthma, and my wife's asthma is a lot better now than when she was a child, so you just don't think that some people actually struggle to get air in their lungs. It becomes even worse when they are little lungs that are struggling to get the air. And yes, still even worse when they are "daddy's little girl's" lungs that are not getting enough air.
I am very thankful that my little girl is such a fighter. She is improving a little bit every day, and that is amazing.
On the positive note, I have been able to spend the two best days home with her this week. My wife and I have alternated days, and I can't put into words what it feels like to have this sweet little angel laying her head on my chest just to catch a couple minute nap. I really don't think life gets any better than that.

Just in case in ten years my daughter ever reads my blog and checks out some old posts, I wanted to leave her a special message, "Pumpkin, you have been such a fighter this past two and a half years, you have given me strength that I did not know that I had. Always remember to Fight the Good Fight, and Daddy will ALWAYS be in your corner. I love you."

Any Given Sunday

What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon. My wife had to prepare her lessons for the two classes that she is teaching at the local University, and every time I would leave the room to do anything, the little one would try and get mommy's attention and she could not finish. I decided to be a good husband, and even a better dad. I asked my daughter if she would like to spend some quiet time with daddy? After she realized that this did not mean going to take a nap, or going to bed, she said sure. I thought what a better way to wrap up a busy weekend than to lay in bed with your daughter in your arm and watch football. Before you think I am one of those dad's who just sit around and watch football all day, let me explain. My daughter and I watch every University of Michigan football game that we can see together. After that, it might be on in the background, but we never take the time to sit down and watch for an extended period. I could not believe how much she loved being in my arms and watching the game. I really don't think that life gets any better than a two year old grabbing your face and giving you a kiss. What a way to end a weekend.

I love you, too!!!

You never really listen to the words until they come from the mouth of a two year old. I was putting my daughter to bed a couple of nights ago, and after telling her, "I love you," I turned to walk out of the room when this little voice said, "I love you, too." Yes, it has been said to me before, but has it ever been with that much meaning? It is amazing to listen to the words and soak the in. When a spouse says it, you take it for granted, but when a two year old says it, it has a whole new meaning. More later.

Nighttime Scare

Talk about a nighttime scare...my daughter was sound asleep a few nights ago when all of a sudden she started screaming for me. I told my wife to stay in bed and I would go and look at what was going on. When I got there, she grabbed on to me tighter than she ever has before. She just kept crying and telling me that it was going to get her. After about an hour of comforting and rocking, I was finally able to realize that it was a lion that she said was going to get her. Try explaining to a two year old that there really is not a lion in her room when she had a nightmare about it. Needless to say, it was a sleepless night for me. She would wake up every time she started to fall asleep. Anytime I would try to move from her bed, she would wake up screaming and grab on to me tightly.
As much as I felt bad for her having the bad dreams, it was nice to know how safe she felt wrapped up in my arms. The joys of fatherhood!!!