The Father of my Children

I have been trying to convince one of my friends that she's ready to become a a mom.  I've talked about how hard parenthood is, but how it comes with equal rewards.  I've talked about how you're never ready, and that's ok (it's better that way, even).  I've talked about how everything changes, but after you have a baby you find yourself not caring that you can't go to the movies on a whim.  But I find my most compelling argument for having a baby is to be able to witness your husband become a father.

Jordan and Clara December 2010

It's amazing.

I can remember the moment that I saw Jordan become a dad.  Clara had been born, but was having some trouble breathing, so they took her away to the NICU.  Jordan followed for a bit, but then caught up with me.  It was 2:30am and we were waiting to hold her.  We had been up for almost 24 hours, but couldn't sleep until she was with us.  When they finally walked into the room with her at 3am, they handed her to Jordan and he said in the most tender voice I had ever heard, "Oh Amanda, she's so cute!"  There's been no going back for him since.

Jordan holding Clara for the first time.  Look at that picture!  That's pure adoration right there...

He loves loves loves spending time with his girls.  Honestly, there's nothing he'd rather do than run around playing hide and seek with Clara, or helping Lucy to figure out how to crawl on her knees, or kicking a ball around with Clara, or carefully spoon-feeding Lucy her dinner.  While I find myself often eager to pass the kids off on him when he comes home, he never seems to tire (or complain).  I would chalk it all up to the fact that I spend unlimited amounts of time with the children while his parenting hours are much shorter, except he's ALWAYS been like this.  Since the beginning, when we were both at home all hours, and Clara was a tiny baby.  He just really loves spending time with his kids, and he's a fun, attentive and purposeful father.  And both of his daughters truly adore him for it.

Jordan holding Lucy for the first time.

It's so meaningful to me (possibly the most meaningful part of parenthood) to watch my daughters love their dad as much as I loved and adored my dad.  I see them learn and play with their daddy and I am reminded of my own childhood.  I am so lucky his is my husband that the perfect father of my children.  I am so happy that he and I are in this parenting thing together, I can't imagine doing it without him.  Happy Father's Day, Jordan.

Jordan with both his girls