Hey, in case you're wondering, the final count for
#DaddyWrite, pre-Ethan, ended up being 591 days. Hopefully you didn't really
think that I would be done chronicling the lives of Ellie and now Ethan after
only a couple of years. There's plenty more of potential opportunities to
embarrass my children by chronicling their existence.
Obviously there are quite a
few ways in which this post differs from the ones that have preceded it. For
one, there's two kids now instead of just one. For another, Bethany's actually
home with me which brings us to the title. It just didn't
feel right to have a day counter running during Bethany's maternity leave. It
also didn't feel right to just not write altogether for 12 weeks. Therefore, we
have The Intermission.
As I write this, I'm actually
the only member of my household that is still awake. Both kids are asleep so
Bethany took the opportunity to get some much deserved rest of her own. Personally,
I can't think of many better ways to end our first weekend as a family of four
than by having Ethan snoozing in a bouncy seat just a couple of feet away.
As Bethany so eloquently reminded
me today, "someone" needed to write down some of the stories from our
first four days at home with Ethan. Also, for the record, "someone"
was code for me. For the record, these stories may or may not be in order as
the last four days have kind of run together in my head.
From the time she returned to
our house late Thursday afternoon, Ellie has been pretty much obsessed with her
younger brother. It really doesn't matter what he's doing or where he is; she
wants to be a part of it. If Bethany is feeding him, Ellie has her face right
there watching every drink he takes. if it's time for a diaper change, there's
Ellie precariously perching herself on top of the diaper pail in an attempt to see
everything there is to see (Poor Ethan, he can't even hide his shame). Of course, there are plenty of hugs and kisses
for Ethan as well.
I have two stories from the
first four days that are definitely ones to remember. The first revolves around
what is currently Ellie's favorite library book, "One Special Day".
It's a cute little story that ends with a little boy named Spencer meeting his
new baby brother. As we had been reading this book for a couple of weeks before
Ethan's arrival, Ellie had plenty of time to memorize all of the pictures in
the book. Memorizing the pictures wasn't the only thing she wanted to do
though. She also wanted to reenact them.
To be more specific, there was
one particular photo she wanted to act out with Ethan. The final page of the
book shows Spencer and his new baby brother laying side-by-side on a picnic
blanket outdoors. Although it was way too cold for Ethan to be outside, that
didn't stop Ellie from living her dream. First, she carefully spread out a
quilt on the living room floor. Then, she laid down on the quilt by herself.
Finally, she had us lay Ethan down next to her and directed us to take a
picture of the moment. When you compare it to the picture in the book, it's
actually a pretty good reenactment.
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| Believe it or not, Ellie actually took the photograph on the left. |
I realize I've already droned
on for over 500 words so I'll make this next story quick. Ellie and I headed to
church this morning if for no other reason than to give Bethany and Ethan a
break from big sister's constant vigilance. It wasn't a bad morning if I do say
so myself. Once we arrived home though, Ellie's feelings for her brother became
crystal clear. Rather than sitting down and taking her boots off like she
normally would, Ellie instead made a beeline up the stairs to the living room
where Ethan and Bethany were. She then ran straight to Ethan's bouncy seat,
wrapped her arms around his little body, and loudly proclaimed, "I missed
you, Ethan!".
I'd say that story right there
sums up Ellie's love for her baby brother more than just about anything else
could. Here's hoping that love continues to grow for days, weeks, months, and
years to come. #DaddyWrite
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| Don't worry. There's still plenty of time for tomfoolery in House Holt. |
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