Interview with an almost 5-year-old and a 4-month-old.

A Father's Day Gift.

Lily's Interview.

What is your Daddy's name?
"Daddy. Khan. I mean...I don't know."

Well, what does Mommy call him?
"Baby." (Oh, right.)

 

What does Daddy look like?
"A daddy."

Well, describe him. Pretend I never saw him before.
"Silly ears, fur...(giggles.) Ok, let's see. brown skin, black hair,  and he is my   daddy. He has a belly button, and he has a face, of course. It has eyes, noses, and a mouf." (Watches me write "noses" and corrects me.)

My daddy likes to wear... "Hmmm...A costume! Maybe...I don't know."

Every year, I ask Lily to draw a picture of her daddy. This year, we used a picture she drew of Daddy wearing a dress and with long hair. Pictured next to him is Lily giving him a silly look.

What does Daddy like to do at home?
"I don't pretty much know. Pretty much he likes to do everything."

What do you like to play with Daddy?
"You know. My Little Pony."

Which pony is Daddy's favorite?
"Shining Armor because last time he played with it, and the other time he played with it."

 

Any other things you like to play with Daddy?

"Baby dolls. Daddy gets Kiki."

 

Where is Daddy's favorite place to go?

"You know. Disney World."

 

Does he have a favorite ride at Disney World?

"Hmmm....maybe the Gumbo ride."

Is there a ride Daddy doesn't like?
"Daddy doesn't like the teacups."

 

What is Daddy's favorite food? 

"I think Daddy likes everything."

 

What's something that Daddy likes that you don't like? 

"Remember the black steak? I don't like that."

 

What's something you both like to eat?

"Rice!" (Stereotypes. Occasionally, there is some truth in them.)

 

Time for fill -in-the-blank.

 

It makes my daddy happy when.... "he gets a hug from me."

 

My daddy is good at... "taking care of me. Or building things."

 

My daddy is really smart because he knows how to... "eat."

 

My daddy makes me laugh when... "he makes a funny face."

 

I like it when Daddy and I play with... "princess dolls."

 

Which princess is your favorite?

 "Aurora and Ariel."

Which princess is Daddy's favorite? 

"Rapunzel because she has long hair and because her dress is his favorite color, purple." 

 

More fill -in-the-blank.

 

At the beach Daddy likes to..."build sandcastles with me."

 

Daddy is good at taking care of the baby because..."he does a silly dance."

 

When my daddy is home by himself he..."takes care of the baby."

 

But how about when he's all alone. When he's all alone he..."He is eating. Oh! I know. Stompin his feet!"

 

My favorite thing about Daddy is..."he's my daddy."

 

It makes Daddy mad when..."I have tantrums."

 

I love Daddy because... "this!"

And she hugs me.

Brendan's Interview.

 

My interview with Brendan is harder to transcribe, so here is the video in its entirety.

I have no idea what he's saying. Here is my best guess. Also, I may need to spend more time with adults.

"My favorite thing to do is fall asleep on your shoulder."

"Sorry I make you tired a lot."

 

"I don't know what your favorite food is, but I do know I am happy when we hang out at home together."

 

 

"And bath time got better."

 

"I like going to the park with you."

 

  

"I also like the beach. Saltwater is the best!"

 

"We are both super handsome."
 

"We even have the same hair!"

We love you, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to an amazing husband and father. You make every day happier, easier, and better just by being there. You are the best.

One last time.

Hey, little dude. Today I'm crossing off stuff from my January 23, 2013, to-do list. I had a pretty ambitious agenda for the day, but oh no. You decided you wanted a birthday party instead, and we were off to the hospital with my list flying out the window somewhere on I-275. 

To catch up, Lily and I toured her new school this morning, since we missed Kindergarten Roundup.  (Not the best way to get off to a good start with your big sis', by the way.) And I've been wanting to tell you about the last weekend before you were born.

If we were smarter, we would've spent that time crossing items off the ole to-do list. Instead, we went to the beach. The same beach where you parents were married, your sister dipped her baby toes into the saltwater for the first time, and soon enough, it would be the first beach you would visit, too. Honeymoon Island is a special place for our family.

There was a part of me that was sad. As much as I was over being enormously pregnant with insane heartburn, I loved having you all to myself. I loved your kicks, I loved your hiccups, and I loved having you with me. But also, I was a little sad that our life as a family of three was over. I know how that sounds, but for almost five years, it was just the three of us. I was scared I wouldn't have time to love Lily in the same way. Or, I wouldn't be able to give you everything the way I could with her. So for one last weekend, I just wanted to soak it all in.

That Sunday morning, as we often on Sunday mornings, we had a breakfast picnic. That's your daddy taking pics on his sticker-bombed phone, and for an unknown reason, Lily wanted us to make zeros when we posed. I can't explain her sometimes, but you're gonna love her.
She's all kinds of good stuff.

And she was so excited to be your big sister.

She loves to play on the playground. She can't wait to teach you how to swing by yourself.

 

 Someday (that will come faster than I'm ready for), you will get to play in the sand with her.  

 

Maybe you will take over Daddy's job of helping her build sandcastles.

As for me, I love it when we walk along the beach and pick up shells.
And we just get to be together -- happy.

Part of me wanted to freeze that moment and hold it.

But you want to know a secret? That part of me was completely stupid. I was so anxious about your arrival, and the irony is that I have never felt more content than when I met you. I knew then that we are all here now, and my heart feels whole.