Family Matters, Week of 6-25-06

Superman took over Wednesday’s regular scheduled programming, so there.

Annie (4yr Old Amphibian)

Annie has officially passed another Big Kid Test: She can swim in the pool without her ‘floaties’ on. Floaties, of course, being the inflatable devices that kept her afloat for a few years now. While she’s not 100% off of them, she’s definitely gone around the entire pool with no floaties and under Ericka’s watchful eye.

What can I say? I’m proud.

But here’s a contrasting moment:

The other day I was leaving to see some friends of mine. As usual, I wait at the door, turn around, and call for last minute kisses and hugs. Abby runs right over shouting “Daddy, daddy!”

“Annie!” I say. “Daddy’s leaving!”

“Bye!” she says from the living room.

“Annie, don’t you want hugs and kisses?”

“No.” Wham. Right there. In the gut. I knew female rejection was always painful, but this was the first time Annie had ever said no to goodbye hugs and kisses.

“Annie?” I say.

“Bye!” she says.

My little girl is either growing up or growing to hate me.

Of course, as I was leaving Annie suddenly realizes that I’m actually leaving and screams for me to wait.

Ah, fatherhood.

Abby (2yr Old Papparatzi)

Me and Abby have a very interesting relationship. She seems to be even more enamored with her dad than Annie was—Abby is always wanting on my knee as I sit at the computer, always wanting me to read her another book, always wanting me to change her or help her in the potty.

What can I say, it’s cute.

Abby can also be a Momma’s Girl to a ridiculous degree. Yesterday, when Ericka went out for the evening to spend some time with friends (and not screaming toddlers), Abby woke up to a momma-less house.

“Momma?” She said with her lip already stuck out. “Momma!” she said again with eyes fully watering.

“Momma’s not here baby, she won’t be here until after you go to bed tonight.”

I might as well have spoken swahili. “Momma?” she said again.

Round and round we went. Finally I distracted her with Rugrats and continued on with whatever I was doing.

Ericka (her myspace)

My wonderful wife has decided to worth a plethora of days this coming weekend, including July 4th itself. This gives me time to hang out with the kids and, at the same time, distinctly remember why I love her so much (i.e., she usually does the child rearing, something I’m not that great at).

Otherwise she finally got a night to herself last night and spent it with friends such as Leah, who (ironically enough) she got back in contact with via MySpace. They used to go to high school together and found each other based on that. This is something I’ve done as well to varying results. Sometimes those old high school buddies really should stay ‘old high school buddies’ instead of ‘new, annoying buddies’. Ahem.

Don’t be a bitter man, it could be worse,
A slave in belarus or a mat in Japan