Weeks 8 and 9 - First smiles

Week 8

Week 9

One day at a time. Our little girl is a little over two months old and is finally reciprocating in the form of big baby smiles. Honestly. To this day I would argue that there are few things that feel better in this world than those getting those first few smiles from your kiddo after the difficult early weeks in the life of a newborn. At first, her smiles were few and far between but they have been starting to come with increased frequency each and every day. Just as it was for Jay, this is a big deal for me.
 

The bond that I develop with my kids is my favorite part of being a dad. I never get sick of rounding the corner at Jay's daycare, seeing his face light up, hearing him call out "Dada!" to me, before feeling his warm body (typically sweaty from an afternoon of hard play) running over and giving me a hug right before he launches into telling me about his most recent collection of "shiny" rocks he found on the ground of the playground. Every time it fills me with such a sense of pride and adoration that I wish I could I bottle it and sell.

However, until they start acknowledging in no uncertain terms that are happy to see me in return, the whole deal feels a little bit one sided. Although I loved both Summer and Jay from the first day that I saw them, that first smile really feels like the official beginning of our relationship. With Jay, every day after that was a little easier than the last. I hope it's the same story with our sweet Summer girl.

I know it will be. I can hardly wait for the lifetime of love and adventure I get to share with her. Nothing in my life has ever given me a stronger sense of purpose. I love you baby girl. Here's to tomorrow! And the day after that! And the day after that...