They Call Him "Daddy"

This guy is a great daddy.

(With Jamin, 2006)

Here are the top five reasons why:

1. Scott works hard for our family. As mentioned in the previous post, he works odd hours (and often long hours). He studies to qualify himself for future opportunities. Life has handed us some rough cards the past few years, but he's always found ways to make everything come together. And he's used these challenges as learning opportunities... and applies those lessons with ingenuity. Scott lives Gordon B. Hinckley's admonition to "get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work."

2. He plays. Our kids look forward to play time with Daddy. They race, play soccer, wrestle, and they tackle. A lot. When watching him tackle with the boys, I'm reminded of a male lion sparring with his cubs. And he plays all kinds of silly baby games with Libby. My heart just melts. 

3. He cares for our children. He changes diapers without being asked. He feeds the baby, gives baths, and puts the kids to bed when needed. Even if he's exhausted, he helps without complaining (much). Studying at home is often a challenge for him because he wants to be involved with his children. 

4. He presides over our home with love. Scott and I are the coequal heads of our family. But Scott takes his special role as father seriously. 

5. He is an amazing husband. I don't know if I can put into words how wonderful he is to me. Scott is loving, thoughtful, genuine, funny, and kind. Even when we disagree, he never raises his voice. In our almost eight years of marriage, we haven't had a true fight because he'd rather work out our differences through respectful discussion. I am grateful that my children have this incredible example of what a husband should be.

Happy Father's Day, Scotty. We love you. Thank you for all that you do.

Moving Up

For the past five months, Scott has worked an insane schedule. 

Let me explain. On Thursday and Friday, he works from 11 PM to 7 AM. After getting home on Saturday morning, he sleeps then heads straight to work at 3 PM. He then works the 3 PM to 11 PM shift from Saturday through Monday.

Basically, his schedule forces him to sleep during the day for half the week and during the night for the other half. He is dead tired all the time. On top of this, he juggles school, family life, and other obligations. We are so grateful for his job and the opportunities that lie ahead, but this has been a tough period. 

We got fantastic news tonight: Scott found out that his schedule will become consistent sometime in the next couple of months! A senior dispatcher is transferring to Modesto, moving Scott up the ladder... and out of the dreaded split shift.

We're beyond excited!

Ice Pack

Jamin had a little mishap involving a toilet seat tonight. Poor guy.

For those who think it's cruel of me to take such a picture, just consider it preemptive payback for snapping photos of his wife in labor some day. Plus, he's staying up late watching movies and eating candy while the "ice pack" works its magic. Not such a bad deal, right? And yes, I realize I seriously need to clean the couch. I'll get to it once Jamin's in bed.

6 Months

Our baby girl is 6 months old! Here's the latest about Miss Libby:

• She's very social and gets upset if she isn't part of the action.
• She chews on everything these days... especially any bare toes at her level. If she spots your toes on the floor, look out! She'll attack them in no time.
• She scoots very well and is this close to crawling. 
• She loves applesauce.
• Her first tooth is almost through.
• She sits for a few moments at a time. She loses her balance quickly, though, because her own toes look just too tempting.
• She enjoys grabbing her feet and rocking from side to side.
• She crosses her ankles when she sits. Such a lady!
• She's still very small. We find out her actual measurements on the 29th, but she fits best in 0-3 month clothes. Despite her daintiness, she's actually getting a little chubby!
• She thinks her brothers are the most hilarious people ever.
• She's already a Daddy's girl. She stares and smiles at him whenever he's in the room. When he holds her, she "talks" to him nonstop.
• She still spits up all the time. We always need a burp cloth on hand just to be safe!

What's Missing?

I just changed our blog address (obviously), and Blogger automatically reset/deleted a bunch of items. This includes our "Family & Friends" blog roll. If you see that you're missing, please let me know. I apologize and promise I'm not ignoring you on purpose. :)

Stircrazy

I threw out my back last week.

Now I have a strained ligament in my foot. And a cold. And pinkeye.

Since rest is the best medicine for most of the above (not to mention that walking seriously hurts), I've been couchbound for over a week.

The kids and I are beyond stircrazy. 

Times like this make me appreciate my usual health. The house is a mess. The blue skies feel like a tease. I am so sick of Diego. But once this passes, we can play and work and do all those things we normally enjoy. For that, I am thankful.

Photobombed

While snapping away the other day...

Picture 1:

Picture 2:

Picture 3:

(Libby was apparently just as surprised by Jamin's photobomb as I was.)

At least she's already learning to stick up for herself.

I'm proud.