happy father's day. everyday?

Happy (1st!) Father's Day, G.

(i have been investing in your gift all year long....)

*a [humourous] post in leiu of Father's Day that details just a few of the gifts that mommies give thier hubby's/baby-daddy's every day, all throughout the year....

1. i change things. every day. every night. lots of things. i change (too many!) diapers, i change wet, poopy, dirty clothes (mine AND Kai's) i change crib sheets, i change and change and change...(oh, and not to mention that something ELSE that has changed since i carried your son (like,{ahem}--my thighs...).

2. you, my dear get to pee in peace and quiet while you are away and working. i have had to learn to manage a child crawling on me and playing on and all around me while i take care of bathroom business. tricky and dangerous. no dignity in this parenting business.

3. my stay-at-home mommy middle-name is "laundry." i fold Kai's clothes (painfully large amounts), i fold YOUR clothes (even the socks when i'm in a good mood!) and most the time by the time i get around to folding (or washing) my clothes i'm so tired i just wad them up and shove them in a drawer. not a fan of folding clothes. but i fold yours with love, babe.

4. a break. yeah, that would be your job. where you get to pee in solitude and hear your own thoughts.

5. i get up every day with poopy/crying/singing/screaming/wet/puked-on baby. you complain when your alarm goes off? i forgot what mine even sounds like!

6. i give you groceries (shop at walmart during peak hours with a 10 month old who needs a nap much?) and dinner (cook with a 10 month old crawling up the back of your legs much?). then a clean kitchen. then a clean baby (bathtime). then a quiet house (bedtime) then a clean house and finally, a quiet evening (when your home). [when it's just me and baby boy the above is just slightly modified (ha!)]

7. a well-rounded, engaged, educated son. oh yes, and it's my pleasure. we sing, we play, we go on outings, we read, we listen to music, we dance and we even speak spanish. don't blame me if he's a bit different (a chip off the old block!), he's happy and well-learned :)

8. YOUR faves, fit to order. the bed made how you like it, your favorites in the fridge, the lawn mowed and flower beds weeded upon your return from out of town trips, the recycling taken (your worst chore) and the house vaccumed, swept and smelling fresh and welcoming (NOT like diapers or throw up).

9. even when i'm tired... (from doing all of the above) i "stay up late" with you (hehe).

10. my love: a relieved, genuine, "glad to see you" smile when you walk through the door, a tight "man-it's-been-a-long-day hug, and a kiss that says "you make this all worth it."

and with a tired smile i wake up and do it all over again...and even though i whine and sometimes whimper, i really wouldn't want it any other way.

so don't ever say i didn't get you anything for Father's Day...

;)