January 7th of last year, I wrote a post titled, "Mommy Put Me Down," and my husband stumbled across it this week from his 'On this day' via Facebook.
This is STILL going on. That is WAY too long, he said. I agree, I laughed. It's really kind of silly!
Those four words are ritualistic and haven't ceased for an entire YEAR. "Mommy put me down!" Well okay, they've expanded a little because both our kids have an excellent vocabulary. So it's more like, "Mom, are you going to put me down tonight?" or, "Mom, can you PLEASE put me down?" When it's one of their turns (we switch every night), they jokingly sneer at one another, "Ha ha, Mommy's going to put ME down tonight!!!!"
What is this?!?!?!
It's incredibly rare that my husband loses his temper in our household. But ME on the other hand, guys. I mean for crying out loud I literally told them yesterday morning in our mad chaos attempt to get out the door, "You guys are being JERKS right now, I don't want to hear another word!" [Nooooot a proud mothering moment right there, but hey, at least I didn't use the S word, maybe...??! Kidding, kidding!!].
But my point IS, is that my husband is a really awesome father. Not just a little bit awesome, a LOT awesome. And he really doesn't get nearly enough credit.
With teacher hours, he is able to have time with our kids that a lot of parents in general, don't get. He's completely hands on with them, it's incredible to watch. And I'm the rule follower, the one who says, "Calm down, it's BED time! Don't get them all rowdy!" I guess I'm also the debbie downer in that sense then? But seriously! The laughter in our household is many thanks to him. He knows how to get us out of our funks, switch our bad moods, and inspires us to be positive. He's the guy who is determined to plan a big spring or summer camping trip; hiking, exploring, trying new things, getting out there. It's my kids' dad.
Whenever the kids get sick, I'm always way too quick to remind him exactly what they "need." Comfy pillows, the puke pan nearby, all the medicines, essential oils, diffusers, humidifiers, blankets, waters, thermometer and temps taken often--but I don't have to do this. He literally runs the fort and has the same exact instincts that I do when it comes to our three and four-year olds. He knows by feeling their heads when they're running a 99° or higher temp.
He's not absent, ever. More often than not I have photography gigs on weekends or after work; especially during wedding seasons! And it STILL usually is me who ends up "needing a break" because they wear me OUT like nothing I can even explain! I've never been certain HOW he can keep such a patient and level head, but he does. On a daily basis. And then here I am, calling my kids jerks. [Lord, forgive me!]
But I think that though these days still look like our kids wanting me 99.9% of the time, that's largely due to their ages. And I know without a doubt that they adore their father. He's the one who "throws them high," turns on Just Dance in the living room, teaches them how to build the biggest Lego towers, fixes toys, and who by far, has the best singing voice. This stage of life is still very much 'mommy put me down,' but the kids are also crazy about their daddy.
**How about you and your family? What does your husband do that you love, kids or not. Are there roles you switch off on (cooking, cleaning)? Is there something he's super helpful with? And if you're a mama, does this sound like you? One of my good friends Ashlee wrote a post called Velcro Baby and I just LOVED it; my daughter is glued to my HIP, y'all. And while it's sometimes frustrating, it's more so just really sweet because I still don't want to think about the day when my kids don't fit quite right on my hips and in my arms. Comment below, I'd love to hear from YOU!**
Here's a little flash back that we recently discovered: Pierson and his Daddy. A reminder of just how present my sweet husband is with our ever growing kiddos. [Even the 'I told you so' comment at the end has me swooning over him, ha ha!!]
