Thank you Notes

Today we have a special guest blogger...me, dad.

I would like to apologize for the lack of blogging the past few months, but you see, most of it is my fault.  I sent the lovely editor, writer, contributor, mom back to work three months early so I could partake in some one-on-one time with Just Jack.

Well, much to my chagrin that one-on-one time has come to an end for me too as I head back to work this week.  To paraphrase Tamara and my favourite late night personalities, Jimmy Fallon, “....I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to take this time to write a few thank you notes.”

Thank you friends and family for your continued support.  I know that this is an odd concept for a lot of people out there – a man taking time off work to watch a child.  Who knew?  Thank you for keeping the Mr. Mom jokes to a dull roar and not getting my panties in a knot. 

Thank you to all the stay-at-home moms for not making me feel too awkward and inferior.  Only a few of you looked at me in disgust as though I know nothing about parenting and how to calm a crying baby.

Thank you to an understanding boss who did not even flinch when I proposed Mara and my plan to switch up time with Jack even though he did not realize this option was available to dads nowadays until that day.  My workplace was very accommodating and supportive which always helps the situation.

Thank you Tamara, my wonderful wife.  Not many moms out there are willing to give up the good life and go back to work three months early to allow their husbands to stay at home and play with their child.  Not only that, not many moms trust their husbands to take care of their babies the way you do.  Thank you for your support, understanding, and for being my sugar momma.  Your boys always loved hearing the front door open after work to see your happy face enter up the stairs (and I know jack will continue to look forward to his mom picking him up every day).

Jack.  I love you so much.  We have had a lot of fun times the past three months.  We learnt how to swim, did the swing circuit many, many times (sometimes in our jammers), worked out at the gym, played, played, and played some more.  I will never forget the time we spent together son.    We have many, many more adventures to come, but those adventures we shared will be very special to me, I only hope somehow you will one day understand how special this time was.

Thank you Jack for making me a better dad, for giving me more patience and understanding, for letting me see the innocence of a child who knows no other way to be, for making me young again, and most of all for making me a better person.

To all those dads out there (and the moms too), if you ever have the chance to take time off with your child (or are willing to let go of some time) please do so no matter how short or how long you can do so.  Sure there will be a few more dirty diapers, a few more tears, and times where you aren’t sure if you can speak anything other than baby gibberish, but the rewards are beyond words.