Flying Solo...

I love being a Dad.  It's got to be the coolest gig in town. And all anyone ever says is "it only gets better."  I can't imagine it getting any better than it is...so whatever is in store must really be cool.

Anne left for Cabo at 6am Friday morning.  She returns late Monday night.  I have had the girls all to myself and am having absolutely the best time.  It's hard but in such a great and fun way.  Anne hasn't been on a non-pregnant, no kids trip for herself in I don't know how long.  It was a well deserved get away and I'm proud of her for taking some time for herself to just relax.  

After I dropped Anne off, I came home and got ready to start the day, shower, dressed, etc.  Tatum woke up and I grabbed her and came back to my bathroom to finish brushing my teeth or whatever it was I was doing.  Tatum came running down and very seriously came in my bathroom and said "Lulu Poop in my bathroom."  I sighed and said "dammit" under my breath.  Tatum perfectly imitated my wording.  Perfect...Dad's on duty and not 5 mins in to it, one of the kids has their first curse word.  This is not the prelude I was looking for...but a funny one to start with.

Friday morning I took the girls to the Austin Zoo. We went for Tatum's 2nd birthday 9 months ago and seeing it again was great.  I forget what a great zoo it is and how close to the animals you can get.  She was really in to it and made great facial expressions as she'd notice a monkey or a tiger off in the distance and run over to it.  We rode the train through the park and waved to the other kids as we passed them by.  It was really great.  Tinsley was an angel and didn't fuss a bit.  I think she just likes getting out of the house and getting some fresh air.  I was sick when I went to take my first Zoo pic and realized I forgot to put the CM card in my camera.  Damn.  On the other hand, it allowed me to really enjoy the zoo and not be worrying about capturing every minute on film.  We talked to the bears and laughed at the monkeys and fed the billy goats...and did it all in under an hour and a half.  It was a great morning and great start to our weekend.  

We got home, took good naps and ran out of the house again around 5:00.  We had to go say "bye bye" to Liz at my office who was leaving for a new job.  She babysits T&T every now and then, and is someone I consider a really good friend.  It was nice to see her off and Tatum enjoys seeing Daddy's office and the "rina" (Marina) where all the boats live outside my office window.  

From there we went to ACC for kids night and to enjoy Doodlebug, some chicken fingers, mini corn dogs and chok-it.  She tried all kinds of new things like Clam Chowder soup and shrimp and seemed to enjoy it all.  

From there we made a mad dash to see Joni and Jeff at some neat outdoor bar "Chesters" in North Austin.  Joni had no idea we were coming and I hid behind a car and pushed Tatum out to walk over to her table and surprise her.  Tatum was excited to surprise her and Joni seemed so happy to see all of us. Jeff was up on stage playing his Gee-Tar and singing and kept winking and smiling and Tatum as he sang.  Joni's mom was in town and she's told her all about T&T so it made it fun to get to show them off to her.  Cecil and Mike Senter were there (thanks for letting us know about the event!!) and it just felt like we were back in small town USA at some old country cat fish fry or something.  I loved it.  Tatum and I went up to dance in front of the stage and we whirled around a time or two.  A about a minute in to it, the 80 year old bar owner came over and politely told us he'd lose his liquor license for the kids being there so we departed.  I love that "dad's first weekend watching the kids" involved us getting kicked out of a bar.  Priceless!  

Tinsley and Tatum at Natalie's Birthday Party...

We got home about 8:30...a good hour after Tinsley's bedtime and she went down like the angel that she is and Tatum helped me bathe her and bottle her and put her "night night."  Tatum was her normal wonderful easy self and rent right to sleep after a good long "rain with daddy" (shower) and singing a few songs together while we snuggle and rock in the rocking chair.  

Saturday morning we had Natalie's 3rd birthday party at 10am.  I was determined to show everyone that I had this under control and could get them fed, dressed and out the door on time.  It was all perfect until we got in the car and I turned the ignition and it was dead.  I was so bummed.  I managed to find some jumper cables and remembered red goes to red and black to black (you know that's big for me to know anything mechanical) and we were off... 15 minutes late but I thought that was respectable.  The party was quick and great due to a HUGE thunderstorm that blew through and ended things about 4 minutes after Nat blew out the candles.  

We went to Nettie's house, went to eat a hamburger together and to run an errand for me...then back home for a good long nap.  A couple of friends came over and played with the girls for a while and we had a pretty slow night....dinner, baths, bed and that was that.  I was exhausted and my goal was to be in bed by 11:00 so I could get Sunday morning under control.  Enter my mother in law.  She and I started talking and finally at 3am I said "time out!"  Ugh.  We had a great time chatting and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I was so bummed at myself for not following my own rules.  Oh well...we made it.

Dinner Saturday night Tatum said she wanted "DaddyCakes" and I thought "why not"...so we had fun making a big bunny pancake.  She also wanted cereal.  I love her new method of eating cereal...by the fist full, milk and all!

Sunday morning we got up at 8, threw on new clean pajamas and headed to Papa's and Kay's house.  We had breakfast together and played for a little while...  Tinsley practiced her scooting...she's just about to crawl, I can feel it...Tatum practiced her swinging and playing with a few new toys.  

Tatum playing with a really cool satellite and microphone.  Spying on Papa and making sure he's saying nice things!

Around 10:30 I threw the girls in their church clothes and decided to try church for the first time.  Westlake Presbyterian (where I grew up) was having a hand bell service and I was anxious hear it and share it with T&T.  Mom met me there and we enjoyed it together.  I was relieved to see her pull out crayons and a notebook to keep Tatum entertained.  To my surprise, Tatum's swim teacher, Mrs. Gwen, was in the choir so that gave us something to watch and wave to and stay entertained for quite a while.  I loved watching Mom have all the church toys...I remember growing up that she always had a bag of tricks to keep us entertained at church.  Maybe she was bored like us and was more interested in drawing pictures than listening to the preacher, I'm not sure ...but it was nostalgic to see her pull the goodies out of her purse.

After church (we left before the sermon...didn't want to push our luck!) we went home, took a nap and had some friends over afterwards for a pool party.  The Marquardts (and new addition Ralph!), Bain's, Owens, Lisa and David, Mom and Cross all came over to swim and play in the yard.  Luckily Mom got stuck in the freezing pool (I love you Mom) and saved me from having to get in there.  She's hard core and I just don;t like cold water.  I think grandkids make her resiliant to anything (except a broken foot).  The kids chased bubbles and ran all over the yard.  It was heart warming to see them all playing together.  

I bathed Tinsley, Sara fed her and Pam put her to bed.  I was on my last leg at this hour due to my 3am sleep schedule and REALLY appreciated the help.  Tatum said she didn't want to eat (we had a popsicle for dinner...Daddy style!) and didn't want a rain or bath, so it was straight to bed...which was fine with me.

About 30 mins ago Tatum woke up crying (never happens!).  She said she had "boogers" and her nose was really running.  After a dose of Benadryl and rocking together for 3 songs she was sound asleep in my arms and ready for bed.  That's the 3rd time I have had the chance to comfort her when she's sick and I really think those may be my most special moments with her.  I just know I'll remember feeling her weight in my arms and her little head buried in my chest and the noise of her sucking on her thumb.  I've said it before...but there's no other moment I feel more like a Dad than that.  It's just awesome.  I wouldn't trade those moments with the world.  I hate to see them sick, don't get me wrong...but being able to be there for them just makes me feel so good.  

Monday is scheduled for a walk to feed the dicks at town lake, a ride on the Zilker choo-choo, a hamburger "to go" at P Terry's and eating it at Mayfield Park with the peacocks.  Hopefully Tatum will feel up to it.  Luckily Tinsley hasn't shown any signs of being sick.  I'm nervous about "returning" Tatum sick...Anne's going to think I did something wrong.  About the only thing wrong we did was have too much fun!  I get to do this all over again in a few weeks when Anne is in New York.  I can't wait.  

A special "thanks" to the helping hands along the way...Pam, Mom, Sara, Dad, Kay, David, Shelby, Wiggles and the random girl at the grocery store that guided me to the nail polish remover aisle.