I went to visit my oldest brother, (seven-months-pregnant) sister-in-law, and nephew in Coral Springs, Florida, this past weekend. Ah, the Florida life. We had a really nice time together. My brother, Big Daddy, is a firefighter/EMT/paramedic in the Ft. Lauderdale area. He has a tough job, but a really cushy schedule -- 24 hours on, 48 hours off. My tall sister-in-law, or TSIL, is a speech pathologist in the public school system there. When my nephew, Big Baby, was born, they had to work out his childcare situation. Big Baby has perhaps the next best thing (as far as time spent with parents) to being at home full-time with a parent. He's with mom in the evenings and on the weekends, and he's with dad most days during the week. Consequently, he's in a chidcare situation about six days a month, and he gets to spend lots of time with both of his parents. I always knew my brother would make a good father, but I never knew he would be a tried and true "Superdad." Every three days he's at work for 24 hours, from 7am to 7am. Some nights he get sleep; other nights he hardly gets any at all. Regardless, when he gets home the next day, he's on daddy duty if mom has to go to work. He and Big Baby play, go for walks, watch kid videos, play in the pool, and more. They stay busy all day save for a nap mid-day. Big Baby has become a real big
boy recently. He started walking about a week ago and loves cruising around the living room. He likes playing with his mom and dad and aunt, but he's okay playing by himself also. He loves to read books -- when others read to him or he "reads" to himself. He likes to laugh and scream and jump and kick his legs. Suffice it to say, I'm in awe of my brother and the son he's raising. In addition to all his daddy duty, Big Daddy takes care of the yard at the house, is frequently involved with TSIL on making improvements to the house (which they have renovated since purchasing almost two years ago), and cooks -- and well. He cleans when he has to, though TSIL tries to take on those duties so Big Daddy isn't overwhelmed with responsibilities. If Big Daddy were the mom doing all these things, maybe I wouldn't notice as much, which is sad, but I should be whether he's the dad or the mom. He works a lot, does a great job as a husband and a dad, and doesn't complain. Here's to you Big Daddy and TSIL -- amazing parents to an amazing child. I know it's not as easy as you make it look, but it seems like you're having fun while you're at it. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers as Little Baby makes his debut in the next few months!
I went to visit my oldest brother, (seven-months-pregnant) sister-in-law, and nephew in Coral Springs, Florida, this past weekend. Ah, the Florida life. We had a really nice time together. My brother, Big Daddy, is a firefighter/EMT/paramedic in the Ft. Lauderdale area. He has a tough job, but a really cushy schedule -- 24 hours on, 48 hours off. My tall sister-in-law, or TSIL, is a speech pathologist in the public school system there. When my nephew, Big Baby, was born, they had to work out his childcare situation. Big Baby has perhaps the next best thing (as far as time spent with parents) to being at home full-time with a parent. He's with mom in the evenings and on the weekends, and he's with dad most days during the week. Consequently, he's in a chidcare situation about six days a month, and he gets to spend lots of time with both of his parents. I always knew my brother would make a good father, but I never knew he would be a tried and true "Superdad." Every three days he's at work for 24 hours, from 7am to 7am. Some nights he get sleep; other nights he hardly gets any at all. Regardless, when he gets home the next day, he's on daddy duty if mom has to go to work. He and Big Baby play, go for walks, watch kid videos, play in the pool, and more. They stay busy all day save for a nap mid-day. Big Baby has become a real big 
boy recently. He started walking about a week ago and loves cruising around the living room. He likes playing with his mom and dad and aunt, but he's okay playing by himself also. He loves to read books -- when others read to him or he "reads" to himself. He likes to laugh and scream and jump and kick his legs. Suffice it to say, I'm in awe of my brother and the son he's raising. In addition to all his daddy duty, Big Daddy takes care of the yard at the house, is frequently involved with TSIL on making improvements to the house (which they have renovated since purchasing almost two years ago), and cooks -- and well. He cleans when he has to, though TSIL tries to take on those duties so Big Daddy isn't overwhelmed with responsibilities. If Big Daddy were the mom doing all these things, maybe I wouldn't notice as much, which is sad, but I should be whether he's the dad or the mom. He works a lot, does a great job as a husband and a dad, and doesn't complain. Here's to you Big Daddy and TSIL -- amazing parents to an amazing child. I know it's not as easy as you make it look, but it seems like you're having fun while you're at it. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers as Little Baby makes his debut in the next few months! 
No comments:
Post a Comment