Top 10 ways that Toby is the most outstanding father, in no particular order:
1. Play! - Toby comes up with new games to play with Annie at least a couple times a week. My latest favorite is when they act out the book "Where's Spot?" They follow the book by searching all around the house for Spot, looking behind doors, in closets and under rugs. He also recently started a matching game, and can generally come up with a new game on the spot at any time. They also plant and pick vegetables together, renewing Annie's interest in broccoli (yay!).
2. Patience - the man is a saint. When I've totally lost my cool because Annie is "showing her two-ness," Toby is cool and calm.
3. Empathy - Toby really understands Annie and her her needs. And not only that, but he is always willing to respond.
4. Toby shows a complete willingness to take the blame for Annie's desire to flex her independence and run away. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
5. Enforcement - okay, maybe we're still working on this one, but when Toby feels strongly about something, he's going to be the enforcer. Just try to say "nuh-uh" around him.
6. Bathtime - see Play and Patience, above. Add 15 minutes when I get to lay on the couch.
7. He's a really outstanding husband. (This really helps in the really outstanding father category, too.) See #4. He knows when I need a break and tries to usher me out the door. He has never asked me not to do something fun with my girlfriends even if it means he has to pull all the parenting duty for days, nights or entire weekends.
8. Teaching - Toby is always teaching Annie something new, which is why she can show you what plate tectonics look like with her hands.
9. Silly - I can't tell you how many times I've seen Toby do incredibly silly dances, but I know I've seen at least 10-12 this week. There really is no better way to diffuse a tough toddler situation than to start doing the Running Man on steroids in the living room.
10. Devotion - utterly, completely, amazingly. I never really knew what being wrapped around somebody else's finger looked like until Annie was born. I can't wait to see how he handles being wrapped around two little ones' fingers! :)
2 comments:
this is the coolest thing I've read in a long time. go, Toby.
Awesome. I think there is something really special about daddies and their daughters, although I can't wait to hear what a great dad Toby is to Finn as well!!
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