A TwistedChristian Dad

Dear Bean,

You and I went to the park today to play on the swings. We recently discovered the park a couple of days ago when we were out for a walk and the rain caught us unaware. I was so excited that they have those little black baby swings that we can put you in and it is only a 15 minute walk from our house. I keep forgetting the camera, but you look so cute in the swing, and I love watching your eyes light up as I push you.

After playing on the swing for a bit, we moved to a shady spot on the grass to relax before beginning the walk home. In the past you’ve been a little apprehensive about sitting on grass, instead preferring to sit on a blanket, but we were on an adventure and you took it in stride. The look on your face when I first sat you down in your little orange shorts with the grass poking the soft baby skin on your legs was priceless. You quickly warmed up to it though, and before long were running your hands through the grass, experiencing all the different textures.

I love watching you discover the world around you. And today, as you drank in the sounds, smells, sights, and even tastes of summer, I realized you have helped me see the world in a whole new light. Looking at the world through your eyes as given me a new perspective on life. I actually see things instead of merely glancing at them. I stop and consider what you think about when you are introduced to new things for the very first time. Like the leaf you picked up, and promptly stuck in your mouth. And the twig. And the weed. And the blade of grass. All of which were picked up in your increasingly dexterous fingers, examined, and the shoved into your gaping maw. Even when I’m out without you I see things that I know you haven’t seen yet and wonder what you will think about them.

I especially loved when you realized if you pulled hard enough, you could pull grass right out of the ground with your grubby little paws. The look of delight that crossed you face as  you reached down with both hands, in that awkward baby manner, and started trying to pull the grass from the ground. You never got more than one at a time, and usually the dead stuff, but you were so pleased with yourself.

I’ve also decided that I much rather carry you in the baby-backpack than the stroller. I love the freedom of taking you where ever I want to walk without the hassle of pushing the stroller. I still can’t see your face (unless I get a little mirror, which I just might do), but in the backpack you sit and babble away the whole time, so I’m assuming you are enjoying it. We have such great conversations this way, something that doesn’t happen when you are way out front in the stroller. It seems to open up new possibilities for places we can go together. Paths that would be a hassle or hindrance with the stroller can now be traversed with ease.

Every day is a new adventure with you and the summer is the perfect time to go out on daily adventures. I’ll just remember to put some baby supplies in the backpack in case we get rained on again like yesterday. There’s Dad, running down the street in the pouring rain, empty baby backpack bouncing on my back as I try to shelter you in my arms. But you’re pretty forgiving, and I’m still learning, so it is all good.

Love,

Dad

**Swing by Dad-Blogs.com to check out other Fatherhood Friday posts from some real great Dads**

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