The Godfather

a letter to my uncle mike:
Happy Father's Day to my God Daddy, who is only a few weeks away from becoming a daddy himself. To TWIN GIRLS no less. I know you are going to be the best kind of father, Uncle Mike. My Mama and Daddy tell me so, and I just know this myself. But who are we kidding, my new cousins will have you spinning in circles for at least, say, the first 18 years or so. I thought I'd offer you 10 tidbits of wisdom, from a buby's perspective, on how to entertain those little princesses-in-training and keep the parental motion sickness at bay:

1. When they cry, rub the tip of your nose on their soft baby necks. It'll tickle and comfort them.
2. Take them outside a lot. Us babes love fresh air and a little sun.
3. Buy them lots of shoes. I hear girls of all ages fancy shoes. Then again, what do I know about that?
4. When they wake 7xs during the night, sway them in your arms and whisper "twinkle twinkle little star" in their ears. Sometimes all they need is a daddy's touch.
5. They absolutely will projectile vomit, pee, or even--dare I say--poop in your face, so just accept it now and move on.
6. Get down on their level and make goofy monkey faces. Noises, too.
7. Read to them. Right away. Even before you think they can possibly appreciate a word of it.
8. Play music. Soft music. Silly music. Music you and Aunt Mel like.
9. Let them fall asleep on your chest. I still remember snoozing on yours when I was only two months old, and it was wuuuuuuunderful.
10. Love each and every day that you have with them. Because before you know it, they'll be all grown up. They'll each be asking you to meet their date at the door, teach them to drive, pay for a prom dress, and--gulp--walk them down the aisle and into another man's arms. Ugh, they'll break your heart about a thousand times. But it heals, and you'll be so thankful they did. With every hug and kiss, every first step they take, every "i wuv you," remember that no matter how big your daughters get, they'll always be your sweet baby girls. And nothing can change that.

Happy Father's Day. Love you lots!

Buby


Buby napping on Uncle Mike, Nov '05