Dada

As the long hot days of August passed so did my anger. I still struggled daily with all my worries and concerns about our future as a family but I also tried to remain present for every minute I had with Julian. He was changing so quickly and I knew I needed to remember these moments for him. He would someday ask me questions about his first months of life with us and I would need to remember. Not to mention I didn't want to miss anything he did!

One evening he and I were having dinner together just the two of us. My husband was on his way home from work but Julian couldn't wait for anyone if it was feeding time. As I sat in front of him in his highchair I was listening to him talk. Between each bite, he would continue his conversation. Some sentences were very serious and some made him giggle. I just listened in awe and when he would let me I would say things like"I know what you mean" or "You don't say!" His eyes would light up like a full moon every time I said something back to him and then he would respond in only a language he could understand. He loved the interaction and the idea of being able to tell his story and I loved hearing it!

Just as we were getting to the end of dinner we both heard the garage door open. Julian began to wave his hands in excitment because he knew it meant daddy was home. I tried to give him the last bite of food but his excitement got the best of him and he began to squeal at the idea of seeing his partner in crime. I wiped his face and hands and took him out of the chair. Just as I slid him on my hip the door into the kitchen opened and Julian reached his hands out to my husband as if to say hurry up and take me and then he yelled out,"Dada!" A look of shock came over my husbands face because it was the first time Julian had called either of us anything. At first it didn't register with me what had just happened until I saw the joy in my husbands eyes.
As I did a quick instant replay in my mind my eyes locked with Julian's and I said to him,"Who is that" while pointing to my husband. A look of confusion came over his face as if to say...uh I just told ya but he looked at my husband and again and said,"Dada!"

My husband was so excited he came and scooped Julian up from arms and began their evening rough housing ritual. I watched them for awhile as they played in the living room. Julian putting on his charm and telling his dad about his day. While my husband listened intently having no idea what Julian was talking about. It was an amazing sight. While the two of them played I stood at the sink washing dishes and looking out the window and daydreamed out our future. I could see it in my mind. The way it was suppose to be. It was suppose to be just like this. Julian full of joy to see his daddy and me watching my two favorite guys play. I couldn't wait to hear Betty Rose tell me that Julian was going to be ours forever!