hannah and me (part seven)
i am now the father of a real little human being


i know. i know what you are thinking. kevin, you've been a father for over two years now. that's true. but it hit me today that this baby girl isn't really a baby anymore. in fact, she's quite capable. hannah started, as all babies do, in what andy calls the furniture phase. she progressed quite nicely through that phase, became mobile, became more mobile and learned to walk, learned to run, to hop, learned words, and learned to string words together all the while retaining the cuteness quotient she displayed way back in the furniture phase.

today has been an old school daddy-daughter day. mommy was unavailable for lunch, so we got up, laid in bed and watched some little einsteins, moved to the living room for dora, watched some sesame street, folded clothes, brushed teeth, got ready, and went. we left for target looking for a couple things and played in target. actually played. we ran. we laughed. we were silly. then we went to go eat at lee garden.

this is when it hit me that i might not have a "baby" girl anymore. hannah sat next to me in her booster seat (obviously not for babies), shared hot and sour soup and crispy noodles with me. when her food came, daddy cut her chicken nuggets in half (although i think she could have done it herself if i would have let her) to let them cool and we shared some small talk while we sipped on our drinks and finished the soup. i put her chicken and rice in front of her and she picked up her spoon and got after it. i asked her if she needed help. she did not. "no, daddy. i'll do it." i ate. she ate. we talked a little. she dipped her nuggets very politely and neatly in sweet and sour sauce, and then we were finished. she picked up the ticket for me and carried it to the cash register. the sweet girl that works at lee garden commented on how big hannah had gotten.

she has. she isn't a baby anymore. i guess she's more of my "little" girl. not my baby girl.

hannah, you are so big. i love you. i hope it's ok if you are always my baby girl.