Daddy Tree: Tiny Footsteps

"Kith and kin." I didn't know what that meant until watching a recent "Jeopardy" then reading the same phrase in one of my knights and dragons books a few days later. I know the phrase now, and I know another way of saying it: "friends and family." And even if I hadn't known the phrase before, I'm quite aware the concept had taken deep root in my and Che's lives when Willow arrived. Kith and kin was well rooted in our lives before Willow's birth, but her life has brought the importance of friends and family into better perspective for me. I can't speak for Che, but I'm pretty sure the kith-and-kin focus has sharpened for her too. We want Willow to have a strong foundation set in friends and family, and we've put extra effort into keeping those ties as strong as we have power to. A large part of that effort was our decision to have a stay-at-home parent, and we thank God every day that we were able to make that change in...

Our Thanksgiving trip to Henderson, Tenn., is what we live for, for friends and family, for camaraderie and good times, for enjoying life. The trip was wonderful. Che and I had a great time, and Willow absolutely had the time of her life (I know this because our first day back on Daddy and Willow time was, in a word, tough; Willow missed her granddad and his silliness, see photo, and the loving embraces of aunts, uncles, of cousins and grandmothers). As Willow becomes more conscious of her life and the family members who inhabit it, these days are more and more magical. And the traditions we set are more and more meaningful. That goes for Daddy and Mommy too. Life, with Willow in it, has a greater tug on our heart. Our perspective has changed. Our outlook is rosier. The view of our experiences are sharper. Our memories, new and old ones, have a new glow about them. Willow has brought some sort of mystical presence to our lives, and to our holidays and traditions. Take Halloween, f...

We're traveling to Henderson, Tenn., for a long Thanksgiving weekend. That means: Good eating. Football. Hugs. Excitement for Willow. Giving thanks. Games. Family. And lastly, packing and hauling my little family down there. Yes, that last task is an enormous one (it's a big enough burden with just a husband and wife, but when you add a baby ... oh, my!). We leave tonight. So I know what lies ahead for me today. I'm at the keyboard now, steeling myself for the long day ahead. I have work to do. I've downloaded an app to my iPhone to help me pack for the new addition (Willow). The app is quite helpful, but it's overwhelming looking at the list and its 1,036,154 things to do. Do I even have enough time today to go through this list? And the app doesn't even begin to account for the things Mommy wants. If I were to add those requests to the list, we'd be up to ... just a sec ... calculating ... calculating ... here we go ... 3,176,203 things to...

Storms and overall yuckiness is expected to roll through the area today. You know what that means? Pajama Day! To combat the crumminess outside, Willow and I are sticking to our pajamas, and we're going to play, read and play! (Willow is napping now to gather strength for the pajama-wearing fun). We're putting the work off until tomorrow, when we have to get ready to travel to Henderson for a weekend of Thanksgiving and family fun. That's a lot of fun thrown in there, and a little bit of work (but, hey, when you're a kid, fun is work). Rainy days are gloomy, but I hope I have tons more in my future, because I have no problem hunkering down with Willow and playing the day away. Happy holidays, everyone!