We're a Happy Family

The day of my 6-week postpartum checkup shall go down in infamy as the day we discovered that Edward fit into Robert's pants.

Poor Joseph had come down with a nasty, headachy stomach flu the day before, and by all rights should have been left home in bed. Unfortunately, I needed him to come along to keep an eye on the kids while I was... well, "checked up," if you will. So along he came.

Edward was unusually quiet in the backseat (typically he keeps up a rambling chatter concerning every bus, truck, and big vehicle that we pass), and just as we pulled into the parking lot, 5 minutes late for my appointment, he announced "oh dear!" and promptly emptied the contents of his stomach onto himself, the carseat, and the floor.

What's a Mom to do? In this case, leave her ailing husband to clean up (not to mention clean up after) her ailing child while she makes a dash for her appointment.

Joseph patiently, calmly, stoically tended to the mess, and had everything taken care of when I returned -- though Edward had been changed into the wrong trousers. (Differentiating between infant and toddler clothes is apparently a "Mom" thing, though if the pants fit, no one's hurt, right?)

We came home and both Joseph and Edward took long naps while I scrubbed, disinfected, and de-smelled the carseat.

Joseph frequently laments his inadequacies and failings as a father, whereas I frequently stand in awe of how reliably I can count on him -- even in the midst of a miserable illness and faced with a crisis. Unless discussing himself, this man doesn't know what complaining is (despite my frequent lessons on the subject). He willingly and lovingly takes any child that I fling into his arms in order to attend to whatever matter I have decided needs my hands or attention. He is adept at de-crankifying a tired toddler, and has mastered the art of performing household chores with an infant strapped to his chest. For these reasons, we here at the Floof household heartily wish our father (and grandfathers, and great-grandfathers) a happy Father's Day: he deserves at least one in exchange for keeping the family happy every single day of the year.