It is a bright and beautiful Japanese Morning. It’s 6 am, I have worked out and am on my 3rd cup of coffee! Who says that parenthood was hard?!?!? Granted I am a lazy and useless husband and father who lets Chie do most of the heavy lifting. It has been 7 weeks since I have welcomed little Sophia Kiko (aka “Fatness” aka “Blacky” aka “Her Royal Fatness” aka “Pig”) into the world. As a side note, I am not sure if Chie has informed you all about the various nicknames we have given the baby. As it turns out I only call the baby by her real name when I am showing my displeasure with her….I hope that doesn’t give her some kind of complex about her real name. But the short reason behind the name “Fatness” should be obvious. Kiko is one fat pudgy baby. As for “Blacky” that name comes from the time when I first saw her ultrasound photo. I was so excited when Chie showed me the picture. I took the ultrasound snapshot and looked anticipatingly and was confused only to see a large black circle. Somewhere in the blag circle was a little white dot that was Sophia but I could not see the dot then and cannot see the dot now. So…in as much as I just saw black circle I said to Chie “So the baby is this black blob…Blacky the blob baby?” From that point “blacky” just kind of stuck. And “Pig” hat comes from the pig sounds she makes when she starting to get hungry.
It is strange but the baby is so much different from 7 weeks ago. Everyday I wake up excited to see her because some change will have happened overnight. Sometimes the baby gets fatter or rounder. Sometimes she gets a little bit longer. Sometimes Sophia wakes up with a big smile on her face and says with her eyes “Daddy look, I grew 1 hair on the top of my head to match the long hair in the back….soon I won’t look like Friar Tuck, aren’t you proud of me?!” And yes I must admit that I am proud with every new hair she makes grow on her little round bald head.
Reflecting a little bit I thank God that baby’s are not as easily broken as I thought they might be. I have dropped this poor child on her head, without realizing it let her roll off cushions on to hard surfaces and fed her with bottles that had no holes pricked in the nipple. She is a strong healthy baby. If She were not I do not think she would survive me.
I have started to plan out her future a little bit. I have decided that she will either be a violinist, figure skater or ballet dancer. I want to have her involved in the creative arts. Chie laughs at me when I say these things but, as some of you may know from reading the blog, I am a pro fighter and we are not known for our ability to create things of beauty. I want my daughter to be able to do all of the things I cant (which is most things useful). I would love if she were into the sciences but with Chie and my genes combined I cant image that will happen. I got straight D’s in the sciences growing up and Chie, even though she is Asian, can barely add!
All in all I am thrilled to be a father. I am no better at parenting than I am at being a husband, but for some reason the ladies in my life love me and forgive my many foibles. I can’t wait to see what happens with both lovely ladies in the next few weeks.
Oh, before I forget I must show you a video of my daughter beating me in a staring contest we had. It turns out that at 7 weeks old she is already better than her father at most things.
I wonder, for those of you with children, do you think the fathers of said baby’s have had similar experiences to me? Any recommendations for a loving but very uninformed father?
Lisa says
You adore your wife and daughter – that’s all you really need to be a good father.
Susan - Knitters Delight says
I agree with Lisa. My little one is 6 1/2 months old now. The only thing she wants from Daddy is playtime and love. It sounds like your little one is getting plenty!
Great post.
Chie says
thank u susan, andy is a great father, and a husband! 🙂
Laura says
I just discovered your blog today and enjoyed reading your past entries. It was the versatile little bag that first caught my attention. Chie, you have some lovely creations!
What a beautiful little family you are! Andy, as I read your letter to Sophie before she was born, it was apparent that you will be a Christian father. There is no greater gift for a child than loving Christian parents. In a world that is tossed and torn by chaos, she will have a strong anchor. May God richly bless all of you!