Pickle, Day 5

It's the end of day Five. Wow.

Everything is so different now, so abruptly, and it has all happened so fast. Surreal. And all of it good.

Since we can't use her real name, I'm going to call her Pickle, because that's what she is.

Being day five, there's so much I want to share, to catch you up on, so many specific times since Wednesday that I've felt the impulse to write about some little adventure, or new discovery, or just her outright cuteness. But because it is also 10:30 and the transition to father of two year old is unavoidably tiring - even if it is a joy - I don't have enough in the tank right now to play catch up. Spirit willing, flesh weak, etc. So you'll have to be content with me jumping right in.

When we got her we were told she hated going to bed. The first night she cried for about 10 minutes. The next night maybe 3. Naps too. But tonight was a beautiful thing. I read a book, then mommy read Good Night Moon, and then - she just went right to bed without a whimper. We are making steady and significant strides.

When I said good night, she voluntarily gave me a kiss.

I worked from home Wednesday and Thursday, and I'm so thankful for the flexibility to do that, and for the timing of the long weekend. I've been able to spend almost every moment around her, and it has been time well spent. We get along splendidly now.

And tonight, suddenly, I realized that I'm moping inside. I absolutely Do Not Want to go to work tomorrow. I resent missing any time with the little Pickle.

I know this feeling. It's an awful lot like when I fell in love.

I'm so thankful for how God has gently led us to this place. I'm thankful for how Right it feels. I'm thankful for this incredible wife and teammate I have. I'm thankful for this special opportunity to help and to love such a special little girl. I'm thankful to get to be a part of her life, even if it ends up only being for a little while.