Building Tradition

Without discussion and without planning - the usual way Miss Dior finds her way to any desirable outcome - the weekends have become the building block of the A3R family tradition. If I thought Saturday and Sunday were my favorite days of the week before Alexa, I had no idea how fun and fulfilling the weekends could be with our little sweet pea.

Since 75% of my full-time job during the week is caring for the wee, Daddy takes a hefty portion of Alexa duty over the weekend. Sundays are dedicated as a special bonding day for the two of them. We call it Daddy and Daughter Sunday. I have so much fun watching them play. One of my baby books has a developmental section that explains why it's so important for Daddies to play with babies, in addition to the love and attention they get from Mommy. The book says Mommies and Daddies have different styles of play and babies need both styles for proper development. How true!! Once again, the vastly different personalities of Miss Dior and Captain Picard find a harmony that brings an ultimate benefit to our relationship.

If playing with the baby weren't enough, Picard also helps with the housework and takes a turn making our traditional weekend breakfast. Yes, he's cooking! I know it sounds scary (and sometimes it is) but he made some yummy bacon and eggs this weekend that were both edible and tasty! Don't worry, we're not going to start relying on him for dinner and weekday meals. Even a great man has his limits!

But, it's not really all of the stuff he does for us over the weekend that makes it so special. It's the feeling of the three of us being together as a family. It's finding our rhythm. It's knowing what to expect and having delightful surprises (like the leg extenders pictured below). It's living in the moment and enjoying every breath of it. It's watching each other smile and listening to each other laugh. We're building traditions and making treasured memories to reminisce about in our golden years.

Daddy and Alexa match!

Oh Daddy, I'm sooooo tired. Do I HAVE to finish my bottle?

Daddy comes up with the best games! (Alexa is wearing cut up paper towel tubes on her legs. We call them her leg extenders. Daddy invented them to keep Alexa occupied while he cleaned the kitchen.)

Daddy has good taste in clothes? No way! (Daddy Picard bought this purple sweat suit for Alexa when he bought her pumpkin costume.)

That Daddy is pretty cool. When does he come home to play with me again?