Father's Day 2013

A great father isn't just someone who horses around on the living room floor, reads bedtime stories and kisses boo-boo's all better. He's also mom's partner in crime. He's beside her every step of the parenting journey, in fun times and the most hectic. He's the voice of reason when there is no other; the funny one in just the right moments; a strong provider; the family's rock.

It struck me square in the face on Father's Day, as Andi and I were paddling a canoe down the Namekagon River, what a dynamite team we make together. Andi's Father's Day wish was to take a family canoe trip. He excitedly picked the route and arranged canoe rentals for his parents, sister and her boyfriend to join us. I like canoeing, but I have to admit I was a little anxious about taking Tory with us. Yes, she's more comfortable in a life jacket this summer but we'd also be within the confines of a canoe for a few hours and in the middle of a river with little access to civilization. I prepared the best I could and packed an extra set of clothes for Tory, extra swim diapers, toddler snacks, a sippy cup, sunscreen, towels, bug spray and a picnic lunch for the whole clan. We set out around 9:30am near Trego, WI.

Things started a little rocky as Tory bounced between the front of the canoe to the back, from my lap to Andi's, barely hanging onto the sides as she bobbed around. It made paddling for me nearly impossible as I attempted to have a firm hold on her during all times. Andi and I kept our composure though. We soon settled into a groove where I mostly tended to Tory and he did most of the paddling.

Our three canoes - Janie and Jim with Andi's nine-year-old cousin Mia, Lindsay and her boyfriend Kyle, and Andi, Tory and I - stopped on the river bank for a snack about half-way through the trip. The kids tossed rocks and chunks of ice into the river while the rest of us munched on cheese, crackers and chocolate-covered almonds.

Then, we continued down the river. Only toward the end did Tory get antsy as her nap time neared. By this time Mia was in the canoe with us to help keep Tory entertained while I held Tory on my lap and Andi paddled the boat. Talk about a strong man shouldering the heavy task of moving us down the river! Tory was nearly asleep in my arms as we drifted along, but cried every time I assisted Andi with paddling. I did my best to paddle and hang on to her at the same time.

We ended our canoe adventure with a picnic lunch back at the canoe rental / camp site. Tory caught a second wind with some food in her belly. I'd prepared chicken salad sandwiches on croissants and penne fresca salad for all of us ahead of time. Paired with sweet potato chips, Snapple tea and lemonade, it was the perfect outdoor feast.

Despite a few hairy moments during our canoe trip, Andi and I stayed cool and calm together. I'd even venture to say we had FUN canoeing and we'd be down to take Tory again this summer. When push comes to shove, I default to caring for Tory and Andi handles everything else. Upon reflection, this is what makes Andi such a great dad and partner in life: his composure, strength and love for adventure. Tory and I are so lucky to have him as ours.

After canoeing, we spent the remainder of Father's Day back at the cabin. We played in the lake, grilled hot dogs, opened presents and went for an afternoon boat ride around the lake. Our day together couldn't have been more picture-perfect.

Happy Father's Day, Andi!

Father's Day Bloopers

This photo session is too cute not to share ...

Last year for Father's Day, Tory gifted her daddy a three-series photo frame of herself holding the letters D-A-D. We've all seen this non-original idea on Pinterest.

2012

It turned out really cute though, and Andi has the frame on his desk at work. I thought this year Tory and I would update the photos as one of Andi's Father's Day presents.

Last week Tory and I traveled to Nebraska and it's been raining non-stop since we returned, so I haven't had a chance to get outside to take the photos. I suppose I could've taken them indoors, but I wanted to recreate the 2012 photos as much as possible. On Tuesday, the sun peeked out from the clouds just long enough for me to throw a cute outfit on Tory and high-tail it to the backyard with my camera. Everyone knows Andi is the photographer of our family so I struggle taking quality photos for him as the recipient, but they're photos of our gorgeous daughter so he's bound to love them, right?

Anyway, I gave Tory a letter "D" and asked her to stand in position. Ha hahahaha. Ha. What was I even thinking? No way a one-year old listens to any sort of direction re: standing and smiling.

Okay, the first one's not so bad ...

Ran to a new background location ... grrrrr.
Let's try a new letter.

Alright, standing = running
Let's try sitting on the stairs

Is that an airplane overhead?

Screw this letter thing ...

Just kickin' it

Oh my gosh, Mom. How many more photos?!

New strategy: set the letter next to Tory

Distracted ...

Peek! 

So OVER THIS, Mom

Crumple, crumple, crumple ...

I'm outta here!

I was frustrated while taking these photos because we didn't get any good ones, but after scanning the out-takes on my camera, I nearly died from the cuteness. These photos were too cute not to share with Andi (and I'm horrible at keeping presents a secret, anyway) so I showed Andi the series when he got home from work that evening.

Today, I'm going to attempt this project again to see if I get better "smile worthy" results and if not, I'll print and frame these photos just as they are. Because doesn't this sum up life with a one-year old perfectly? She cracks me up.

Daddy Daycare

It was a daddy/daughter day for Andi and Tory as I worked another football game on Saturday. While I performed the ever-important job of directing drunk fans to available cash registers in the beer garden, here's how they spent their day:

7:00am
Wake-up time! Tory seems pleased with Daddy's greeting. She is such a little bear-cub in the morning. When I was little, my grandpa bought be a t-shirt that said "I don't do mornings" and unfortunately, our little Tory Bean is the same way.

Now breakfast is something she can get behind! Tory eats a pretty big meal in the mornings. Today, she's having strawberries and waffles. Andi sends me a picture text message to my phone and I'm sad I'm missing a quiet, relaxing morning at home with them.

Clean-up time. Andi said Tory "helped" him by putting my boots in the dishwasher while he tried to load up the dishes. He cleaned Tory's hands and face up too, and then changed her very poopy diaper.

Really going for the Mr. Mom award, they decide to make banana bread. Andi let Tory dump the sugar and flour into the mixer and carry an egg across the kitchen. It doesn't end well. She cracked the egg into her hands, which resulted in another clean-up session.

Nap-time for Tory. She seems to be melting down by this point in the picture-sequence.

Andi put Tory to sleep in her nursery and then finished baking the banana bread and packing up the car for our cabin trip later in the afternoon.

Tory Bean's awake and they get ready to leave for a play date with Andi's friend Josh and his little boy Charlie (10 months). Out of hands - one of the many struggles of solo-parenting.

Playtime with Charlie! Andi says Tory is a maniac checking out all the new toys to play with. Andi brought lunch for the crew and fed Tory at Josh's house.

Next, Tory and Andi head to Grandma Marion's house for cousin Connor's 1st birthday party. Here's a shot of all three babies born in the last year in Andi's family -- Tory (14 months), Connor (12 months), Jaxson (9 months)

I met Andi and Tory over at the birthday party after the football game, and we drove to the cabin for the remainder of the weekend. Looks like Tory and Daddy had a very fun day together.

First Father's Day

Andi's first Father's Day was picture perfect. After a grueling few weeks of work travel, quality time with our favorite man has been few and far between. On Friday after producing a week-long photo shoot in Northern Minnesota and then sitting in traffic for hours, Andi picked up Tory and I at home and then we left for our lake cabin. I knew we were in for a long late-night drive when we stopped to grab coffee on our way out of town. A few hours later we were settled in one of our happiest places on Earth, ready to relax and enjoy the weekend together.

It rained most of Saturday, but honestly we didn't mind. That morning, Andi, Tory and I decided to walk to the neighbor's cabin and were caught in a downpour. We raced around the lake point and laughed as the warm rain showers fell down on us. I listened to Tory, perched up on Andi's shoulders, giggling the entire way there. It was her first time running in the rain and she seemed to be having the time of her life. Once at Joe and Lisa's, we sat on their wrap-around porch for the next hour or two, having a beer at 10am, listening to the rain fall around us and enjoying their great company. One of my favorite things about cabin life is watching the stress melt from Andi's shoulders. It's the best kind of medicine for him. I love seeing him so happy.

Daddy and daughter, watching the rain

Tory took an epic nap in the afternoon and Andi and I decided to take one, too. I can't remember the last time we all fell asleep in the middle of the day. I guess it's easy when all you hear is quiet wilderness and the sound of rain outside the window.

Later on, we ran into town to the Cheese Factory to pick up a few local cheeses, crackers and gelato. We came back to the cabin, Tory went to bed like a champ and Andi and I relaxed in the hot tub for the rest of the evening. Seriously, paradise!

On Sunday, Andi's parents, sister and grandma came to the cabin to celebrate Father's Day. The weather was beautiful and we spent most of the day outdoors. Janie and Lindsay brought brats, corn on the cob and watermelon for lunch. Tory took another awesome nap so Andi and I took Jim and Lindsay for a pontoon ride around the lake and Janie and Grandma Marion stayed back with Tory. It was the most relaxing boat ride I've had all summer! Not that I don't enjoy time on the boat with Tory, but it's not quite as relaxing wrangling a wiggly baby the entire time. On Sunday, I put my feet up and basked in the sunshine.

After Tory woke up from her nap, she enjoyed a little toe dip in the lake, too. She thought it was pretty special.

Dads and daughters
Grandpa Jim, Tory, Andi and Lindsay

For Father's Day, Tory gifted Andi a framed photo of herself holding the letters D-A-D. Tory and the nanny also made him a picture mug. Now, Andi will be able to gaze at his beautiful daughter all day long with photos for his desk and a mug for his coffee at work. 

Happy Father's Day to the best dad around!

Dancing Queen

I want to remember this forever ...

Daddy

Have you seen this commercial?



Andi flipped open his computer the other day, played this commercial for me and nearly burst into tears. Having Tory has had the greatest affect on him; he's a different person - a better person - since he became a dad seven short weeks ago.

This time last year, Andi was a little apprehensive about starting a family. I really wanted to try for a baby and he wasn't so sure he was ready. It's not that he didn't want to have kids someday; he just wasn't sure he was ready for that moment to be now. We were living in our own little bubble as my mom liked to say, traveling and entertaining ourselves in whatever way we pleased. With a few tears (on my part) and many conversations later, he decided he was ready. Ten-ish months later, here we are today: parents to our Tory Girl.

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Throughout my pregnancy, I imagined Andi to be really hands-on. I thought he'd gently touch my belly, talk to it and want to feel close to the baby just as I did. But he rarely did, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little offended by it. Why wasn't he as excited about the baby growing inside me as I was? Hindsight tells me he was; he just had a different way of showing it. First-time dads (not all I assume, but some) aren't as sure what to expect when it comes to pregnancy and fatherhood. And because Andi wasn't experiencing the symptoms and pregnancy feelings I was, I think it was hard for him to relate.

This took place up to the minute our baby girl was born. The man who didn't want anything to do with the physical aspects of labor or cutting the baby's umbilical cord was suddenly right there in the thick of it, without a second hesitation. And he's never been the same since.

What I love so much about watching Andi become a dad is the way he interacts with Tory. It's different  than the way I talk to her, hold her, or flatter her with attention. I guess that's why having both a motherly and fatherly influence in her life is so important. I try my best to hold back when he doesn't do things exactly as I would (sorry honey if it doesn't always seem that way!). When I can get out of my own way long enough to listen to them together, it melts my heart. He truly is the best father my daughter could ask for.

Mostly, I wanted to jot down this special transformation here in our life's journal. I'm anxious to watch their relationship unfold as Tory grows older and develops more of her personality. I can't wait for the day Andi teaches her how to ski for the first time or how to ride her bicycle. I'm sure he'll be the "fun-er parent" but uber protective too. I hope she has his supreme negotiation skills and street smarts (although I'm sure that'll come back to bite me later!). It's exciting to see parts of him shine brightly inside her.

We're both so lucky to have him.