Jordana turns 3: Assorted Daddy thoughts
Hard to believe that my daughter is now 3 years old. That's nuts. Has it really been more than 2 years since we were in China? Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday that I was giving her rides in my car to help her nap or that she stunned me by blurting out "humiDEEfyer," yet this morning she said, "That's OK, Daddy. That's not a problem."
It's been an amazing time for myself and Judy. I think it's safe to say that we no longer have any idea how we occupied our time before Jordana entered our lives. Did we just sit around a lot? Wow. If only 2010 Ken could pop in, Hiro Nakumura-style, on 2003 Ken... boy, would my lazy past-time self get an earful. Oh well, as The Lion King reminds us: "It's in the past!" It's much more productive to embrace the great aspects of my life right now. While I miss the "baby-ness" of Jordana, there are few things more magnificent in life than the "Welcome home" hugs that I get from her nearly every night. And I'm amazed at - and proud of - the way her mind is developing. Jordana is smart. Like any parent, I'm biased, yes, but both Judy and I have gotten soft-spoken asides from Jordana's preschool teachers, who are just as surprised as we are at her mental sharpness.
I'm also getting wonderful glimpses of the days ahead. Three weeks ago, Jordana saw me studying the D&D sourcebook Martial Power. I've been considering multiclassing my warlock into some rogue powers. Jordana: "Are you reading a story, Daddy?" Me: "No, just looking at one of my Dungeons & Dragons books. It's a game." Jordana: "Teach me that, Daddy! PLEASE?" Boy, did that make my heart leap.
Yeah, it'll be a few more years before Jordana has to fight an orc for a slice of pie, but I have no doubt that it will happen. She should play a cleric, because she gives me temporary hit points every time I see her.
I turn 50 in August, and sure, the gruesome self-reflection and health anxiety have already begun. But between Jordana, the constant love from Judy, and my shockingly still-growing circle of friends, I'm a fortunate young man. Below are some photos from the birthday festivities this past weekend.
It's been an amazing time for myself and Judy. I think it's safe to say that we no longer have any idea how we occupied our time before Jordana entered our lives. Did we just sit around a lot? Wow. If only 2010 Ken could pop in, Hiro Nakumura-style, on 2003 Ken... boy, would my lazy past-time self get an earful. Oh well, as The Lion King reminds us: "It's in the past!" It's much more productive to embrace the great aspects of my life right now. While I miss the "baby-ness" of Jordana, there are few things more magnificent in life than the "Welcome home" hugs that I get from her nearly every night. And I'm amazed at - and proud of - the way her mind is developing. Jordana is smart. Like any parent, I'm biased, yes, but both Judy and I have gotten soft-spoken asides from Jordana's preschool teachers, who are just as surprised as we are at her mental sharpness.
I'm also getting wonderful glimpses of the days ahead. Three weeks ago, Jordana saw me studying the D&D sourcebook Martial Power. I've been considering multiclassing my warlock into some rogue powers. Jordana: "Are you reading a story, Daddy?" Me: "No, just looking at one of my Dungeons & Dragons books. It's a game." Jordana: "Teach me that, Daddy! PLEASE?" Boy, did that make my heart leap.
Yeah, it'll be a few more years before Jordana has to fight an orc for a slice of pie, but I have no doubt that it will happen. She should play a cleric, because she gives me temporary hit points every time I see her.
I turn 50 in August, and sure, the gruesome self-reflection and health anxiety have already begun. But between Jordana, the constant love from Judy, and my shockingly still-growing circle of friends, I'm a fortunate young man. Below are some photos from the birthday festivities this past weekend.