Claire thought all of the activity was pretty exciting, and spent most of the day joyfully singing and dancing around us as Mark and I prepared the room. Here's Mark finishing up with the air pump - notice his wizard hat...
(Ok, really it's a lampshade that I inadvertently caught at just the right angle, but it looks pretty funny at first glance, doesn't it?)Taking a moment to inspect the tub, but still singing and dancing
Mark and Claire discussing what the tub is going to be used for, and how exciting it is that we get to meet our new baby pretty soon. Claire says she is excited to snuggle the baby, and to teach it how to juggle and play catch someday.
It's been really fun watching Claire grow over the course of this pregnancy. She's had the benefit of seeing her 4 best friends recently become big brothers and sisters, and she actually seems to understand what's going on. She likes to kiss and rub my belly, talk about what we'll do when the baby arrives, and she's become even more motherly with Baby, her little doll. She carries Baby around most of the day, cradling, kissing, swaddling, snuggling, and otherwise including her. When we read books together, Baby is always cozied up right there with us; when we color at Claire's little table, Baby is carefully tucked in Claire's lap (usually nursing.) She gets equally excited about seeing her friends and their new infant siblings, and it makes her day when she gets to hold a real baby on her lap. She likes to lean in and give the baby a gentle kiss on the temple or cheek, and always looks concerned if they grimace or cry. "It's ok, baby!" she says with a soft voice and a compassionate look.I've also enjoyed watching Mark grow as a father. He's always been a wonderful dad, but as parents our job description changed dramatically as Claire graduated from baby to toddler; it was no longer just about loving Claire and meeting her needs, but also about considering her point of view and learning how to talk with and listen to her. Communication feels more like a two-way street with her now, which is wonderful and rewarding but it also brings new challenges.
I love when I'm given the chance to listen in on their conversations, whether it's about becoming a big sister or how to make toast and coffee. He's so patient and kind, always taking time to explain things to her in terms that she'll understand and involving her as often as possible (it's her job to push the bread down in the toaster, and to scoop the coffee into the coffeemaker...Mark sips his sometimes-gritty coffee with a smile and thanks her for her help.) Mark reminds me of my own dad: strong, caring, respectful, patient, fun. Dads like this don't consider spending time with their kids a chore, or as "babysitting," but as something to cherish and make the most of. They see the opportunities for fun and laughter, and understand that they are shaping a human life. As someone who grew up with an awesome dad like that, I know what a positive impact that has on a person for life. Those seemingly minor moments, those little chats and impromptu games with balls and balloons, mean so much.
That last picture of Mark and Claire chatting captures the dynamic of their relationship so well. I see moments like this between them all the time, and I'm so happy to have caught one on film (er, a memory card).
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