Last year I was sad and worried about this tiny baby not having the kind of grandfather I wished she would. Although my dad hasn’t gotten any better, he’s always happy to see her when we visit, and he seems to remember her each time. He was excited when my mom passed along a framed version of the birth announcement and always wants to hold the baby when he sees her. Although it’s not what I pictured, I’m glad he’s able to enjoy her and that we can all three spend time together.

Other things have changed over the past year considerably as well, and for the best. I used to worry what this baby would miss out on by not having a dad, or wonder what I would have to tell her when she asked why she didn’t have a dad like some other kids. I knew that families would look different by then – that single parent households wouldn’t be too different from most other kids houses – but I still worried. It doesn’t look like that will be an issue anymore, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

He got his Father’s Day gifts early yesterday after a harrowing adventure at the doctor’s office and afterwards (and being forced to cheerfully change his shirt 3 times consecutively the day before due to baby). I felt like it appeared that he had offically earned his “Best Dad Ever” coffee mug and CFC soccer​ t-shirt.

I’m lucky to have him and I’m so glad he wants to join this weird little family. 

He also has some very sweet parents who are excited to be involved with Ember, which is great. The more actively involved people in her life who love her, the better. Between Kevin, my uncle, Kevin’s dad, and all the “uncles” she’s got (John, Matt, John, Joe, etc etc) this kid will have healthy male influences covered.

People have asked if I would recommend doing this – having a baby on your own – now that I’ve actually done it. The truth is, I’ve had so much help from others that it hardly feels “on my own.” Having Kevin here has made such a difference – I wouldn’t want to imagine it without so much help. But the truth is, would I recommend it? Absolutely – especially if it was a question of doing this alone or missing out on the experience, but it’s going to be crazy hard.