Mom read an article today that says there are two kinds of Dads. We decided that mine is the Awesome kind. We need more days like this, to show our appreciation for all that he does!
Dad is humble about his Awesome status, giving most of the credit to my Papa, for teaching him everything he knows.
At some point in the next 3 weeks he is going to be a father for the second time, and we know he will be terrific. Getting closer to my little brother's due date has made Mom sentimental about my Dad and the early days with me.
He was always quick to help with a feeding or two so Mom could sleep (and give him some quiet time with his "nugget"). He loved to snuggle with me, causing Mom to marvel at how I was nearly an exact clone... even down to the hair cowlicks.
He was very patient during the Witching Hours at night, trying everything to calm me down: rocking chair inside, rocking chair outside, sitting in the bathroom to eat his dinner while holding me so I could hear the running water on full blast in the sink, swaddling, dancing to Jack Johnson songs...
He was a pro at bath time, careful to keep the soap out of my eyes and the water temperature just right.
He was (and is) really good at reading books. I will probably be the first kid in my class to get a Kindle.
He was (and is) a great handyman, willing to spend hours on my frustrating Canadian crib to keep it safely adjusted as I grew bigger. This weekend he had the privilege of starting over, putting the crib back together for my baby brother... right after doing all the yard work, putting together a book shelf, and re-caulking the shower.
He's especially good at helping me conquer my fears, like splashing in the big waves, dunking underwater in the pool, or facing the big fire and "volcano" on the hibachi grill at the Japanese steakhouse.
The best thing about my Dad is that he is always happy to spend time with me.
I'm a very lucky girl, and I think my little brother is going to love our Dad as much as I do!
My Mom is ready to pop! Here we are, with my baby brother still cooking at 39 weeks. Mom said he "dropped" this week, but I don't know what she's talking about, I haven't seen anything fall out. So far, I've adjusted to the idea of a new baby in the house, recently asking more questions and being very sweet to my parents:
The summer heat has magnified all of the "perks" of pregnancy for Mom, like swelling from head to toe (the dentist asked her last week if she had her lips injected, and the OB complimented her barely visible ankle bones). She is proud to have one pair of shoes that will accommodate her puffy little sausage toes!
I've been a natural at "nesting": getting the nursery ready, trying out all the new baby toys, and putting together my old baby gear. I even helped give Maggie and Moxie baths before their big hair cuts. I tell Mom on a regular basis that I am a good helper. In the car on the way to school I said "Mom, I'm growing up so fast, I'm in the big kid room now!". 
All of this preparation for being a big sister has left me bold and bossy, as evidenced by these recent comments:
