Joyous Steps is What She takes
Dear readers of this blog, I swore I was never going to be the guy that got all posty whenever we had a major milestone here at the house, but yesterday afternoon little Tessa Tangerine took her first big walk across the floor. The best part is that Cole and I were BOTH home! Holy Crap I was nervous she was going to start strutting around when I was in the big city, and I would have to witness it via blurry cell phone pics. I was on the phone talking shop about a project when Cole starts clapping and cheering and the guy on the other end is like: "uhhhhh, what's going on?" Me: "I gotta go my baby girl is WALKING!" That's just part of the territory when you work from home with the kids in full force of growing up. I don't think there is a person I do business with that doesn't hear the kids in the background playing, it makes it feel like a family affair.
By the time I get back home, and I walk through the door, this little girl will be a one year old, and she will walk up to me and grab my leg and say "hi" and thats important. That is why I feel sick when I am gone, and why I laugh so extra snorty hard at shitty jokes to try and feel better about how much I miss my family. Why I book my flights to return immediately. I work as hard as I can, to be around as much as I can. *tangent-- There is so much talk about this new modern man, and "new" dad thing lately, and how great it is that they love their kids, and don't treat their wives like assholes, and the whole thing is annoying to me. Fathers love their children. They love their wives. It isn't a revolution, stop trying to make it a marketing scheme. Don't turn the newly branded "emotional man" campaign into exciting new revenue streams for gender specific products like Frogurt and Capri pants. These aren't "new men", we are just living in a time where their are more voices out in the air, and a billion ways to hear them. Powerful people pick through the rubble pile, and decide the noise that they want to be the loudest, to serve trends, and goods, and services. There are just as many terrible fathers out there as there ever was, guys that think it is totally "gay" to cry when they say "I do" but it's totally cool when "Old Yellar" gets shot. Come on.
Anyone that watched the wedding video I posted yesterday all saw that man love his daughter in an epic magic way, and he barely said a thing. There have always been brilliant women, there have always been caring husbands and fathers. Tessa and LB will grow up and have both a brilliant strong woman in their life, and a dad that cherishes his family and fights time to be with them as much as possible. So the cycle will go on, just like it always has.
Keep walking lady, right past the noise, and into yourself. You see her growing up? I know you can see it. I think it's cool, I write about it, that doesn't make me anything but proud of her.
All the Love in the Universe~ Me
P.S. LB is signing "picture" in the background in that second photo.
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47 comments:
That's a great post. I love that you are such a loving, caring and hands on dad. YourReminds me of my husband in that way :).
Well done Tessa!
OH MY GOSH! I feel like it was only yesterday we were watching Cole grow by the week and now your wee-little Tangerine is walking, I'm so happy for you guys! I love what I call the "Franken-baby" walk, arms out and super exaggerated :)
As for the "new man" I don't buy it either. My father was and still is, a proud, family man who loved and cared for his children from the moment I was born 26 years ago.
Love these pics especially the second one with LB watching in the background. Sweet words too, your family is pretty lucky to have such a good father and husband in their lives. That said, I can tell already that you would argue that you are the lucky one.
Yay!
Agreed about the whole "new man" thing. My dad was always around and when he travelled for his job he always made sure to take the first flight possible to get home to his family. It isn't a cultural revolution.
Congrats little Tangerine!
p.s. your house is seriously cute. can you take us on a tour? ;)
I have photos of both my children walking for the first time and am incredibly happy that i was lucky enough to be there (& with a camera ready!) their work at home dad was also there. we wouldn't want it any other way.
great shots!
Holy Frick! Congratulations!! That's a huge milestone! It astounds me that their little bodies are able to do such a mechanically difficult thing at such a young age! My little 9 week old son has just discovered he can shove his fist in his mouth and I'm immensely proud! ;)
jess
What a beautiful post. I couldn't agree with your more, Ryan about this supposed "new man". I don't know who that is because my dad still loves my mom more than us and treated him and us like a treasure. My own husband hits the grocery store with me rather than drop me off and pick me up later, does laundry without me asking him, cleans up the litter, washes the dishes, and cancels stuff to be with me if it's been that kind of week. I saw what I wanted by watching my dad and mom and now, here I am with a man who loves me.
The father in yesterday's video made me smile and laugh. Such love.
Many congrats to Tessa on her first walk and much love to you all from hot Texas.
I've been a quiet reader for a while now but I have to post a comment to say I love your writing, I love your family (in the only way one can love a family they know via a blog) and I'm pretty sure I teared up near the end of this post. Thanks for sharing these little moments with your family with us!
Yea, go Tessa!! I love how proud of herself she is. Isn't it amazing to have the privilege to watch a child grow? Everyday, I stare at my kids in awe as I realize I am Mummy to a first grader and a little girl (2 1/2) who play and chat and fight and learn. And come September, I get to start all over again with #3.
As for your rant on "new man", I totally agree. My Dad raised the bar so high for me. He was, and continues to be a wonderful hands-on Dad and Grandad. My sister was born in 1968, when the father was expected to wait outside the delivery room during childbirth. Not my Dad. No way was that going to happen. He loves to tell the story of arguing with Matron (this was in a London hospital) and telling her in no uncertain terms that he was going to be with his wife when his child was born. He won that battle, and he has been by her side every moment since. I am so lucky to be raising children with a man who has the same principles.
Yah Tessa!!! How exciting, she's walking... awesome captures of her 'doing her thing'. She looks super proud of herself.
You constantly give me hope about having a wonderful little family some day... I tend to be the 'I'll never get married girl'. I think it's more a defense because I'm so afraid I won't find what you and Cole have- therefore making my quest a failure... so I say I don't try/want it/care.
But really- how can anyone not want such a loving husband/strong wife and children who light up the world?
Thanks for being a good guy, and making YOUR voice heard, Ryan. It matters.
Wow, she can really put a big smile on one's face. Also, every time you post a picture of Tessa I get the urge to go home and clean my floors. I have major clean floor jealousy here. Please tell me you guys mop before you take pictures...
Sam has just learned walking and I catch him trying to run already. I suppose this means I need to hold him while he lets me.
I'll miss the baby, but the toddler holds so much promise.
Happy Birthday, Tessa.
Hi Ryan,
Your post made me smile and it also made me think of this article that I read on BBC the other day! I think you might like it:
The myth of the tyrannical dad
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8744135.stm
M
Totally beautiful and inspirational today. I love that baby of yours :)
How exciting!!!! my Emory just started walking this week too.
those huge eyes at sweet dark curls just steal my breath.
my father is the 1/2 italian guy who cries every time he thinks about how much he loves his family, or of anything of lasting importance, anything he's passionate about. can't tell you how much crap i got about that growing up. but he is one of the strongest men i know and i never once wondered if he loved me.
So glad that my husband cherishes moments with our family and has his priorities in line too. He's been gone all week and starving for time with the kids.
I love how proud she is of herself.
Also ditto on the "new man" BS. My father was one of those for 15 years before we lost him as were my Grandparents and uncles.
Congratulations!
Wahoo! Congratulations! I hope I have a one-year-old who grabs my leg and says "Hi".
HAAA!
I love how Cole's head sloooowly makes a peeking/pop-up appearance from the couch as the Tangerine makes her steps. A whole family of cute Creeps and Lurkers.
Love it!
What an adorable family you have. How did this little girl grow up so fast? Congratulations Tessa Tangerine on reaching the milestone :)
Love this post.
I've been reading your blog for about a month now and have been going back and reading your earlier posts to catch up. I love your writing and point of view. Your family is beautiful. I have a son who is on the verge of walking and it is at once both exciting and bittersweet. His babyhood, like Tessa's, is quickly passing me by. I'm going go cry a bit now;-) Well done Miss Tessa!!
That is one gorgeous toddler you have! She looks so PROUD, too!
thats awesome!
and very true what you said... guys have not really changed... its just that people see the love they express more often now-days. My dad never said he loved me until I moved away, now everytime we talk, he is like i love you son. funny that he openly expresses it now that we are both older....
oh and if you guys want any more illustrations just email me... the one of tessa was my 3rd ever computer illustration. im getting way better now. haha.
hope you guys all have a great day.
-chris.
Well, Ryan, I don't think there is any New Man either, but I have to say, I never knew a father like you among all my friends growing up, and I still don't know many now. BUT, my husband is pretty great (though nowhere near as involved as you due to his job) and I feel pretty lucky to have him. I LOVE every minute of watching my kids grow and change. It's why I am fighting right now to stay home with them, though it's super hard in this economic pit. I love reading about your joy and wonder at it all too. You have such a beautiful family. Congratulations Miss Tessa Tangerine!
Your photos are always so amazing- it also helps that your family is stunningly beautiful! I love watching your little baby "grow up".
My husband cried through his wedding vows, and at my grandma's funeral (that I didn't cry at) I love my man that is not afraid to be himself and show his emotions, no matter where we are or who we are with. I really look up to him in that way- I wish I were so comfortable with myself!
Amazing! This is so heartwarming!
This is so true, and it's so nice to hear. I think it's so unfair the way so many people expect men to be bad people. My dad is awesome. My husband's dad is awesome. I married my husband because he's awesome and I know he'll be an amazing father. I don't want to be that ass to comment on your blog and hype my own, but you should read my Father's Day tribute to my dad. I think Tessa will feel the same way about you when she's all grown up. http://bushesandbeans.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/happy-fathers-day/
i can't believe tessa's first birthday is already here!! i've really enjoyed following along..
I say this often but once again, I appreciate you letting us into your world and sharing these awesome moments. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
Oh she's so adorable!!
Not all men are such family men unfortunately.
Love the energy and emotion in these pictures. It only gets better from here, now the childproofing really begins. Totally agree with you on the new "modern dad"bs.
Yay, Tessa! She looks so proud of herself.
My dad has always been there for me and my brothers. He's a little rough around the edges sometimes and this latest bout of unemployment has been rough on him. But I know that he loves us. I love seeing dads with their kids. Too often good fathers go unnoticed and unsung in favor of the salacious deadbeat dad stories. I love the honesty in your posts and how much your love for your family shines through.
And you're so talented, man! Your photography, the interview and now video vignettes. The Panic Room is firmly lodged in my blog reader and I always read even if I don't comment. (don't want to gush too much.)
Love LB in the background on that second one!
She's cruising! And I agree, there have always been great dads. I always tell people when they say all cops/men/bosses are jerks that there are jerks and good people in any category you can construct. For every distant dad there is a guy who plays dress up with his kids and works as hard as he can to be with them, like you.
Too cute for words!!!
i miss you
This is too cool, my daughter was born July 2nd and she just started walking yesterday! I've been following the blog since I was pregnant (and Cole was, too!)
OMG I want the chair!!
And how exciting that Tessa is walking already... I can't quite get a handle on how fast it's gone, and how long we've been reading this blog... it's so lovely to watch them grow up (our baby boy is only 2 months behind... and not a baby anymore!) and to see your life and motivations ebb and flow... you should be proud of yourself too you know - we're watching you grow and change as well!
she is getting so big! congratulations on this toddler milestone :)
I also wanted to let you know that I've given your blog an "award" on my blog! I hope you'll pass it along to other bloggers out there. Thanks for sharing!
The moment you caught as Tessa began to walk and Cole was cheering is absolutely beautiful. There's so much emotion captured. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful milestone.
Tessa Tangerine has grown up so fast! This song is an old fav of mine and makes me think of you and Tessa. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN39WQDdKBk
Baby Girl by Will Hoge.
Hey there, I've been following your blog for...oh...about a yr and a half and this is the first time I've ever commented *d'oh* lol but I have to agree with your comment about the new man thing. The men in my life (dad, brother, husband) aren't big talkers. I can only imagine what my husband would write to our child if I asked him to- "Hey...what's up, dude?...your mom's making me do this...how bout them cowboys?" haha but when push comes to shove, they always surprise me with how fierce their love is. To see the pride in my dad's eyes even tho he's not always around, to have my 18 yr old brother come find me amongst a group of his peers to plant a big slobbery kiss on my nose, or to have my husband walk down 10 city blocks to try to find something to make me feel better when I was sick before we were even officially dating...but I guess it shouldn't surprise me because that's the way it should be :)
Your blog is like crack lol, my husband calls you guys my "second family" :D What can I say? I'm addicted.
Tessa just radiates joy, as do you and Cole when you talk about your family.
I may be a little older than you, but I am one of those who has been touched by the "new" father. When I was growing up I did not see men who held their kids hands while walking, or who were open about expressing the love they had for their family. It could have something to do with where I was raised, or who I was raised around, but *I* just didn't see the kind of openly affectionate fathers I see today. I'm sure they existed -- there are certainly stories written about them -- but I think it was rarer. Or my experience was just freakish.
It still touches me though when I see a man who is openly loving to his kids. Great moms also move me. The combo though? That's the ideal childhood.
This is so rad.
Off-topic question...what kind of flooring is she trekking on? Is that some kind of tile? It's very...handsome. Would love to know. Hope to put different floors in our house this summer and yours look great!
Thanks!
Inspired,
mrs boo
Love those last few photos!!
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