Nikki

Getting into bed tonight, Nikki said, "I love that kid. I would die for him." I have similar feelings that I would do anything for our son. There is something so special and sacred about sharing a love and a commitment that strong. 

Nikki was born to be a dad. It is so important to him and means the world to him. From my experience, there are two halves of being a really good dad: adoring your child and supporting your wife. Nikki has always killed it at both. 

Starting when we were dating, being a dad has been one of Nikki's favorite things to talk about. He has so many plans and dreams of what he wants it to look like. The common theme is that he wants to be very involved in his children's life. There's something extra significant feeling about these dreams because Nikki's dad hasn't been involved in his life since he was in 8th grade. I've never met his dad, and Nikki hasn't talked to him in years. 

Through my pregnancy, Nikki got me the food I needed to deal with nausea, supported my 9:30 bed time, comforted me when I cried extra often, toured a birthing center with me, and was just there for me in a wonderful way. For months, his favorite songs to listen to have been country songs about being a dad. 

I decided to do a natural birth, and he supported me completely. His support was the only thing that got me through during labor. He got me apple juice and brought water right to my mouth whenever I needed it and repeatedly told me what a good job I was doing, how beautiful I looked, how strong I am, and to breath. Most importantly, he held my hand in a tight grip that anchored me. Anytime he let go, even just for a few seconds to get water, I would start hyperventilating. I needed him so bad, and he was there. All night long. And he had been up since 5am and had taken the GRE that day and was wearing flip-flops that weren't comfy to stand in. 

Within Parley's first few hours, he had trouble breathing and was taken to get extra help. I fell right to sleep, but Nikki stayed up and cried-- worried for our boy. To give perspective, I've seen Nikki cry 4 or 5 times in the 6 years I've known him. He loves his son. 

The constant nature of breastfeeding a newborn is no joke, and I've struggled. Nikki has supported me so completely. He has cooked most our meals, done the dishes, gotten groceries, and kept our house running. He has also hugged and loved me through a lot of crying and discouragement. He's skipped meetings and class and church to be with us when I'm having a hard time. He is really good at reminding me how lucky we are. I'll be dead tired and grumpy, and he'll bring Parley over to show me a cute face he is making. Over and over in the nights when I need to get up again to feed our boy, he'll tell me what a good mom I am. I always feel guilty waking him up in the night because he has work and school the next day, and I don't. He knows this and has started just coming out and taking over if he hears me struggling. 

Last week he was making ham and eggs for us for breakfast. He asked if I wanted green eggs and ham, and, completely joking, I said yes. He dyed my eggs green with food coloring! I couldn't finish them cause they looked so nasty, but it made me laugh. He's surprised me with treats like Arby's fries and doughnuts randomly. Yesterday he made this incredible chicken bacon pizza, and he threw the dough in the air to try and get it into a circle. It didn't work but was delightful. Over and over, Nikki is delightful and has been especially so since Parley has been born. 

The most precious and wonderful part of it all is watching him with Parley. In the hospital, nurses commented how comfortable Nikki was with him-- more than many new dads are. He exudes so much love and tenderness around Parley and is able to get him to calm down better than anyone. He loves to hold him and cuddle him. Parley loves to sleep on his chest.

 All day, he talks to Parley. He asks him his opinion on everything and always claims Parley agrees with him when we have a disagreement. Mostly he tells Parley how much he loves him. Nikki is always the one to hold Parley's head up when we give him a bath. Nikki will roll up his pant legs and put his feet in the water to get into a better spot to keep Parley so safe.

He is especially thoughtful and careful anytime we take Parley out, taking sometimes extreme measures to give Parley the last bumpy times on car rides and stroller walks. And he's always very conscientious of keeping Parley in the shade and making sure he has a clear air way. He was also the one to do research on how Parley should sleep to prevent SIDS as much as possible. I think Nikki will always keep our kids safe. 

We still talk a lot about parenting and all the things we want to do with Parley as he grows up. I can't wait to watch Nikki do the things he has planned-- play outside with our kids, frequent family sports and game time, helping toddlers through tantrums, teasing and embarrassing our kids, teaching them to drive, choosing a career based on what will give him the most time at home while making enough money to support a family without me having to work, and so much more. Our kids are so lucky to have him. I feel so incredibly blessed.