Papa for those that don't know is Steve's father, so my father-in-law. He became our hero when Brady was 5 months old. Brady had been in daycare for all of 2 months, of which I hated every single second. Papa got hurt at work and called Steve to say he wouldn't be returning and said I will watch Brady. Steve told me...to which I said "can your dad watch a baby?" And Steve said I think so??? So he was hired (on the spot). Haha no references or resume needed.
He used to drive all the way from West Seneca to Tonawanda to pick Brady up everyday at like 5:30am. I used to leave for work 6:15. He did this twice a week. And then Steve would pick up Brady at 3:30. We finally decided to move to West Seneca to be closer to Steve's parents. Our house is exactly 1.5 miles from theirs. This made it a little easier on Papa. Brady started pre-school and I popped out another one. Papa said "if I can take care of 1, I can take care of 2" Seriously BLESS THIS MAN. And so he did, and then I got pregnant when Pierce was 7 months old. And then in all honesty, papa freaked out a little.
He was scared of 3...and I was scared he was gonna give up. He said he would give it a try. We hoped he would give it the old college try because seriously, daycare for 2?? But here we are. Who knew he would be taking care of kids 8 years later. I tell him all the time to tell me if it gets too hard. But he just keeps on trucking!! It helps now that he knows we are officially done having kids and that we are pretty close to them all being in school.
So let me just tell you about our papa. His entire family is shocked that he does this: takes such good care of our boys, is so in love with them, will not let 5 days go by without seeing them. That's right his brothers and sisters never thought they would see the day! But these boys have melted him. Yes he still smokes and drinks and rides his motorcycle...but I have seen this man cry real tears when the kids get hurt. I think he aged about 10 years when Reid had his first seizure and he still didn't give up. I can't take him with us when the boys get shots, he is the one crying and then I can't cry. Last time he had to "step out." But His love for them amazes me. When I tell him he only has 1 day this week, he calls me by Friday and stops over just to see them. Or he will call Steve and tell him to take me to dinner so we can bring the boys over.
He even does the dishes!!! Yes that's right - by hand. And I love their lazy pajama days!! I love when Reid asks "papa come home?" Like this child of mine DOES know he doesn't live here right? Geez you would think I worked all the time! And being able to tell Papa usually as I walk out the door because I take it for granted (being able to go to work when the kids are sick) oh by the way P has diarrhea or Reid has croup is seriously a GODSEND.
On Mondays and Fridays, our children are taken care of by Papa. If you see them with their pajamas on, or in non-matching clothes at McDonald's, rainboots in the summer, etc. - they are being cared for by him. And we are incredibly blessed to have him!!!
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