Daddy’s Boy — slackermama . com

All this time, I think we’ve been rather deluded. It has appeared that Harry was a daddy’s boy when in all actuality, I think he’s bipartisan. Shoot, even if you ask him point blank which parent he prefers he will insist with his dying breath that he loves us both the same. My son, it would appear, is nothing if not diplomatic. He loves to help his father out with projects, with making dinner, playing video games together. He loves to snuggle with me, watch movies, and so forth. Kile noted to me last night that when Harry needs comfort, he always comes to me. I said that it was probably because often it was because Kile was busting his chops for something or another (kidding!). Kile said that when he sticks up for Harry when I get after him, that Harry doesn’t come to him for comfort. I guess I should feel honored, huh? And I am, I’m glad that he has something that he relates to with me.

Liam, on the other hand, has redefined the term “daddy’s boy”. And I don’t doubt for a minute that Liam loves me. I know he does. I’ve been here virtually every day since the day he was born, taking care of him and kissing his owies (of which there are many these days, it would seem). But when it comes to Kile? Well, that’s a different animal altogether.

I caught Liam gazing up into Kile’s face the other night. He was sitting on Kile’s lap drinking a sippy cup full of milk and Kile was watching something on the television. And the look in Liam’s eyes, the absolute adoration, took my breath away. And when Kile comes home from work in the evening, it’s hard to say who beats a quicker path towards him, Liam or the dogs (who really make shameful hussies out of themselves). And Liam will not be happy until Kile has scooped him up and greeted him properly. Also, to this day, there is no one that Liam will sit quietly with for hours at a time other than Kile. He will quite contentedly sit on Kile’s lap, sippy cup in hand, covered with a blanket and watch a full two hour movie with him. I’ve seen him do it countless times. Me? He’ll sit on my lap for 5, maybe 10 minutes at the most. Then he’s off to explore his next greatest adventure. Kile puts him to bed at night, as that is what Liam prefers. I will sometimes join them, but Liam could literally care less if I am there or not. He loves for Kile to read him his stories, give him his fluoride drops, tuck him in with his favorite Piglet stuffed animal. Kile also gives him his baths. I serve as “support staff” for these baths, catch a wet baby in a warm, hooded towel, re-diapering and clothing in clean jammies. But it’s Kile who has to do the actual bathing. It’s Kile’s hands he trusts to pour the water over his head and soap up all his parts.

I’m not jealous, at least, not much. Moreso, I’m tickled at the bond between them. I can’t wait to watch it flourish over the years to come. And, I can’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, Evie will be a mama’s girl.