I sincerely thank all those who took the time to guest post for me. Most of those I approached were very supportive and enthusiastic about this new series, sharing my belief that being an involved dad, and getting the dads involved, is important in building a strong family. If you have a story to share, please email me at sakuraharuka {at} live {dot} com.
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Dear Seth,
You are now 15 months old, and you have just learned to walk. Now you enjoy opening all our cupboards and ransacking everything. You love playing and exploring, from kitchen utensils, to boxes, to cups and anything that you can put your hand on.
Oh how you have grown, from the really tiny baby in our arms to the energetic boy who won’t stop moving around. You are in constant wonder and amazement of new things, not afraid to try new stuff or push new boundaries. You can speak simple words and understand basic sentences. And you like “ordering” your mama to bring you to places by tugging on her shoulders, and pointing in the direction you want to go. Every day is an adventure to you.
I remembered few years ago when I was chatting with Uncle J about baby matters,
Uncle J: Are you going to have a Baby?
Papa: I don’t know, I like being the “Baby”. Don’t think I’m ready.
Uncle J: Haha (weird laugh from not expecting such an answer)
Papa: What does it feel like to be a Dad?
Uncle J: It’s just different, life changes. You have lots of challenges, but it also comes with lots of joy.
You see, people say that men don’t grow up, they just grow old. I selfishly wanted all the love from your mama, before you arrived. Who would have thought how challenging it will be, and who would have imagined how joyful it will be. Our lives have changed in a moment, and that’s because our entire world and our lives now revolves around yours, and I mean that in a good way.
Another conversation with Uncle S couple of weeks before you were born
Uncle S: So are you ready for your new baby?
Papa: Would I ever be ready? Were you ready your last time?
Uncle S: No, not even now after 3 kids
Papa: I think so too.
I know in my gut I won’t be fully ready for you, which dad-to-be dares say otherwise? But I will try my utmost, in my inexperience and folly, to be the best dad I possibly could. To provide you the best possible environment within my ability, to impart you proper life values, to share with you my limited wisdom, to be exemplary in my behavior and to shower you with unconditional love. What heavy responsibility that is, but I will bear that with pride, as best as I can. They say that having a child makes you a better person, it’s true.
Your mama and I can’t imagine life without you, and we thank God for this precious and tender moment in life to see you grow, and to go on this adventure with you. You fill our lives with joy and we want always to be the joy in your life. I look forward to waking up each morning, just to see you smile, to hear you laugh, and to hear your sweet voice calling me “Pa”. Thank you, my son- my tinylittleone.
Your Papa.
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Caleb Koo is married to How Mean and dad to Seth. Their family loves outdoor activities, travel and adventure, and they brought Seth on his first overseas trip at 5 months to America where they all had a grand time. Caleb and his wife then set up tinylittleone, an online baby store selling essential on-the-go products, to inspire parents to go on more adventures with their little ones.I think it's a wonderful practice to write letters to your kids and I love to write letters to my little girl too. Sometimes on the blog, and sometimes the good old-fashioned way with a pen and paper. To share your emotions, little nuggets you've observed of them growing up, parental advice or just general musings of the world as it is now.. it's a tangible expression of your love and pride and something you, as a dad or mum, can look forward to reading with your child when they are older.
Read all Celebrate Fatherhood posts here.
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Don't forget to take part in the special Children's Day Weekend Giveaway happening on my Facebook page from today until Mon 7 October 2013 {2359hrs}. Hop on over to win the new Asian Gastronomic Voyage Family Buffet Package {for 2 Adults + 2 Kids worth S$74++} at Street 50 Restaurant + Bar, Bay Hotel Singapore! They serve an incredible array of delights from countries such as Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, China, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan. 2 lucky winners!
Also, the International Giveaway for S$25 Mama Shoppe Credits is still ongoing so don't miss out on that either!! :) Go ahead and discover the wide range of beautifully-patterned, matchy-matchy clothes for the whole family!
3 comments:
We had safety locks on all the cabinet doors at that age. BUT I would often get out a few pans, containers and a wooden spoon for the boys to pound away, while I was cooking. Although it was nosy, it kept them occupied and happy.
It's amazing how easily it is to go from loving one person with all your heart, then being able to love even more when your child is born. I love how my life now revolves around my children. I often worry about what I will do with myself when they leave the nest and I only have myself and my husband to worry about again.
Alissa: haha yes so did I! ;p
Theresa: that's true and also one reason why I make sure that I incorporate my passions into our family life as well.. as much as I'm a mother, I'm still me :)
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