Who's Your Daddy?!!

Let me honor the father of my child today, my one and only husband, Rod.

Even before he became a dad, he was already called Father. That story, though, will remain among him, me and the rest of the Poveda Batch '94.

Maybe one of these days I will tell that story. But for now, it's Rod, Ava's wonderful dad.

The way I found out I was pregnant was unique. I was having the worst cramps ever. And I asked Rod to take me to the ER, and he did, grumpily. He made up for that after, and committed himself to accompanying me and our baby to ob-gyne visits and lamaze classes.

We did not give birth naturally, but the whole time we were trying, Rod was there, never leaving my side. When I was cut Caesarian section, he was outside, and a cute photograph of him and our round, bloated baby girl was taken.

After knowing Rod for a long time, I knew for a fact that he was not very fond of children. But when Ava was born, his world turned upside down. He looked forward to spending time with our little girl, loves shadow time (when we turn off almost all the lights to condition our daughter to sleep), and now that Ava is learning to talk with sense, he smiles from ear to ear, trying to etch all their "cuento" sessions in his memory.

His cel phone and computer are all about Ava. Ava's pictures, videos, and even Ava's music. It is he who sometimes tries not to forget to buy a VCD of Barney, or who points out things that remind him of his little girl. And I always tease him that his heart melts every time Ava hugs him and kisses him.

Well, mushy as it sounds, I am really thankful for giving Ava a wonderful father. He is not perfect, of course, neither am I, and we have our disagreements regarding how to raise Ava properly. But, one thing is there. His constant love and affection for his precious one.

And I am mighty proud of him.