Daddy's home and Riggs has a surprise for him!!

You know the routine, after work, I had to run over to see my Darlings and help out with dinner time feeding . . . tonight was not any different except, we were awaiting Daddy's return!!

First, Dearie fed Abigail Leigh! Then, it was clear that Avery was ready for dinner because she was in her high chair and slapping hands on the tray as she smiled and squealed; all the while Riggs was sound asleep in his bucket. Chatting and eating, Avery was enjoying her "alone" time with Dearie while Mommie tended a few tasks in and around the kitchen. At "all done" she started squealing again . . . sufficiently loud enough to wake Riggs!! He was not at all happy to be awakened by the noise and promptly let everyone know his displeasure!!

Dearie scooped him out of the bucket and he latched on to me like a little monkey . . . arms around my neck and shoulder and legs trying to wrap my mid-section! He's just so darned cute!! Once he was secure in his high chair, it was time for him to be fed his dinner. Now, my experience with Riggs and eating is of two sorts . . . he either is not interested OR, he will eat very well. Tonight, he ate very well and cleaned his little bowl!!

I talk to the babies constantly when I am with them. Generally, their responses are in the form of random sounds and fully expressive little faces! The phone rang when Riggs' feeding was nearing conclusion and it was Daddy! Mommie talked just a minute. I told Riggs that Daddy was on his way home. Normally he is very focused on the task at hand, eating. But this time his response: "dah, dah, da. dah, dah, da!" The connection!!!

The more I made over his string of "dahs," the more he uttered 'em and, with emphasis!! Daddy arrived dressed in his suit and everyone was tickled to see him and get his kisses and loving!! Riggs was first and the look on his face when Daddy walked over to the high chair was priceless . . . his eyes fixed and growing more open with every step Daddy took toward him until he got his kiss and was scooped out of the high chair for big hugs. We heard sounds from the suit pocket and decided it must be the lenses in Daddy's glasses popping out from the pressure of the hugs. No dah, dah though, just beaming face and wonderment.

Dearie took the Riggs hand-off as Daddy went straight to the baby girl. Avery was on the palette in the living room and somewhat engrossed in play when Daddy came up behind her for his welcome home loving! Cher little thing squealed with delight!! And then, back to play.

Daddy must have really missed the evening routine because in less than 10 minutes from his arrival, he'd replaced the suit with cammo shorts and a t-shirt and was drawing the first tub of water for bath time! Avery was first for the bath. While waiting his turn, Riggs just sat and played with one of his toys. Dearie asked Mommie to get the video camera 'cause he was being too cute:




When Daddy came out of the bathroom, Mommie was showing off her little fella's talking. What disappoints Deaire? There was no picture recorded of Daddy's face . . . it was the same thrilled-to-pieces look he had on the afternoon of January 6 as he led the cart with his two babies down the hospital hallway, a jubilant smile reflecting a really happy heart!

It was time for Dearie to get home to tackle a few chores of her own (and get this post done!!). As I sit here trying to express what transpired I was taken with a mind full of nearly nine months of memory. Avery and Riggs were so tiny at birth yet now they seem to be performing at age . . . those babies are truly a miracle and continue to be the delight of my life. For all the time and love I shared with my babies all those years ago, I love Avery and Riggs that much! And, they are such darlings . . . Dearie's Darlings!