Happy birthday, Peanut!

Hey Peanut,

Today is your 2nd birthday. When I told you that this morning, I think you understood because you then proceeded to shove two fingers up my nose. This is one of your favorite things to do and has been ever since you were born. Many years from now, I'll tell you about this and you'll think I'm exaggerating (as your mother says I am wont to do.) However, ask mommy about the nose thing. She'll back me up on this one. Whenever you stick your fingers up my nose, you shriek with delight and laugh hysterically. It's ridiculously adorable. You have the best laugh.

Other things you'll want to remember about being two...

(1) Some kids hug. Some kids don't. Others have hugness thrust upon them. You, my little cherub, are very much a hugger. You will hug every human under 3". Dropping you off at daycare is like watching the mayor work a campaign trail. You also love hugging dogs and trying to stick your finger up their butt. I have no idea where that comes from. If you grow up and be a vet, maybe it will all make sense.

(2) You started walking at 9 months. Now, you're a runner. You love racing me down the block to our front door. I have no other context with which to judge this but I think you might possibly be the fastest two-year old kid in history. Either that or I'm the slowest 37-year old on the planet. You're so damn fast that, if I didn't know better, I'd accuse you of taking steroids and subpoena you to appear before a congressional subcommittee. Seriously, if you end up in the 2020 Olympics, remember you heard it here first. 

(3) Maybe because you were so enamored of walking, your language skills developed a little later than some other kids. Now, you don't stop talking. Ever!  About 50% of what you say is completely unintelligible.  However, you say it with such strong conviction and get such a serious look on your face that I usually just pretend to understand you and say things like, "Oh snap! I was JUST thinking that!" or "Get out of town, girlfriend! For real?"  Whenever I do that, you'll just keep on babbling incoherently for a few more minutes. Then, you'll pause, look up at me and say, "Dada, juice?"

(4) Either my sense of humor is rubbing off on you (possible) or I have the maturity level of an infant (more likely.)  However, you're a pretty funny kid.  The other day, I asked you whether you loved me and you said, "No! Mama!" I pretended to cry and, at first, you just laughed at me.  But then you came over and give me a hug while you whispered in my ear, "Pssht...pssht. Secret. Love dada."  My heart was about to explode from all the cuteness and just when I thought I might actually shed a real tear, you proceeded to lick your tiny finger and jam it in my ear. That had us both rolling with laughter. Damn, I never should have taught you the wet willie. 

(5) Right now, your best friend is a little Asian doll that you've affectionately (and quite unoriginally) named "Baby."  You feed her, kiss her, and push her around in the stroller constantly. Sometimes, you even swaddle her with dishrags.  The two things you DON'T do with "Baby" are clothe her or wash her. If "Baby" were actually human, she'd resemble a naked Chinese stowaway who spent the last 6 months in a ship's container sleeping on a pile of fish.

(6) You are fiercely independent, Peanut. Even your teachers are amazed by this fact.  However, little do they know that you come from a long line of stubborn people dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Whenever someone tries to help you with anything, you push them away and demand to do it yourself. If you don't want to eat, you'll hold a hunger strike. If we give you a time-out, you'll just sit in your chair forever and shoot me the KDS (Korean Death Stare.) I always thought the KDS was taught to Korean girls by their mothers but you've proven that it's passed on genetically.

I'm not going to wax nostalgic here, Peanut, and gush about how much I love you. I tell you that every day and I mean it with every fiber of my heart.  There's no way on earth that I could ever express how much I truly love you.  And because I'm not a lyrically poetic man, I'll leave the emotional prose to more talented writers and poets.

However, today on your birthday, I just want to say thanks.

Thanks for coming into our world and filling our lives with more meaning than we ever could have suspected. You've taught us that, at the end of the day, the only things that truly matter in life are love, family and a warm glass of milk.

Thanks for reminding me that there are few better ways of spending an entire day then playing in the sandbox, finger-painting outdoors, or throwing peanuts at the dog.

Thanks for bringing all branches of our family closer together. You've singlehandedly proven that the love of an innocent child can mend most fences, heal old wounds, and build new bridges.

Thanks for letting me see the world again through your eyes. Watching your eyes widen as you discover or experience something for the first time reminds me of all the beauty in this world.  Sometimes, I forget. 

Thanks for teaching me that, although there are many different kinds of love, there is no true love like the one a father has for his child. 

I love you very much, Peanut.  Have a happy 2nd birthday.  Now, let's go find some buckets and have a party!

Love,
Daddy

 

Comments

[Chris]

As I sit here, 6 months away from being a first time father, I now look forward to the experience even more. Thank you for the wonderful post!

[Cathy]

Woohoo! Happy Birthday Peanut. YOu're the cutest! It's my brithday too and I am honored to be sharing it with you!

[mo-wo]

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart. Hope you had a terrific party. (Some warned us not to have one for 2 since everyone there is, ya know, 2. But it was really splendid.) I'm sure your Mama and Papa feted you more than swell, honey.

For your birthday I'll try to get daddy's subject heading -- buckets on your head -- registered with the Library of Congress RED LCSH.

Lots of love from Auntie M and the Wo Family.

[margalit]

Happy Birthday, Peanut. You already have the most perfect gift, parents who love you more than life itself. And a cutie pie face doesn't hurt either!

I hope you had a wonderful party with lots of cake and ice cream and candy.

Don't forget to keep practicing the Korean Death Stare. You'll need it more when you're a teenager!

[laurenkie]

LOL Korean Death Stare!

bappy hirthday peanut! enjoy being two!

[Glennia]

Happy Birthday, Peanut! What a gift you are to your family, and how lucky you are that your dad can so eloquently put it into words.

[Hygiene Dad]

Happy Birthday, little girl. You make your daddy proud!

[JJ Daddy Baby Momma]

Cute child. I've enjoyed virtually getting to know her over these short years.

I see she's preparing herself early for the future lampshade-on-head picture. ParTEEEEEEEEEEE!

[Three]

Ahh, Two... the 'rents have no idea what's in store for them this next year...MWUHAHAHAHAH! Remember, it's our world, Two, they're just livin'in it. Peace out,

[Grandmother]

Happy Birthday, Peanut. I love reading about you and your daddy.

[Mike]

Happy Birthday to the Peanut and family.

Metro, your letters are easily your best writing. As my little man is on the hairy edge of Three (and really feeling his oats these days), this letter definitely hit home and reminded me how great and challenging this time has been. And this line gave me quite a chuckle (actually I snorted, rather loudly):

"And because I'm not a lyrically poetic man, I'll leave the emotional prose to more talented writers and poets."

You've got to be kidding. Anyway, enjoy the big day for Miss Two.

[Brianna]

::sniff, sniff:: Happy Birthday Peanut! You're one lucky girl to have a mom and dad that love you so much : )

[bgkahuna]

Happy Birthday to the Little One. It is amazing how differently children, that have funny parents, grow up.

[honglien123]

Happy Belated Birthday Peanut! May you always be as funny as your old man. May you remember his love when the A's spank the Mets if they both make it to the World Series as he will need it.

[the weirdgirl]

Happy Birthday Peanut! (I had "Tequila" playing in my head looking at that photo.)

[Godfather]

Happy Birthday Peanut!!! You're getting bigger and cuter everytime I see you. Can't wait till your talking to us all and we get to hear what's going on in that little head of yours. Looking forward to many more!!!
godfather

[creative-type dad]

That's great!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[the mad momma]

happy birthday peanut... and happy two years of being a father metrodad... you have definitely enjoyed it. bet you cant believe its barely been two years since she came into your life and turned it upside down...

[David]

Late but what the hell ... it's never too late to wish a happy birthday.

[Anne Glamore]

Apparently it's a requirement that to be a good father, you must teach your child the wet willie ASAP. As a woman, I don't understand this AT ALL, but I know it's imperative toi raising a healthy, well-adjusted child.

Well-done (and well-written)
MD!

[Ian]

Happy birthday to the little one. Two is an exciting time. I hope you guys had a fun birthday celebration!

[Susannah]

Happy belated birthday, Peanut! It must be such fun to have a dad who teaches you wet willies, talks nonsense with you, and teaches you how to throw peanuts at the dog. You're a lucky girl and I hope you had a fun time on your birthday!

[William]

Happy B day peanut. And Congrats to the parents for making two years.

[Queen of Ass]

Oh my God! Your kid is growing as fast as my kid seems to! Holy crap, that ticks me off! We need to start putting bricks on their heads...

[Domestic Chicky]

Happy Birthday Peanut-you get cuter with each passing day. Congrats MD and BL-it's just gets better and better!!!

[Miss Baudelaire]

A little late, but happy birthday Peanut! Start asking for diamonds now!

[Linda B]

Happy 2nd Birthday, Peanut! MD, can you believe our girls are two. I love this post. I love how you can mix humor with your genuine adoration and love for your daughter. I especially love #5 and #6.

[nonlineargirl]

(belated) happy day to you all!

[CroutonBoy]

Happy Birthday, Peanut! Keep those fingers well-lubed!

Nice post, MD. The Peanut is on my short-list for babysitting, so look for a call...

[Carol]

She's a very lucky little girl!

Carol

[jen3 @ amazing triplets]

I'm glad to see that it isn't only our (almost) 2-year olds that enjoy picking my nose (and each other's noses for that matter).

Happy birthday to your little one. They grow up much too fast!

[Peter]

Happy Birthday!

[Kristen]

Oh, that was such a great birthday message.

Happy Birthday to the Peanut!!

[Ka_Jun]

KDS (Korean Death Stare). Shit, y'all have that too?!?! I thought only Filipinos had Superman's X-ray glare.

[GIRLS GONE CHILD]

I am totally late to ths party but HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEANUT!

And a jolly-good, wonderful post from your Daddy.

Love to all!

[alice, uptown]

Peanut is two? She did choose a good month in which to be born (ahem). Congratulations to you and Boss Lady...and when she's ready to do the nursery school marathon, remember that I know people who know people.... and you know where to find me.

[DP]

Man, my dad totally owes me a tribute now. Happy Birthday, Peanut!

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