Daddy Dearest

Daddy Poh's turning 28 on the 25th. He's been barely a dad for a year yet he's so comfortable and easy with Lois. He rocks her back to sleep whenever she wakes up at night, cuddles with her in bed, greets her good morning even at 5am - Lois' earliest wake time - plays with her while I lie down-body-too-heavy to wake up in the morning (hey, I sleep late coz late nights are the only chances I can work uninterruptedly on the PC), leaves his meal up to soothe an irritated Lois thereby letting me finish mine, carries her all throughout whenever we're out and comes home so excited to be with us!

I really think Lois' babble means him. Her 'pappa's' are not just syllables which came easy for her to say. It's Lois way of saying 'I love you' back to Daddy. She senses how he's madly in love with her (ok, and me also) and would do everything for her benefit.

One time we were on our way home from church when Lois lost her mood. Her grunts were turning into whimpers and all the attention-shifting tricks I tried didn't work. I was almost ready to stop and just let her cry it out until we reach home when Poh found a way to make her laugh. He held up the abaniko and slowly closed it as if performing a magic trick. Lois was so amazed she was chuckling all throughout! What patience and creativity.

He often jokes that he doesn't want to leave the house and wish to just play with Lois - so his morning goodbyes are the longest - yet he's so responsible that he finishes projects for the church on time, at home. I really admire his discipline that he's able to work out his priorities despite his great desire to hang out with Lois. I call that passion. I hope Lois would take that after him.

And Poh has never been tired for Lois. Even after a long day's work, even with a stomach ache. Especially when we're out, he actively displays his TLC for Lois, carrying her around, playing with her, feeding her, I am able to relax and laugh at their games. People notice it and some were candid enough to remark how great he is as a dad, how lucky I am to have such a hands-on mate. And indeed I am! Who else supports, believes in, cares for, trusts and loves me like Daddy Poh? God has been really good to me for making him ours.