Ankur’s schedule changes up every month when he shifts to a different rotation. That shift happens on a Wednesday. So, yesterday, he went from doing Consults to MSK.  

All this to say…he had a PERFECT way to introduce the “new, scary feeling” to Ishu and he did such a great job. 

Dad of the year. 

He walked up to Ishu in the morning and said, “Papa’s starting a new office today. I’m feeling scared. What should I do?” 

To which Ishu responded, “Oh, you just have to draw a heart on your hand.” 

(In case you missed it, we use The Kissing Hand around here a lot thanks to the recommendation by my therapist and a good friend). 

On the hard days, we draw a heart on Ishu’s hand. But, because he is into all things pen and paper (or, I guess, in this case, skin), he wanted to draw a heart on everybody’s hand. 

So he drew a heart (and by “heart,” I mean, more of an oval, y’know?) and Ankur went off on his merry way to the office.

Then, when it was time for us to head out to drop Ishu off to school, I could sense the hesitation. But he willingly climbed into the stroller with his big, blue heart on his hand. 

When we got to his school, I still saw some hesitation. But he slid out of the stroller, walked up to his new teacher, put his palm in her face, and said, “LOOK! I have a heart on my hand! I drawed it myself!” 

And then he gave me a big kiss and walked on in to the classroom without turning back. 

Day 3. 

I mean, I’m sure there are more tears in our future. But, for now, it felt SO NICE to leave him in that state. It meant that I was CERTAINLY more productive at work (I shit you not. I went to a coffee shop after drop-off and hammered out an entire report that I haven’t been able to focus on for the past few days). It also meant I was bouncier. Lighter. Happier.

We also had our parent-teacher conference with his new teacher yesterday afternoon. And that felt really nice to get some time with her. She seems great. And somehow described my child as being “calm.” Which was a little shocking to me, but I’ll take it. 

And then after we picked up Ishu, we took advantage of the sunshine and hung out at the park with his bestie, Max. THESE TWO MAKE MY HEART MELT EVERY TIME THEY ARE TOGETHER. This is seriously the best age. They’ve shifted from parallel playing with their cars to actually hanging out and playing tag with each other. And, well, I need more of this in my life. 

They’re so freakin’ cute. 

After the park, we went to dinner and then Portaled with Dadi for her birthday. (And sung her ‘happy birthday’ 4 times because she’s 4. Duh).

And then we hung out with the family on a Zoom call so Ishu could open up 1/6 of a present. (The plan was to open up all the presents they sent, but in true Ishu fashion, he became ultra-focused on the first toy he opened, so we decided to prolong the experience). 

It felt like such a happy happy day. 

I don’t usually log on these days and give a detailed summary from morning to evening. But yesterday was one of those days that felt really really WONDERFUL and I need to embrace (and document!) those kinda days when they come along. 🙂 

Hope you all are experiencing some sunshine in your neck of the woods! 

Have a good one!