First Day Of School For Dylan

On January 4th, 2008 I took Dylan to his first day of school. Nancy and I decided to start him once a week every Friday so that we could have spend some together time during the afternoons and give me the option to take care of errands. When we started Justin with daycare I have to say that it did not really effect me that much because I was working 2 jobs. I would still see him in the mornings asleep before I left for work and I would still see him asleep when I got back at night. Plus, Nancy did most of the child rearing during the 1st year for Justin. Here is Dylan holding his brother's lunch box dressed for school with no idea that today he is just not going along to drop his brother off, but to also be dropped off himself. Here is a shot of Dylan's backpack with his personal stuff (diapers, extra clothe, and some other personal belongings). Even at 1 year of age children are very perceptive. As soon as Dylan and I walked into his new class he would hold me tighter and snuggle his face into my shoulders and did not give me the option to put him down. Justin stayed for an hour with his brother to help him through the process. Here are some shots of the Pak brothers playing around in Dylan's new class. I have to say letting Dylan go on his 1st day of school was pretty heart wrenching. I have been raising him for the past year and during the process have grown really attached to him. I've changed many diapers, wiped a lot of poo, taken many good naps together, went for walks, cooked and fed him many things, and the list goes on. The hardest part is to listen to your child cry in anguish because he thinks that he is being abandoned. I have to admit I almost cried when I left because I missed him as I walked out and I hated the idea of him feeling lonely. Hearing him cry and screaming Pa Pa was almost too much for me. I almost decided to just take him back and call off the whole daycare thing. I do have to say...when I picked him up I have never felt so important to my son as I did then. For once...I felt like number 1 parent. I know now what it feels like to be Nancy in my children's eyes. Most Dads become the background when the Moms are around. On that day when I picked him up...I was the only thing Dylan saw. I've titled this last picture..."Baby Boy Facing The World". My boys are growing up quickly. It seems like yesterday when Justin was this age. I can't believe that only a couple of months ago Dylan was learning to walk and before that crawling and before that learning to flip over. I have to keep telling myself to cherish these tender years. Thank you God for bestowing Nancy and I the honor to raise and love these two boys.