Toddler Times
The First Two Years… An Homage To Fatherhood
Pop and his best gal, Violet
For most of her life Violet’s pop, Serge, has been home with her while I worked as an executive producer at Fox News in Salt Lake City.
You can imagine the shock of transitioning from being in a band and traveling the world for something like twelve years, to being a stay-at-home pop to a tiny girl.
But he did it. And he did it well. Better than most, I’d say.
He chronicled his journey on his blog, Thunder Pie, and I can safely say he is the best “dad blogger” I’ve ever read. Hell, he’s the best writer I’ve ever read.
I wanted to come up with a project, an homage to fatherhood, if you will. And finally, I think I’ve done the trick.
Below are some of my all-time favorite photos of Serge and Violet that I’ve taken paired with bits from some of his blogs about her. It may take you awhile to get through but it’s not something that needs to be read from start to finish. Each photo and its accompanying paragraph are stand-alone.
I hope you like it, but mostly, I hope he likes it.
We love dads! Lessons we learned from our fathers
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29 Comments
Emily J. commented on Aug 02 11 at 10:59 amLove this. I know he will, too.
Damien commented on Aug 02 11 at 11:12 amIt’s been an honor to be able to read about the journey of parenthood as you and Serge have negotiated that tricky path. Reading what you write, especially Serge, almost makes a confirmed bachelor like me want to consider parenthood, but then I go back to denial.
I just don’t believe I could ever feel love for anyone the way you guys do for each other and those beautiful kids of yours!
Carrie commented on Aug 02 11 at 11:39 amBeautiful!
Hanni commented on Aug 02 11 at 12:15 pmAmazing, just amazing…what a wonderful journey you’re having! So glad you both share it with us…
TM commented on Aug 02 11 at 12:44 pmAbsolutely beautiful. Left me speechless. Going to share this with my husband who is going to be a 2 day a week stay at home Dad in a few months.
Ash commented on Aug 02 11 at 1:09 pmGoddamnit I loved that. Beautiful.
Allie commented on Aug 02 11 at 2:22 pmYour husband is incredible writer. I can only imagine how much Violet will love reading this when she is grown. Such a gift from father to daughter.
Elizabeth B commented on Aug 02 11 at 3:36 pmThis is so beautiful, Monica. You have no idea how seriously happy it makes me to know there are parents like you and Serge out there, making sure your kids are happy and well cared for, and so well loved.
Ali commented on Aug 02 11 at 3:43 pmTerrific father, terrific writer. Thanks for sharing it all!
Karen commented on Aug 02 11 at 6:50 pmYou’ve arranged the snippets perfectly! His love continuously flows…
gina commented on Aug 02 11 at 8:47 pmBookends. Different but so perfectly matched,.with all of THIS between you. Very fun to read and watch. Thank you. :)
Erika commented on Aug 02 11 at 8:49 pmI love his writing. So sweet and in love.
kds commented on Aug 02 11 at 9:44 pmWhat an incredible gift you have created here for Serge. And he is so deserving of it. You have made an amazing family, this was so beautiful. SO very, very beautiful. Lucky children, lucky parents.
http://www.lauramauk.blogspot.com/ commented on Aug 02 11 at 11:32 pmholy shitness. this guy is a seriously talented writer. totally blown away. he said things that have been swimming around in my heart and in my brain but didn’t know how to come out while i was home alone taking care of my tiny when she was the tiniest. i thank both of you for putting out there something so real and honest about an experience so great and filled with so much difficulty and even more terrified love. those books are assholes because they don’t tell the truth. serge wrote both truthfully and poetically. a thousand thank you’s and well wishes to you guys.
Maiken commented on Aug 03 11 at 3:59 amWhat a wonderful tribute, Monica! That man needs to write a book. I was a daddy’s girl, but my father left early on. What I wouldn’t give to have words from his heart.
jslemm commented on Aug 03 11 at 9:12 amput this in a book, blurb or shutterfly sort of thing and I’ll buy a copy – it’s that good. Always love reading Thunder Pie.
Michele Ivey commented on Aug 03 11 at 9:59 amOMG… I could cry. It’s so sweet and cute! It is great to see a Dad having some connection and bond with his child. I think this is one of the greatest blogs Babble has ever posted …=)
Juli commented on Aug 03 11 at 11:35 amThe visual and written documentation you’ve created for your children is a beautiful and priceless gift. You’re tribute to your husband’s fatherhood is remarkable. Have you considered having it made into a book?
Brandi commented on Aug 03 11 at 11:36 amLOVE this!! I’m sure Serge will too! There’s something so amazing about seeing the men we love, love our children. My husband is also a SAHD, and to see the bond that him and our daughter have is pretty mind blowing.
leyla commented on Aug 04 11 at 9:12 pmwonderful.
it is great to see you so happy, monica! everything seems to be working out well with the move. keep writing. we’ll keep clicking..
your family is beautiful!
xo,
L.
Christine from Canada commented on Aug 07 11 at 7:04 amBest gift ever – yours to Serge & Serge’s to Violet.
Helen Spencer commented on Aug 12 11 at 6:29 amThis is a great tribute. if anyone feels inspired to capture the life story of their little one from babe to adult, or even their own life memories, you can make a chronological story in picture and words, laid out on a personal timeline at http://www.SaveEveryStep.com. It’s free to use and it’s my mission to encourage people to preserve their memories as a legacy for their kids. please check us out or read my blog for family memories and a splash of nostalgia at http://SaveEveryStep.wordpress.com
betty commented on Sep 02 11 at 3:45 amabsolutely wonderful.
deb commented on Sep 02 11 at 5:47 amwow.. just beautiful
Courtney commented on Sep 02 11 at 2:13 pmAbsolutely beautiful. <3
James commented on Sep 06 11 at 11:51 amThis is awesome! Way to go Serge!!! I only wish more men would “man up”, as they say, and be a Dad to their children.
Amber commented on Sep 17 11 at 2:44 amI wish that I could have my husband home with me raising our son but he is being an amazing father by going overseas to be a contracted firefighter to support our family, so that I can be a stay at home mom to raise our little boy. So I am going to say thank you to my husband for being an amazing father to our little boy and husband to me for doing everything that he can to help our family. I love you babe.
working mom commented on Sep 17 11 at 6:48 amIncredibly moving. Thank you for sharing this.
Amber commented on Dec 23 11 at 10:34 pmThis made me bawl like a baby! What a tender man to take on this roll with such vigor and dedication! As someone who just became a stay-at-home caregiver, I could relate right away! Thanks for effectively touching my heart, reassuring me I’m not alone in the madness, and reminding me that it’s a gift to be home with my sweet lil angel.
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