What’s More Than “Overwhelmed?”
Published April 19th, 2004 in WordsWhat’s the word for “more than overwhelmed?” “Überwhelmed?” I really need to know, so I can use it the next time I get that feeling that hit me today on the bus ride home from work. That feeling that hits me almost every time I spend more than a few seconds thinking about Simon and everything that he means to me.
On Saturday, which is typically “mommy gets some time off” day, I was able to watch Simon for a few hours while Angie went out shopping. We mostly sat around and either played with the musical flashing light thingy or watched TV, but when he wasn’t sleeping Simon was mostly sitting on my knee. Twice that day, while being held in my arms and bouncing, my little boy fell asleep like it was the most comfortable place in the world. It was the first time in recent memory that Daddy was the one to soothe him, without the aid of Bouncy Ducky Chair or Mr. Binky, not to mention Mommy.
Thinking about this on the bus today and how much I love to just hold him in my arms is what makes me — Superwhelemed? Megawhelemed? — by my new role as a father.
I love a good quasi-etymological challenge. How about “googlewhelmed”?
My heart leaps every time Megan smiles at me. I think her favorite “daddy thing” at the moment my rendition of “London, France, Underpants” as I change her diaper. She’s also warming up to my hand puppet Maurice the Money.
The only issue I have with her sleeping is that sometimes I just stare at her instead of taking advantage of a nap to do important things… like packing.
Overwhelmed also happens to be one of my favorite Star Trek CCG dilemmas. Look it up.
The only ritual song that we have for Simon so far is the “Washin’ Your Hair” song, to the tune of Beethoven’s Fifth. He really likes to take baths.
I also suffer from the “should be doing something else but instead I’m watching the baby” syndrome.