Keeping Up With the Kapellas': The Blessing!

As many of you know, Isla's Blessing (Baptism) was over the weekend. It was such a wonderful day and amazing event. We have a ton of pictures both from our own camera and from Mike (Tiffany's dad) and Alicia. I think there's a saying that goes something like "You can't pick your family." If I had the choice, I'd probably choose 98% of mine. There are so many interesting characters. And even the ones you don't really have a solid bond with are good for at least a laugh. So thanks to all of our friends and family that came to celebrate Isla and George this weekend. It was great to see all of you.

I normally don't get too deep into commentary on this blog, but I did want to share a few more thoughts from the weekend. On Sunday night, one of my uncles approached me when we were at Yiayia's house after the Blessing.

He said to me, "Paul, I want to tell you something. I watched you with Isla today and I can not believe how much you have changed (since you became a dad). It's like night and day. You have really become a great father. It's great to see you interact with her and sing songs to her and just be a great dad. Keep on doing that stuff. I really want you to know you are doing a great job."

Initially I was a little taken aback, because the part I immediately focused on the part about me changing. Was I a jerk before? The more I thought about it, I decided to pay attention to everything else he said. I still don't really understand the other part. Maybe I would typically have a beer in my hand and be busting someone's chops when this uncle was around in the past. Not sure. Anyway, back to the other stuff.

It made me feel really good to hear those things. I take being a father very seriously. Not that I can't have a good time being a dad. The way I see it, along with being the best husband I can be, it's the most important job I'll ever have. I'll do everything I can to be the best father I can be to Isla and her siblings - whenever they come.

My friend Justin and I were having a conversation the other day about having kids. He and Alicia have Adeline (who's nearly 2 years old) and a second child due in early November. We were talking about that moment or moments that your kid(s) give you every day that just fills your heart with joy that makes being a parent totally and completely worth it.

Seeing Isla's smile when she wakes up is enough to make my day. Many of my relatives were commenting on this video and that if they're having a bad day, they'll put it on and it turns their day around.

I have had the pleasure of being a father for just over 7 months now and I feel extremely lucky to have a healthy, happy, wonderful baby girl. There's nothing like watching her smile light up a room.
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Pictures