December 10 2019
8:03 a.m. – Kitchen, Sanchez Home
The baby monitor crackled.
Then came the sound that signaled the beginning of Dave's day:
"Baaaah!"
*Gurgle. Cough.*
"BAHHHH!"
Dave rolled over, groaned into the pillow, and muttered, "Yep. That's my alarm clock now."
In the nursery, **Mateo**, now six months old and *extremely proud of his lungs*, stood in his crib with wobbly knees and a drool-covered chin. His arms stretched wide the moment Dave entered the room.
"Good morning, sir," Dave said, scooping him up. "You ready to run this house like a tiny dictator?"
Mateo giggled and immediately tried to eat Dave's ear.
---
### **Scene: 9:45 a.m. – The Great Banana Incident**
Breakfast was going great.
Until Dave introduced bananas.
One mushy bite in, Mateo made a face of existential betrayal, grabbed the spoon, and flung it across the kitchen with the strength of a baby Thor.
Dave - Okay. So bananas are canceled.
Mateo sneezed.
Onto Dave's shirt.
Then smiled.
Dave sighed, grabbing a wipe.
Dave - You're lucky you're cute and look like your mama
---
12:15 p.m. – Park Picnic Time
Dave rolled out a blanket in the park under a big shady tree, Mateo bundled in a little hoodie with bear ears.
They watched the clouds, shared baby puffs (Mateo tried to put one in Dave's mouth), and listened to a guy playing acoustic guitar nearby.
Dave - You know your mom did brain surgery this morning,
Dave told him, adjusting Mateo's hat.
Dave - And I kept you alive through diaper blowout number two. So we're both winning.
Mateo babbled, then laughed suddenly and loudly at a squirrel. Dave laughed with him.
Dave - Yeah
Dave whispered.
Dave- Just us today.
---
3:20 p.m. – Home Again
Back at the house, Dave sang softly while rocking Mateo in his arms. The baby was fighting a nap like it was a personal insult.
Dave whispered1 Bro, Sleep. For both of us. Please.
Mateo yawned... blinked... yawned again...
...and then passed out against his chest.
Dave didn't move. Just sat on the couch, holding his son, feeling the gentle weight of him, hearing the soft breath. That moment of peace every parent waits for.
Dave - Damn
he whispered with a grin.
Dave - I love you, kid.
---
5:47 p.m. – AJ Comes Home
AJ stepped through the door, tired and drained. She kicked off her shoes and walked into the living room.
There, on the couch, were **her boys** — Mateo curled up like a puppy on Dave's chest, both of them asleep, surrounded by bottles, pacifiers, and a bib that said *"Dad's My Dude."*
She smiled. Touched Mateo's foot gently. Kissed Dave's forehead.
AJ - Looks like you both survived
she whispered. From under half-sleep,
Dave muttered- Barely.
