Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?
Tiny Tales from Alyce’s Weekly Wonders
Hello, everyone! It’s Alyce here, and guess what? I’m almost 8 months old! Time sure flies when you’re having so much fun and let me tell you all about my exciting summer. One of my absolute favorite things about summer is my new backpack carriage. When Dad carries me on his back, I feel like the queen of the trails! The view from up there is amazing, and I get to see all the beautiful greenery on our hikes. Mom and Dad say I have the best seat in the house, and I have to agree! Speaking of Dad, did you know he’s been styling my hair? I have lots of long hair, and Dad’s been getting creative with it. You should see his cool creations! Sometimes he makes little pigtails, and other times he tries braids. I love seeing what he’ll come up with next. It makes me feel so fancy!
When I was born, I got this super fun bouncer, but I didn’t use it much because of my reflux. Now that I’m feeling better, I’ve rediscovered it, and it’s a blast! I can bounce and giggle for hours. It’s like my little bouncing kingdom, and I’m the happiest princess in it! Let me tell you about my best friends in the whole wide world: Boujee and Dapper, our French bulldogs. Every morning, they greet me from my bed with their cute faces and giggly butts. We have the best time together! At night, we all fall asleep at the same time. During the day, Mom lets me have tummy time on the carpet, and that’s when I get to pet them. Their fur is so soft, and they make the funniest sounds. It’s the best part of my day!
This summer has, so far, been full of love, laughter, and so many new adventures. I can’t wait to see what else is in store as I grow older. Every day is a new opportunity to explore and have fun with my amazing family and furry friends.
With love,
Alyce 💕
The Uncomfortable Question: A Journey to Fatherhood at 99.99999998%
Many years ago, I was married to a wonderful person. Like many couples, we dreamed of starting a family. Despite our best efforts and even visits to a fertility clinic, we were unable to conceive. The doctors delivered the crushing news: my “boys don’t swim.” We eventually drifted apart, and our marriage ended.
Fast forward to my relationship with Kat. Imagine my shock when she became pregnant without us even trying. While joyous, a dark cloud lingered in the back of my mind. How was this possible given my previous diagnosis?
When our beautiful daughter was born, I knew I had to address the nagging thought in my head. It wasn’t about trust – Kat is an amazing partner. It was about silencing the doubt that threatened to overshadow this miraculous event.
I sat down with Kat and explained my feelings. “It’s not a trust issue,” I said. “I just need to quiet this voice in my head. Would you be open to a DNA test?”
Kat was curious but confused. “What do you mean?” she asked. I realized that she had never encountered the concept of paternity testing shows like “The Maury Povich Show,” which was popular in the Canada and the United States but not in her native Czech Republic. I explained how these shows often featured guests taking DNA tests to determine paternity, sometimes after years of uncertainty. I described how these tests could lead to emotional revelations, with guests discovering the truth about their parentage even after many years, sometimes over a decade.
Initially, Kat was upset, which is completely understandable. But after we talked it through, she agreed. Her willingness to understand my perspective speaks volumes about her character and our relationship.
The test confirmed what I now know in my heart: I am, without a doubt, the father of our little girl. The relief was immense, allowing me to fully embrace fatherhood without reservation. I can finally say, I have made people, and I’m their leader.
Now, seven months into this adventure called parenthood, I can 99.99999998 say that Alyce is truly a chip off the old block. Her personality, quirks, and even some of her expressions are undeniably reflections of me. God help us all!
This journey has been a profound teacher. I’ve learned that facing our fears and doubts, no matter how uncomfortable, can lead to unexpected strength in our relationships. It’s in these moments of vulnerability that we often discover the true depth of our connections. Open and honest communication, even about the most sensitive topics, has proven to be the bedrock of our relationship. Kat’s willingness to understand and support me through this process revealed an extraordinary capacity for empathy and love that I might never have fully appreciated otherwise.
As I watch Alyce grow, each day brings new joys and challenges. Her little smiles, her first movements, and even her tantrums fill me with an indescribable sense of wonder and gratitude. I’m thankful for Kat’s understanding, for the miracle of life that defied medical odds, and for the privilege of being a father.
#DAD
Woof Woof! 🐾
Bonjour, les amis! Boujee and Dapper here, reporting live from our air-conditioned palace. Yes, you heard that right—palace! For we are the regal French bulldogs of our domain, ruling over our kingdom with a mix of sophistication, charm, and an impressive amount of sniffing. This week has been nothing short of magnifique, and we are here to share our adventures (and misadventures) with you.
This week, we’ve been utterly enchanted by our favorite tiny human, Alyce. Oh là là, what a delightful creature she is! Our days are filled with the joy of watching her play, mostly from a safe distance, because let’s face it, she’s a bit unpredictable with those tiny hands. Dapper and I take turns sniffing her bed, ensuring it meets our high standards. And when she’s playing on the carpet with maman, we gently show her our love. By “gently,” we mean we occasionally nudge her with our noses, then promptly retreat to a safe distance. Alyce seems to enjoy our presence—she laughs, and we bask in the glory of her giggles. It’s like music to our ears, except when it’s nap time. Then, it’s like an alarm clock we didn’t set.
Mon dieu! The heat this week has been something else. If you think wearing a fur coat is hard, try doing it in a sauna. Going out for walks has become a Herculean task. Dapper, despite his stylish cooling vest, is not handling it well. Picture a very grumpy Frenchman in a Parisian café—yes, that’s Dapper. Even his cooling vest, which is supposed to make him look très cool, only seems to add to his dramatic flair. As for me, Boujee, I take it all in stride. After all, a lady must maintain her composure. But truth be told, I prefer lounging in front of the AC, dreaming of cooler days. We both do, actually. We lie there, dreaming of autumn, of leaves crunching beneath our paws, and of walking through the first frost with Alyce. Imagine the three of us, bundled up, looking like a scene from a French postcard. C’est la vie!
Ah, fall. Just the thought of it brings a twinkle to our eyes and a wag to our tails. We can almost feel the crisp air and hear the rustle of leaves. This year, it will be extra special because Alyce will be with us. We imagine her bundled up in her tiny coat, toddling alongside us. We’ll be the guardians of her fall adventures, making sure she doesn’t eat any questionable objects (a full-time job, let me tell you). We picture ourselves frolicking in the leaves, chasing after imaginary foes, and perhaps even catching the elusive squirrel. Dapper, ever the optimist, believes he’ll finally catch one. I, Boujee, know better but let him dream. It’s what keeps him going.
So, as we endure the summer heat, we keep our eyes on the prize—autumn walks, crunchy leaves, and adventures with Alyce. For now, we’ll continue to enjoy the AC, sniff beds, and shower our tiny human with gentle love. Life as Boujee and Dapper is pretty fabulous, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything. Well, maybe for an endless supply of treats, but that’s a story for another day. Stay cool, mes amis, and remember: when life gives you heat, find the nearest AC and dream of fall.
Au revoir,
Boujee & Dapper ❤️
Thank you to our dear Vilhelmians for following our adventures! Hit like and subscribe for more! Get ready for a wild ride! Hit that subscribe button to join our awesome Substack community! Vilheeeeeelm!
Hey happy family, that was an uncomfortable conversation
Meaningful conversations are essential for healthy relationships.