People let me tell you 'bout my best friend...

"The Courtship of Eddie's Father" - best tv dad ever. (I know, the argument can be made for Mr. Brady of “The Bunch” fame, but when you know all that went on behind the scenes it ruins the mystique for you).
Bill Bixby (pre-gamma rays and Lou Farigno bust outs) was an awesome dad. Flawed, funny, and first and foremost Eddie's dad. (Suspend the disbelief with the phat NYC penthouse and the Asian housekeeper/babysitter for a second). I saw an interview with the kid who played Eddie who said that Bixby was a father figure to him – that caring was genuine.

The Mud Puddle is very lucky to have a similar and in fact better Father. Scott was awesome out of the gate. Days after the Mud Puddle was born, I was all doped up, stapled up and barely walking, he was changing diapers and sleeping on a pull out chair, and not complaining a bit.
When I got a little better I was skeeved out by the belly button thing (and of course, it came off on my watch. Grossest moment as a parent thus far) and the circumcision, and he changed the dipes like he was born to do it.

He is the kind of dad that isn't embarrassed to dole out kisses, or read bedtime stories, and he is a much better disciplinarian than I am. And were it not for him the Mud Puddle and I would never get out of bed in the morning (not that I am necessary thanking him for THAT).

When I look back on these first three years I count myself lucky that I had a partner in crime that was so willing to step up to the plate in the parenting department. The Mud Puddle is definitely better for it, and I am proud of both of them for the father and son that they are. I know as The Mud Puddle gets older he will realize how good he has it, especially when he looks around at the other ‘fathering techniques’ out there.
I know some dads who are very ‘hands off’ when it comes to the kids. Forget diaper changes let alone cuddling on the couch or playing on the floor. Scott had passed the dad audition by being a great uncle to the nephews and niece he has. He was always very comfortable around them and it was good training for his Daddy Days.

They do occasionally wreak havoc as most fathers and sons are wont to do. I find myself saying more often than I like “quiet down, both of you” usually in a public place and usually after four or five ‘looks’ from other people (when someone figures out how those people who live in their own worlds with their screaming kids and their failure to yield manage it, can you send me the recipe??). But I would rather they gang up on me then not enjoy each other’s company.

The Mud Puddle and his dad are buddies and I count myself lucky that I am the side kick (and sometimes cop) to this dynamic duo.