"Daddy"

For the past (nearly) 2 years, the term "daddy" has been more of a negative thing for me. Ben became less involved in Lyla's life as Eric became more - but Lyla has always called Eric, Eric - not daddy. If you ask her who her daddy is, she will tell you it's Eric, but there's still the known fact that a "daddy" exists somewhere out there. The fact that Eric will be Hannah's actual, biological, called-by-the-name daddy is almost strange to me. I have actual fears that I will hand Eric his new baby girl and say "go see Eric!"

It will definitely be an adjustment for me to add the term back into my daily vocabulary - and not want to cringe at the word itself. I'm sure it will be an adjustment for Eric, too - he already feels like a father, but to hear your child call you Daddy after being simply Eric for the last couple of years must be amazing. I'm curious, too, if Lyla will adopt the name for Eric and begin to actually call him Daddy. I have always said that the choice is hers; I don't tell her that Eric is her daddy, I tell her that her daddy is busy at work, but she's a smart little girl and understands that Eric is the father-figure in her life, and took it upon herself to recognize Eric AS her Daddy - name called or not.
Who knew one little word could mean so much?