Baby People

Dear JJ,

I wasn't one, but I became one.  We are easy to spot- in fact, you help me spot them. Baby people.

In any given restaurant, on any given day they stare at you - they will come up and smile at you. They are baby people.  People who love babies. Not a fake interest in someone's kid - but people who really like babies! What surprised me was many of them are not even parents!

At a local restaurant we were seated by the kitchen where the wait staff would go in and out of. There was one waitress that kept looking at you- most of the rest moved about their job as if you were nothing but a piece of furniture.  In the table next to us was a group of men - and one of them kept looking at you and waiving - the others looked at him like he was crazy.

In the grocery store- in the airport - we see them. And they love meeting you.

I noticed that I became one.  In my office I would hear kids cry and I would have my staff get those patients into a room quickly.  I still do that- but now I find myself lingering and talking to the patients longer, and the kids -- finding out what they are doing and when.

You see son, you have changed me in so many ways- but the big way is that I am a baby person. It has opened up my world - because now I see and enjoy all the kids all that much more. Thank you

love,

Dad

Enjoying our morning coffee

Your first sip -- you insisted!

It was cold in Portland, but you dressed for it

Your favorite person in the world!

New Car Seat and Stroller?

Dear JJ

Before you were born your mom and I shopped for a car seat and a stroller.  We were diligent in our quest - checking all the ratings, reading books, asking friends, experts, and shopping a lot. We settled on a system - it seemed expensive, but when it comes to safety there was no way we were going to skimp on this equipment.

We found a system that had bases we could put in the cars, and the car seat would fit into a stroller.  The stroller was carefully purchased with the right combination of wheel size and mobility.

I had read about car seats in a book written for fathers- -about how hard they were to install, and that a friend of that author was a NASA scientist and had to get the local fire department to install the car seat.  This was his recommendation - get the experts to do it.  Your dad delayed and delayed it, until I brought your mom to the hospital to have you. 

The day before you were to be taken home I called the Phoenix Fire Department- only to find out that they don't install- they simply inspect, and only on certain days.  I was in a panic- the next day you were due to come home with your mom.  So in the hospital I confessed to your mom that I better head home and get my tool set out and try to figure how to install this- and even call Uncle Rod to help (Uncle Rod can fix anything).

It was Thursday afternoon, the sun was out- about 105 degrees, and the car was parked in the hospital garage- in the shade. So I thought- why not try something here ( no shade at home). So I read some instructions and pull out the base. Turns out my car had two simple hooks hidden in the back seat. All I had to do was click the safety belt into those hooks and level it.  It took less than five minutes.  The seat clicked right into the base and came out. Simple. Feeling chagrined I returned to the hospital room where your mom asked if I forgot something.  I told her how the "difficult" task was one that was not so tough and now we could all go home safely.

Then we got ready to take your first airplane trip- six weeks after you were born.  Off to the baby store we went for travel gear when some nice lady recommended we not take our expensive stroller, and instead take a travel stroller. I bought it. It was simple, light, easy- and for over 19,000 miles you traveled throughout the country- from Ohio to Alaska. 

Well, son- you kept growing. Somehow I didn't think that you would outgrow the car seat - or stroller. But it became uncomfortable for you- and now we had to get another.  Its larger- more cumbersome- not as light- but you are comfortable and safe in it. 

I have a fond affection for your old stroller - it was a simple easy system. But we will give it to a Crisis Nursery- where some new mom can at least have a safe stroller for her precious baby. It isn't the "thing" that I miss-- it is just a sign that my little boy is growing- and we have a lot of miles and memories with that one. 

Its ok to keep growing son- every day you smile more- there are new adventures- some of them with travel.

Love,

Dad

Two weeks old in your car seat

It is where Grandma Grosshans helped us with you

It is the seat that Grandma Simpson first rocked you in

It is the place where you first nuzzled with your favorite toy

But you grew- and the new one fits you so much better now

Happy Anniversary April!

You and your mom and Grandma and Grandpa Simpson

Dear JJ,

Your mom and I were married one year ago in Phoenix, and now we are in Portland to celebrate with your grandparents and aunt! 

This has been a great year - I would have never have imagined how good life could be. First meeting your mom, then deciding to have you- then having you. 

The only rough part of the weekend is the "cold" that you seemed to have passed on to your mom and me. 

So, son- while I love you - I'm taking this little break in writing about it - to tell you that you have the most incredible mom.  She is smart, funny, and loves singing to you- because you stop crying and listen. 

The two of us put each other first, but together we put you first- 

When we thought about our anniversary we both looked at you and said that you were the most incredible gift two parents could ever have.

Love,

Dad

You with Tante Randi

A bit cold in Oregon so we have a warm suit for you

Grandma and Grandpa Simpson are always happy to see their little grandson

Dr Lucky

Lucky with a bone and JJ thinking chew toy

Dear JJ,

Before you were born your mom and I decided to get a dog - Dr. Lucky.  He was born on 1/5/2010.  Dr Lucky was the first to greet you when you arrived home from the hospital.

Babies don't notice much when they are first born - then they begin to track things.  The first time we saw you tracking- you were watching Dr Lucky.  Your mom is convinced the first words you will learn are "Lucky No!"

When you eat your food- Dr. Lucky is close by in case you drop something, and then  you bend down and he licks your face and hands.

No matter how much you pull on his ears, or are rough with him- he is always by your side.  If you cry to much, he comes and gets us to let us know you need some comfort.

Every boy needs a dog -- and you have a great one.  Your mom and I can't wait until you chase him around.

Love,

Dad

View from above- nothing like Lucky to love

Good buddies

He never flinches

Even early in the morning Lucky is there

He never is bothered by you touching him

Swaddling

Dear JJ,

Swaddling- the first time I heard that term was about Christmas stories - and the first time I learned the value of it was in reading about how to keep a newborn baby happy - before you were born. 

After you were born, the nurses showed us how to use the blanket to swaddle you- each had a different way- but you seemed to like it -- sort of. 

We were lucky - so many people made blankets for you- or bought them. But there was this one:

Your mom's first trip out after she had you -- to Nordstroms.  In the baby section there was a blanket that showed how to swaddle.  I bought it --  didn't need a blanket, and your mom thought it was too expensive, but I liked having a blanket with instructions.

Swaddled and sleeping - your constant companion. August 22nd, 2010

Every night we would use that blanket- swaddle you and you would go off to sleep. If the blanket became dirty it was top priority to get it washed.  You never slept without it- until recently.  I knew you were waking up because you would manage to move your hands and arms out of it.

Well, you sleep without being swaddled now - and now that blanket is just one of many- but it sure kept you happy and quiet.  Someday son- I hope to give you that blanket, so your child can be swaddled the way you were-- happy, secure, and warm.

Now you are swaddled  with  love, as your mom or I sing you songs and watch you drift off to sleep. But as I feel my heart grow daily with love,  I realized- it is you who are swaddling me with love


Love,

Dad

Sorry about the shots

Your First pediatrician - Dr. Singer- now retired

Dear JJ,

Six month check up - and today a new pediatrician.  Well, he's not new- he was your first pediatrician we met in the hospital - so we are pretty comfortable with Dr. Scharff. All a part of the great pediatric group at Camelback Pediatrics.  Still I remember after Dr. Singer did your circumcision saying, "Well, that's pretty much they way he will look from now on."

Hardest part of the day- your shots. We know they are good for you, but we hate seeing you hurt.

But you continue to grow and develop and have made your mom and my life just perfect.  Your new trick is you have learned to clap your hands-- and you showed off for Dr. Scharff several times! He finally laughed at you and said, "Ok, I get it."

Six months you have been with us son - best six months of my life.  Sorry about the shots.

Love,

Six months photo

You love shopping with us

"Of course I shop at AJ's - best selection."

Dad