Nighttime and dads

Your grandpa with your dad in January 1958 when I was 7 months old

Dear JJ,

Your grandpa in May 2011 when you are ten months

Here is a photo of my dad and I in 1958.  When I grew up and saw this photo, and the caption that mom put "Sleepy Daddy, midnight duty," I grew up thinking that my dad is the one who woke up with me every night when I needed something. Well -that wasn't the case.  Apparently, this was so rare that your grandmother took a photo of it and posted it in an album (in those days we used real paper and they had a real book - not an e-book).

To be clear your mom gets up at night so your dad can sleep, but you know we have our five am time (feel free to sleep in anytime). And while your mom does a night time duty with you, I love to get up to help her if you need a quick bottle!

This last weekend we went back to Portland to see your grandparents- who always love seeing their first grandchild! You are a traveling boy- over 30,000 miles.  You see son, when your mom and I decided that our lives were too good to not invite you to our party - we also decided that as family we would travel as much as we could together. When everyone else in the plane gets on and grumbles about having to turn off their electronic device, we still get to play with you!

Life is great with a little boy- now I get to see it all through my dad's eyes- some fifty years later. Someday I hope you get to experience the joy your mom and I have with you. Awesome! And those nighttime moments- just more time I get to spend with you, and when you do sleep through the night, I still wake up, as does your mom- and sneak into your room just to check on you.

Love,

Dad

Nothing like Grandma

But your dad loves holding you

Mom is always trying to make you smile - outside our hotel room

My baby boy loves to travel

First Mother's Day

Dear JJ,

You first road trip

For our first Mother's Day we took a road trip to California!  Your dad had some business, and what fun is travel without my favorite travel companions. So we added some fun with the business!

We met some long time friends-- your uncles Scott and Jeff. I've known Scott since I was in college. We also saw your aunti Lori, and met some new friends-- Hennie, Julie, Del, and Amy and John.

Then off to San Diego where you were able to see your Alaskan Aunt Kathyrn, Karen, Uncle Chuck, Auntie Georgia, and others.

All of these friends have followed you since before you were born. Now they were able to spend our first Mother's Day together.

You and your beautiful mom at the Four Seasons

The most important part of Mother's Day-- our son.  We hope for many more!
Love,
Dad