Dada

Dear JJ,

Sometimes your favorite toy is a box

Sometimes your dad has long days- and sometimes some of my patients need more time and help -- but I love what has been happening when I come home.  The door opens, and I yell hello and you come crawling as fast as you can to see me, with a big smile on your face.

This week, something new happened.  You make lots of sounds- and you love to imitate -- clicking, buzzing, saying "Baa." And you have said "da" a lot- and put them together.  Knowing they were just sounds is ok, but when you start looking at me and saying "da da" and when you point to me and say "dada" and when your mom asks where is "dada" and you look at me-- wow.

It has been a great week - but son, every week with you is.  Thank you for coming into our lives.

Love,

Dad

Whoever thought having egg on your face was a bad idea?

Of course spreading it to the toys is even better

You like the smoothies your dad makes- so does Lucky

Handy Manny is our favorite show

Mom set up a swing for you

And you love it

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

Happy Birthday Mom

 

 

Mom sharing her birthday cake

You like it

Not quite peas and carrots

Now what?

Dear JJ,

We got to celebrate your mom's birthday!  You shared her cake - and last year you were sharing it too- just that you were in her womb and getting the cake without tasting it!

This has been the best year ever, son - for your mom and I.  Every time we look back we wonder how we ever imagined life without you.   You keep us laughing, you keep us centered, you show us what is truly important in life.

Your mom loved her time at the spa-- but almost every minute she was worried about you.

You've changed our lives, son - but for the better.  So much better.

Next year I'm sure we will hear you say Happy Birthday -- but for us, you are the best gift anyone could ever have.

Love,

Dad

Lucky a brother?

Dear JJ,

One of our friends pointed something out to us-- that Lucky is more like your brother than a dog. He doesn't growl at you- you pull his ears, his tail, his mouth- you take away his toys- and he still comes to see you every day.
He helps clean you up after meals - ok - sometimes you object to your mom wiping your face, but you never seem to mind if Lucky does it.
My brothers were the same way- sometimes they would do for me what my parents couldn't - like when I got in trouble, my brother Jimmy would stand up for me.  Or when I was worried I would call my big brother Ron - like the time I pulled a pen apart and got ink all over me and was afraid of what mom would say.
So, maybe Lucky is a bit like your brother.
Most important- the lesson learned is we always need someone in this world to help us along. Someone we can count no to lick our face.  I've got your mother- but I want you to know that you always have us. Always,

Love,

Dad

Lucky on clean up duty

Lucky trying to get back his toy

How many dogs would let you have his bone?

Nine Months?

Dear JJ,

How did this happen? Nine months old-- two bottom teeth, crawling, smiling, getting up and standing in your crib?

You like being fed our food at the table

Your dad still loves to kiss you

Pulling yourself up and playing with your new airplane

Just as handsome sitting down in the Captain Cook Hotel

I think mom is trying to make fun of you 

You still don't sleep through the night-  but you sleep a lot. You go to bed at 7, wake up at 1 and 3 and then 6:30.  We hope you sleep more-- your mom would appreciate.

But you are a champ - and we are a family.  You travel with us- you eat from our table, and like the Alaskan that you are: your first meats-- fresh Alaskan Salmon and fresh Alaskan halibut.  You love them both. And your skill at picking things up and putting them in your mouth gets better daily.

Your mom and I love this-- Team Simpson

Love,

Dad

International crawler

Your first exploration of grass

Crawling in Cabo

Dear JJ,

You are an international traveler!  Off to Cabo we went for a week- and  you did great.  You have your own passport, and as usual - you are a great little companion to travel with.

While Cabo was wonderful - the fun part was watching you perfect your crawling skills. Before we left for Cabo you had taken your first forward moves - and now you can crawl everywhere.  Thats the good news- the bad news is your mommy and I have to re-arrange the house- to make it safe as you like to climb a lot.

Even this morning- after you woke up and we were playing I had to make a quick trip to the rest room.  I turned around and you were crawling right after me with that big grin on your face.

Son,  you make my day- every smile, every new adventure- you have made life sweet.

While in Cabo you met some friends- one of whom is a golfing buddy.  He is looking forward to you joining us for golf.  Hopefully I won't be crawling then!

The future is bright because you are in it.

Love,

Dad

You love the pool

Prettiest lady in the world - your mom

And lounging with your dad is a lot of fun

Of course a bottle helps