Oh Canada - missing you

Dear JJ,

You continue to amaze your mom and I as we travel from Phoenix to Alaska, and then to Canada. You are a great traveler. Now that you have started to wave, you have become the official greeter on whichever airline you are on. 

Funny thing- all the flight attendants greet people as they come on board, but no one smiles more then when they see this little boy greeting them.

But this week will be a long one for me.  You see, I left you and your mother in Canada, while I came back to do some work. I still wake up early- but instead of having you to play with it is just Lucky and I. When I come home instead of this little boy crawling fast to meet me, it is just Lucky.  Nothing wrong with Lucky- but he misses you too.

Your grandparents cottage on Lake Ontario is a wonderful place. There we had an early first birthday for you - and we met all the people that your mom grew up with.  Plus time with Grandma and Grandpa Grosshans (although they seem to not want to be called grandma or grandpa- she prefers GiGi and he prefers Papa ).

I miss you son- I never knew what life was until I met your mother, and we decided to have you. The best decision of our lives. Take care of mom - and greet and smile for all the folks on the airplane coming home.

Love,

Dad

My little travel buddy- now enjoys the view from the plane

Enjoying the view from our room

Alaska is still home

Portage Glacier - a chilly view

Keeping warm with mom

Cottage on Lake Ontario- view from the living room

Sharing breakfast with dad

Mom makes a great swing

First birthday party- eat all you want

Dig in, son

Meeting new friends - Luke!

Mornings with the boys - Papa and Dadda

You enjoy your coffee- clearly a Simpson/Grosshans

First Father's Day

YES - this was you

Team Grosshans

Two conspirators

Best travel baby ever

Your dad who loves being just- your dad

Dear JJ,

The last time I was this excited by a day, it was when I was a kid waiting for my birthday.  My first Father's Day.  Not because I wanted any gifts - but just to experience that day, for the first time in 54 years, as a dad.

The day started out with you - 4:30 am, almost as if you were excited for the day as I was.  We spent a couple of hours playing til you became tired and I was off for my golf game. Arriving at the golf course, my good friend, Steve, said, "Happy Father's Day." Steve, not a dad, has developed an affection for you, and enjoys watching you grow.

During the day I missed a phone call from your Uncle Bob-- one of the first people to know that your mom and I were expecting.  He left a message with his children wishing me that. 

On social media sites different people wished me a Happy Father's Day- and they were all special people- those who know your mom and I, and those who know how much being a dad has meant to me.

When my dad called me, the first thing he said was, "Happy Father's Day." First time I joined my dad in that special club.

I've done a few things- held a few titles, had a few accomplishments- but the most important one is being a dad.

Thank you, son, for making that possible

Love,
Dad

You at 19 weeks

Your mom and I and special friends on a special day

That's your mom- if she bent over far enough she saw her feet

Our first family photo

Gigi stayed with us for seven weeks

The cap you wore was worn by your uncle Ron over 60 years before

Meeting my parents for the first time

Jimmy - for whom you are named. And whose smile you have

Uncle Rick and Auntie Sandi - who have been great friends of your mom and I from the start

Your first hospital visitor Aunti Lori

Your beautiful mom

Your Gandpa - who got up with me for the early morning shift

You always looked like you had it figured out

Uncle Barry - in whose house your mom and I met

Your Grandma Gigi - stayed with us for seven weeks, she hated to leave you

we are family

My dad - and I - in 1958

And now you with my dad in 2011

Your Uncle Ron- that hat doesn't fit him as well

Two dads

Dear JJ,

Yesterday your grandparents left after being here for a bit.  I miss them - because when your Grandpa Grosshans is here,  the three of us have our morning time together.

Nothing like enjoying Grandpa

When you were six days old, your grandpa and I were wondering why you were crying. When I put my finger in your mouth, it was dry- so thought you might be hungry. But your mom had finally gotten off to sleep.  I asked your grandpa if maybe we should give you some formula - the two of us, in on the conspiracy- found the formula the hospital had sent home with you, and we fed it to you.  Such are the memories that bond the three of us together. 

I enjoy our time in the early morning- your mom gets some sleep, and you and I can play. But I like it when your grandpa is here too- two dads, who really love being dads, and one who just loves being your grandpa.

Men have a special bond when it comes to children. Once you become a dad you are a part of a special club - where all of us have figured out what life is all about-- and it is not us.

Someday son, I hope to enjoy those mornings with you when you are a new dad - then I can hear you say the word that every dad I know describes the experience of being a father "awesome." Truly- the definition of that word.

Love,

Dad

Coffee - you like it, but not warm

The day your grandparents left your Grandpa made crepes. You liked them too

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