My morning boy

Always smiling in the morning

Dear JJ,

Every morning I get to spend time with you. You seem to have a pretty regular schedule - about 545 am  you wake up. 

I get to pick you up - change your diaper and you start to smile. Then I take you to my desk and you watch me work for a bit until your stomach tells you that it is time to eat.  By the way- your appetite is pretty healthy these days.

Sadly, I have to go to work- so we get your mom and cup of coffee and then spend a few minutes playing together -- you mom, Lucky, you, and me.

My mornings are happy now- and filled.

Thank you son.  Your mom and I are so happy you are in our lives.

Love,

Dad

Alaska

Showing you Alaska

Dear JJ,

Finally I got to bring to Alaska -- the place of our ancestors for thousands of years, the place you were conceived, and at 11 weeks old - your mom and I brought you home,  to Alaska.

There were a lot of your aunties that wanted to meet you. Your aunt Katherine - was especially anxious-- you may remember me talking about her, as she played an important part at your mom and my wedding --telling the story of the first Athabascan wedding.

Aunti Katherine and her husband Kevin finally got to meet you.  Then your mom got to go to a gathering where so many nice ladies got to meet you, and your mom got to see the beautiful hospitality of Alaska Natives.


On our way back to Arizona we got to stop in Oregon to see your grandparents - who are so happy to see their only grandson

You are wondering why dad has a beard but Grandpa doesn't

Grandma loves singing to her boy- and Sparky loves you

My parents had thought they would never have a grandchild. They are so happy - here are 3 generations of Simpsons

You are a great little traveler, son.  All in all your miles go like this:

To and From Portland over labor day -- 2012
To and from Cincinnati total miles 3168
To Anchorage miles 2548
Anchorage to Portland 1543
Back to Phoenix 1006
So far you have gone 10,277 miles

Son- many people have children at a young age, and as the kids get older they look forward to the kids leaving home so they can start living life.  With you in our life-- your mom and I feel as if our life is now starting.

Love,

Dad

I recognize that smile

Jimmy - that smile, he always had that smile

And you have that same smile 

Dear JJ,

As your mom and I watch you start to smile and interact I recognize something -- I recognize your smile. It is a smile I have seen all of my life - but have been missing the last four years. It is the smile of my brother, Jimmy, for whom you are named.

Your uncle Jimmy always wore that smile- in every photo it is there-- that photo was one of the last ones I have from him.  He was a happy man -- and it appears you are a happy baby.

Funny what adults will do to see a baby smile. We make faces - we make funny sounds- we do anything to see that beautiful smile of yours. Even at 2 am-- I woke up to hear you crying, your mom was already there changing you- and you weren't happy.  So I put my fingers for you to grab and started talking to you-- next thing I knew -- there was that smile. 

I miss your uncle every day - but I am so glad to see that you have that smile.

Your smile makes my day son.

Love,

Dad

Our mornings

Dear JJ,

We have our morning ritual- you and I.  While you are getting more sleep than before-- about five hours at a time --  your mom is still up late with you, allowing me to sleep - I get the morning shift!

I get up early- and so do you-- in fact, by 6 am you are up and smiling (like this picture of you). So I get to give you a few ounces of formula, and then you, Dr. Lucky, and I get to play for a bit (after I change your diaper, of course).

Depending on what I have to do depends on when I wake up your mom - but we usually get a good hour together.

I love our mornings together- we both get to smile.

My favorite way to start the day.  Now if I can just keep from putting the Similac in my morning coffee.

Love,

Dad

My Traveling boy

Dear JJ,














It has been another week of travel for you.

You have been to Oregon to meet your grandparents, and now you have been to the mid-west where you attended the 44th Infantry World War 2 reunion. Your grandfather is a veteran of World War 2 - and spent his time on the Pacific theater.

What I learned this week was a couple of things-- men and women in their 80's kept telling us how precious babies are -- and something your mom and I discover every day. I also learned that everytime we call my dad grandpa he smiles --. I also discovered why hotels have ice buckets-- to keep formula cool!

You are a great little traveler - and your mom and I enjoy being with you everywhere. Your next adventure will probably be to Alaska - after all- might as well return to where your roots are- there are a lot of people who want to meet you.

Love,
Dad

Safe Travels Gigi

Dear JJ,

Last night we had to send Gigi -- your grandmother, back to China to rejoin her husband and son.

She has known you since the day you were born, was the third person to hold you.

For the last seven plus weeks she has been in your life every day-- holding you, feeding you, changing diapers, comforting you. Your mom calls her "the baby whisperer," because she can calm you down and get you to relax like no other.

You will find out that when you have someone staying in your home-- most of the time more than a few days is too much. Your grandmother was the exception- having her stay here was as easy as it could be. She was no trouble at all, and boy are we going to miss her.

She went with us to Oregon, your first trip on an airplane to meet your other grandparents. She was so helpful

Guess what, son - -you will miss her too. She was one of the steady voices you have heard over your short years -Son- she is a remarkable lady- and we look forward to doing a lot of traveling with her.

So, safe travels Gigi - come back soon, we will all miss you- me, your daughter, and your grandson-- JJ



So here are a few photos- from the time you were born, until her last sweet hug to her only grandson.

Love,

Dad

Meet my mom and dad

Dear JJ,

This last weekend you were introduced to my parents - your grandparents. Seven weeks old and they finally got to meet you.

Here is the photo from when I put you in my mom's arms. Funny thing- both my parents in their 80's - they both hold a baby with expert skill.

When you were fussing a bit my mom, who has a hard time seeing things - was able to calm you down and hold you like an expert. It was over 50 years ago that they held me !

It was a great weekend- you also got to meet your uncle, Ron - who got to have a photo holding you while you held the cap he wore 60 years ago (we even have a photo of him with the cap on). We met my aunt, Randi - and my cousin Elise.

And, you got to meet Bev - who was married to my brother Jimmy - for whom you are named.

Son, this was the best weekend since you were born! You travel like a pro- (sleep mostly and get free drinks on the plane) - .

Ok, Son- I am so happy you are in all of our lives-- you bring endless smiles.

Love,

Dad