Leaning from dads

Here you are wondering why Grandpa Jim doesn't have the beard your dad does

Dear JJ,

Sitting with you this morning I thought of all the lessons we dads learn from one another. Then I wondered what kind of a dad you might be.

I'm lucky to have two great examples of dads -- my own, and your mom's dad.

Grandpa George when you were a bit smaller!

From Grandpa George I get to see how a dad interacts with his near teen age son- and then I remember back to when I was a teenager.

What I learned was this - I was lucky to have a dad that was patient, that would gently guide me, and who if I needed him was there. The influence was subtle, but unmistakable. What I accomplished professionally was directly related to my dad.  But the real lessons I learned from my dad, and watching your Grandpa George -- are the best lessons.  How to raise a boy.

Yup- we dads have a unique role in life - something I didn't appreciate before. And now my favorite job is to take all those lessons, and be the best dad I can be for you. 

Someday, son, you may have your own boy- and I hope I am there to hold him and pass on little pearls like I get from both your Grandpa Jim and Grandpa George.  But for now I am going to enjoy every minute of holding you, and making you smile. Plenty of time for you to grow up- but while we both make this journey - I'm enjoying every smile.

Love,

Dad

True treasures

Meeting Aunt Sandi

Dear JJ,

You have had another busy week!

While many would say- you, the  jet-set baby, went to San Francisco, and enjoyed dining in two of America's finest restaurants -- Michael Mina's in SF and Zuni Cafe - the real value of the week happened early on -- meeting Sandi.

Aunt Sandi is one of your mom's dearest friends --  one of the first to know that your mom was pregnant -- in fact, she guessed it. She came to the wedding. She reads about you every chance she gets - and has for months wanted to come see you -- and this last week, she did.  She went to blog world in Las Vegas, but her real mission was the trip to Arizona.

Son, there are a lot of lessons to learn about this last week - but the real one is this:

No matter where you go, or what you do, or how much privilege you have -- the most important thing in life is to surround yourself with wonderful people.  Things and places are just that - but people with great hearts are treasures that no one can steal or take.


You have riches son - a lot of wonderful friends and family who love you.

Of course, its morning - and that means your dad, the luckiest man in the world, gets to spend his time with you.

Love,

Dad

Uncle Rick also came to see you

Aunt Lori drove Rick and Sandi from LV to here. You first met Aunt Lori on your first day

I caught a quiet moment when Aunt Sandi was just enjoying your company

I don't think anyone was as excited to see you and feed you

And your mom - the prettiest lady in the world and most wonderful mom and wife

Of course, your biggest fan -- I remain

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