A letter to my son on his first birthday...

Jon Connor,

Happy 1st Birthday!!!! (A couple days ago actually)  I figured a few days late wouldn’t make a difference for the letter this year since you won’t be able to read it for several years.

What a year it has been!  One year ago yesterday, your mother and I brought you home from the hospital.  Everything had gone smoothly and you were a perfect little (not so little) baby boy.  Maybe it is because we had gone through this routine once with your sister, but you coming home was full of love and no drama.  Caring for a baby was no longer a stressful situation for us.  I think you picked up on the lack of stress, because you ate and slept (and pooped) with no problems.

Over the past year, we are so blessed to get to watch you grow and explore the new world around you.  Every day you seem to notice something new and you know no fear.  If the dog is barking around you, you don’t cry.  You laugh.  If the cats are acting ugly, you straighten them out with a quick tug of their hair.  At about 6 months, you started to assert yourself with your sister as well.  She learned she can’t always take your toys.  But like a good brother, you normally let her have her way.

Speaking of your sister Angela.  You two make my heart melt with regularity.  When you get upset and cry, Angela is the first one by your side giving you a hug and consoling you.  The first time she did this, you seemed a bit surprised… then you laughed and fell over.  It was pretty funny.

You started crawling right on schedule and have been walking for a while as long as you have something to hold onto.  I have seen you stand up in the middle of the floor once or twice, but you still get back on the ground to move.  I think you will take your first “step” anytime now.  I just hope it happens when I am home.  Angela took her first step on Father’s Day.  So… if you decided to do it on Christmas, that would be cool and it will be easy for me to remember as a recount the story at your wedding one day.

If someday, you read this… a couple things you should know.  You are a happy (HAPPY HAPPY) baby.  As soon as you notice somebody looking at you, you smile and laugh.  The only stress in your life is when you don’t get food fast enough.  You are surrounded by love constantly.  When either of your grandmothers are around, your feet don’t touch the floor and you are constantly snuggled and kissed.  You have a sister who loves you and hence already have a best friend.  And… you have two parents that often sit in awe with smiles on our faces watching you grow.  We are blessed to have you in our lives and love you very much.

Happy Birthday Jon Connor!


Love… Dad

Comments