Dear Maddie,
I don't have much to say tonight, but you did a darn adorable thing earlier. I was getting stuff out of the attic and made you stand where I could see you at the bottom of the stairs. I guess you were worried about your old man up a ladder (and considering Paw Paw's history with ladders, rightfully so), because you came to the bottom, held up your arms, and said "Oh, Daddy, I catch you!" Trying not to laugh and inadvertently needing to be caught, I said thanks. I guess you were really hoping for me to fall, because a moment later you impatiently called up "Daddy, I'm ready to catch you!"
I'm glad I didn't need your services this time, because I'm fairly certain that would have ended badly for all if you had to actually catch me. But thanks for always looking out for me!
Love, Daddy
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Monday, June 16, 2014
Father's Day
Dear Maddie,
So today I celebrated my third Father's Day, and each year it gets better and better. Today you (and I think your Mom helped) got me a great little poem, a card, and candy -
Those are Reese's Pieces in the jar - you gave me your Kryptonite, peanut butter!! That is how much you love me! And that handprint is just too cute. You're gonna stay this size, though, right?
I swear, I would have had you ten years ago if a) I had known your mom then, b) I wasn't a moron who didn't need kids, and c) it was physically possible to have exactly you back then. Even when you drive me up a wall, I love you so darn much it hurts! I mean, look at this picture we took of you tonight:
I was running you around the yard in your car as you yelled "Go fast, go fast!" We were careening between your slide and other little car, and you obviously enjoyed it. I did feel really bad, though, because five second after this I ran you into the fence to be funny (not at full speed, mind you), and you bumped your mouth on the steering wheel. Three seconds of crying and a kiss to make it "all better" and you were telling me to go fast again. Mental note - you were resilient at this age!
Currently you're in a phase of getting out of bed and coming to get in bed with us every morning about 4:30. While this is making me VERY tired the rest of the day and I KNOW you should probably be put back to bed, I just want to soak up the moments you want to snuggle with me. Ten years from now I might be lucky to get hugs out of a budding teenager, so I'm sorry for any permanent damage I cause from letting you sleep with us for an hour or two every morning.
I'll pay for your therapy, I promise!
Love, Daddy
So today I celebrated my third Father's Day, and each year it gets better and better. Today you (and I think your Mom helped) got me a great little poem, a card, and candy -
Those are Reese's Pieces in the jar - you gave me your Kryptonite, peanut butter!! That is how much you love me! And that handprint is just too cute. You're gonna stay this size, though, right?
I swear, I would have had you ten years ago if a) I had known your mom then, b) I wasn't a moron who didn't need kids, and c) it was physically possible to have exactly you back then. Even when you drive me up a wall, I love you so darn much it hurts! I mean, look at this picture we took of you tonight:
 |
| Definition: Pure Joy. |
I was running you around the yard in your car as you yelled "Go fast, go fast!" We were careening between your slide and other little car, and you obviously enjoyed it. I did feel really bad, though, because five second after this I ran you into the fence to be funny (not at full speed, mind you), and you bumped your mouth on the steering wheel. Three seconds of crying and a kiss to make it "all better" and you were telling me to go fast again. Mental note - you were resilient at this age!
Currently you're in a phase of getting out of bed and coming to get in bed with us every morning about 4:30. While this is making me VERY tired the rest of the day and I KNOW you should probably be put back to bed, I just want to soak up the moments you want to snuggle with me. Ten years from now I might be lucky to get hugs out of a budding teenager, so I'm sorry for any permanent damage I cause from letting you sleep with us for an hour or two every morning.
I'll pay for your therapy, I promise!
Love, Daddy
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Frozen
Dear Maddie,
One of your favorite movies right now (and really most every young child's favorite right now) is Frozen, which is actually a really good Disney movie. Even though you're two, it seems you have the songs down pat. Even when not watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack in the car, you make all the same comments and gestures that you do while watching it on television. Today we drove to church singing "Let It Go" together at the top of our lungs. You even get so into it you'll do a full out close-your-eyes-tight, mouth-wide-open high note. I'm fairly certain I look ridiculous whilst doing the same thing, but it's fun to do with you.
I'm actually amazed at your memory. You pick up on TV and movie characters very fast, and you remember places we've been after just going there once. Heck, you know we are near Paw Paw and GiGi's house by the turn off... a mile away. If we promise you something like a treat or chocolate, you darn don't forget to remind us of that. And we all know that you can't see a Publix without screaming "COOKIE!"
It's pretty unreal how much you remember stuff. Of course, we shouldn't be surprised. Your mom can remember every childhood event from her life, her brother's life, her friends' lives, and anyone who lived within a five-mile radius. I used to beat my parents at games of "Memory" when I was five, and they claim they never let me win. So you should have a good memory. I'll remind you of this when you casually "forget" things like chores and curfews in about a dozen years.
In the meantime, you continue to astound us with how smart you are. You figure things out like crazy and are not afraid of a challenge. Like last week you took the string off a balloon and it floated to the top of our very high living room ceiling (by the way - a week later and it is still there). You promptly began searching for things that could get you closer to that balloon and get it down, all while saying "Oh no, balloooooon!" Despite your best efforts and limited leaping abilities, the balloon stayed put. But darnit, you tried!
Oh, we are in trouble, you little creature of habit, because we can't get anything by you. I blame your mom, her memory is better than mine. However, I take full responsibility for the times you line things up in order of size and color. You'll grow out of it (maybe)!
I just tucked you in, and you reminded me twenty-two times to be right outside, because I told you I would be a few days ago and now that's a thing! Now I'm going to go tuck myself in, so when you get up at 5:59 AM I'll be ready. See you in the morning!
Love, Daddy
One of your favorite movies right now (and really most every young child's favorite right now) is Frozen, which is actually a really good Disney movie. Even though you're two, it seems you have the songs down pat. Even when not watching the movie and listening to the soundtrack in the car, you make all the same comments and gestures that you do while watching it on television. Today we drove to church singing "Let It Go" together at the top of our lungs. You even get so into it you'll do a full out close-your-eyes-tight, mouth-wide-open high note. I'm fairly certain I look ridiculous whilst doing the same thing, but it's fun to do with you.
 |
| This is Olaf, a funny little snowman from Frozen and a great way for Disney to make money on merchandising. It worked well, we bought you a stuffed Olaf. |
I'm actually amazed at your memory. You pick up on TV and movie characters very fast, and you remember places we've been after just going there once. Heck, you know we are near Paw Paw and GiGi's house by the turn off... a mile away. If we promise you something like a treat or chocolate, you darn don't forget to remind us of that. And we all know that you can't see a Publix without screaming "COOKIE!"
It's pretty unreal how much you remember stuff. Of course, we shouldn't be surprised. Your mom can remember every childhood event from her life, her brother's life, her friends' lives, and anyone who lived within a five-mile radius. I used to beat my parents at games of "Memory" when I was five, and they claim they never let me win. So you should have a good memory. I'll remind you of this when you casually "forget" things like chores and curfews in about a dozen years.
 |
| This was the original Memory game. It involved manual labor and not an XBox or iPad, if either of those exist when you ever read this. By the way, you've been able to operate my cell phone since before you could walk. GiGi still can't operate her cell phone and she's been able to walk for almost 60 years! |
In the meantime, you continue to astound us with how smart you are. You figure things out like crazy and are not afraid of a challenge. Like last week you took the string off a balloon and it floated to the top of our very high living room ceiling (by the way - a week later and it is still there). You promptly began searching for things that could get you closer to that balloon and get it down, all while saying "Oh no, balloooooon!" Despite your best efforts and limited leaping abilities, the balloon stayed put. But darnit, you tried!
Oh, we are in trouble, you little creature of habit, because we can't get anything by you. I blame your mom, her memory is better than mine. However, I take full responsibility for the times you line things up in order of size and color. You'll grow out of it (maybe)!
I just tucked you in, and you reminded me twenty-two times to be right outside, because I told you I would be a few days ago and now that's a thing! Now I'm going to go tuck myself in, so when you get up at 5:59 AM I'll be ready. See you in the morning!
Love, Daddy
Thursday, May 29, 2014
The Minion
Dear Maddie,
So, I was watching you play this evening in the backyard, and you were standing on top of your slide that we got you on your 1st birthday. You had a Minion with you - a tiny, Twinkie shaped yellow doll from the movie Despicable Me. And you kept dropping the Minion on the ground and yelling "Oh no" like this was a total shock. You'd retrieve the Minion, wipe him off, and return to the slide to repeat. But then as you set the Minion on the side of the slide, you miraculously balanced him. He didn't fall. You did a double take, paused, and then pushed the poor Twinkie off the slide. And then you rescued him.
I was silently cracking up as you went through this process, trying not to distract you. But I started to think - I wonder if I'll ever remember this moment to tell you about later on in life when you'll remember it better. Maybe, but since I often forget why I walked into a room, maybe not. So, I wanted to keep a journal of these things you do. These things that make your Mom and I laugh, sigh, roll our eyes, or silently scream in frustration. You do things all the time that are just... funny. Probably not to the general population (sorry anyone in the general population who stumbled here), but to us at least. For example...
... the other day we were dancing to the song "Happy" by Pharrell in the kitchen, as you like to do. You took turns dancing with your Mom and me, and then we all three joined hands for a group dance. I dared to let go at one point, and you just wouldn't have any of it. So you rejoined all of our hands so that we could continue on until the point of exhaustion. Note: You had way more energy than both of us as a two-year old.
... you told everyone at a Mexican restaurant that your Paw Paw was in the bathroom peeing. You say it and it is cute, but if I say it I'm creepy.
... we can't drive within a mile of the local Publix without you reminding us that you get a cookie when you go there. We also can't go into a Publix without getting you said cookie. You may turn into a cookie when you get older, we shall see.
... you have a toy cell phone - a flip phone actually. And your Mom and I obviously have ruined you, because you will take your phone, turn it around to look at the back, and say "CHEEEEEEESSSEE" as if taking a selfie. You'll then turn your phone back around and say "Awww, cute!!" I apologize now for ruining you for pictures in your adult life. But good grief, it is so stinkin hilarious when you do that!
I could go on and on right now about all the things you've done in your 2 years, 95 days, and 11 hours of existence (yep, still have the timer on my phone from your birth countdown). I won't right now, though. I hope I can keep up with this idea, create something for you to read when you're older, and put down my thoughts about you while they are still fresh. I might even let your Mom chime in sometimes.
But if I never write another entry here, and if you read this one day, know that you have shown me a love that I never knew was possible. And if I had the means, I'd quit my job and play with you all day long. I want to savor every moment as you quickly grow up on me. It takes all my will to not let you fall asleep on my shoulder every night, rocking you to your dreams! God brought you to us for a reason and has great plans for you around here... I can't wait to see you grow up (but am totally okay with that process taking a very, very long time)!
I love you, Boog!
Love, Daddy
So, I was watching you play this evening in the backyard, and you were standing on top of your slide that we got you on your 1st birthday. You had a Minion with you - a tiny, Twinkie shaped yellow doll from the movie Despicable Me. And you kept dropping the Minion on the ground and yelling "Oh no" like this was a total shock. You'd retrieve the Minion, wipe him off, and return to the slide to repeat. But then as you set the Minion on the side of the slide, you miraculously balanced him. He didn't fall. You did a double take, paused, and then pushed the poor Twinkie off the slide. And then you rescued him.
I was silently cracking up as you went through this process, trying not to distract you. But I started to think - I wonder if I'll ever remember this moment to tell you about later on in life when you'll remember it better. Maybe, but since I often forget why I walked into a room, maybe not. So, I wanted to keep a journal of these things you do. These things that make your Mom and I laugh, sigh, roll our eyes, or silently scream in frustration. You do things all the time that are just... funny. Probably not to the general population (sorry anyone in the general population who stumbled here), but to us at least. For example...
... the other day we were dancing to the song "Happy" by Pharrell in the kitchen, as you like to do. You took turns dancing with your Mom and me, and then we all three joined hands for a group dance. I dared to let go at one point, and you just wouldn't have any of it. So you rejoined all of our hands so that we could continue on until the point of exhaustion. Note: You had way more energy than both of us as a two-year old.
... you told everyone at a Mexican restaurant that your Paw Paw was in the bathroom peeing. You say it and it is cute, but if I say it I'm creepy.
... we can't drive within a mile of the local Publix without you reminding us that you get a cookie when you go there. We also can't go into a Publix without getting you said cookie. You may turn into a cookie when you get older, we shall see.
... you have a toy cell phone - a flip phone actually. And your Mom and I obviously have ruined you, because you will take your phone, turn it around to look at the back, and say "CHEEEEEEESSSEE" as if taking a selfie. You'll then turn your phone back around and say "Awww, cute!!" I apologize now for ruining you for pictures in your adult life. But good grief, it is so stinkin hilarious when you do that!
I could go on and on right now about all the things you've done in your 2 years, 95 days, and 11 hours of existence (yep, still have the timer on my phone from your birth countdown). I won't right now, though. I hope I can keep up with this idea, create something for you to read when you're older, and put down my thoughts about you while they are still fresh. I might even let your Mom chime in sometimes.
But if I never write another entry here, and if you read this one day, know that you have shown me a love that I never knew was possible. And if I had the means, I'd quit my job and play with you all day long. I want to savor every moment as you quickly grow up on me. It takes all my will to not let you fall asleep on my shoulder every night, rocking you to your dreams! God brought you to us for a reason and has great plans for you around here... I can't wait to see you grow up (but am totally okay with that process taking a very, very long time)!
I love you, Boog!
Love, Daddy
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