Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Happy 9 Months: A Letter to Arlo (By Danny)

Dear Arlo,

It's been nine months and one week since you were born. I can't even believe how fast time has been passing. Just yesterday, we were planning your nursery, or at least it seems that way. People always say things like "They grow up so fast!" or "Enjoy it while you can!" and it never makes sense until you start watching your son go from a fragile little newborn to a hard charging busy-bee in the blink of an eye.

You're getting very interactive now, and your mom and I love it when you stop what you're doing and crawl over to us as quickly as you can. Your little baby voice fills the house with joyful screams of "Boom-ba!", "Ah-kee-kee" (which we think means "Scooter"), and sometimes "Ah-Kai-Kai!", which usually happens when you're in your jumperoo and bouncing like a maniac. You love holding onto furniture and walking, and we don't think it'll be much longer until you're doing the real thing. You love when I toss you into the air or spin you around, and sometimes you even clap while I'm spinning you. You bring so much joy into our house, even when times are rough...and times sure are rough right now.

We've had a sad couple of months as a family. Grammy's stroke has really turned our world upside down. There aren't many days where I don't find myself thinking about how much she loves you and how hard it would be to lose her. There are even fewer days where I don't find myself getting a little teary-eyed at the thought of you not remembering Grammy as the healthy, energetic woman who loved to hold, snuggle, and play with you. Needless to say, it's a stressful time for your mom and me. I had a particularly hard day last week, and you crawled into my lap and smiled at me. That was all I needed. There's simply no greater feeling than the one I get when you look at me and smile, letting me know that you love and want your daddy right now.

Your first Christmas was especially rough for us. Grammy was stuck in the rehab center because she still has an infection (you haven't seen her in 5 weeks). You got your first real cold a few days before the holiday, and of course you've never been sicker than you were on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I was already sad because I had to work your first Christmas Eve and into the morning on Christmas Day. When I got home Christmas morning, you looked pitiful in your mommy's arms. There was nothing we wanted more than for you to be your happy, energetic self. Instead, you were leaking snot like a sieve and crying out in pain. There were a few moments when you livened up a little, but for the most part, you were miserable.

Still, even as sick as you were, you managed to make this otherwise sad time a little brighter. You gave me a huge smile as you sat in my lap and played with one of your presents. Later, as we were sitting in the living room trying to relax, you started clapping for the first time. Then, you stood up without steadying yourself against anything for a split second before toppling back down onto your butt. None of these things may sound amazing to you, but they were downright magical for us.

As you get older, you may start to lose track of how wonderful everyday life can be, and sometimes it takes a child to remind you. Right now, you're experiencing things for the first time, like snow falling on a winter morning. You look on in amazement at the majesty of nature. One of your favorite pastimes is standing at the big picture window in our living room, just admiring what's out there. You coo and scream and laugh at the tiny miracles that happen every day. For just a moment, I can see the world through the eyes of a child, and I remember that there's still a lot to be grateful for.

Unfortunately, life isn't always going to be easy. There will be some rough spots in the road,  and adulthood has a way of making life feel less magical sometimes, but if you look hard enough and in the right places, you'll be reminded that there really is magic everywhere. This is what you do for us every day.

I love you so much,

Daddy

Too busy to pose with his sticker, so Mr. Owl had to wear it this month.

1 comment:

Nicole said...

Cue the tears- magical it is.. Amanda please make this blog into a book for Arlo . Blurb has software to do so from your blog straight into a photo blog book you can personalize.