munckin-a-roo

Dear Gabe-

Hey munckin-a-roo…

…it’s been awhile. I want to tell you some ways in which you have changed my life in the last six months. These are listed in no particular order.

In the morning you wake up and put your arm on me and your mom at the same time. That always makes me smile.

You probably won’t remember this, but we (you, me, mom, and kesey, millie and franklin--and grammy and gramppy a couple of times) watched every OSU game together this year. Some of that time you were inside mom’s belly, but every other time you were in our arms (although you were asleep when Florida beat OSU—probably better that way).

You’re also pretty proud of your Jump-a-roo skills. You love to laugh and jump and get us to look at you and then do it again.

In the morning you let me roll you back and forth on the bed. Now you can roll over on your own—forwards and backwards.

You were amazing during your surgery--certainly stronger than any of us.

Most nights for a couple of months we danced to sleep in the living room to Eyes of the World. You love Jack Johnson, and the “raindops keep fallin on my dreads” version of the kids song about a man who’s feet are too big for his bed, except this time the guy wants bread and beer from his kids.

You grow and learn more everyday.

Your smile always makes me smile.

Always.

If this is what people mean when they say children will change your life in ways you never thought possible, they were right.

I love you kiddo

-Dad