Emmeline,

You amaze me with the way you explore the world by playing with rocks, stacking diapers, and pulling clothes out of the hamper. It is a wonderful joy to see you being a good girl and loving on your momma, or even when you put your toys in the diaper pail. Your joy is infectious, your smile a fine blend of toothiness and gums, your laugh is full of life that sometimes makes you toot.

I am amazed at the animal sounds you know from the ‘hoo, hoo’ of an owl to a ‘reeowr’ of a cat. I love it when you roar for the alligator sound. When you take a bath you like to line up all of your ducks in a row (4 of them: 1 purple, 3 pink). You are extremely opinionated and ask for crackers with the force and fire of a retired war General.

I love you,

Daddy

When I was a young boy my dad would setup a mattress on the stairs to our basement like a slide. At the base of the stairs would be a bunch of pillows and blankets that we landed on. We absolutely loved this dangerous and life threatening game of awesomeness. So of course I put Foof and mattress together to make the ultimate basement slide for my nephews! And the bean got in on the action as well (with the assistance of her daddy). Foof has become a verb in our house when children are present. “Can we go Foof now?” is a common refrain.

Well, back to my bachelor life here at Imperial Circle. I made a delicious steak and some corn on the grill. And yet, I really miss doing my nightly routine with Emmeline and Suzannah. Having dinner, going for a walk, having bath time, stories, music and dancing, and then eventually bed. My little girl is so full of energy and life, she inspires me to take on each day with enthusiasm and awe.

The look she gets on her face sometimes when she is in her swing in the backyard is priceless. She spaces out and is in a happy little Emmeline world.

When she got to see her nephews running through our sprinkler, that was a joyous occassion.

Of course, I had to run through them too.