Monday, June 24, 2013

Parenting is a Joy



Parenting is a joy with you, Conor.  No sarcasm in that statement.  Or that one.  You are a joy...  Still, you have your moments.  This phase of the game sees you beginning to understand that in fact, you are more than capable of expressing your own free will; albeit in a conduct becoming an 18 month old... Fits.

They're rare, but they are noticeable...  There's certainly nothing wrong with your pipes.  When you feel as though you need to get some attention, there's little doubt as to your intent.  The windows actually shake!  It's something else.  Still, you're also getting a firm grip on what is right, and what is wrong.

Early this evening while I was preparing our dinner, I heard the shuffling of what sounded like glass across wood.  And then it happened... SMASH!!!  Unfortunately one of the Absinth lids on the glassware set your Grandpa K9 got me for Christmas fell victim to a short drop and a sudden stop. Glass went EVERYWHERE!  Of course I reacted by shouting your name rather loudly, but I was far more concerned about you amongst a sea of busted glass than I was the item itself.  Absolutely anything can be replaced, but not you, Boy'O.  Anyway, when the glass broke and I shouted your name, you calmly turned and walked down the hall and sat down on the lowest step with a look of both regret and concern.  It was perhaps the sweetest thing you've ever done.

I walked over to you and knelt down, told you that it was all going to be okay but that you have to be careful and not touch things that aren't for you - as if you were going to understand anything but my tone.  Still, you looked me square in the eye and followed along, and when I was done I kissed your cheek, and you looked back at me and said "ball?"  And just like that, all's forgiven.

Parenting is a joy with you, Conor.  My greatest joy...  Thank you, Son.

I love you,
-Dad

Monday, June 10, 2013

Walkin', Talkin', and Amazin'


Well Conor, it's been a good long while since I've written to you, Boy'O!  I'll tell you, as quickly as you're growing and given what my days and nights have been like, I'm just happy to get to hang out with you!  Let alone write about you!!  But when we hang out, boy do we have fun...

You have a house full of toys, Son, and despite your curiosity driving you around the room in search of things you shouldn't necessarily touch, I'm still your favorite play thing... When Daddy is around we're typically having a good time!  And I can't even begin to tell you how much I need that every day...

As for you, well, so long as I'm rolling on the floor with you, swinging you around, playing "trucks" and "buses" (two favorite words in your ever growing vocabulary), or just about anything else to engage you directly, you're smiling and laughing... No sound on Earth can match the sound of your laugh, Boy'O.  It is truly the sweetest song these ears have heard, and I've heard a lot of songs.....

Your little Laurel and Hardy walk coupled with your determination to achieve whatever you're focused on at the time is also every bit as fun to watch.  You do so much with such focus and drive, it's actually inspiring!  For your every achievement, no matter how menial to me, is absolutely colossal for you!  And from that there's an exceptionally humbling lesson to be learned - focus on the little things, because the little things become enormous...

That's all for tonight, Son.  I'll try to not be so far and in between in so far as these posts.  But no matter what, know this - I love you.

I love you,
-
Dad