Letter to a Five-Month-Old After His Birthday Weekend

Who are you little angel? You are the light in my eyes... 

What is there to say 'cept how much I adore you? You have gotten so incredibly cool and fun this month. You've got a killer sense of humor. And that smile. O.M.G. that smile! What a charmer.

I take you everywhere now. You love to be planted against my chest in your carrier. I walk you to get coffee and to the bookstore and around the neighborhood sometimes. Daddy & I have decided to wait on a new car. My little purple pickup (Roxy) is still in pretty stellar condition, but it's illegal to cart you around in there. So we walk. Our frugalness is your gain.

This weekend your Grandpa Dan and Uncle Dalton visited from Alaska. They mush dogs, and they always talk about how they are going to get you running your own one- dog team when you're four. We get to visit Alaska this coming Christmas; you're going to love it. It's so big and beautiful and vast.

Your Grandpa Dan was so cute with you. When you were tired, he would pick you up and sing you a little ditty and you would fall right back asleep on his shoulder. He'd lean back into the couch then and just sit with you while he watched T.V. Or in the car when you were screaming and Dave told him there was nothing we could do because of the laws, your Grandpa Dan, upset about your tears, said 'Oh who cares about the laws!' and he unbuckled you right there. Against his chest, you quieted down immediately and fell fast asleep.

with Grandpa Dan & Uncle Dalton

your Uncle Dalton can always make you laugh

We even took you golfing on your birthday. We live right near one that weaves through the neighborhood, so I hooked you into the carrier and topped your little head off with a sunhat and off we went. The boys were pretty awful awesome golfers, and we had a great time in the atmosphere here--it's unbelievably gorgeous here in your hometown kid. You slept the entire golf game of three hours! I think you loved the motion of our little golf cart and the fresh air.

golfing in the Ergo carrier with sunhat

The next day we took you down to San Diego harbor where your Daddy carted you around against his chest as we checked out the Midway--the old Navy ship docked there. There was a sailboat race that we watched from the top deck where the fighter jets are parked. Guess what you did? You slept. Did I mention how awesome you are?

Dax & Daddy & Uncle Dalton & Uncle Cole & Grandpa Dan with jet p.s. i need a girl next for sure

You're so big too buddy. We took you to your check-up this month on February 9th. You weighed almost 18 pounds and clocked in at 28 inches!!! You are 91st percentile for weight, 99th percentile for height, and 44th for head! Doc said that you're off the charts for height. Daddy of course hopes that means that the NBA is in your future. I think he's trying to brainwash you with all the NBA Live he plays.

We gave you your first vaccines too. I waited, just to make sure you were nice & chunky before they stuck you. The Doc wasn't too impressed, but I stuck to my guns and you didn't get all of them either. I'm not afraid of you developing any disabilities, but I am just nervous about them filling you with too many at once. It just doesn't seem natural, and who know what it does to your sensitive biology at such a young age. I try to just go with my gut when parenting you.

You've made big strides in the sleep department darling. We no longer have to stroll you to sleep. We no longer have to be in the room while you nap either. This is much more freedom for me! I can now nurse you down and you'll take a nice nap all by yourself. You're kind of a catnapper, but seriously, I feel like a supermom with the alone time I have.

You still love your carseat (it's now in your crib erg!). We've tilted it back more and shored it up so that you're more supine that before, but I am just hoping and praying we can get rid of it altogether this month. We tried last night and today to put you down flat for sleep and naps, and no matter how many times we tried, you woke up within five minutes. It's very frustrating. But we'll get there baby Dax, I think this month is it!

 love you so much little guy I can't even begin to describe to you the overwhelming love I have for you. You are the Coolest Thing EVER. Everything you do is the Cutest Thing I've Ever Seen. Parenthood is so much more gratifying that I could have imagined (and harder too). I love every day with you. Thank you for choosing us as your parents. We pray that we can always be exactly what you need.

modeling my fave cloth diaper & a vintage onesie your father used to wear when he was a baby!

father & son