How on earth did you grow up so fast? It seems like just yesterday I was holding your tiny 4 lb body in my two hands. You were so small and fragile. The first time your mom handed you to me I could barely hold you because I thought I would break you. Everything was so surreal. I remember sitting next to your crib watching helplessly as your little lungs breathed in and out during your stay in the NICU. I remember the apprehension of putting you in your car seat for the first time as well as the nerves that followed as I carefully drove you home (I think I drove 10 miles below the speed limit to be safe). I remember your first poop explosion just hours after you got home and how somehow it went UP your chest. I remember feeling under-prepared and under-qualified as I struggled to get you to sleep. I remember singing to you and staring in your eyes. I remember how nervous I was starting again the next day. I remember you as that baby, Kinley....and I always will. For some reason this month as I watch you grow more and more I can't stop thinking about those first few days as your dad. Those moments with my tiny baby were the start of our dance through life together...father and daughter....daddy and the Kinster. You were beautiful then...but you are even more beautiful now. In today's letter I get to mark your life at 13 months. While I'd love to have a rhythmic flow to all that has transpired this month, I really don't have one. Instead, I have a few key observations I want to describe for you...a few key memories I want to document and treasure forever. As I think about you as a 4 lb baby girl in my hands, I recognize now more than ever that moments like these will past me by at lightning speed. So as a dad desperate to soak up every minute that he's blessed with his little girl, I write to you about them here.
Oooooh, Aaaaahhhh, Ohhhhh:
If I was going to describe your 13th month of life in three words it would be these: "Oooooh. Aaaaahhhh. Ohhhhh." Reason being of course, that these are your new favorite words. What you have to understand princess is that you don't use these words just periodically - you use them ALL the time. While months ago you developed your favorite habit of pointing at items or people (which really freaks out strangers when you point at them at Costco!) you now have added to the dramatics of your intense pointing with the expressive use of these three words. It's truly the most adorable thing in the world. You say it with such passion and genuine curiosity It doesn't matter what it is. A tree. A cartoon. A sippy cup. A kiwi. A book. An iPad. A little old lady at the grocery store. Whatever is in your line of sight you excitedly point at it and let out the most sincere and passionate "Oooooh. Aaaaahhhh. Ohhhhh." Every time you do it it makes me smile.It's contagious. It's special. It's precious. It's you....and I LOVE it. I love it everytime you do it. It never gets old. Of course I'm a little partial to the moments I hear "Ooooh. Aaaahhh. Dada," when I walk in the door after work. Could you do me a favor and do that one forever? :-)
The Zoo:
Speaking of "Oooooh. Aaaaahhhh. Ohhhhh." this month marked your second and third visits to the Phoenix Zoo. In true Kinster fashion, you would have NOTHING to do with sitting still in your stroller with so many exciting things to see. As we worked our way from animal to animal you'd point excitedly at each one you saw (with the rhino and monkeys being your personal favorites).Countless people around us laughed admiringly as you loudly "ooooohed and aaaaaahed". You even were able to get up close and personal with a monkey sitting right behind the glass. After your Nonnie and Aunt Jamie heard how much fun mommy and daddy had at the zoo with you they wanted to take you as well. They loved taking you to pet the goats and stare at the ducks. This was just the first of many trips to the zoo...your daddy can't wait to ride you around on his shoulders to visit all your favorite animals. Remember...I'm taller than most other daddy's so you will always have the best view. But remember to settle down crazy girl, we don't need you climbing into any cages! You've got crazy amounts of energy!
The gorilla definitely got some "oooooh's"
Styling shades for the cutest girl at the zoo.
Trying to climb through the fence to get to the camel.
You are crazy girl! You have no fear and will climb anywhere.
You make me so happy everyday. I love you.
Mommy loved showing you the elephants!
Aunt Jamie loves your sun hat!
Yep. It's official. You're adorable.
Petting the goats!
Big Sister:
Your 13th month also saw you to continue to grow into your roll as big sister to baby Emery. While you have always had a healthy curiosity about this little baby that showed up at your house 5 months ago, you mostly were interested in her when she happened to be using a toy that caught your eye (so you could promptly take it from her). This month that started to change....you began to smile and talk to her....and to our greatest pleasure....she smiled back. This exchange now repeats itself multiple times a day as your little sister listens intently as you jabber in "Kinley language" to her. You often grab her hand or rub her head. Tonight we actually saw you pull your pacifier out of your mouth and put it into hers (and considering how much you love your passi, that was QUITE the gesture). To top it off you promptly patted her on the back as if to encourage her to enjoy your favorite treat. Watching you two interact has become our greatest joy. You are starting to form what we believe will be the most important friendship in your life. Kinley, it is already obvious that your little sister is fascinated with you. She watches your every move. As she lies on her tummy or back she stares intensely as you pull toys out of bins or push dining room chairs around the house. She smiles and laughs at you in the bath tub as you splash and squeal with delight. She watches intently as you eat in your high chair or suck on your sippy cup. She smiles every time you laugh or crawl past her. She loves you. And I absolutely love that you love her.
Kinley, your daddy has two baby sisters...your Aunt Julie and Aunt Kasey. Being their older brother and having the opportunity to care for them, to protect them, to laugh with them, and to live with them has been one of my life's greatest joys. Every time either one of them calls me for advice, asks to go to lunch, prays with me, or serves with me - I thank God for the gift of my baby sisters. I love them with all my heart. They are true blessings in my life. Emery is your baby sister. Embrace her. Treasure her. Love her. Teach her. Protect her. She will love you dearly for it.
So happy with your best friend.
Here, let me help you sister...
Ooops....sometimes I'm a little rough. :-)
She makes you smile.
Letting her taste your fingers...how nice of you.
Not a Baby Anymore:
My Kinley Bear, I'm beginning to think this is going to be a recurring theme of the next few years, but this month I cannot get over how old you seem. You are such a big girl now. You crawl a million miles an hour. You no longer drink out of a bottle, but instead a big girl sippie cup. You ride in a front facing big girl car seat. You say new words and make new sounds. You wear tennis shoes and put your hair in pig tails. You play in the back lawn with your water table. You eat chicken nuggets and all kinds of new fruits and vegetables. Your hair is so long, and you are rocking the best mullet seen since Billy Ray. You have radiant blue eyes that strike all who see them. You are fascinated by children, and love being around all your big girl friends like Grace, Cambria, or Tula. You love to laugh when mommy or daddy are silly (especially when mommy dances...you think that's hilarious). You grab books and flip the pages all by yourself. You now hug and squeeze your stuffed animals instead of just trying to eat them. You recognize your family members. You even know how to specifically request your "Baby Einstein" movie by pointing to the TV and whimpering. Princess, I love each and every one of these things. They all make me smile. I love how much you are growing. But, honestly, it's these things that make me keep thinking back to you as a baby this month. It's rooted in the realization that you are no longer a baby. The culmination of all these things serve as my formal introduction to my little girl. Her baby counterpart is now just a treasured memory captured in love letters from her mommy and daddy.
You love splashing in your water table.
Rednecking it up "diaper only" style in the backyard.
Laughing as mommy shakes her booty and dances for you.
Business in the front. Party in the back.
Your all time favorite activity...pulling out toys or books.
The legendary "Kinley Point."
You crawl in and get stuck in this end table
every day. Now if you could only get out!
What's better than one pacifier? Two pacifiers.
Pig Tails and Toms Shoes. Not a baby anymore.
Learning to Walk:
As if this month hadn't been special enough, towards the end of it you begin to literally take the next step in your development. You, Kinster, are learning to walk. Watching the process unfold has been absolutely amazing. What started off as small steps away from the couch are now evolving into brave (if not shaky) steps of confidence. You are doing great baby girl. You are going to be a speed demon in no time, and sometimes your mommy and I think you are trying to skip walking and go straight to running. That would be your style. :-) I love watching you get better with each step you take. I love showering you with praise and clapping every time you get up and try again. I love watching this process of you learning to walk. It's one of those moments as a parent I eagerly anticipated, and now that it's unfolding in front of me daily I'm having a hard time describing just how proud of you it makes me. So let me say it plain and simple. Kinster....your daddy is so so so so so so so so proud of you. You are doing an amazing job.
Wow...thirteen months. I can say quite confidently that they have been the 13 greatest of my life. "Great" is an evolving term for me. It doesn't quite fit the same definition it did for me a few years back, when "greatest moments" were marked by visiting new cities or achieving certain successes. But this is what fatherhood does to you. It reshapes perspective and priorities. While these 13 months haven't always been easy, they have most certainly been "great." Actually, better than great....they have been the greatest. Somehow the sweet sound of your "Oooooh. Aaaaahhhh. Ohhhhh." has eclipsed even the majesty of seeing the Sistine Chapel. Only you could do that baby girl. You are truly amazing.
Normally the letters we write to you are about, well, you. But today, I want to share with you a letter about another very special person in my life and your life. Today is Father’s Day – a day that we take time to celebrate those men in our lives who are our Earthly strength, our providers, our protectors, our comfort, and our heroes…our daddies. And boy do you have a special daddy...
By the time you will read this, you will have a pretty good idea of what an awesome guy he is. But I think you’ll be happy to know how early on in your lives I knew he was MADE for this daddy gig. One thing you’ll inevitably learn about your dad is that he loves lists, so in honor of him today, here are the Top Ten Reasons he is, and will be an AMAZING dad for you two...his girls.
10. He thinks he’s super funny, and at long last has found two people who think he’s as funny as he thinks he is. ;-) Seriously though, no one makes you two laugh as hard as he does.
9. He loves playing with you. The first thing he does when he gets home from work is he loves on his girls. He loves getting his daddy smiles and his daddy laughs, and he loves, loves, LOVES to play with you.
8. He’s all in, and will do anything for you. Over the past year he has turned his life upside down to spend time with you and help out whenever possible. I thought it would be harder for him to give up so many commitments, but apparently he loves you quite a lot and has done everything possible to be here for you!
7. If you two are into sports, (and I’m pretty sure you will be) he’s your man. This is an area I definitely will not be much help with...other than planning some amazing team parties! But I guarantee your dad will put in all the time, effort and coaching you would like to help you be the best you can be.
6. He loves playing pretend. And I’ve honestly never seen a man do it so well! Let’s just say you’re going to have some rocking tea parties and princess adventures. What more could two little girls ask for?!?!?
5. He’s the most encouraging person I know. I’ve never known anyone with such a heart for making everyone around them feel good. Your dad goes to great lengths to make sure people know they are special, and they are loved. I have no doubt you will be the top two recipients of his amazing gift of encouragement.
4. He LOVES Disneyland. I’m pretty sure all you’ll have to say is, “Please Daddy, pleeeaaase.....” Just know that he will make you ride Indiana Jones in exchange for all those Princess signatures you’ll want!
3. He loves your mommy (yep, me!). You will never have to wonder how a guy should treat you, or what qualities are important in a man. Your dad will always be an example to you of what you should expect, and what you deserve from someone you love.
2. He has a heart for children all over the world who are hurting, helpless and alone. In addition to encouraging, your daddy is also one of the most compassionate people I know and he is passionate about helping children in Africa and around the globe. How amazing it is to see a man’s heart completely melted by an orphan’s smile! How much more then does he love you two, his precious girls? I’m sure by now you know.
1. He loves the Lord and wants nothing more than for you to know Him and love Him too. This is very special, because while he wants so badly to be your everything...your whole world, he knows that you are loan to us from above, and one of his most important jobs as your daddy is to introduce you to your Heavenly Father...the ultimate daddy.
I consistently thank God for blessing me with your dad. I could not have chosen a better father for my children, a better husband, a better guy. I pray that you will thank God for him as well. I pray you will know what a blessing he is, and never take him for granted.
My one request to you girls is this, every day or occasion that you celebrate, do so with joy and thanksgiving, but always pray for those for whom it may not be such a happy day. Pray for those who are hurting. Pray for those who are longing. Pray that they find rest in the arms of their Heavenly Father, who will love them with an unconditional, unfathomable, unending love.
