T, you took your first bottle today.

You are starting school here in a week or two, so we had to try it eventually.

Honestly we are apprehensive about sending you to school.

The state shut down when Lubbock was having three to five new coronavirus cases per day.

And now?

There were 80 new cases today, 72 yesterday, and 100 the day before that.

We have been trying to avoid exposure for so long it’s surreal going back to business as usual in the midst of all this.

Anyway, I changed your diaper, held you on the love seat and just went for it.

You were super mad at first but finally calmed down and drank almost half of the bottle.

Then you lost it and got so angry mom had to come and calm you down.

I finally took you to your room and managed to feed you the second half. You layed in your bed while you ate. It was dark and cool and we looked at each other in the light of your mobile.

Your mobile played music softly in the background and you happily fell asleep after I left the room.

You are beautiful and perfect.

I love you.

-Dad

T, you are just a buttercup right now.

You are starting to babble and talk.

Sure, you fuss and scream at the rest of us when you want mom instead.

You even screamed/squawked at K a few days ago when she bumped into you.

But you are starting to warm up.

You arch your back and look toward your sisters when they begin playing loud, watching and listening.

I can tell you just want to be in on all the action.

Mom is already worried you are going to be chasing them as soon as you start to crawl.

Enjoy your last few days of maternity leave and the quiet of the house with mom.

The world is out there, but it can wait a few days longer.

Just be our baby at home for a few more days.

We love you.

I love you.

-Dad

T, you love – simply love – laying and looking at the ceiling fan.

H and K enjoyed it in the same way.

I think it has to do with a baby’s developing eyes and the contrast that brown fan blades make against a white ceiling.

It’s maybe one of the first things there is to focus on…

When you are fussy, H will sometimes suggest:

Maybe T wants to see her friend Fanny?!

You have been smiling at mama for days now – but you smiled at me for the first time this week.

Stay my baby forever. Don’t ever grow up.

I love you.

-Dad