T, you gave me the best truck kiss I have ever gotten in my life this morning.

I took you to school and as I was getting you out, you saw your bike in the back of my truck and asked me to get it.

I get it, daddy?

“You can go get it,” I said back, as I stood you up in the truck bed.

You talked about your bike (It was still there from Pop and Gammies house the day before.), you fished leaves out of the bed, and you pointed out an old case of water left back there gathering dust.

We threw the leaves out into the wind and giggled with each one.

You were being so wonderful, I told you you were beautiful, and I asked for a kiss.

We were eye-to-eye with you standing in the bed as you leaned over and planted a smacker on my lips.

Today is the last day of summer and it was a sweet morning.

(H starts 3rd grade tomorrow and K starts Kindergarten.)

I love you.

-Dad

T, we bonded a little this afternoon.

H was at Hazel’s house on a play date and mom and K were at the pet store buying Huck a new food bowl.

You were napping and woke up screaming for Mom.

I let you fuss for a few minutes thinking you might go back to sleep. You didn’t. When I finally came to get you, you exploded.

You screamed and cried and yelled at me to go away, insisting that I leave you alone, and asking for mom.

So I left you alone explaining that I was around the corner if you needed me.

The crying only worse, so I scooped you up out of your bed anyway, even as you demanded me to stop.

I took you to the living room to rock and a second later a funny thing happed. You went limp laying on my chest.

We both were silent and still for a long time. When I opened my eyes, I saw one of your eyes was open too. I gasped and closed them again trying to hide a smile. You started to giggle.

The next 30 minutes was wonderful. We laughed and cuddled and tickled each other over and over. We stole each others noses, kissed on each other, and talked more than you would think you can talk to a two-year-old.

We never left the recliner.

You have (so far 😉) always been so partial to Mom, it was a treat to spend the one on one time with you.

More, please.

I love you.

-Dad

T, what can I say?

You are my baby, my last little baby.

My last hospital visit leaving with a new kiddo. My last girl learning to walk. My last diaper change. The last little girl who will fall asleep full body length on my chest…

But the thing is this:

You are not really a baby anymore. 😢

You quit crawling. You run everywhere. You fight naps. You barely fit in a onesie.

I mean, you won’t even let me hold you like a baby anymore…

You will be two in a matter of weeks.

Above all, your ability to talk has taken off like a rocket.

I can hardly get you to say “mama” and “dada” anymore. You insist on “momm-y” and ”dadd-y.”

You say “water” when you want water, you say “better” if I ask you if something was better, and you say “bright” when the sun is in your eyes.

And of corse you know the names of your sisters along with “Pop,” Gammies,” “Grandpa,” and “Grandma,” etc…

The last few weeks you have even started repeating us.

If any of us start with “T can you say…” you will just repeat it back verbatim.

Mom had you saying “purpose” the other day for some reason.

See!? My baby saying two-sylable words…

I’m in a glass case of emotion.

I’m both sad and thankful for all the time gone by.

But I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I love you.

-Dad