T, you were the sweetest little thing this morning.

It was a chapel day at school for H and K and mom had to be at work early.

We, of course, all usually go to chapel as a family – but my boss is in town from Arizona and I wasn’t sure what time he would be in the office.

So…mom took H and K and I changed your diaper, got you ready for school, feed you breakfast, and dropped you off.

You were such an absolute ham while you ate!

I was feeding you a honey bun and you were laughing and squealing at every little thing I did.

I must have leaned over and kissed you on the face a dozen or so times.

We listened to the radio together on the way to school.

As we were leaving the driveway, I asked if I could hold your hand.

You softly said yes and held it up for me.

So we held hands the whole way and then just sat in the car for 5 minutes after we got there, listening to 90’s country music, and enjoying the moment.

It was bliss.

I love you.

-Dad

I forgot to mention one thing about being gone on my two trips.

Apparently, it was soooo traumatic on you, T, that what I was gone…

You said your first sentence!

Mom said you were asking about me.

Apparently, you were wondering around the house with a little inflection in your voice saying:

My dada? My dada?

I’m so sorry I left you!

You sure smiled big when I called you on the phone.

I love you forever.

I love you.

-Dad

T, you took your first steps today.

Mom said that you started doing it earlier in the day while H and I were at basketball practice.

But later you did it again when I was sitting in the floor playing with you in H and K’s room.

You stood and steadied yourself a few feet away from me and smiling wide took a little step towards me and fell into my arms.

The crazy part is that you crawled back to the same spot and did it over and over again like you were intentionally practicing!

We’re so proud of you – all of us were clapping and cheering you on at each attempt.

H and K both were laughing and hugging you when they saw.

Goodness, I got all sappy later thinking about it and just wanted to weep.

Absolutely can’t believe our last baby has taken her first steps now.

For maybe another week or two, you will still reach for me.

And I’m gonna enjoy each of those moments as they come.

I love you.

-Dad