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Editor’sDaddy’s note – This was actually written weeks ago, but life interrupted my plans to get back into blogging. More on that later…but hopefully you won’t hold it against me later in life Karis. I can tell you that you don’t hold it against me right now and the statute of limitations for being upset expires in three (3) days.
Dear Karis,
Happy Birthday Happy Girl
As I write this you are a little older than one-year-old. I am sorry I missed writing and posting this on your birthday, but life is a little busy these days with two wonderful girls to spend time with. Somehow taking time away from you to write a letter to you seemed a little off.
Plus, since I am sure you will learn about computers from tablets, I am sure you will realize how hard it is to type on the first generation of on-screen keyboards. So you also have the honor of being the first thing I’ve really written about using my new tablet keyboard. You’re daddy is a bit of a tech nerd, if you haven’t figured that out by the time you learn to read.
With all that aside, I have to say that I am glad I did get to wait a month to write this, because your personality is developing by leaps and bounds. It’s not that you didn’t have a personality as a baby, but you were a baby and as cute as you were you couldn’t do much. Now you are walking, talking, hugging, waving and even giving kisses. I promise, that one day you will get the joy of getting the first kiss from your baby and as slobbery and messy as it is, nothing can compare to the joy it will bring. Your little face lights up when you are running towards me to give me hugs and words cannot express the feelings I have for that.
You had a wonderful first year and as much as I thought I knew about parenting after having been through infancy with your sister, you were quick to teach me you were a completely different person. First of all you know how to sleep…you take after your mommy like that. You slept for several hours at time almost immediately when we brought you home. This, I can assure you, is a huge deal and I will be forever grateful for the sleep you allowed us to get during your first year of life.
I guess my next observation is how independent you are. You like to do your own thing and I could not be prouder of that fact. I hope you keep it up, but don’t be too independent, because it is nice to be needed and sometimes it is nice to need other people.
You are an amazing little girl. I can’t wait for this next year as we both get to know each other better and as we continue to be a family. You and your sister are the best girls any father could ever ask for and God has truly blessed me not only with you, but with your mommy. I hope you know how lucky you are to have her as well, because she is full of love for you and Selah and daddy. I can say that I didn’t even really know how to love until I met her and you can thank her for opening my heart so that I can be the best daddy possible to you and Selah.
I love you all so much.
Daddy
