Last year I wrote and published a letter to my son on the occasion of his first birthday and I’m keeping with the tradition that I decided to establish by writing something directly to him each year. This blog has been a way for me to keep track of the many amazing memories of what being his father has been like and I hope someday, especially if he is fortunate enough to one day become a father, he’ll look back on my thoughts to help him understand his life.
Dear CJ,
Another year has come and gone and you have gone through even more changes. So much so that when I look back at pictures from the day you were born I can barely recognize you as that little baby I used to be able to hold in my arms.
Over the past year you’ve mastered walking, or more precisely, sprinting. You have also started talking and are close to uttering your first sentences. Each day we build new things with blocks and read an endless number of books that seem to have stirred your imagination.
Almost on a daily basis you surprise your mother and me with the things you’ve discovered in your world. Whether it is letters, numbers, shapes or words there is always something new for you to observe and dutifully report to us.
Even as you exert your independence, you have shown us great things in how considerate you can be. Whether making sure kitty has enough food in his bowl or sharing your toys with the kids you meet at class, we are very proud of you.
Big changes ahead
In a few months our family is going to be growing as your baby sister makes her appearance. This is probably going to be a little confusing to you even though you like to tell us about the baby that mama has in her belly.
And while we will be pretty busy taking care of your little sister when she is first born, we will do everything we can so you know that you will always be loved. No matter what you will always be important to us. The neat thing about love is that we will always have plenty of it to share with you both.
New responsibilities
As a big brother there is a whole bunch of new things that you’ll get to do. Your little sister will look up to you as you both grow up together. You can be there for her, help her with things, show her how to play with blocks and even one day read her stories from your books.
Being a big brother can be a lot of responsibility and at times you probably won’t always feel like it. Just know that your little sister is going to love you as much as your mother and I love you and you’ll be great at it.
Right now the concept of birthdays and things wrapped up in shiny paper may not mean a whole lot to you, but to us they are all part of this journey, your journey. We are honored to be part of it and excited for all the things your future holds.
As you celebrate your second birthday you are fortunate to be surrounded by family that loves you more than mere words can express.
Love always,
Papa
First Ride on the Suburban Assault Vehicle?
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{ 27 comments }
Don't forget he wrangled his first croc before the age of two as well.
Happy birthday Big Guy!!
That was a nice letter. Being a big brother is perhaps the biggest responsibility a little guy can have. It means a big change and the need to make big boy decisions. I'm sure your boy is going to love it
Happy Birthday to the Croc Wrestler! Two is such a great age. Enjoy.
I teach a lot of kids who become big brothers/sisters. They really love their siblings . . . until they start to crawl. That's when they start getting into their stuff!
What a wonderful letter – Hope that he reads them when he's older to realize how great a kid he is, and how much his parents have loved him!
This made me nostalgic for my daughter's 2nd bday and she just turned 3 last monday. happy bday CJ!
PJ, this is simply great.
re: love and there being enough to go around…it reminds me of a snipet from my life (that made it in my book in the chapter B-day) that happened moments before the triplets were born. i was waiting in the hallway to go into the OR where Lovie was having her C-section and out of nowhere was filled with countless memories involving Pookie…one on a baseball field being particularly vivid. i lamented to myself, wondering how i would ever love three at once (and four total) as much as i had been able to love Pookie. it's not that i wouldn't try. it's just that you can't be in more than one place at the same time, which, in some ways, i thought would make it impossible for me to love four as effectively as i had just one.
my thoughts were interrupted by the RN calling me in. 30 minutes later, after the whirlwind that was three births, i learned my first lesson as a (second-third-and-fourth-time) father. i had nothing to worry about. i would, too, be able to love the trips every bit as much and every bit as effective as i was able to love alli. love is infinite. and infinity divided by any number is still infinity.
your son will cherish these letters forever. WELL DONE. i'm excited for you guys to have another child.
That was a great letter! I tell you, you are in store for a whole new world of fatherhood- just from personal experience and all. Your son is at a great age to become a big brother. Our daughter was 2.5 years old when little peanut was born- and she is so loving to him. We read to our daughter a book called I'm Going to Be a Big Sister, which helped explain the upcoming responsibilities, and what was going to happen while “the baby” was being born. The big brother version of the book can be found at Amazon. Here is a link if you are interested http://www.amazon.com/Im-Going-be-Big-Brother/d...
Sweet, and nicely done.
Happy Birthday little man. I am sure he will enjoy the letters some day.
Very true, a proud moment for me
I hope so, hopefully that first decision will be to quickly move into his big boy bed.
It is pretty cool to watch him start to develop his personality.
Oh yeah, I can totally see that happening. I used to hate it when my brother would get into my stuff because I always kept my room organized.
Thanks man, I hope he doesn't look back on my blog in 15 years and think I”m too much of a dork
A belated happy birthday to your daughter!
Thanks John. To be honest, I've gone through something similar. When I found out we were having a girl I was a bit relieved. As ridiculous as this may sound, I wasn't sure another son could be as cool as my little man. I know that would change the minute I got to hold him, but I'm also pretty happy to be having a little girl. The best of both worlds.
Thanks for the book recommendation. We've been casually looking at Amazon and reading the reviews. Now that we are at 30 weeks it's time we start getting serious. Someone got him a big brother book for his birthday, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. This is the first time in almost four days I've even been online for more than a few minutes at a time.
Thanks Jack.
Thanks, man. I hope so. Do you think blogging will still be cool in 15 years?
Nothing we are doing now will be cool to our kids in 15 years. I think it is
a scientifically proven fact. Maybe after 20 or 25 years it gets some sort
of retro coolness to it.
He will love being a big brother until his little sister starts to annoy him. Happy birthday little guy!
Thanks MD. Yeah, I can only imagine. I liked the idea of a little brother. The reality, at least at the time, not so much.
I love how you have sub-headings in your letter.
And I love this tradition!
Yeah, I'm not sure what was up with that, but it felt right. Thank you.
Having a 28 months old son and a month-old daughter, I'm happy to say it's still all about him. I was very scared about his reaction and about my reaction, but after all, while the girl needs her mother for food and her father for the occasional burp, the boy needs us (and gets to have us) just as much as he did before. Maybe things will change soon. I guess they will. But know that at least for the first month, you, your wife, and your boy have time to adjust.
Thanks, man. That is good to know. I figured we'd have some time before, especially while my wife is on maternity leave before things get too crazy with him. Plus we'll have some reinforcements in the form of grandparents who will be in town for a month or so. I hope you and the family are well.
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