The First Year

Evan - in a year you have changed from a tiny morsel to a ravenous cake-devouring brute. So much has happened. But so much more is waiting to happen. And when you look back from a comfortable vantage point in the future, here are some early observations.

You came into our family when Vivian was three. She was a beacon of sunshine and happiness and I was content as a father and husband. And then you made us twice as happy. You and Vivian do something together that's amazing - you fill each other with laughter. Every shade of giggling gurgling full-throated screaming-from-the-roof-tops laughter.

You are a lover. You hug and cuddle and kiss and drool and yes, you bite. You are moody. You can go from smile to scowl in a second. And for no apparent reason and no easy way back. You like to eat. Sometimes you are picky about the order in which you eat things, but sooner than later you eat everything you can get your hands on. You are not afraid. You walk (now, and crawl till 10 days ago)  away to another part of the house to play with a toy there. You climb on things and fall and then climb something higher or more dangerous. You don't like sleeping. You do it absolutely out of necessity, complain even at that, and wake up as soon as you've had enough. You are curious. Every cabinet, drawer or object must be opened, examined or chewed on. You are a gadget freak. Every button on every iPhone, entertainment center, computer, remote, key fob, camera, and game controller needs to be pushed, slobbered on, twiddled, smacked, or held to your ear. You dig music in all it's ways. Vivian can sing a nursery rhyme and calm you down when all else fails. Classical music in the car makes the car seat more bearable to you. Jazz bands in the morning are great to get you in the grove. And Elvis gets you up on your feet and rocking. You are funny - in a dorky way. I crack up a thousand times a day watching you do something weird and then you cackle or chuckle. You love to play. Peek-a-boo, throwing ball, hiding, giving zerberts, rolling on cushions, and new games every day. You love other children. Sometimes a bit too vigorously and then we apologize to their parents. You have an affinity for men, preferably with tattoos. I won't try to explain this in any more detail, nor make any predictions as to where this may lead. You make people happy. Look at any photo of you and your Mom and look at her face.

I wish you all the very best in life.