Oh, Little Mister Squirt,

You are, without a doubt, the most precious thing I have ever seen.  You are adorably happy in the morning.  There’s something about that gummy smile on that sleepy face.  It is pure sweetness, and it makes any otherwise unattractive morning hour not only tolerable but welcome.  Why, hello 4:30. . . so nice to see you!  

You’re really starting to hold your head up and look around now, which must be exhilarating for you since you’ve been very interested in the world the entire time you’ve been out in it.  Everyone’s always commented about how alert you are, and I love watching your face, knowing you’re taking it all in and figuring out life.  That’s a magical thing to watch.  And I’m so proud of you and happy for your development, but I’m holding on to every last precious second that head stays on my shoulder because I love our snuggle time.

And the giggles.  They’re still rare prizes, and for some reason they tend to happen as you’re falling asleep (which I’ll take as a good sign that you’re enjoying this life business), but they are definitely here.  We still haven’t figured out exactly what combination of faces, noises, and movements will consistently earn us one, but your daddy and I are working hard for them because they are stinkin’ precious.  Irresistible even.  Oh if you knew the power you have. . .

I have to go back to work in eleven days, and don’t I know those days are going to zoom by.  It has come so soon, and you’re so much fun right now; I can’t believe we won’t be spending our days together.  I’ll get used to it.  You will, too.  And we’ll both enjoy the time we do get together even more because of it.  Plus, you and I both need to do other things.  There’s a whole world out there for you to meet and explore–beautiful, kind people for you to befriend; amazing things to learn and experience–it’s all going to contribute to who you become.  And I, well. . . I need to go back to doing a job that I’m sure I’ll still be passionate about but that has undoubtedly moved down on my lists of Most Important Things I Do and What I Love Most in the World.

You know one of the most beautiful things about love?  You can never run out of it.  You can run out of gas.  Your swing runs out of battery power.  People can definitely run out of energy.  (Dogs do, too.  Just wait until you start chasing Abby around.  You’ll see.)  And it’s a sad truth that, especially in this house, you can run out of yummy treats.  But we all have an endless supply of love in our hearts.  So even though I’m going back to work and won’t be with you all day every day, and even though I’ll be opening my heart to lots of other people, that will never change how much I love you.

And if that wasn’t true?  If there was a limit to how much love we could give?

Then I would save the biggest and best parts of my heart for you.

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