We're so Proud of You!

And it's not the last time you'll hear us say it! Your mother and I love watching your cognitive and motor skills develop, and it's so fun to play with you! Making you smile is one of my favorite past times, along with showing you new things and talking to you about them. It's absolutely incredible to watch you start to recognize things in the world around you, get excited when we play, and learn to hold things in your hands. You are simply the cutest baby I have ever seen, and we are proud your every milestone, however small it may be. Your mother and I show you off to everyone at home, work, church, or online. When people ask me how life is going, I talk about you, and I couldn't get your mother to talk about anything else - even if I wanted to.

Although it is a priceless privilege to be a part of, part of us can't stand to watch you grow up, my sweet little daughter. We just don't want to miss anything, you know? We cherish every waking moment we have with you, whether you're awake or not. We're obsessed with taking pictures of you to try and capture the way you are right now. We have to take hundreds though because you're changing everyday, which brings me to my point:

Ayden, please don't grow up too fast.

There's no hurry, darling. You turn yourself over and lay on your belly and cry because you can't crawl just yet, and I understand. I am impatient too sometimes, but that impatience has often made me miss parts of my life because I was so busy looking forward to things that were coming down the road. I guess you've helped me realize how quickly life passes if we're focusing on what's next, and I wanted to repay the favor.

I know you want to crawl and laugh and walk and talk and run, and you will have time to do all those things, but please, don't forget to enjoy life the way it is - right now and in the future. We're so proud of you just the way you are. We love you with all our heart, and we want you to achieve your fondest dreams, but we're patient, sweetie. We're not as concerned about getting you somewhere as we are about the journey along the way. I guess a lot of parents might say "I can't wait till she laughs, crawls, and walks!" because they're anxious to see all their child can do, and there's nothing wrong with that. For me and your mother though, it's different. I think it'll be a joke between me and Mom that when we talk about your future we'll say "I can wait until she laughs! I can wait until she talks!" and so on. Of course we're excited to see those things and record them for you, of course we want to see you grow up, and of course we want to  be there for you every step of the way, but you know what? We're proud of you just the way you are right now, so please please please please please don't grow up too fast.

Love you, sweetie.

- Daddy