Friday, October 15, 2010

Notes to a Grandson on his 1st Birthday

Newborn Dan with Grandma Copper
Danny and Grandma Copper
"What have you done now Grandpa?!"
Danny, the very best grandson a guy could ever have, is a year old today.
Brand new Daniel

How did that happen?  Probably the same way Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas somehow arrive at warp speed due to some sort of intergalactic fart in the time/space continuum.  Any way you measure it, life happens at a pace nearly identical to the inflation of grandpa's prostate and DEflation of his brain cells. Nonetheless, in spite of gramps being short on grey matter, an annual review is in order.  As soon as I'm finished we can both plant our mugs in some delicious birthday cake and raise hell until nap time.
Here is what you have managed to accomplish in your first year of life young Daniel:

First of all, you made grandpa mist up just a little when your mom said, "Wanna hold him?" just minutes after your debut.  You were so alert and your eyes full of wonder, promise and fun all at once.  It was obvious then that we would become great pals and have many adventures together.
You also, and I'm extremely proud of you for this, have become an inveterate flirt with the ladies.  George Clooney should take lessons from you!  Grandma Copper is shameless where you're concerned.  I'd be worried if it weren't for the age difference.
You have developed a superior sense of humor.  Grandpa's Donald Duck impression and myriad of embarrassing sound effects usually reduce you to outright prolonged laughter.  (A sign of good taste..or, a hopeless psychopathic disorder.)
You've mastered so many essential baby basics during this important year!  Filling your diapers, cutting teeth, rolling over, crawling on all fours with verve and style, pulling the dog's tail, saying 'momma and dadda" and standing on your own just to name a few.  I especially like the way you climb the stairs and, just as Sir Edmund Hillary before you, turn around to wave good-bye after every two or three steps.
Unlike most one-year-olds, you skipped the baby food stage (I don't blame you) and went straight for the good stuff when you began to crave something more than mommas milk.  Pizza, steak, chicken and cheese seem to be a hit with you and grandpa takes great pride in having introduced you to chocolate flavored Cheerios, which you give every indication of being ready to KILL for.

All things considered, it has been an auspicious start.  A good year!
Of course, like every aspect of life, there have been a few unpleasant things to learn.  A bonk on the head makes you cry, being tired and cranky is frustrating, naps are NO FUN and not being able to play with the toy you want right now can be infuriating.  (You'll never get over that one.)  I know you don't appreciate these annoyances at present but you'll find them to be character builders that will make you stronger in the future.
You are a lucky boy, Danny.  You have the best mom and dad a kid could ever want and grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who love you very much.  A real head start.

For your first anniversary on this planet here is some advice that should serve you well.

"The pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist expects it to change...and the REALIST adjusts his sails."    -unknown

May the winds be with you, Danny, as you sail into your second year.
Dad, Mom, Danny
Watching that wacky Craig Ferguson with Gramps
"Yep, I'm one year old"
The best toy is this empty jar
"Where is Talking Carl?"
The key to crawling is...hand knee, hand knee

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