Dear Josie

Dear Josie,

I’ve been writing all these letters to Josephine but I think it’s apparent you go by “Josie” now. You are pretty apt at introducing yourself as Josie, so while the “Dear Josephine” opener has a nice ring to it, I think it’s time we start calling you by your nickname.

It’s bittersweet to be writing you this letter because you are turning 2.5 years old. While this is obviously a nice milestone, it’s sad how quickly the time is going. Let me tell you a bit more.

Your little sister Juliette was born last week. You kind of knew you were going to become a big sister but I am not sure you fully understood. You would point to your Mama’s stomach and mention the baby but then you would point to my stomach and your stomach and mention that we had our own babies too.

The day before we went to the hospital was a Sunday last weekend. We had a great day together. I ran a 5k in the morning and you and your mom watched me. We went to the farm that day so you could run around and play and jump on the bouncy house, which is one of your favorite things to do. In the late afternoon, we went to a town fair and went on some rides together. I was a little emotional holding your hand as we went from one slide to the next one at the fair because I knew that these were the last days of you being an only child. I love you so much that I could not really imagine putting my attention elsewhere, and I was worried about how sharing the spotlight might affect you.

But ever since Juliette has been here, you have been an amazing big sister. You FaceTimed her during her first day in the hospital and you were so excited to see her. You came in later that day to meet her and you were so in love with her. You held her in your hands and you patted her on the back. Ever since she has been home, you have always been asking to see her and spend time with her. Whenever she cries, you coax her: “Oh baby. Don’t cry!” There has not been a single moment of jealousy. I could not be more proud of you.

I’m excited about your little sister, but I have also been a little bit sad over the last week. I was not sure why it was but I think I figured it out. Your little sister is so small – she was actually born at the same exact weight you were when you were born. Holding her in my hands reminds me of when we brought you home from the hospital. It seems like yesterday, but writing this letter reminds me it was actually already 2.5 years ago. I think I am sad about how quickly you are growing up. Every day with you is so fun (and funny) that I wish I could capture the time in a bottle. I kind of want you to be like this forever, but I also know there is so much joy in continuing to watch you evolve and grow.

One thing that has also happened since your sister was born is that you and I are spending more time together. Both me and your mom have some time off of work for paternity and maternity leave. Your mom has had to gravitate a bit more to the baby for mostly biological reasons. This means you and I are doing more activities together. You are a lot to handle (in a good way), and I find myself going to bed at night excited about getting to see you again the next morning.

On that note, I did find myself coming home early from a work trip right after I wrote you your last letter because you were wheezing. It was very scary for me and I know you were scared. All of my coworkers were very supportive, and they all enjoy seeing you since you routinely come to visit me in my office after your afternoon naps. I am often on calls so you see my coworkers there.

Another big milestone for you over the last few months was that you were potty-trained. As is the case with most things, you figured it out quickly. You’ve always been very advanced for your age and you were quite perceptive. You even come over to check and make sure that I am wearing “panties” from time to time (and apparently you are doing this to your friends, too). We’ll have to teach you some bedside manners but it is pretty cute how you pick things up and run with them.

You have also taken up going to the gym over the last few months. I think you are the most athletic little kid there. It’s kind of hard to keep up with you as you fly along the uneven bars, climb the rock wall, and jump on the trampoline. We are pretty confident you are going to be a very good athlete. You’re running circles around boys who are older than you.

The last thing I want to leave you with is how sweet you are. Whenever anyone is upset, you ask them about being upset and you try to cheer them up. Whenever we FaceTime extended family, if one person is missing, you ask about the missing person. Whenever someone has a cut or an injury, you ask them about their boo-boo and if they are OK. You are naturally caring, and I hope that is something you keep forever.

With each passing day, I always think about how lucky I am to be a father to such an amazing little girl. You have infectious energy, endless positivity, and boundless silliness. For every mistake I have ever made in my life, I feel like I am getting another chance vicariously through you and the person you are becoming. Thank you for bringing so much light into my life.

Love,

Dad