  Dear Junior,  Today,  I celebrate your first year of life on earth. nbsp;  One year ago today,  I saw you enter this world with squinty eyes and tiny screams. nbsp;  You lay on a little table under bright lights,  naked and cold. nbsp;  As I took your picture,  I said out loud,  " He's perfect. nbsp;
 A few minutes later,  when you were bundled up,  I got to hold you for the first time.
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 I think that a special bond happened that day.
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 Much is said about the mother- baby bond,  but I can tell you that there is a father- son bond that is unique and magical.  As I look back on this past year,  I have some great memories.
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 I remember how I used to swaddle you so snugly.
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 I remember getting you to do pull- ups with my fingers your very first week.
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 I remember having you asleep in " the crook"  of my crossed leg during church services.
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 I remember our little exercise routine that we would do.
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 It helped calm you down when you were having your gas pains the first few months.
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 I remember never wanting to lay you down when you were sleeping;  always wanting to hold you,
 and never wanting to give you to anyone else.
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 I remember not changing your diapers for two weeks because your two stumps ( umbilical and circumcision)  were too gross for me to handle.
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 I remember your first little smiles,  and how we could get you to smile by clapping and saying,
 "
Yaaayyyyyy!
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 I remember how you seemed to like the very cold weather in Germany,  and you would blow spit bubbles as soon as the wind started hitting your face.
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 I remember how great you always were about being passed from stranger to stranger -
 all our local and foreign friends who love you so much.
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 I remember watching Finding Nemo,  with you on my lap.
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 It took a couple weeks,  since you could only really watch about 10 minutes at a time.
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 I remember that you were always as active as your little body would let you be.
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 I will always remember how you would jump as long as we would hold you up,  way before you were even ready to stand.
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 I remember,  though I'd like to forget,  how you jumped in your little " Jolly Jumper"  until you got blisters that popped and bled.
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 Sorry,  buddy.
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 You never even seemed to notice.
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 I remember the peek- a- boo game we always played with you,  using your woobie,  and I remember how you loved to start the game by covering your own face.
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 I'm convinced you have an advanced sense of humor.
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 I remember that your way of laughing was to cough,  and when you genuinely had to cough,  you thought it was funny.
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 I remember how my little cellphone motivated you to crawl and walk,
 and the beaming look on your face when you heard one of my ring tones.
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 I remember that every time I went into the store room/ workshop,  which was the only room forbidden to you,  I'd hear the little " smack smack"  of your hands as you crawled furiously toward me.
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 You would get to within two feet of me,  stand up on your knees and throw yourself forward,  knowing I would catch you,  sweep you up and give you a brief tour of the workshop and tools.
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 I remember how fearlessly you dove off of the couch or off of the edge of the pool,  knowing that your mom or I would catch you.
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 I remember how great you sang into the microphone while listening to Raffi.
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 I also remember how much you love Mom's drumsticks.
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 I remember your first word,
 "
Mama,  and how you called me that as well ( you still do sometimes)
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 I remember watching you take your first steps,  and how proud I was as you got more and more brave about walking.
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 I remember how fast you learned to say " please"  in sign language,  and how you'd say it after each bite of food.
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 I remember how you'd pick up a telephone,  cellphone or remote control ( and even your little stuffed bear Green Bean)  put it to your ear and say,
 "
Hi!
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 And I remember,  just this week,  how you would throw yourself on one of our big pillows with a big grin on your face,
 waiting for us throw the other on you to make a " Junior Sandwich.  Above all,  I remember a baby who became a boy.
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 Don't forget you're my best friend,  and I love you very much.  Love,  Dad 
