Oh no! My kiddos are growing up

While I would not say I’m an overly emotional guy, I’m definitely sentimental — if that makes sense. I wouldn’t typically cry during a sad movie, but I would struggle to get rid of something that has a fond memory associated with it.

Before I get into the meat of the story, let me set the stage. Typically, Korey has to be at work significantly before I do. Sure there are days where I have an early call or am traveling, but in general, Crosby has always been mine in the morning ever since Korey went back to work. Even when Carlyn was born, because Jennifer doesn’t take the kids until they’re 18 months old, it was still just Crosby and I in the mornings. Korey took Carlyn to Mo Mo’s house, since it was on her way to work.

With that as the backdrop, I bring you to Thursday September 29, 2016. Today was the last day that it would be just Crosby and I (alone) in the morning together. Carlyn recently turned 18 months, so she too can go to Jennifer’s. And don’t get me wrong, I’m really looking forward to getting to spend more time with her as well, but for over the last three years mornings were our thing — and it’s sad to think that that part of my life is over… and that Carlyn is getting old enough to be going to Jennifer’s in the first place! What happened to my little baby girl?

When we first started, Crosby couldn’t even walk, but started crawling on the playscape at the park. As he got bigger, I can still remember the first time he went down the slide on his own — and went really fast because he was still in his PJs. The last year, he’s obviously gotten much older and is super mobile (being 3 years, 9 months now), but nearly every morning, we pile in the jogging stroller and go for a walk or run and always stop at one of the many parks nearby — all of which of course have names: tunnel, regular, Aunt Mo’s, blue, new, silly, or green.

Recent things I’ll never want to forget are seeing how long he can hang on the monkey bars, kicking me while swinging, and of course, playing the 100 minute game (Daddy Chase Activated!).

And like I said before, I’m certainly looking forward to having that time with Carlyn in the mornings too. Granted it certainly will be harder to wrangle, feed, dress, and transport both of them, but I know it will bring many more great memories. And sadly, I know this time will go by fast too — I’ll have less than a year of it. Next year, Crosby will be going with Korey to Naumann, and our morning roles will have completely switched — which I know will bring Carlyn and I all that much more closer then.

Ultimately, I’m so thankful that I’m in a place in life where I can spend as much time with my kids as I do. I can see already how fast the time goes, so I try to take advantage of it as much as I can. Thank you Crosby for all the great times we’ve had the last three years. As much as I’d like to “put you in a box and keep you small forever,” I love seeing you learn and grow into the amazing little boy that you are.

Love, Daddy