Wake up already!

Dear Kavaun,

It is late and I am tired. Not tired enought to sleep. Today has been a very long Monday and all I really want now is for you to wake up so I can hold you and feel a "reason" to spend time with you. Sure, I will go upstairs and watch you sleep in your crib, but it does not compare to holding you and feeling you breathe on my shoulder.

Most the time when you wake up or cry, you need one of us. Well, tonight I need you.

On most nights we are grateful you sleep soundly. Tonight is different though. I figure I am already to the point where I will be tired tomorrow so four hours of sleep compared to three hours means little and at least if I am tired tomorrow it will be more worth it if I get to spend part of tonight with you. A slight whimper - give me something here.

You have been so much fun lately and I know that it very possible I will forget all of your latest antics - like climbing up on the couch and ottoman and standing up and jumping around just to scare us. Or the other night at Ryan and Amy's when you decided at 1 a.m. to tell us a story while we were trying to get you to sleep and share the bed with us. You sat up and looked at your mom and gave her your garbled version of events before taking a deep breath and telling me your story. We were so tired and so annoyed you were wide awake, yet laughing so hard. I think we slept maybe two hours that night. We also get a kick out of Grandma KK's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that has led to your independent baths, more frequent sleeping and less tantrums. We know you "play" us, but maybe we like it that way sometimes.

So Bud, do me a favor when I go upstairs to get tomorrow's coffee ready. I will clank the silverware around in the sink, slam a cupboard door or two and all you need to do is let out a little squeel and I will rescue you.

I am never as happy as I am when we get to play as a family. There is not even a close second.

I love you,
Dad