George McGurn

July 5, 2000

This is another silly story about a pretend letter from my Grandson , Danny, at 18 months.

Hi Grampa,

Even though I can’t say a lot of words yet, I want you to know that I’ve got a lot of ideas and feelings inside me I couldn’t wait any longer to let you know how great things have been for me since I turned one. Since I have been able to stand up and walk it’s like a whole new world. I see something new every day. You wouldn’t believe how boring it was just lying there in that bassinet staring straight ahead for hours. I could hear stuff going on all around me but my neck was stuck on straight ahead.

And now that I can run I feel so free. It used to take me all day to crawl from the kitchen to the living room. And now it’s just a quick sprint. And I do love to sprint now. I can’t run as fast as my brother, Matt. But I’m getting faster every day. That’s why I’m so happy when I wake up in the morning. I know that I am going to do things I’ve never done before. And it’s so exciting.

Boy, I’m really glad to get out of those dumb baby clothes and get into these new boy clothes. Well, most of them aren’t new. They are really Matt’s old clothes. My Mom and Dad hold Matt’s old clothes in front of me and "Ooh" and "Ah" like they were all brand new. But I know. And I really don’t care.

And since I have been out of the house and meeting new people I am beginning to see what a hit I am—especially with those mothers. I love it when they bend down and look at me and then tell everybody how cute I am. Matt doesn’t seem to like all this attention I’ve been getting. But I guess that’s the way it is when you’re "just adorable."

I have been watching Matt a lot and have really learned some good stuff from him. I am much better at blocks and a little better with my spoon. I have also been watching him pee in the toilet. But I’m not ready to give up my diapers just yet.

Everybody thinks I have been learning a lot from Matt. But I want you to know that he is also learning from me. Before I came into the family, Matt was not too good at sharing. But now my Mom and Dad have been giving both of us cookies and other snacks to share with each other. And now Matt is getting much better with his sharing.

At first Matt didn’t like it when my parents said "Share with Danny." But now they also say "Danny, share with Matt." Now Matt seems to take the sharing a little better. You know, to learn something like sharing you just have to do it for a while and then you start to get the hang of it.

I have also helped Matt with his waiting. He didn’t had much experience with waiting until I came along. But now he spends a lot of time watching Mom and Dad take care of me. He doesn’t seem to like the waiting. But I think it’s really good for him.

You know, Grampa, when Matt turned three and started preschool he became much too serious. For a while he almost forgot how great it is to be a kid. But I’m doing a lot to remind him what a kid should be doing. I love to show Matt my silly airplane spin with my arms straight out and my head on my shoulder. And I always add that goofy look on my face. It doesn’t take many spins before Matt is doing it too.

For a while Matt seemed to forget how much fun it is to get picked up and tickled. But now as soon as anybody gives me a good tickle I see Matt right in line for his.

Well, Grampa, that’s all I have time for. I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. Let’s see. I’ve got snack. A little work on the puzzles with Matt. Then off to gym class. Then home for lunch. A couple of hours of nap with my favorite "bubba."(bottle) Then Dad will be home for some hugs and tickles. Then supper. Some playtime with my blocks and my train. More hugs and tickles. Then it’s bath time. A clean diaper. Clean jammies. A few books. And then it’s nighty- nite for me with my "bubba."

Grampa, I can’t wait for tomorrow. Because life just doesn’t get any better than this.

Love,

Danny