On Boundaries

Dear Jacob,

Sometimes, you're supposed to live within a certain set of rules, or a limited space for your own safety.  It is good to test these limits to see just how far you can go, but you need to be careful about falling in to the space where you can get hurt.

Like climbing out of your crib.

Dude, seriously?  You're not even a year old yet and you've already figured this out?  Gah!  What am I going to do with you?  I know, I know; this is just who and how you are.  You were put on this earth to break down barriers and open people up to the amazing possibilities that are out there.  But do you have to do it so soon?

But then, who am I to talk?  Daddy and I certainly live by our own set of rules.  We do believe in being kind to everyone, and in trying our best and hardest... but other than that, anything goes.  It doesn't (and shouldn't) matter how everyone else lives, we just do the best we can with what we've got, and figure out how to make it work.

At the end of the day, if we're all home together, with full bellies and warm blankets, there is little else we actually NEED to get by.  Except for you staying in your bed.  So, for now, will you just "forget" how to escape until Daddy and I can figure something out? Please?  Or, just go ahead and keep testing those boundaries, I suppose I should get used to it.

I love you!

~mumma

On Intelligence

Dear Jacob
Smart is a good thing, it's also a dangerous thing.  Knowing too much can get you in trouble, especially if you end up like me or Daddy.
Daddy's problem is that he doesn't understand WHY people choose to be uniformed.  As he sees it, there is a wealth of knowledge out there, who wouldn't take every opportunity to learn at least something... especially the things that are necessary for living in society...
Mumma's issue is that I'm always a little to eager to share what I know with everyone.  Even when I was little, I spent too much time correcting people when they were wrong "actually" was (and is) a word that appears too frequently in my daily vocabulary.  I have some of the same problems as Daddy, but I try to change it by making sure people have all the information they need.  Sometimes this is good, but most people don't like being told that they're wrong, or ill-informed.
So what do you do?  Try not to let it get to you.  Whether uninformed, stupid, or just lazy, there's absolutely nothing you can do to change a person who doesn't want to change.  When people need information and you have it, be polite about sharing it and try really, really hard not to make anyone feel bad for not knowing something. (Yes, I'm still working on that one.)
Also, do everything you can to make sure you're always informed.  Whether it's learning your alphabet and numbers or tackling differential equations and Attic Greek, do the best you can to absorb as much information as you can.  It's a big, wide, world and you can conquer it with your mind, drive, and compassion.
~mumma

On Coolness

Dear Jacob, 


Never for a moment doubt the fact that "Cool" doesn't exist.
Daddy and I are so unbelievably not "Cool" that it's sometimes not funny.  Even all the famous people that everyone thinks are "Cool" - soooo not "Cool."
The reality is that smart people cannot be cool.  It's just not possible.  Every superstar, supermodel, rock star, movie star, author, etc that is worth admiring is a geek, nerd, or dork on the inside.  The only difference between those people and the rest of us, is they have a greater need to please, more drive to achieve, or more curiosity.
If you want to have the appearance of "Cool" it takes hard work, determination, and not caring what others think of you along the way.  You are the only person who will be able to tell if you are truly happy and content with your life, dreams, and achievements.  Not even Daddy and I will be able to tell you what we think (and I'm sure we will), but you're the only one who will know the truth.
And that is why "Coolness" is a myth.  "Cool" only has to do with appearances.  It has nothing to do with who you are and who you can be.  Someday, someone may accuse you of being a dork (or they may even say that you're cool).  But what you have to remember is that no one's opinion matters more than yours.  If you think you're awesome, then you are - but you still have to work for it.  If you think you're unhappy, then you need to tell people (like Mumma and Daddy) so we can help you fix it.
Bottom line - you are perfect just the way you are, and I love you for just your being you - even if you are the coolest baby to ever roam the planet.


~mumma

You Should Know

Dear Jacob, 


There are a few things you should know about Mumma and Daddy; in no particular order, I really can't control the train of thought...


1-We're crazy!  Not quite certifiably, but we are nuts.  So someday, when you're complaining to your friends about how crazy your parents are, just remember, you're totally right.


2-We love you very much. Yes, this probably should have been number one, and really there is nothing more important than that, but there we are.  We love you. Don't ever forget that.


3-Daddy's crazier than Mumma.  Seriously.  And if you don't believe me, ask him.  And if he says he's not, it's just because he's crazier than Mumma.


4-Mumma is always right.  Except about Tony Shalhoub, then Daddy's always right.


5-Daddy's soul breathes on music. It is the only thing that truly calms and energizes him.  That doesn't mean he loves music more than you.  He also doesn't love bbq ribs more than you, but he needs them to feed himself.  It's the same thing.


6-Mumma is a scatterbrain.  I always think I've told you and Daddy important things about what we need to do, or where we're going, etc.  Here's a trick, if I can't give you a specific conversation... it never happened.


There's plenty more that you'll learn along the way, but these are the basics things that it's only fair to warn you about now.


~mumma

Preface

Dear Jacob, 


Today we celebrate my first Mother's Day.  Well, depending on how you count.  Technically last year, you were alive and kicking, but you hadn't left your warm spot in my belly to come join the rest of us in this big, bright world, so I suppose it doesn't count as a Mother's Day.
But this year, you are here, and you have brought me such wonderful joy.  Mister Rogers said it best, "You've made this day special by just your being you."  I want you to know that there is nothing you could do that would ever make me stop loving you, and the only thing you have to do to make me happy and proud is to be yourself.
There are so many things that I want to share with you; things I want to teach you, show you, enjoy with you.  And while I'm trying to impart all of my "wisdom" on you, I'm sure you will teach me so much more than I can imagine.
I love you to pieces, you are so special, and I can't imaging a better Mother's Day present than just your being you.
I love you, monkey!
mumma