Ari's three: from Baba with love

Our new year's baby,

first grandchild,

Ari Taylor,

came into the world three hours past midnight

on January 1, 2010.

What a long, exciting night for us, waiting in Ohio ...

and many stressful hours for the new parents.

Three years sped by and now Ari's leaving her

toddlerhood behind as she blossoms into a little girl.

I see her learning to listen, to wait, to take turns,

to have empathy for others, to create games and songs,

to listen to longer books, and recognize letters and numbers.

Best of all for her Baba, Ari can have a conversation, exchanging ideas with me.

Someday I hope to have the honor

of taking Ari on bigger adventures, maybe a trip of her choosing

when she is that magical age of nine or ten.

In the meantime,

I'll laugh at her silliness and read her favorite book over and over

and have tea parties and play dress-up.

Happy third birthday, Ari.

Baba loves you so very much!