Dear Eliza,
I'm having a pretty solid week. I spent most of it in Italy for work -- just two months after we were there as a family -- and the Seattle Sounders just won their first MLS Cup today in a shootout. (Your Nonno will tell you that shootouts are a terrible way to end a soccer game. Rather, you should remove players from the field at time increments so that the team with the best fitness wins.)
You've had another solid month. I wasn't the only one traveling. You and Mom went back to Indiana to visit family while I was in Italy. Apparently you're getting to be a handful traveling because you stressed out your Mom. I guess I can't complain about the movie selection on my flights because she had to deal with a squirmy baby. Aside from that, it sounds like you had a great time visiting with Grammie and Popa and your great-grandparents. Of course, everyone is so impressed by how smart you are and how big you're getting. I'm not surprised.
Your baby talk is making more and more sense. You're keeping up with sign language, too. You're not quite walking but are getting braver, to the point that at the end of a six-step walk toward me from the couch, you dive forward. You like trust falls. You're learning and progressing so much it's impossible to keep track. You are a full-fledged toddler.
We spent a lot of time getting into the holiday spirit these past weeks. In fact, we saw Santa twice, the first time on accident at a Scandinavian Christmas Fair in Ballard. Your Mom wanted to take advantage of a "test Santa" we discovered at that event. You cried. It was hilarious.
Later, we went to "real Santa" at the Puyallup Fair because that is your Mom's favorite Santa by far. We went with Your Aunt Nina, Uncle Jeff and cousin Harrison, who sat on Santa's lap first and did amazing. He was so cheery and the photos look amazing. You were up next, and we thought you'd do OK because you saw Harrison sit so well. You cried. It was hilarious. The photos still turned out great in that toddler-freaking-out kind of way.
We had Thanksgiving at our house this year. All of the Mottola side attended, which was nice. I smoked a turkey and it turned out amazing! Your Mom doubted me and bought a turkey breast to bake as a back up. I don't blame her. I pulled off a miracle. We also cut down a Christmas tree this year. Yes, your old man is skilled with the hatchet.
Your old man is also awfully tired. I'm still adjusting to time zones. Aside from jet lag, the only real bummer about my trip was being limited to Skype with you and Mom while I was away. It's really hard to be that far from you two. As exotic as the Italian Alps were, there's nothing quite like being at home and hanging out with you and your Mom. And sleeping in my own bed.
Goodnight.
Love, Dad