A Good Night

Me: Good night Abby.

Abby: Good night Daddy.

Me: Hey Abby!

Abby: Ya Daddy?

Me: Can I have a kiss?

Abby: Oh, of course.

Me: Good night Splinkey.

Abby: Oh Daddy. I'm really going to miss you when you go to work tomorrow.

Me: I'm really going to miss you too.

Abby: I love you Daddy.

Me: I love you too.

A Blast From the Past

This is going back a few years. I'm not sure when I took this shot but Abby is five now if that helps you get your bearings.

I have always loved this picture. My wife Kerry always said this was one of the first pictures of Abby that didn't really look baby-like. That she was sort of giving us a glimpse at who she might be when she grew up and took over the world. There is an awareness and a curiousity here.

I remember this day. I'd been following her around with a camera since she was born. But this was a Daddy-Daughter Home-Day. You can tell that I was the one who dressed her. Clothes built for comfort -- not speed.

And we spent that day on the floor playing and taking pictures. We still have days like this. It's a little different now. But exactly the same.

PFSST

INTRODUCING ABIGAEL JAMES JUNOP

This is Abby.

If there was a way that I could make a living following her around with a camera 24/7, I would do it. And I would be a very rich man.

What you have to love about this girl is that she, in some ways, is so completely opposite of me.

She-is-fearless. She will try almost anything without hesitation. When the midway comes to town, Abby transforms into Ride-Grrl. The 'you have to be this tall' chart means nothing to her.

She has a dance recital coming up. Her first. And it's a chance to dance on "a big stage" as Abby might say. She couldn't be more excited. Stage-fright means nothing to her.

And when she had a chance to go horseback riding with her pre-school class, nothing could hold her back. She helped saddle 'Peekie" and was the first to venture into this new-to-her world.

I envy Abby. And when I grow up, I want to be just like her.