May God Continue To Watch Over Her From Above

Today, Abigail is three years old.  She is Jess and Rob's first-born.  She is also the second member of Nana and Pop Pop's Class of 2018.  She arrived slightly more than one day after and slightly less than two thousand miles west of her cousin, Cal.   Geographic limitations being what they are, I did not meet Abigail for the first time until she was slightly more than three months old when she accompanied Mom and Dad east to New Jersey for her Aunt Beth's wedding, which was held on Long Beach Island.   

Nana and Pop Pop motored south on the Parkway to LBI so we could spend Friday night hanging out with Abby while her 'rents were at the reception.  Her introduction to me happened at some point that afternoon when we met for the first time.

Later that night, as the reception-goers partied on a couple of floors below, Nana and I were having a little difficulty getting Abby to sleep.  Whether it was the excitement of the day, the unfamiliarity with her surroundings, the fact she was fourteen weeks old, all of the above, or something altogether different, she would not go down.  She laid in her crib fussing and crying.  Nana (a/k/a "the Baby Whisperer") could not soothe her, in spite of her best efforts.  In a fit of what was most likely desperation she asked me to try.  

Having zero baby-whispering experience, I did the only thing I knew how to do, which was walk around Jess and Rob's hotel room carrying her in my arms, rocking her every so often, and singing the only "lullaby" to which I know all the words.  The "lullaby" in question happens to be Tom Petty's Alright for Now from his Full Moon Fever album.  Unconventional?  Yes.  Successful?  Absolutely. 

Jump forward in time slightly more than three Halloweens and you see the unimpeachable and irrefutable evidence of the importance of a good night's sleep as in that short time Abigail rose to the dizzying heights of earning a seat on the Supreme Court of the United States...or at least dressing up as one who did for the purpose of acquiring candy and other assorted goodies.  I am her Pop Pop.  I am allowed poetic license in bragging on my grandchildren.  Consider it an unwritten Pop Pop Rule.  

To the first-born of Pop Pop's two Colorado princesses, I hope that today is a very, very happy birthday.  Moreover, my hope for you, Abigail, today and every day is that your life is never anything less than alright for now.   

Happy Birthday!  Pop Pop loves you very much. 

-AK