Photos: The Iraq War, 2003-2011

My dearest Joey,

Wow! What a cool kid you are!! You just visited us here in Playa for 10 days. What a whirlwind - a GOOD whirlwind! I honestly don't know where May went. It sped by sooo fast!!

You are happy, so happy! You are smart, so smart! You are funny, sooo funny! You are so darn cute to boot! But everyone says that of you.

You love the beach! The first day we went, you sat at the water's edge with me and every time a wave would lap us, you would laugh. It was so much fun! And then there was the swimming pool. The first day you learned to jump in the water and loved it so much that you exhausted me. I am such a nervous nelly with you so I couldn't just sit and relax while watching you. You really are like your mom - you took to water like a duck does. At Akumal, you learned to float on your back all by yourself! I believe a video was taken of that.

One day, your mom went on a tour with Auntie Carrie and I was your babysitter - how lucky I was. We had such a super day! One of my favorite times with you was when everyone went out one night and we got ready for bed and watched, men, men, men, oooh, oooh! You were so cuddly and cute. You are so easy to put to bed. I know that is because your mom and dad have set up a great routine for you. I am most impressed as that was one of the hardest things for me as a mother - putting you and Uncle Bobby to bed! Thanks to Grandpa, I soon learned how to do it easier! Your mom is one smart cookie!!!

I am also so impressed with your power of concentration for a 20 month old! One day we decided to watch the finale of Survivor and your mom gave you her iphone and you sat in one place for close to an hour playing this game. Being a teacher, let me tell you, that is amazing for your age!!!

We all had a talk and it was decided that we would come there for Christmas!!!! I am so excited. This time, however, I am going to sit back and watch a lot more instead of doing! I know it will be okay with your mom because she has dad to help!!! I think your mom will be shocked at Gamgam sitting so much! Haha! Can't wait!

We love you very much Joey! Will write again soon.

Feliz Compleanos Joey

Well Joey you have had a year to make your way around this planet of ours, What do you think so far? I know what I think of you as my my nieto. To say you have brought joy and happiness into our lives is an understatement. You are a giver Joey. When you enter a room or a beach you bring with you smiles, so many smiles and your contagious laughter that seems to be endless. You look into our eyes and let us know who you are which is a very happy human being. Everybody I'v known spends a lifetime trying to achieve what you have accomplished in one year. Most people do what is expected of them and create a life mould from others desires of ourselves but you already have that figured out and you do what it is that you want and have created your own mould, kind of a free spirit mould or a Joey mould. There will always be bumps in the road but as you keep smiling and laughing these bumps will be easy for you to get through. Joey you bring us so much which we should all learn from ; like caring, sharing, genuine communication, warmth, freedom of expression, doing what is important to you, growing as you see the need to grow, your love which seems endless, just being you and not trying to be any body else. You are simply perfect Joey because you decided this is what you are. As we all tell you as well as everybody else that you are so beautiful, well you are more beautiful inside believe it or not. You have so many things we all had and lost, but you know how to keep the things that are precious; love, compassion, humor, smiles, integrity, having fun. We need to all watch you as you teach us so many lessons. We need to learn your lessons like following your heart. You have taught me lots in your first year joey and I thank you for that. These are things I will not forget and I love you more than you will ever know for being you.

All my Love,
Grandpa Heard

These pictures are from my cellphone so they aren't the best quality, but these are a few of my personal favorites over the last 2 months or so. I have a lot more but here are just a few for now!

Love, Daddy

Hi Joey,

I caught a couple cool new videos recently of you. First another laughing fit while your Buffer (Rocky) runs around the room, and also a video of you climbing up the side of your crib all by yourself! You do that all the time now, I it's a good thing to show you. Sorry the quality isn't that great, the video is from my cellphone.

Love, Daddy