Swim in the fountain

Dear Byrd,
There is a pleasure to parenting knowing that we get to decide to do things differently than our parents. Last night I took you running, I thought you would sleep. You didn't. You were not happy, finally I figured out that you wanted to be propped up so you could see. It is really hot here, even at 8pm it was in the mid 80s. By the time we made it around the lake you had lost patience and started to cry, I picked you up, I was sweaty from running, you were sweaty from sitting. I called Dad and he said he would come meet us in the park. I took you to the fountain with turtles spitting water. I took off your clothes and put you in. You were uncertain at first, but then excited. I sat you in the water and you kicked and splashed. When I was a kid there was a fountain in a park we went to, no matter the occasion we were not allowed to go in. I used to drape my arms into the water as far as I could in protest. When I took you out of the water you looked back to see this amazing water thing. When Dad came he put you in the fountain again. You laughed. Dad carried you home naked. By the time we got to the park at the end of our block you were asleep in his arms. There is something so so sweet about you naked, something sweet about being able to carry you naked. As if for now we really can take care of all of you.
Love,
Mom