The Icing on the Cake

Drum roll please...

It's obviously anticlimactic for you to be reading this.  This is a fact you have known all your life.  No new information here for you, but for your mom and I, we now know that from this day forth, though we may still call you "our child" or "our baby", as we have in the past few months, now we can also call you "our son."

           It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons. 
                 ~Friedrich von Schiller

After the cake was cut, and the blue icing revealed, our family played the Kinect XBox 360 games.  Your grandmother signed off of the computer (she joined us via webcam from Colorado Springs), your Uncle Mike signed off from his webcam at work, your grandparents and Uncle Josh and your cousins Casey and Alex went home.

We spent the night talking about names, the room we're going to make for you, and the fact that we'll need to get you circumsized, but all the while, my imagination was looking to the future - to the man that you will one day become.  But first, I have to make sure you get to be a boy, and to not rush the months and years ahead.  For, one day, I'll be sad that I did so, if I am fortunate enough to grow old.

I hope that I can be a good father to you, and that I can provide more than food and shelter.  I want to help give you all the skills that you will need for your journey ahead, even though I, myself, do not possess all of them.

I think the first skill we'll work on is the ability to use a toilet.  (Luckily, that's one that I've nearly mastered...)

I love you, my son.

That's the first time I've said that, but it won't be the last.

Your dad.

P.S.  Your mom was right!  She knew you were a boy!  (Listen to her counsel, my son.  She's got the gift.)

Blue or Pink?

Well, my child, this may be the last entry that I don't make a reference to your specific gender.  You could be "my daughter" or your could be "my son."  The plan is for all of us to find out together on Tuesday night when I return home.

I'm in Kentucky right now, visiting your Great Grandfather, Haynes Carroll Atherton.  (He goes by Carroll.)  I hope that you'll get a chance to meet him one day, as he really is a super guy.  His wife, your Great Grandmother, Alberta Mae Atherton, was also a super gal, and she passed away this week, which is why I wasn't able to be with your mom today, when your ultrasound pictures were taken.

Your mom asked the technician to check off the box of "Girl" or "Boy", and no one has opened the envelope yet.

It's an exciting time, because we know that the room we create for you will largely be determined by the box that was checked.  Your Christmas presents, the Baby Shower, and all kinds of things will be determined by which box is checked.  And we'll start imagining all sorts of things - what your interests might be, what toys you might want to play with, what movies you might like.  Of course, if our current life is any indication of our future, you'll surprise us no matter what!

Your mom has a suspicion of what color your booties will be (and she's very perceptive, so I don't doubt her) but we'll know for sure in just a few days.

I'm sad that I couldn't be there with her today, but I'm glad that your cousin Casey was there for your mom.  She's constantly been there for us when we've needed her help, and I hope it will work out so that you can grow up close to her and your cousin, Alex, Casey's older brother.

We buried my grandmother today, and I hope it is a long time before you have to experience someone that you deeply love having to leave the Earth.  But death is a part of life, and one day, your mom and I will have to leave you, too.  Which makes savoring the mysteries and moments of life, like this, all the more important.

I do not hope that you are one gender or another.  I will love you unconditionally.  I only hope that you are healthy, and that your mom and I can help you grow into a happy person who is full of life, hopes, and dreams.

Good night, kiddo.  I can't wait for Tuesday!

A Happy Anniversary!

Hey kiddo!

Your mom and I got to see you yesterday!  You were squirming around in her tummy, and you had your butt up in the air at one point! 

The technician who was trying to look at you wanted you to turn over on your back, so she told your mom and I to go for a walk and have a bite to eat.  When we returned, you were on your back, waving at us!  Thanks for cooperating!

Turns out there's only a 1 in 6,300 chance that you'll have a problem with Down's Syndrome (which can be a more likely problem if parents wait to have kids as your mom and I have).  It was a nice 9-year anniversary present to see you yesterday, and then to also know that you are healthy and that your risk for having that particular problem is pretty low.  Still, your mom and I got one of our first tastes of worrying about you - a habit which I'm sure you'll see us indulge in as you grow up.

Right now you're 82.2 millimeters long.  That's about the size of a light bulb.

You certainly are going to bring a lot of light to our lives, and we are eagerly awaiting your arrival.

I got a video game for your mom, "Fable III" for her anniversary present, and she got me some episodes of Dexter (compliments of her brother, and your future uncle, Josh).  But the best part of our day was the twenty minutes we got to see you.

All my love,

Dad

Dangeresque!

Well, kiddo.  We got our second glimpse of you today, and to be honest...  You looked a little like this guy:

Yeah, I know it's weird, but if you look closely at the next ultrasound, you might see the same resemblance to "Strong Bad" that we did.

That's you peekin' at us!  We also got some video that's currently on your mom's phone.  We got to see your little heart beating!  It was amazing!

I'm glad that I got to see you.  I was so sad last week when your mom had to go to the doctor, and they checked on you.  Everything was fine, so they were going to cancel our appointment today, but your mom made sure that they didn't, because she knew how much I wanted to see you.  Plus, we got pictures today, and they didn't give your mom any on her visit, so now you get to see you, too!

Love you, kid.  Stay safe in there.

Dad

140 Beats Per Minute

So, we found out yesterday whether I'm writing this to three kiddoes, two kiddoes, or one.  And the answer is one!  You will need to learn how to share at some point in the future, but right now, you've got your own room!  (Or "womb," I should say...)

Your mom read in a book today that girl heartbeats are typically 160 beats per minute, and boy heartbeats are around 140, but it's way too early to tell if it's pink or blue shoes we'll be buying.  

We went back to Disneyland today to celebrate (I wore my Binary Dad shirt), and you can now add the "Haunted Manision" to your list of rides that you've already been on.  We also took in a 3D show in "A Bug's Land" called, "It's Tough To Be a Bug."  We enjoyed it, especially knowing that soon we'd see it again with you!  Spiders came down from the ceiling, we got splashed, and the seats felt like bugs were squirming under us and poking us in the back during an "attack."

We went for pizza afterward, and then came home.  I picked up some nausea medication for your mom, and then read a book called, "A Storm of Swords" for about an hour before taking Maggie and Emily for a long walk.  Your mom was fast asleep when I came back, and I'm thinking of hopping on the elliptical to exercise for a bit.  I need to stay fit so I can be strong and healthy for you!  Sitting down too much during the day, as my job requires, doesn't lend itself to staying in shape (well... "round" is a shape, but not the one I'm going for...)

I love you, kid.

It was neat to hear your heartbeat.  Can't wait to welcome you into the world.

Dad

Disneyland!

Your mom and I took you to Disneyland yesterday!  Your very first ride was "Pirates of the Caribbean" and then you went on "Splash Mountain!"  I hope you had fun, because your mom and I got SOAKED!

We have photographic evidence of your thrill first ride, as we dive toward the inevitable dunking, pointing at your mom's belly....

We were going to stay to watch the light show in California Adventure, but we were wet and the weather was a little cool, so we came back home early.

We can't wait to see your reaction to all the things at Disneyland.  It's one of the things your mom and I dream about, as we wait for you to come into the world.

Your mom also threw a new name into the ring last night - Landon.  We've got Riley, Ripley, Newt, Chase, Hunter, Madison, Parker, and now Landon on the list.  (And maybe a few more that your mother has been hiding from me...)

In the next few weeks, we'll start to narrow it down!  The good thing is, we'll have benefits in a couple of months, so that we can make sure you are healthy as can be when you come into the world!

Keep warm in there!  I love you.

Dad

The Family Has Been Updated

Hey Kiddo!

   So, I was able to tell your Grandmother Kathy in person that you were going to be coming into the world (last Friday), and this morning I spoke to your Aunt Jai over the phone, and she was over the moon as well.

   My sister (Kristi was her name as we were growing up) is a fantastic mother with three boys, whom I'm sure you'll one day meet.  They'll be 11 to 15 years older than you, but I hope that one day you'll call each other every once in a while and see how things are going.

   Family is important, and although my mom and my sister and I are scattered accross the country, we have a stronger connection now than when we all lived under the same roof.  I wish you could have met your Grandpa Doug.  My dad was a great musician and artist, and kept our family protected and warm.  We didn't have a lot of the same interests growing up, but he was a loving father nonetheless, and I'm sad that you'll only get to know him through photographs

   We saw Tim and Melisa's baby last night, Evangeline, and as I held her I imagined what life will be like in less than 9 months.  In those few moments, with Evie asleep in my arms, I forgot about everything in my life that causes me a little stress or worry.  I can't wait to hold you in my arms as you fall asleep.

   Be good!

   Dad 

Your Adventuring Parents

Hey Kiddo,

  Your mom and I were playing a video game last night, "Lara Croft and the Guardians of Light."  She's quite the video game player, and we had a blast working together solving puzzles and blasting undead creatures to smithereens.

   We'll probably still be playing video games in a few years, but just in case, I wanted you to know what we did with our nights before you came along.  We'd watch a movie from Netflix, or stream something over the X-Box, or work out on the treadmill and the elyptical machine that we have upstairs, or sometimes go to the track and walk around there (when it's not too hot!).  We don't like to go out to movie theatres much these days - too many factors that can ruin a good experience.

   We watched a little bit of the "Revenge of the Sith" last night, and saw the scene where Padme tells Anakin that she's pregnant.  Your mom said, "If we have twins that are a boy and a girl we should name them Luke and Leia."

   Just one of the many reasons why I love your mother!

Our First Challenge

Okay, well, maybe it's not our first challenge, but since you've officially been in your mom's belly, this qualifies as our first challenge...

Your mom's been having some pain, and we finally found out what's been causing it today.  We should have found out Friday (it is now Monday), but the doctor that your mom went to wasn't given the right information by her staff (or didn't do her job), so now we are three days behind in getting her healed up.  Hopefully, in about a week, our first challenge will be over, and we'll be on to the next one!

We're hoping that this doesn't impact you, but there's only a small chance that things would get complicated because of this.  We love you so much, and just want to keep you safe.

I'm glad I'm back from my business trip so I can be here for your mom.  Your mom is able to do things on her own, and take care of business, but everybody appreciates a little help once in a while.

Your mom and I also held hands and took our first steps together into the store called "Babies 'R Us" tonight.  We looked at all kinds of baby stuff - stuff that I never knew existed, and stuff that you'll outgrow in a matter of weeks or months... but we'll get it for you anyway, because we love you!

All my love,

Dad

"Word To Your Mother"

Hey kiddo!

   Your mom sent me the best text message today, and she mentioned you.  She said:

"Just wanted to say I love you, miss you and can't wait to hug you (with our baby in between us!) when you get home tomorrow... I know you're super busy so I don't expect a text back!  Just love, love, love you...xoxo"

   She's like that, as you'll soon discover.  You've got the best mom in the world, and we're so lucky to have her in our lives.

   She also got some good news today - she got a callback for a pilot that she auditioned for two weeks ago, which is pretty much the time when you were making your entrance into the world.  You've been a good thing for her, in more ways than one.  You're her lucky charm.

   You're all we talk about, and we'll be talking about you for the rest of our lives.  Stay safe in there.  See you around April 29th or so...

   All my love,

   Dad

"Thundercats are go!"

Those are the first words your mother said to me this morning.  She got the call with the lab results this morning - it's official!  Your mom is pregnant with you!

Somehow, I didn't think it was going to come back negative.  You'll find out, as you grow up, that sometimes, you just "know" something.

Her number (60) was high (20 is average) which might mean that you are twins, or it might just mean that she's REALLY pregnant - in 2010, we still don't have a test that can tell us what to expect.

But that's part of the fun... wondering what you'll be like, and if you'll like Star Wars and Disneyland and Dungeons and Dragons and cupcakes and Halloween, and yes... Thundercats.

There's so much to show you.  I can't wait!

Today I found out you were coming into the world!

Hey kiddo!  Your mom just told me today that you are now officially a twinkle in her eye.  Or you might be two twinkles... or three... or four!

Tomorrow we'll get the results of the blood test that your mom took today, to be sure.  She has been so excited the last two weeks, and couldn't wait to find out if she was pregnant with you.

She had a surprise for me... I'm on a business trip to Tulsa, OK, this week.  How did your extremely creative and loving mother decide to tell me that she was pregnant?  With a very cool t-shirt tucked away in my suitcase that spells "dad" in binary if you convert it to ASCII characters (68, 65, 68).

It was a perfect puzzle!  She's so awesome, as you will soon find out in about 9 months!

I love you, kid.  I'll check in tomorrow!