Hey Son!
Well, this morning we went to San Antonio Hospital after we thought your mom's water may have broken. It was just a small amount, but we wanted to check, so we called the hospital and they told us to come in.
They examined your mom, and you, today, and called you a "wiggle worm" because you were moving so much. It's a healthy thing, and a good thing, actually, so be proud of your new title! They checked your mom's cervix, said she was still completely closed, and checked a sample under the microscope, looking for "fern-like" evidence of amniotic fluid. They didn't find anything that made them think your mom's water had broken, so they were about to send us home - but you wiggled away from the heart monitor, so the nurse asked that we stay a little longer after they found you again, just to make sure you were alright.
Satisfied that you were fine, they unhooked your mom from the monitors and we went to the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department to have them check out your little car seat. We want to make sure you'll be safe. Then I had a conference call with my "bosses" at The Crosby Group (the folks for whom I work).
We ended up going to your aunt Casey's socker game, where we saw her score two goals, and during that time, your mom starting feeling a little funny. We came home, finished making tortilla soup, and then your mom started having contractions. She's in the shower right now, and has decided to change your middle name from "Danger" to "Son of a b----" as she's not having a really fun time right now.
But all of that is in fun. We love you so much and can't wait to meet you! The time is drawing near!
I love you so much.
Dad
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Passing of a Great Man
My Dear Son,
I was hoping beyond hope that your Great Grandfather, Carroll Atherton, would have an opportunity to meet you before he passed. But, I'm sorry to say that I am, once again, here in Kentucky, only four months since your Great Grandmother Alberta passed. Yesterday, we buried Grandpa Atherton at the same cemetery where my dad and your Great Grandmother Alberta are buried.
Your Great Grandpa taught me a lot things that I hope to teach you one day. He taught me that if you are going to do something, do it right, or don't do it at all. He was thoughtful, respectful, and a real gentleman. He worried a lot, but not about himself - he worried about others, and was very generous with his time and sacrified a lot for his family. My mother tells me there were times when I was growing up that my mother didn't know how they survived. That was your Great Grandpa's doing, I suspect.
Right now, there's a chain of fast-food restaurants called "Kentucky Fried Chicken" that has been around for many years. I'm sure I've told you by the time you read this, but your Great Grandfather knew Colonel Sanders, the man who started the restaurant, and sold him his first calculator. I suppose that was his claim to fame. He was also President of the Rotary Club in J-Town (Jeffersontown) and he inspired me to join the Rotary Club out in California. I plan to teach you the "Four-Way Test" and hope you'll try to live your life by it, as I have tried to live mine by it:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
He taught me things by counter-example, too. He taught me not to worry so much, as I know that contributed to his decline in his later years, and he also taught me to cultivate my hobbies, because he didn't really have any. He had outlived all of his friends from his youth, and though he had fantastic neighbors who became his dear friends, once the love of his life passed, he had nothing to focus his energy on, save for his family, and so he slept a lot. That was his way of coping, and I so wish that he had been interested in some hobbies - distractions that he could, in his advanced age, still enjoy.
When someone you love dies, you're confronted with the realization that you don't have all the time in the world; that there won't always be tomorrow. I have felt a shift in my own mindset this week - even since yesterday afternoon. I want to do something important - something that has a positive and lasting effect on the world. The legacy that your Great Grandpa left was the love of his family, and I hope that when my time comes, I have done justice to the Atherton name, and to his memory.
I can't get home until Monday, which means I'm going to have to miss the baby shower for you tomorrow. It makes me sad that I won't be there with your mom's family and many of our friends to celebrate your highly-anticipated arrival. Your mom has been pregnant with you for 36 weeks today, and things are looking good. She knows you are a strong baby, and we are so looking forward to raising you and seeing the man you become.
We love you dearly, talk about you constantly, and laugh about your antics even now. Your mom went to a breast-feeding class a few days ago, and the whole class burst into laughter when you kicked her fake baby off of her chest! You've got some powerful legs already, which I'm sure your mom will want to turn into soccer cannons!
I have vowed that my next trip out here to Kentucky will not be for a funeral, but to introduce you to your family that has had such a positive influence on me, and that I hope you get to know as you grow up.
I love you,
Dad
I was hoping beyond hope that your Great Grandfather, Carroll Atherton, would have an opportunity to meet you before he passed. But, I'm sorry to say that I am, once again, here in Kentucky, only four months since your Great Grandmother Alberta passed. Yesterday, we buried Grandpa Atherton at the same cemetery where my dad and your Great Grandmother Alberta are buried.
Your Great Grandpa taught me a lot things that I hope to teach you one day. He taught me that if you are going to do something, do it right, or don't do it at all. He was thoughtful, respectful, and a real gentleman. He worried a lot, but not about himself - he worried about others, and was very generous with his time and sacrified a lot for his family. My mother tells me there were times when I was growing up that my mother didn't know how they survived. That was your Great Grandpa's doing, I suspect.
Right now, there's a chain of fast-food restaurants called "Kentucky Fried Chicken" that has been around for many years. I'm sure I've told you by the time you read this, but your Great Grandfather knew Colonel Sanders, the man who started the restaurant, and sold him his first calculator. I suppose that was his claim to fame. He was also President of the Rotary Club in J-Town (Jeffersontown) and he inspired me to join the Rotary Club out in California. I plan to teach you the "Four-Way Test" and hope you'll try to live your life by it, as I have tried to live mine by it:
Of the things we think, say, or do:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build good will and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
He taught me things by counter-example, too. He taught me not to worry so much, as I know that contributed to his decline in his later years, and he also taught me to cultivate my hobbies, because he didn't really have any. He had outlived all of his friends from his youth, and though he had fantastic neighbors who became his dear friends, once the love of his life passed, he had nothing to focus his energy on, save for his family, and so he slept a lot. That was his way of coping, and I so wish that he had been interested in some hobbies - distractions that he could, in his advanced age, still enjoy.
When someone you love dies, you're confronted with the realization that you don't have all the time in the world; that there won't always be tomorrow. I have felt a shift in my own mindset this week - even since yesterday afternoon. I want to do something important - something that has a positive and lasting effect on the world. The legacy that your Great Grandpa left was the love of his family, and I hope that when my time comes, I have done justice to the Atherton name, and to his memory.
I can't get home until Monday, which means I'm going to have to miss the baby shower for you tomorrow. It makes me sad that I won't be there with your mom's family and many of our friends to celebrate your highly-anticipated arrival. Your mom has been pregnant with you for 36 weeks today, and things are looking good. She knows you are a strong baby, and we are so looking forward to raising you and seeing the man you become.
We love you dearly, talk about you constantly, and laugh about your antics even now. Your mom went to a breast-feeding class a few days ago, and the whole class burst into laughter when you kicked her fake baby off of her chest! You've got some powerful legs already, which I'm sure your mom will want to turn into soccer cannons!
I have vowed that my next trip out here to Kentucky will not be for a funeral, but to introduce you to your family that has had such a positive influence on me, and that I hope you get to know as you grow up.
I love you,
Dad
Friday, March 18, 2011
Middle Name: "Danger"
We decided on your name on December 18th of 2010 while your mom and I were in the car waiting to see the Christmas lights. (Wow, I can't believe its already the middle of March!) Some other contenders were:
- Allistair
- Drew
- Andy
- Alex
- Charlie
- Brock
- Landon
- Nicholas
- Skylar
- Ethan
- Ian
We didn't come together on your middle name until some time later... We'll tell people that your middle name is "Dane" for a while, until you get a little older, I think.
Your mom and I have been to 5 weeks of classes that have taught us all about what to expect in the coming weeks. Our friends Mark and Melody are having their baby today - St. Patrick's Day (or the day after...). We haven't heard anything in a few hours, but it looks like their daughter isn't being quick about coming out. Our friends Joe and Edie are having their little girl, Aubrey, in June, so you'll have some kiddos to play with as you grow up, and we're pretty happy about that!
Your great-grandfather Robert passed away this last weekend, so your mom has just returned home from a week in Arizona. She's tired beyond belief, and you've been getting bigger and bigger, so she's pretty uncomfortable on top of it.
But, you're worth it, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Still, it's time for bed, so I'll check in with you later, my son.
I love you!
Dad
- Allistair
- Drew
- Andy
- Alex
- Charlie
- Brock
- Landon
- Nicholas
- Skylar
- Ethan
- Ian
We didn't come together on your middle name until some time later... We'll tell people that your middle name is "Dane" for a while, until you get a little older, I think.
Your mom and I have been to 5 weeks of classes that have taught us all about what to expect in the coming weeks. Our friends Mark and Melody are having their baby today - St. Patrick's Day (or the day after...). We haven't heard anything in a few hours, but it looks like their daughter isn't being quick about coming out. Our friends Joe and Edie are having their little girl, Aubrey, in June, so you'll have some kiddos to play with as you grow up, and we're pretty happy about that!
Your great-grandfather Robert passed away this last weekend, so your mom has just returned home from a week in Arizona. She's tired beyond belief, and you've been getting bigger and bigger, so she's pretty uncomfortable on top of it.
But, you're worth it, and she wouldn't have it any other way. Still, it's time for bed, so I'll check in with you later, my son.
I love you!
Dad
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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.)
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.)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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!
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!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
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
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!
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.
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
Monday, October 18, 2010
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
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