So I've been slacking, little buddy! But that doesn't mean I love you any less!!!
When we were awaiting the arrival of your big sister, Erica, I had lots of time on my hands to blog often...but since she's come along, spare/down time is hard to come by! This week is Christmas Break for me so I've had some time to catch up while Erica's been napping...and so with the help of your mom nagging at me to update this blog...here I am, curled up in the basement by the fire, writing a little note to you! I've been busy in grad school working on my Master's Degree so I can make us more money and hopefully provide a better future for you. It's taken a lot of my time with all of the reading I have to do and the papers I have to write...I usually don't get started on them until your big sister has gone to bed for the night. Fortunately for you, I'll be done in June!!!
Although I had to miss a few doctor's appointments because of school and work, I've loved going to all but a couple of them...it's been so awesome hearing your heartbeat and seeing a few pictures of you on the ultrasound slides a few months ago. Some day you'll realize why a baby's heartbeat is the best sound in the world!!!
I can't wait to meet you! I've found some camo clothes for you and Erica has bought a car for you already! Your room is painted blue and the letters spelling your name are painted and ready to hang once you arrive home (we can't hang them yet because we don't want anyone to see them too early and ruin the surprise!). By the way...I love your name! It took some sweet talking and many conversations, but I finally got your mom convinced that we have the right name picked out for you. (I think she's just a sore loser because I also named your sister!) I even have a camo outfit picked out for you to wear home from the hospital once you arrive in a few weeks!
I'm really anxious to take you hunting for the first time! I'm going to bring you to the Big Gun Lodge wayyyyy up in the woods and far away from the hustle-bustle of people. It's a very special place to me...and your grandpa, Tim for that matter. I've been going up there since I was 8 years old with my dad. I wasn't old enough to hunt then, but I loved driving around on the 4 wheeler with him through the woods and helping him see grouse. I really hope I can take you and your sister along for some hunts when you two get old enough...I've been waiting a really long time to make that memory with you guys! I'm hoping you'll want to hunt with me, but more importantly, I hope you want to go up to the cabin with me. It's always been a special place and a special time and I look forward to it every year. It's a chance to escape life and recharge the batteries by being in the quiet woods, in a cozy cabin and out by the fire watching the river flow by. I like to think that my worries and stresses are carried away by the river as it runs past the cabin! Again...I'm so hopeful that you'll want to go to the cabin with me throughout your lifetime and share some memories together as I've done with my dad and other good buddies up there. I know you'll have a pal, Owen, who will be hoping to see you up there in a few years...I'm sure you two will have lots of fun together running through the woods playing with toy guns, walking with your dads and practicing shooting a BB gun when you get a little older! I'm thinking I may even get buried up there someday...well, of having some of my ashes throw into the river and sprinkled around the woods...that way I'll always be up at the cabin I love, and even after I'm gone, you'll still be able to come and hang out at the cabin and spend some time with your dad!
On a more serious note...you and I will have to sit down and have a chat once you arrive...you've been torturing your mother for the past 9 months! She's been pretty miserable carrying you around in her belly...but she loves you very much and can't wait to meet you too! She's had heartburn from the day we learned you were hiding in her belly. Her back has been hurting more, and she's had a lot of trouble sleeping and has been sick at times. You've definitely been testing her will, but I know she'll love you just as much as she loves your big sister! So basically, what I'm trying to say is that you'll be grounded indefinitely once you arrive...until mom says you're done, you're on lock down, little buddy!!!
We have a bigger house for you! Earlier this fall, at the end of October, we bought a bigger house for you and your sister. Each of you have your own bedroom, and a huge toy room downstairs for you to play with all of your toys. Erica loves the room so far. I think the best part of the house, the part you'll like most when you get older, is the huge backyard...we have a big hill for you to go sledding down in the winter, a fire pit at the top of the hill...but the best part, is the "bonus yard" we have behind us...it's a huge nature park area...over a mile long and close to a half mile wide of woods, grasslands and rolling hills! It's pretty awesome! It feels like we're up in the woods when Lexi and I have walked around it a couple times...and I haven't even come close to seeing it all yet! If you're anything like me when I was a kid, you'll love running around in the woods and playing "army guys" with toy guns when you get older! I'm pretty jealous of you...I would've loved to have had this yard when I was a little boy!!!
Well, I'll wrap this up...your sister will probably be waking up from a nap soon and will spoil a perfectly quiet afternoon of solitude!!! I love you very much, little buddy! Erica and I talk to you every day and rub mommy's tummy as we talk to you. We can't wait to meet you. I'm nervous again to get ready to go to the hospital just because it was tough for me to see mommy hooked up to all of the machines, but I know that you'll be ready to meet us soon and I can't wait to see you and hold you for the first time! Love ya lots!
-Daddy
Your beautiful mommy! Taken today, 12/30/15 (36 weeks)
Our new house with your big sister, Erica in the front yard
Your bedroom. Mommy has put up some decorations since this picture was taken...she's loved decorating your room with dinosaurs for you!!!
Erica wanted to try a pair of your PJs on one night while we were decorating your room!
