Dear Nicholai,
Today is Thursday, June 2nd, and we got to take you into downtown Boston, particularly the North End. It's the last day that your Mimi LaVerne and Pawpaw Austin are here. They return to Texas tomorrow morning, but your Nana Kris will still be here for a couple weeks.
So we took you to the Lexington Battle Green a few days back which was the spot where the first shots of the American Revolutionary War occurred. Well, before that happened, the lantern signal was given from the steeple of the Old North Church (one if by land, two if by sea), so that Paul Revere could alert the people of Lexington and Concord. So, you've now seen the Lexington Battle Green where the first shot took play. You've toured the inside of Buckman's Tavern where the Minutemen congregated before the first battle. And now you've seen the Old North Church from which the signal lanterns were hung. So, you still need to see Paul Revere's House, his grave, and the original lantern so that you understand the whole picture.
We always say that you think about the revolutionary war all the time (like when you make funny faces when you sleep), and how you wear your "one if by land, two if by sea" t-shirt. Of course we'll take you to these places when you grow up and know what went on, but it's fun to take you as a baby. We also took you to the U.S.S. Constitution, which was one of six original frigates that made up the U.S. Navy. But, you didn't actually get out on the boat, because your mom wanted to keep you warm and inside. So, we'll have to take you there another time.
One thing that I forgot to write about earlier, but which I should mention because I don't feel like you do it as often anymore, is that when you cry it sounds like "eh eh lie... eh eh lie". So, I like to talk for you and say "It's a lie! It's a lie! They're all lies!" like you're trying to warn the other babies at the hospital that what they told them about their new life with their parents is a lie. We think it's funny because of how angry you look when you make that eh eh lie cry.
You're a week and a couple days old now, and I feel like you're already growing up. You're so content when we take you out, and your mom takes such good care of you where ever we go. She gives you kisses on your upper lip because your expressions are so cute.
Tomorrow, your grandparents from Texas will go home. And you may not see them for up to a year (although we're trying to find some time to see them again on the way to or from California this summer).I'm glad you got to spend some time with them. Your Pawpaw Austin wants to take you out to the Alamo to see that history when you're there.
Tomorrow, we are going to try to get you an appointment with the pediatrician.
Love you lots Nicholai.
Love, your dad, Justin
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Your first outings
Dear Nicholai,
Today is Monday May 30th (5 days after your birth), and we're resting today to give your mom some time to heal and get some sleep. The day before yesterday, we took you on your first outing. We went to the park just outside our apartment on the Mystic River. We pushed you in your stroller and you got your first feel for the outdoors. Later on we want to take you camping, so this was a great experience for you. We took a lot of pictures, especially since your grandparents from Texas are still here.
Yesterday, we took you on your first historical tour at the Lexington Battle Green. We took a tour of Buckman's Tavern, which was the meeting place for the Minutemen just before the first shot of the American Revolutionary War occurred just outside on the Green. Paul Revere was in the tavern with a trunk full of treasonous secrets that he took across the Green just before the first shots rang out. We even bought you a little shirt that says "One if by land, two if by sea" of course referring to the lantern signals that were hung in Old North Church in Boston for Paul Revere so that he could alert Lexington and Concord. We'll definitely take you there sometime too since it's on the Freedom Trail.
Your expressions when we took the tour made it seem like you were understanding the history. We said that you were already "knocking on history's door" and that maybe you would be a brilliant historian when you grow up. Andrea said that she was told babies don't even know they're outside the womb until they're about four months old. So I looked at you with your Paul Revere shirt and said "So you don't even know you're outside the womb but you understand the whole revolutionary war?". Of course, I've also said that maybe you would be an optical or particle physicist, or a concert pianist (since we only listen to classical music when you're in the car since we heard that it might help your brain development). We have high hopes and expectations for you and I'll see to it that your given the best opportunities to make your dreams come true.
We're taking it easy and just hanging out in the apartment today. Tomorrow, I'm taking you to work at the lab to show you off.
Love, your dad, Justin
Today is Monday May 30th (5 days after your birth), and we're resting today to give your mom some time to heal and get some sleep. The day before yesterday, we took you on your first outing. We went to the park just outside our apartment on the Mystic River. We pushed you in your stroller and you got your first feel for the outdoors. Later on we want to take you camping, so this was a great experience for you. We took a lot of pictures, especially since your grandparents from Texas are still here.
Yesterday, we took you on your first historical tour at the Lexington Battle Green. We took a tour of Buckman's Tavern, which was the meeting place for the Minutemen just before the first shot of the American Revolutionary War occurred just outside on the Green. Paul Revere was in the tavern with a trunk full of treasonous secrets that he took across the Green just before the first shots rang out. We even bought you a little shirt that says "One if by land, two if by sea" of course referring to the lantern signals that were hung in Old North Church in Boston for Paul Revere so that he could alert Lexington and Concord. We'll definitely take you there sometime too since it's on the Freedom Trail.
Your expressions when we took the tour made it seem like you were understanding the history. We said that you were already "knocking on history's door" and that maybe you would be a brilliant historian when you grow up. Andrea said that she was told babies don't even know they're outside the womb until they're about four months old. So I looked at you with your Paul Revere shirt and said "So you don't even know you're outside the womb but you understand the whole revolutionary war?". Of course, I've also said that maybe you would be an optical or particle physicist, or a concert pianist (since we only listen to classical music when you're in the car since we heard that it might help your brain development). We have high hopes and expectations for you and I'll see to it that your given the best opportunities to make your dreams come true.
We're taking it easy and just hanging out in the apartment today. Tomorrow, I'm taking you to work at the lab to show you off.
Love, your dad, Justin
Saturday, May 28, 2011
You are here!
Dear Nicholai,
Today is the 27th of May, and you are actually almost 3 days old today. Shortly after I wrote you the last post, I took your mom to the hospital (Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston, just a couple blocks from Fenway). She was experiencing a lot of pain from her contractions that she felt it was time to go to the hospital. Her parents arrived shortly before 2:00 p.m. and we were contemplating whether or not we should pick them up before we went to the hospital or if we should just go straight there. Andrea felt like we had to go straight to the hospital, which ended up being a good decision. They checked her out in triage and realized that her water broke and that she was 4 centimeters dilated. So, they brought her into one of the labor and delivery rooms. Her parents ended up taking a taxi from Boston Logan Airport to Beth Israel and met up with us. LaVerne got to be the second person in the labor and delivery room (of course I was the first, and they only let two people in with the mom). Austin had to wait in the waiting room. Your mom got an epidural (which made a lot of the pain from the contractions disappear). They monitored her for a few hours as she continued contracting and dilating and at about 10:00 p.m., she started pushing. After just about 30 minutes (at 10:33 p.m.) on May 25th, 2011, you were born!
It was so amazing for me to watch you being born. At some point we could see your little head before it came out (they let your mom touch your head to assure her that you were ready to come out). She pushed really well and your head came all the way out. She pushed some more and your whole body came out. It was very incredible. The doctors and nurses moved so quickly with you and you started crying as you were taking your first breaths. I even got to help trim your umbilical cord. I remember you had such great expressions with your little lips that looked like contempt, happiness, anger, and confusion even after only a few minutes after birth. It was so cute. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.
One of the comments that was made about you by the nursing staff was that you were a very relaxed baby. Your crying was very controlled and for most of the time, you were actually very content. They moved us into one of the recovery rooms, and I took your grandparents back to our apartment in Medford. I came back as soon as I could (which was about 2:00 a.m.), to be with Andrea. They monitored you in the nursery the first night because they were concerned about your slower than normal heart rate. You turned out to be just fine though, and the next day, we got to spend a lot of time with you (learning how to care for you and learn all about you).
We actually had the decision as to whether we wanted to stay until Saturday or if we wanted to take you home on Friday. We ended up choosing the latter because we were ready to bring you home. We jokingly said that Friday was the worst day of your life because that was the day you got your circumcision and they had to do blood work on you (two painful things for a little two day old). You didn't sleep so well your first night here, but your mommy took really good care of you. Because she was up for most of the night, we let her take a long nap today. I got to hold you the whole time and I put you tummy down on my chest (what they call tummy time), so that you could sleep, relax and listen to my heart beat and feel my lungs breathe in and out. It's a very calming and intimate position for babies. In fact, I have a picture with me as a baby in the same position with my dad (your grandpa Tom, who you will probably get to meet for the first time this summer). He always said that that was my favorite position to be in.
You are by far the cutest baby I have ever seen and your facial expressions are just priceless. The hospital clothed you in a white wrap around shirt that we called your "Yoda shirt" because it looked like the little robe that Yoda wears in the movie Star Wars. Whenever you got changed they would take it off and you would start to cry, so we always use to talk for you saying "please put my Yoda shirt back on". Or, when you cried, we use to say "aww, bad dream, bad dreams". It was very cute.
I'm so happy that you're finally home. I got to spend some good time bonding with you during your tummy time today. Your Mimi Laverne loves taking care of you and insists on changing your diaper and carrying you around all the time. Whenever you cry, she gets right up to comfort you (which is good, but bad in the sense that you expect that if we do it every time). But, I will say that you are a good self soother too. It's important that we let her take care of you as much as she can though because she lives all the way out in Texas. So, she won't be able to see you all the time, like she's able to see your two older cousins (Madison and Emma).
Today we are taking you for your first walk in the park, which is very exciting. I'll let you know how it goes. Your Nana Kris is coming in on Wednesday to see you. I can't wait for her to be here so she can see you. I love you Nicholai.
Love, your dad
Today is the 27th of May, and you are actually almost 3 days old today. Shortly after I wrote you the last post, I took your mom to the hospital (Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston, just a couple blocks from Fenway). She was experiencing a lot of pain from her contractions that she felt it was time to go to the hospital. Her parents arrived shortly before 2:00 p.m. and we were contemplating whether or not we should pick them up before we went to the hospital or if we should just go straight there. Andrea felt like we had to go straight to the hospital, which ended up being a good decision. They checked her out in triage and realized that her water broke and that she was 4 centimeters dilated. So, they brought her into one of the labor and delivery rooms. Her parents ended up taking a taxi from Boston Logan Airport to Beth Israel and met up with us. LaVerne got to be the second person in the labor and delivery room (of course I was the first, and they only let two people in with the mom). Austin had to wait in the waiting room. Your mom got an epidural (which made a lot of the pain from the contractions disappear). They monitored her for a few hours as she continued contracting and dilating and at about 10:00 p.m., she started pushing. After just about 30 minutes (at 10:33 p.m.) on May 25th, 2011, you were born!
It was so amazing for me to watch you being born. At some point we could see your little head before it came out (they let your mom touch your head to assure her that you were ready to come out). She pushed really well and your head came all the way out. She pushed some more and your whole body came out. It was very incredible. The doctors and nurses moved so quickly with you and you started crying as you were taking your first breaths. I even got to help trim your umbilical cord. I remember you had such great expressions with your little lips that looked like contempt, happiness, anger, and confusion even after only a few minutes after birth. It was so cute. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.
One of the comments that was made about you by the nursing staff was that you were a very relaxed baby. Your crying was very controlled and for most of the time, you were actually very content. They moved us into one of the recovery rooms, and I took your grandparents back to our apartment in Medford. I came back as soon as I could (which was about 2:00 a.m.), to be with Andrea. They monitored you in the nursery the first night because they were concerned about your slower than normal heart rate. You turned out to be just fine though, and the next day, we got to spend a lot of time with you (learning how to care for you and learn all about you).
We actually had the decision as to whether we wanted to stay until Saturday or if we wanted to take you home on Friday. We ended up choosing the latter because we were ready to bring you home. We jokingly said that Friday was the worst day of your life because that was the day you got your circumcision and they had to do blood work on you (two painful things for a little two day old). You didn't sleep so well your first night here, but your mommy took really good care of you. Because she was up for most of the night, we let her take a long nap today. I got to hold you the whole time and I put you tummy down on my chest (what they call tummy time), so that you could sleep, relax and listen to my heart beat and feel my lungs breathe in and out. It's a very calming and intimate position for babies. In fact, I have a picture with me as a baby in the same position with my dad (your grandpa Tom, who you will probably get to meet for the first time this summer). He always said that that was my favorite position to be in.
You are by far the cutest baby I have ever seen and your facial expressions are just priceless. The hospital clothed you in a white wrap around shirt that we called your "Yoda shirt" because it looked like the little robe that Yoda wears in the movie Star Wars. Whenever you got changed they would take it off and you would start to cry, so we always use to talk for you saying "please put my Yoda shirt back on". Or, when you cried, we use to say "aww, bad dream, bad dreams". It was very cute.
I'm so happy that you're finally home. I got to spend some good time bonding with you during your tummy time today. Your Mimi Laverne loves taking care of you and insists on changing your diaper and carrying you around all the time. Whenever you cry, she gets right up to comfort you (which is good, but bad in the sense that you expect that if we do it every time). But, I will say that you are a good self soother too. It's important that we let her take care of you as much as she can though because she lives all the way out in Texas. So, she won't be able to see you all the time, like she's able to see your two older cousins (Madison and Emma).
Today we are taking you for your first walk in the park, which is very exciting. I'll let you know how it goes. Your Nana Kris is coming in on Wednesday to see you. I can't wait for her to be here so she can see you. I love you Nicholai.
Love, your dad
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Getting Closer
Dear Nicholai,
I think we're getting closer to seeing you! Today is the 25th of May. Your mom has been having painful contractions for most of the day so far, and... your grandma and grandpa are arriving in boston from Texas in about an hour!
I checked in on base this morning with Andrea (trying to figure out our trip to California) and we came home to eat (chicken nuggets and fries) before picking up your grandparents. Your mom is contemplating going into the hospital today, although she has an appointment at the clinic this afternoon. So, maybe they will decide if it's time or not.
I changed out of my uniform and had to think twice about the clothes that I put on because of considering staying in the hospital and how we'll look in your first pictures ever. It's a funny thought for me.
I also was remembering today, the first time your mom told me that she was pregnant and how the time has flown past so quickly to this point. Andrea said that she needed to talk to me and sort of apprehensively told me she was pregnant. I was most definitely excited, but also had mixed feelings about what our life would look like with a baby. Over the last nine months, I've been able to piece everything together both mentally (in the sense of having to think about logistics and career development) and physically (in the sense of buying all the stuff you will need when you come into this world).
I really want you to know that I am truly very excited about your birth and I can't wait to raise you. I've really been pouring over a full flush of memories and experiences about how I was raised and the relationship I had with my own dad. It's a special relationship that will be an incredible experience for both of us.
Your mom is pacing around in our apartment experiencing painful contractions. We may be getting very close!
I'll try to write again today or tomorrow.
Love you lots.
Your dad, Justin
I think we're getting closer to seeing you! Today is the 25th of May. Your mom has been having painful contractions for most of the day so far, and... your grandma and grandpa are arriving in boston from Texas in about an hour!
I checked in on base this morning with Andrea (trying to figure out our trip to California) and we came home to eat (chicken nuggets and fries) before picking up your grandparents. Your mom is contemplating going into the hospital today, although she has an appointment at the clinic this afternoon. So, maybe they will decide if it's time or not.
I changed out of my uniform and had to think twice about the clothes that I put on because of considering staying in the hospital and how we'll look in your first pictures ever. It's a funny thought for me.
I also was remembering today, the first time your mom told me that she was pregnant and how the time has flown past so quickly to this point. Andrea said that she needed to talk to me and sort of apprehensively told me she was pregnant. I was most definitely excited, but also had mixed feelings about what our life would look like with a baby. Over the last nine months, I've been able to piece everything together both mentally (in the sense of having to think about logistics and career development) and physically (in the sense of buying all the stuff you will need when you come into this world).
I really want you to know that I am truly very excited about your birth and I can't wait to raise you. I've really been pouring over a full flush of memories and experiences about how I was raised and the relationship I had with my own dad. It's a special relationship that will be an incredible experience for both of us.
Your mom is pacing around in our apartment experiencing painful contractions. We may be getting very close!
I'll try to write again today or tomorrow.
Love you lots.
Your dad, Justin
Monday, May 23, 2011
I can't believe you're almost here.
Dear Nicholai,
Today is May 23rd, 2011. Your mom and I are both 24, living just outside of Boston, where we've been for about a year. Your dad is a new lieutenant in the Air Force, and we're expecting you in about a week (May 31st). It's so hard to believe you're almost here. There's so much to think about as a first time parent that I've been a little restless over the last couple weeks. I don't think I ever thought that I would have a kid so soon (not that it's a bad thing, but just unexpected for us). I feel like there's a lot of pressure about getting things right as a parent, making sure that we're all set, that we've bought all the right things, did the right research etc. I really hope we're able to provide a great life for you.
Your mom has been so excited as your due date approaches. We live in a small one bedroom apartment just outside of Boston, and she's done a lot to clean it up, and get everything set for your arrival (of course I help too!). She calls it her "nesting period" where she's making sure you have a good home to come to. We have a dresser full of brand new clothes for you. Every week since we've known that you were coming, we've tried to pick up an outfit or two. We bought a brand new Eddie Bauer Travel System, equipped with an awesome stroller and car seat. We got a new rocking chair to nurse you in, and a playpen. We even hung up our art on the walls so that you have something interesting to look at. There are some times that I wish we could do so much more for you, like go way overboard and get you tons of stuff. But I know that what we have is good and I just can't wait until you're here to use it all.
In a couple days, your grandparents (LaVerne and Austin -- I think they'll want to be called Mimi and Pawpaw respectfully) are coming into town from Texas where your mom is from (and where we met). This will be their first trip to Boston and the New England area. Your grandma LaVerne really wants to be here when you're born, and I don't know what she'll do if she's not. A little less than a week later (on June 1st), your other grandma (my mom Kris, who you'll call Nana) will be here too. Believe it or not, we're housing them all in our apartment for this momentous occasion. Everybody is so excited to see you. You're the first male great-grandchild on my dad's side of the family, and THE first great-grandchild on my mom's side. You are also the first male great-grandchild on your mom's (Andrea's) side of the family.
Just a side note here -- I'm actually watching the NBA conference finals right now between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. I'm a little conflicted about who I want to win. Your dad was actually born in Oklahoma City, although we didn't live there long. But, we also lived in the greater Seattle area for quite some time, where the Seattle Sonics used to be. They are now called the Oklahoma City Thunder since they moved from the city. But to me, it's an underdog story. There are players on the Thunder who are 22 years old (two years younger than I am now). So it's pretty amazing that such a young team with young players has made it so far. I can't wait to take you to professional sports games. Basketball is not really my favorite, but baseball most definitely is. Your mom and I use to go to Mariner's games as often as we could while I was finishing up college, and of course we've gone to some Red Sox games since we've lived here. It's a really great experience that I've gotten to share with my closest friends and family, and I can't wait to share that with you.
We're very excited for you to be here, and I'll keep this updated to let you know what's going on. It's a very interesting time for all of us and we can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
Until our next letter, I love you very much.
Your dad, Justin.
Today is May 23rd, 2011. Your mom and I are both 24, living just outside of Boston, where we've been for about a year. Your dad is a new lieutenant in the Air Force, and we're expecting you in about a week (May 31st). It's so hard to believe you're almost here. There's so much to think about as a first time parent that I've been a little restless over the last couple weeks. I don't think I ever thought that I would have a kid so soon (not that it's a bad thing, but just unexpected for us). I feel like there's a lot of pressure about getting things right as a parent, making sure that we're all set, that we've bought all the right things, did the right research etc. I really hope we're able to provide a great life for you.
Your mom has been so excited as your due date approaches. We live in a small one bedroom apartment just outside of Boston, and she's done a lot to clean it up, and get everything set for your arrival (of course I help too!). She calls it her "nesting period" where she's making sure you have a good home to come to. We have a dresser full of brand new clothes for you. Every week since we've known that you were coming, we've tried to pick up an outfit or two. We bought a brand new Eddie Bauer Travel System, equipped with an awesome stroller and car seat. We got a new rocking chair to nurse you in, and a playpen. We even hung up our art on the walls so that you have something interesting to look at. There are some times that I wish we could do so much more for you, like go way overboard and get you tons of stuff. But I know that what we have is good and I just can't wait until you're here to use it all.
In a couple days, your grandparents (LaVerne and Austin -- I think they'll want to be called Mimi and Pawpaw respectfully) are coming into town from Texas where your mom is from (and where we met). This will be their first trip to Boston and the New England area. Your grandma LaVerne really wants to be here when you're born, and I don't know what she'll do if she's not. A little less than a week later (on June 1st), your other grandma (my mom Kris, who you'll call Nana) will be here too. Believe it or not, we're housing them all in our apartment for this momentous occasion. Everybody is so excited to see you. You're the first male great-grandchild on my dad's side of the family, and THE first great-grandchild on my mom's side. You are also the first male great-grandchild on your mom's (Andrea's) side of the family.
Just a side note here -- I'm actually watching the NBA conference finals right now between the Dallas Mavericks and the Oklahoma City Thunder. I'm a little conflicted about who I want to win. Your dad was actually born in Oklahoma City, although we didn't live there long. But, we also lived in the greater Seattle area for quite some time, where the Seattle Sonics used to be. They are now called the Oklahoma City Thunder since they moved from the city. But to me, it's an underdog story. There are players on the Thunder who are 22 years old (two years younger than I am now). So it's pretty amazing that such a young team with young players has made it so far. I can't wait to take you to professional sports games. Basketball is not really my favorite, but baseball most definitely is. Your mom and I use to go to Mariner's games as often as we could while I was finishing up college, and of course we've gone to some Red Sox games since we've lived here. It's a really great experience that I've gotten to share with my closest friends and family, and I can't wait to share that with you.
We're very excited for you to be here, and I'll keep this updated to let you know what's going on. It's a very interesting time for all of us and we can't wait to see how it all unfolds.
Until our next letter, I love you very much.
Your dad, Justin.
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