You are Active!

JJ,

You are an active little fellow. Now that we are entering the third trimester you move like a gymnast! Sometimes I just look at your mom's belly and see you rolling across it.

But you may be trying to keep up with your dog, Lucky. He is growing - probably like you are. He's a happy little dog- with a lot of energy, and from what I can tell, you both will be a great match for each other.

Like all puppies, and no doubt like you-- when we are not chasing him he spends most of his time quietly sleeping-- always wanting to be near us. When we got Lucky we thought he would be smaller than he is becoming-- but that's ok.

I can envision the two of you sleeping together-- you resting against him - both sleeping quietly on the floor.

Yea, you are active now- and I suspect it means you will be an active little boy, just like Jimmy was. I look forward to keeping up with you!

But more than that - I can see when I have that vision of you and Lucky worn out together and sleeping on each other-- I am going to hope that I capture every second of it-- and not wish time away. And, I look forward to just watching you grow- and play- -and then when worn out and not sleeping on the dog-- resting with your dad.

For now- you are safe in mom's womb- but someday soon, son - you will be safe on my lap

Love,

Dad

The new Family

Dear JJ,

A very good friend of ours wanted to get your first baby gift. So she got a pair of fur slippers.

Turns out your mom and I love our fur slippers, so today-- in Anchorage -- we lined them up. Everytime we look at them - we smile. Because we are a family.

Of course Alaska is pretty special to us. It is where I was born and raised, where my dad was, and his mom, and years back. Don't know that you will be born here -- but you were made here.

Great thing about Alaska-- you have a whole lot of aunties and uncles that can't wait to meet you. So I have to wonder-- why do you need slippers-- because from what I can tell you won't need to use your feet-- everyone will carry you.

Especially your dad,

Love, Dad

Gracie

Son,

You are named after your uncle, Jimmy -- someone you will never meet because he died in 2006.

Yesterday we heard that his dog died -- his dog was named Gracie. Grace, or Amazing Grace as I called her at his funeral - was a Golden Retriever. A nice dog- who loved to run and chase a tennis ball. She was a great companion for your uncle-- even in the end.

You get to grow up with a dog -- Lucky -- who will be your best friend and watch over you, and follow you around and wag his tail. Dogs are great - they love you no matter what, they live in the moment, and they teach us so many good things about life.

So, I am a bit sad today as I think of the passing of the dog-- but am excited to think that you will have your friend with you.

In a few short months I get to hold you, and introduce you to Lucky. And your mom and dad are the lucky ones-- because we just know you will grow up with a great smile, be a happy kid-- and have a great dog.

So, son, you are a part of the cycle of life. Just remember the lessons of a dog-- live in the moment, forgive quickly, always greet others warmly - and sleep soundly.

Sorry you won't get to meet Jimmy or Gracie - but we will tell you all about them as you ask.

Ok, son - see you soon.

Love,
Dad

The softie

Dear JJ,

So here is the deal -- I am worried about being a dad. The reason is that your little friend, Dr. Lucky, is getting spoiled by me.

Ok, here goes. Dr. Lucky was crate trained-- so he was trained to spend the night in a crate. About 2 am I hear him whimper- I wake up and take him outside. Last night I heard him cry, let him out of the crate and he spent the night sleeping under the bed.

So I worry- when you cry I will want to pick you up. But some "experts" say that you shouldn't do that. I won't be able to help myself, son. I am going to pick you up and spend the night in the rocker if I have to. Because I want to remember these moments.

And when you get to college - and are a smart kid, and want to be a little distant -- I am going to think back to those moments when you were a baby -- and crying - and I picked you up and rocked you to sleep.

The experts-- well, I guess either they are wrong or I will be. But I am going to enjoy every minute of holding you close.

Love,

Dad

Your Old Man

Hey Son,
You might notice something as you get older -- that your dad might be a bit older than some of the other dads around. Well -- let me tell you something about that --

My grandfather was 54 when he had my dad (your grandfather). Your other grandfather was my age when he had your uncle Peter --. Then, on the Norwegian side there were plenty of relatives who were in their 50's when they had their children.

So, I had gone through life- done a lot of interesting things - made a career-- and then the greatest adventure of all hit -- meeting your mom. And from your mom we decided why not share the love-- so here you come.

So, son - when you see your dad - and he is the one who takes the time to spend with you, while other dad's are running off with their careers -- well, don't blame them because their dad's are younger and inexperienced.

Love you son -- can't wait to get you out on the golf course!
Love,
Dad

We are all under one roof

Hey JJ,

This is the first weekend your mom and I won't be traveling somewhere. After 8 months, hundreds of thousands of miles - we are finally -- all of us -- under one roof!

This is my favorite weekend of all time!

The three of us went to Rome for a honeymoon/babymoon and we discovered that you LOVE pasta! Everytime your mom ate pasta you moved a lot!

Plus we got you a companion-- two days after we got home- we got Dr. Lucky!

Now our life begins-- and your dad is the happiest dad in the world,

Love,

Dad

The best family

JJ,


As the gang was all leaving Arizona, two things happened. Our house- which was full of family, friends, guests-- became empty. I missed everyone so much.

I called my mom- and she said something "You married into the most wonderful family." She is so right.

Here we all are after the wedding. So I have to say a few things abut all of them- starting with the back row.

Peter- your uncle. You are going to have so much fun playing with him. He is smart, fun, a talented artist and you will just love him.

Your grandfather- wow. What can I say. I am so blessed to know him - a man who has learned about grace and mercy. When your grandfather left for China, he hugged me and said, "goodbye, son."-- touched me greatly. I know a bit of what it takes to learn how grace and mercy are not in a religion but in the heart-- those are lessons that come from a lot of thought, a lot of heart, and some hardship.

Next is your old man- the proud daddy--.

Then there is Bob-- he is the greatest friend. We are both the "outsiders" of the family who have been so welcomed in. I feel like I gained a brother - not just a brother-in-law. We both look forward to the day when you beat us in golf.

First one on the couch is your mother -- what is there I can say. She is the greatest woman you will ever know.

There is your grandmother next. What a wonderful, wonderful lady she is. She is interesting, engaging, funny, and just wonderful. You get a lot of your energy from that lady!

Your aunt Kim. I got to know her a bit before I married your mom-- and she is a sweet, caring, wonderful lady who will spoil you to death.

Son- you will grow up around these people with love, and it will take you a few years before you realize how special they are. Being wonderful and loving comes from living life with a good and pure heart. It comes from having a lot of experiences-- and not all of them good -- but surviving them and moving forward with a smile and a conviction of what you have within. You are a reflection of your friends, and your family -- I'm glad your mom let me into her life-- I clearly upgraded.

Someday son, you will wonder what you can do in life to make me, or your family proud-- and that is simple-- be like them. Love fully, judge no one, be ready to help all - and always smile. I don't know what traits you will get from me-- and I don't have a lot-- but here is one tip from your old man -- when you see a little old lady-- wink at her.

Love,

Dad