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HomePersonal SituationHappy First Birthday My Boy!

Happy First Birthday My Boy!

My Son and Freddie the Falcon

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Dear Christian,

I can’t believe that it was about this time one year ago when your mom (a/k/a The Wife) said the scariest words I have ever heard in my life “My Water Just Broke!”  I proceeded to act like a stereotypical male running around packing bags and getting dressed when she informed me we had hours till we left for the hospital and I should try to get some sleep.  Somehow I went back to bed, but when I woke up it was on! Or so we thought.

We rushed to the hospital only to find out we had an estimated 10 hours to go.  Your mom is generally a wuss so what she thought was the middle was only the beginning.  It actually took a brief 17 hours from start to finish!  Boy was I tired walking around that hospital and worrying, but for some reason I didn’t get much sympathy.

Prior to having you in my life I hated when people said, “when you have a child you’ll understand” or “things will be different when you have a kid.”  It infuriated me to think I couldn’t empathize with someone just because you weren’t born yet.  It sucks to admit it “they” were right.  Having you come into my life has completely changed it.

As anyone in my life with testify, I am not a morning person, prior to you being born I contemplated suicide ever morning as I usually only sleep a terrible 5 to 6 hours a night.  However, when your mom brings you into see me as I am getting ready for work brings a joy to my heart I never had before.  While on that subject, you started this new thing where you will cry when I leave for work, yeah that doesn’t kill me or anything! Come on buddy!

It doesn’t matter how tired (or cough cough hung over) I might be you make me smile just from you being you.  Since you were born I have a drive to be home more.  I plan my day around the fact that I get an hour or two with you in the evening and that time is like gold to me.  While I sometimes miss it, I try not to.  During this time we just “play”, boy do we play!  I try to read to you but at this point you are more interested in eating and generally breaking the books that fill your room.

Despite seemingly just flying around (jesus do you whip around our townhouse) you actually remember where you put your toys and even if you put them inside your toy truck.  For some reason that type of memory on such a small child amazes me.  It is very important to me that you learn sign language so you can communicate with your Uncle Chris and I am proud to say that despite not speaking yet you can tell us when you want to eat, when you are finished and you are starting to pick up how to say that you want milk.  Before you get a large head you still try to eat everything and anything that might be dangerous…we have tons of baby toys but nooo those aren’t good enough, you want hangers, laptop chargers, and damn it if that water cooler doesn’t tease you daily.

Thinking back over the past year, I have to say that this is my favorite time with you.  Then again when the question came up a few months back I said the exact same thing, so I am pretty sure this will continue to occur until age 13ish.

I hope to one day share my blog and your mother’s blog to show you the family we were before you and after you…give you a sense of history…and show that if you keep your head on straight, keep your priorities in check (family, as you define it, should be number 1), and work hard anything is possible.

Love,

Da-Da

P.S. Since this is a personal finance blog I will let you know that during your first year, I have completely failed on your 529 savings as I have been focused on other family objectives mainly saving enough liquid cash to buy our next home.   Year 2012 will be completely different, I promise.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Great post evan – so nice to know that life does get better after parenting (and that your wife is a wuss?)
    Looking forward to a post like this next year.

  2. Excellent post, make sure you save it for your son when he can appreciate how special it is. Don’t sweat the 529.

  3. Happy Birthday Christian!
    We are now 2 months into our adventure with our son and like you, I wouldn’t trade these experiences for the world.
    Thanks for the reminder to get his RESP opened and funded this month.

  4. Great post Evan! As a father of a grown son, I can tell you the time will pass by quickly so enjoy every moment and don’t sweat the small stuff!

  5. I had a good laugh reading through your post. Parenting’s definitely a roller coaster, but it sure does get better. 🙂

  6. Very happy for you Evan!

    Yep every year your kid and eventually kids will make you smile when you see them. My daughter (who is very aware of her surroundings) will catch me smiling while watching her, and she’s say firmly “WHAT”. Of course in response, I just say that I love her and she make me smile and that I’m proud of her.

    My son doesn’t catch me doing this though, he’s preoccupied with other things usually, but at 11, I do the same thing. In this way, I’m one of the luckiest men alive.

    Good times my friend, good times!!!

  7. Adorable baby, adorable letter from daddy to baby. Yep, I remember well how it felt having my own precious babes.

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