Baby Thoughts

There's a reason why Heavenly Father decided to make baby growing time 9 months long. It gives us all time to "get ready". Right now, the baby sites are saying my growing child is about the size of a banana, the ultrasound tech said he's about 12 1/2 inches long, and I've decided to say that he's about the size of my foot. When Linds was born, she was about 18 in long, and I was about 22 according to El Madre. So, all signs are pointing to us having a long baby, at least. So far we've got a pic of him looking like a Hidden Mickey, then a pic of him looking like an Area 51 alien, and this last time we got a pic of his "wedding vegetables" as James May would say. Or, his "gentleman's region". Whichever you prefer. What we do NOT have yet is a picture of the Cattell nose. If the poor little guy is going to get one thing from me, it will be the family nose. Hopefully at our next ultrasound we'll finally be able to get ya'll a pic of his face!

If you haven't heard, we've decided on naming the kid Hudson Dale Volle. We've chosen this name because it holds an immensely deep and important place in the memory of our relationship together. See, we knew this hobo who lived in the building next to the building that was in front of the building we would go to to see movies in. We never actually got the guy's name, but we called him Hudson in conversation afterwards because of the way he was piloting his cart filled with soda cans across the small pond between the buildings. We so admired his calm demeanor as he screamed at the ducks to get out of the way of his cart....What? Seriously? But's it's so cool!...

.....So Lindsea say's I can't finish the story because it's not true. Like that matters!! Truthfully, Hudson was one of the few names we both liked and the only one that we both went "That's the one!" So, future son-o-mine, that's how you got your name! (I like the hobo story better tho). The middle name, Dale, comes from the fact that both of Hudson's Grandpappy's share the same name, and we wanted to give the kid some good examples to follow. We'll see how that works out ;)

I've been asked if I'm excited about little Hudson's arrival and while I look forward to it, I'm not "excited" about it yet. It's always been this way with me, so don't worry. When getting ready for my mission, I wasn't excited about it until I was getting my dork dot put on my tag in the MTC. Graduations, the wedding, etc were all the same way. I see this as a good thing since I don't drive myself crazy stressing about the event before I've got to the bridge :). And truthfully, I'll be 34 when Hudson arrives, so it's also a feeling of "well it's about time!".

Maybe when I can feel the little alien kicking in the nice climate controlled swimming pool he lives in, maybe it'll be more real then. We are very fortunate to be living here in this place and time, as being here really keeps our stress level's down. This whole thing would be a nightmare if we were both still working at Disney, that's for sure. Thanks Dale and RaeAnne for putting up with us!

I really have no idea where my little family will be 2 years from now. In fact, the future is a little murky around September time, at the moment. I'm working on getting back to school, and getting another degree in hopes that I'll be better able to provide for the money draining, spoiled, ornery, diva-ish little person and our newborn baby. (Love you honey! :D ). But I know that somewhere in the midst of all the coming craziness, that moment will happen. Sometime after the death threats and tears, after the cigars have been handed out and Facebook statuses updated. But before first diaper change, the first Walmart visit and the baby blessing. At some point, I'll do my own check of fingers and toes; eyes, ears, mouth and nose, because that's what father's do. I'll marvel at that tiny hand gripping my finger and look over to make sure Mamma is passed out, sleeping. Then, we'll have The Talk. It'll go something like this:

"Hey little guy, how ya doin'? How was your trip? That's quite the grip you've got there. Hey listen, I'm glad we finally get this chance to sit down and talk. I've just finished going over my checklist here, and I'm happy to tell you that you've got all the right things in the right places, at the right time. Good job, buddy! Wow, that was a big yawn! I know it's been a busy day for ya, so I'll try to keep this somewhat brief.

First off, I'd like to welcome you to The World, officially I mean. I've got a certificate here with your name on it, and both your Mommy and I have signed it so you're all set. We'll hold on to it for you, for now. Also, I'd like to congratulate you on your entrance into the world. You really nailed the landing and all the judges seemed really please with your performance. Personally, I think the intermission you took around Hour 9 was a bit mis-timed, but you really pulled out the bells and whistles for the finale. There's no doubt about that!

Now, uh, we've got some administrative stuff to go get out of the way, so just bear with me. First off, I am your Father. Or Daddy, or Dad. Whichever you prefer. Just try to make sure you call ME one of those, and not some other guy. Now, since you're not up to talking right now I'll settle for a vague eye movement in my direction a couple times a week. Also, that person over there with all the drool on the pillow is your Mother. Mommy or Mom works as well, and she would prefer that you at least acknowledge her with some eye tracking and eyebrow movements for now. Between you and me, the sooner you learn to call her "Your Highness", the better off you'll be. Just trust me on that. And you are Hudson. That's right, Hudson Dale Volle. You like it? Oh good, I'm glad, because it's a little late to change the certificate.

You have a question? Oh, the drooling? Yeah, she does that all the time, I wouldn't worry about it. Just be glad she doesn't do it on YOUR pillow. No one mentioned THAT to me as part of the marriage contract....
Anyways, you'll be meeting a lot more of your family members pretty soon, but don't worry about names for now. Just try not to throw up on them, or scream when they pick you up, that would be a big help.

Finally, some really important business and I'm glad I didn't forget this! Hang in there buddy, you can sleep in a minute. This is really important, so pay attention. Now...uh...your Mother has the keys to the car. Metaphorically speaking, I mean. She's the driver and don't let the fact that she sits in the passenger seat fool ya! It's very important that we keep Momma happy, or things will get real dark for us, really fast.We'll talk more about what you can do to avoid making Mommy not happy later, but for now just keep that thought in the front of your brain housing group, ok?

Great! I'm glad we got that out of the way. Well that's about it then, off you go for a snack and some sleep.
Welcome again and we all look forward to watching your career. Stop by the secretary on the way out and have her schedule another one of these in a couple years and we'll talk about The Book of Dad. Love ya!"