amount of sandy blond-brown hair. You didn’t have quite enough hair though to fill in the swirly of the cowlick right in the center of your hairline above your forehead. That swirly always warmed my heart and made me smile. Today, it gives you that cute little spike of hair in the front.
Although you were small, you were tough—and alert! Your incubator was on a very busy aisle. It was across from Collin and next to Hannah—although a dividing wall stood between yours and Hannah’s incubators. One time I was holding you next to your busy aisle and your tiny squinty eyes followed whenever a doctor or a nurse would walk by. None of our medical team could believe how alert you were. It was so amazing to watch your little eyes following all the NICU activity.
You scared me though, Aaden! When you were two weeks old, I received a call that you were sick and that the staff caught it in time, but you slipped in your recovery. You had been doing very well and were scheduled to come home with the girls; but in the end, you and Collin came home last. The important thing isthat you recovered and gained weight and were so precious! You were five pounds when you came home. Wow! Big boy!
My memories of you as a baby include you being rattled and disturbed by all of the stress and the noise in our house. You regularly cried inconsolably until you were in a dark and quiet place in the house (which was hard to find with ten family members and many helpers under one small roof) snuggled close to Mommy. Daddy would do an impression of your awareness—pursing his lips and looking around the room with your same squinty eyes. It always made us laugh!
At two, we found out you needed glasses. At first this upset me, but after you wore them for a while, I realized how extremely blessed we were that this was our only lasting effect of having six preemies—and I thanked God. You quickly grew into your new look. And the new job became keeping your glasses safely on your face. We went through many pairs and repair sessions. At over $200 a pair, it became an expensive task—but a necessary one, of course. To this day, I joke that you must think your name is “Where’s your glasses?” because when you come downstairs in the morning, even after three years, you invariably forget them; and I have to remind you to go get them—to which you reply, “Oh, I get them,” with your brow furrowed in your little scientific way.
As you have grown, I have enjoyed watching you develop into a quiet, thoughtful boy. You are sensitive and full of love and life. Every once in a while, something (like animals or dinosaurs) will excite you, and we see the animated, dramatic side of you—along with your brilliant smile. We all laugh with joy! It makes us want to pinch your cheeks! Your innocence is refreshing and your determination to do well is admirable.
I want you to remember an old saying, one that has guidedme in life and urged me on: “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” If you always remember to finish the job, do your best, and never give up, you will succeed in life. Sometimes your best does not mean receiving a first place ribbon; but if you’ve done your personal best, it will translate that way in my eyes—and in yours too. Just don’t quit!
Over the last months and year, our family life has changed. I want you to know that regardless of our family makeup or changes, my love for you will never change. I do not possess the skills to “father” you, but I will do everything I can to show you the way. I want to help you grow into a man of integrity—one that will be respected by others due to your undying dedication to your family, your honesty, and your determination in life. You are one of three “men” in my life, Aaden, and I appreciate the protection and help you and your brothers have already shown me and your sisters. So remarkable!
My hope is that you will have a successful career, loving family, and happiness always. I
Although you were small, you were tough—and alert! Your incubator was on a very busy aisle. It was across from Collin and next to Hannah—although a dividing wall stood between yours and Hannah’s incubators. One time I was holding you next to your busy aisle and your tiny squinty eyes followed whenever a doctor or a nurse would walk by. None of our medical team could believe how alert you were. It was so amazing to watch your little eyes following all the NICU activity.
You scared me though, Aaden! When you were two weeks old, I received a call that you were sick and that the staff caught it in time, but you slipped in your recovery. You had been doing very well and were scheduled to come home with the girls; but in the end, you and Collin came home last. The important thing isthat you recovered and gained weight and were so precious! You were five pounds when you came home. Wow! Big boy!
My memories of you as a baby include you being rattled and disturbed by all of the stress and the noise in our house. You regularly cried inconsolably until you were in a dark and quiet place in the house (which was hard to find with ten family members and many helpers under one small roof) snuggled close to Mommy. Daddy would do an impression of your awareness—pursing his lips and looking around the room with your same squinty eyes. It always made us laugh!
At two, we found out you needed glasses. At first this upset me, but after you wore them for a while, I realized how extremely blessed we were that this was our only lasting effect of having six preemies—and I thanked God. You quickly grew into your new look. And the new job became keeping your glasses safely on your face. We went through many pairs and repair sessions. At over $200 a pair, it became an expensive task—but a necessary one, of course. To this day, I joke that you must think your name is “Where’s your glasses?” because when you come downstairs in the morning, even after three years, you invariably forget them; and I have to remind you to go get them—to which you reply, “Oh, I get them,” with your brow furrowed in your little scientific way.
As you have grown, I have enjoyed watching you develop into a quiet, thoughtful boy. You are sensitive and full of love and life. Every once in a while, something (like animals or dinosaurs) will excite you, and we see the animated, dramatic side of you—along with your brilliant smile. We all laugh with joy! It makes us want to pinch your cheeks! Your innocence is refreshing and your determination to do well is admirable.
I want you to remember an old saying, one that has guidedme in life and urged me on: “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” If you always remember to finish the job, do your best, and never give up, you will succeed in life. Sometimes your best does not mean receiving a first place ribbon; but if you’ve done your personal best, it will translate that way in my eyes—and in yours too. Just don’t quit!
Over the last months and year, our family life has changed. I want you to know that regardless of our family makeup or changes, my love for you will never change. I do not possess the skills to “father” you, but I will do everything I can to show you the way. I want to help you grow into a man of integrity—one that will be respected by others due to your undying dedication to your family, your honesty, and your determination in life. You are one of three “men” in my life, Aaden, and I appreciate the protection and help you and your brothers have already shown me and your sisters. So remarkable!
My hope is that you will have a successful career, loving family, and happiness always. I
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