There and back again

Dearest Claire,

Daddy loves you. I want these to be the first words you read, and when it is your father's turn to "return home" and be with the Lord, I pray they are your most remembered.

To my knowledge, this is the first letter ever written to you. You are aproximately 5 months old (daddy counts pre-birth time evidentally), healthy, and growing quickly. It seems like just a week ago we announced your coming birth to family. Everyone is so very excited, you are the first grand-daughter.

You should be born in about 4 months, May 18, 2013 is your due date. We found out your gender right after christmas in 2012, what wonderful christmas news that was!

Your name is 'Claire Margaret Birt'. Your first name 'Claire' is your mother's middle name, and it is also the name of one of your great-Aunts. Your middle name 'Margaret' is after your great-grandmother on your father's side. Specifically, she was Grandma Birt's mother, and a great and loving woman. 'Birt' of course is your father's last name, and you can look forward to many years of mispronunciation due to its unique spelling I am sure.

Your mother's mom (grandma Hutchins) will likely be known as "Nana" to you. This is what I called Grandma Margaret who you were named after, so it is nice that this special phrase for Grandma will live on.

You have a very loving extended family. Both sets of Grandparents are so excited to meet you! Lord willing, you may be able to meet some great grandparents as well. Daddy's Grandpa "Papa" (Grandma Birt's dad) and Darlene & Cal (Grandpa Birt's parents) are still with us and excited to meet you as well.

Your grandparents are Steven L. Birt Sr. & Kathy Birt and Kathy Hutchins (nana) & Jerry Hutchins.
You have 4 uncles & 2 aunts currently: Uncle Michael Birt, Jon Birt, Aiden Zohrabi & Jeff Hutchins. Aunts Jessica Birt Zohrabi & Kimberly Birt. Uncle Jeff & Aunt Kim are currently dating people, and I am sure you will meet their dates in the near future as well.

You also have two cousins currently, and a third on the way. Seth & Noah Zohrabi (and soon Grace Zohrabi) are the children of my oldest sister Jessica Birt Zohrabi & Aiden Zohrabi.

Daddy's cousin 'Valerie Guzman' is also having a baby (their 3rd) very near your due date. It will be their second son, and he is due about 2-weeks after you. This is actually pretty funny because your daddy is 2-weeks older than Valerie.

You have started kicking your mother. She pulls my arm out of socket when you do, pressing my hand against her tummy, in hopes of feeling you move. Unfortunately, right when mama moves, you stop moving, so Daddy has yet to feel you 'kick' but I am sure it will happen very soon.

We talk to you daily and call you by name. We hope when you come out you are very familiar with our voices and even your name is familiar. I am particularly excited to see the look of recognition on your face when you see 'that strange man with the funny voice' for the first time.

Soon your mother and I will be touring hospitals and probably taking lamausse classes. Your daddy will be hard at work building things for you soon, I believe next on the list is a crib.

Oh, by the way, I should mention that your father is a nerd. Your mother is also extremely intelligent, without posessing the nerdy qualities of your father. She is "hipper" than I. I wanted to give you fair warning in case you develop a taste for classical music, reading, computers, or video games.

You will soon hear many, many strange voices coming out of your father. I like to do voice impressions, and be all around silly, so hopefully I can entertain you for many years to come.

Your father is also the eldest of 5 siblings. I have helped take care of babies (both boy & girl) but it has been about 20 years so it is possible I am rusty. I have a feeling though, that after a few rounds of poopy diapers, I will get the hang of it again.

I think I will end here for now, I plan to write more the closer we get to your arrival. Your mother and I are both so very excited to meet you. We are so thankful that the Lord is allowing us to care for you in His perfect allotted timing.

Oh and regarding the blog title? It is one of your Daddy's favorite stories, The Hobbit. I plan to read this with you one day, as you grow in life and live your own adventure.

Love you always Claire Bear,
-Daddy