January 7, 2015 - Create a Memory Account for Nugget

SON: If you are reading this blog, skip over this post immediately.  Why? Because I said so.

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I am amazed by how quickly Nugget is developing in the womb.  It is some kind of miracle, maybe the most miraculous thing that this humble blogger has ever witnessed.  He's growing in there every day.  Every day brings a new appendage formed, or a new bodily system created, or a greater awareness of what is going on around him.  To think that just a few short months ago, he didn't even exist.  And to think that in just a few short months, I'll get to meet him.  That is truly spectacular.

If what has already taken place is a good indicator (it is), Nugget is going to grow up very fast.  That's something that all of the books and all of the articles say.  It's something that all of my friends with kids say.  It's what I say.  From first hand experience, I can say that life moves pretty fast.  The important thing, as Ferris says, is to stop and take a look around once in awhile.  Otherwise, you'll miss it.

I've never been all that great about keeping a diary.  I'll try it for a week, skip a few days, and then eventually what I'll have is a notebook with only the first few pages filled and nothing else.  I didn't want this to happen while I was keeping track of Nugget, so I needed to find a different way to record my thoughts and the events in his life.  Luckily, I work with some wonderfully creative people.

One of our PAs in our new FABULOUS Physician Assistant Studies Program (shameless plug for my school) has been extremely excited for Nugget (they all have been, actually), and she has been very helpful with recommendations.  A Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine was one of her first, and it's been a funny and informative book on all of the crazy things that come up while you're expecting your bundle of joy.

Her most recent recommendation inspired today's adventure.  She told me that her husband had set up email accounts for her sons when they were born.  They have kept these a secret from them, but periodically they will email their sons.  Pictures, words of encouragement, thoughts and congratulations on major life events.  A documentation of their childhoods.  And when they turn 18, they will give them the link, so they can go in and look at 18 years worth of memories.  18 years worth of life.  18 years worth of love.

I am going to be a MAJOR copycat here, but damn, that is a tremendous idea.  So yesterday afternoon, I set up a Gmail account for Nugget.  I sent him just a quick note to say hello, and to tell him that I love him.  I plan on sending pictures of his Ultrasound.  And pictures of his mom throughout the next few months.  And notes about how happy I am that he's coming into our lives.  And messages about how much love is waiting for him.

And when he gets here, I'll send him pictures in his first Superman cape.  And messages about the first time he road a bike.  And thoughts about his first heartbreak, and his mistakes and how he overcame them.  And I'll be sure to make sure he knows that for 18 years, I was there watching it all.

It's his "Memory Account," and I can't wait to give him access to it in the future.  Hopefully it'll be a surprise!

SON: See, that's why I said not to read this one :)