It’s been a long time since we’ve written anything to you. We haven’t forgotten about you. In fact, you are all we think about anymore. Thoughts of you are gong through my head all day.
So what do I think about? I think about taking Mommy to the hospital when you are ready to come out. I think about getting a phone call while I’m in class and having to tell my students that I have to go because I’m about to be a father. I think about helping and encouraging Mommy as you’re coming out. I think about holding you when you do come out. (I might be crying because I’m so happy to see you; try not to judge -- this is one those times when a man is allowed to cry.) I think about taking care of you, and playing with you, and teaching you things. I think about how happy I am going to be to have you in my life.
So then why have we not been writing to you? We’ve been busy doing other things, primarily something called “prenatal teaching”. We’ve been talking to you and reading stories to you while you are there inside Mommy. We are hoping that by talking to you and reading you stories, your brain will develop more and you’ll be a very smart little boy. You’ll also be able to recognise our voices when we talk to you after you are born. We’re doing this to help you grow and develop.
You seem to kick and move around a lot when we read you stories. A book I was reading suggested that means you are a little agitated or uncomfortable. Mommy thinks it means that you are listening and that you like it. So who’s right? I think right now Mommy knows you better than some doctor who wrote a book many years ago and doesn’t know you. Right now nobody knows you better than yourself and Mommy who loves you very much.
(One more thing: Mommy says that when she hears my motorcycle pulling into the garage, she tells you I’m home and then you give a little kick. Does that mean you’re happy I’m home? I hope so because I’m happy to be home and happy to see you.)
Saturday 27 December 2008
Wednesday 26 November 2008
November 26, 2008
The other day Mommy and I bought a couple pens for the sole purpose of writing in this book. We did that just for you. Don’t forget that Mommy and I love you.
You’re getting bigger and bigger; you’re growing up. According to what we’ve read, your ears are fully developed now and you can hear what we are saying. So Mommy and I try to talk you every day.
Mommy has been reading a lot of books about prenatal communication and teaching. (I haven’t been able to as we can’t find any book about that in English.) She has been reading stories about children who -- because of prenatal communication -- have become really intelligent and gone to university at a very young age.
Just to let you know, we don’t necessarily want you to be like that. We just want you to be smart and a nice person. We want you to enjoy your childhood because being a child should be fun. Playing is very important, whether you are big or small, and I plan on playing with you.
I am your father. I am also my father’s son, just as you are my son. I want to tell you a little story. Growing up, sometimes there were days when I didn’t have to go to school, but my father had to go to work. When I was a kid, I always tried to wake up early on those days even though I didn’t have to. Why? Because I wanted to see my father before he left for work. I didn’t necessarily have to say anything to him, I just wanted to see him. If I didn’t see him (like maybe if I slept too late), I felt unhappy for the rest of the day. I hope I can be a good enough father to you that you will want to do the same thing when I leave for work. I know I will want to see you before I leave home.
You’re getting bigger and bigger; you’re growing up. According to what we’ve read, your ears are fully developed now and you can hear what we are saying. So Mommy and I try to talk you every day.
Mommy has been reading a lot of books about prenatal communication and teaching. (I haven’t been able to as we can’t find any book about that in English.) She has been reading stories about children who -- because of prenatal communication -- have become really intelligent and gone to university at a very young age.
Just to let you know, we don’t necessarily want you to be like that. We just want you to be smart and a nice person. We want you to enjoy your childhood because being a child should be fun. Playing is very important, whether you are big or small, and I plan on playing with you.
I am your father. I am also my father’s son, just as you are my son. I want to tell you a little story. Growing up, sometimes there were days when I didn’t have to go to school, but my father had to go to work. When I was a kid, I always tried to wake up early on those days even though I didn’t have to. Why? Because I wanted to see my father before he left for work. I didn’t necessarily have to say anything to him, I just wanted to see him. If I didn’t see him (like maybe if I slept too late), I felt unhappy for the rest of the day. I hope I can be a good enough father to you that you will want to do the same thing when I leave for work. I know I will want to see you before I leave home.
Monday 17 November 2008
November 17, 2008
Yesterday I went to the department store with Mommy, your aunt, and your grandmother. While we were there, I spent a lot of time looking around. (When you go shopping with women, you have a lot of time to do that.) As I was looking around, I saw quite a few parents with very young children. I even saw a father carrying his son. Looking at him, I was thinking that in one or two years that could be you and me. That thought made me very happy.
We’re getting close to when we can see you. I’m getting excited. I’ve been feeling you kick more lately too. You seem to move around a lot. The other night I felt you moving in there, not just kicking, but moving around. It was very interesting. Make sure you grow up into a very healthy baby. You do that, and I’ll make sure you can stay healthy later.
We’re getting close to when we can see you. I’m getting excited. I’ve been feeling you kick more lately too. You seem to move around a lot. The other night I felt you moving in there, not just kicking, but moving around. It was very interesting. Make sure you grow up into a very healthy baby. You do that, and I’ll make sure you can stay healthy later.
Monday 3 November 2008
November 3, 2008
With each day that goes by we get one more day closer to seeing you. I can’t wait.
I got thinking yesterday that in a couple years you’ll be able to help me and Mommy when I participate in bike races and biking events. And in ten, eleven, twelve years (maybe sooner, who knows?) you’ll be able to participate too. We’ll be able to do them together. I also got thinking that next year and the year after for the Alishan race (you won’t be big enough to help me out yet) the first thing I want to do when I get to the finish is see you and hold you. I hope you won’t mind how I smell.
Mommy says whenever she pictures you, you’re always moving around. She’s worried you’re going to be a handful. I think that’s all fine as long as you remember to listen to what Mommy and me have to say. We have your best interests at heart.
I got thinking yesterday that in a couple years you’ll be able to help me and Mommy when I participate in bike races and biking events. And in ten, eleven, twelve years (maybe sooner, who knows?) you’ll be able to participate too. We’ll be able to do them together. I also got thinking that next year and the year after for the Alishan race (you won’t be big enough to help me out yet) the first thing I want to do when I get to the finish is see you and hold you. I hope you won’t mind how I smell.
Mommy says whenever she pictures you, you’re always moving around. She’s worried you’re going to be a handful. I think that’s all fine as long as you remember to listen to what Mommy and me have to say. We have your best interests at heart.
Sunday 26 October 2008
October 26, 2008
I saw a picture in a magazine today of a father and son sitting on a couch and looking at each other. I couldn’t stop looking at it. Looking at it made me think of you. The boy was looking at his father as if his father was the most important person in the world. I hope youi are able to look at me -- and your mother -- like that. I hope I am able to give you a reason to look at me like that.
I want to be the most important person in your life and your world. I want to be your role model. That brings me to something else I saw today and something I have felt long, long before you came into being.
Every time a famous person does something that is considered bad or not right, there is some parent somewhere who says that that isn’t right, that that person is a terrible role model for children. While I don’t think that famous person should have done what he or she did do, I do feel that that parent is wrong. Famous people should not be role models for children. Parents should be role models for children. My father and my maternal grandfather were my role models when I was a child, and I want to be the same for you.
Ah, your great grandfather. Sadly, he left us eight years ago. I wish you could have met him. (Mommy never got to meet him either and that’s one thing I regret.) But in all likelihood a part of him will live on with you -- his name. If you are a boy like we think you are, I want to give you his name, or at least his middle name. Mommy has been calling you 小里仁, and the more I hear it and think about it, the more I like the name “Leland”. It’s special, it’s different, it has meaning, and it’s you.
He was a great man and I’m sure you will be the same one day. I just hope in your eyes that I will be also be a great man. I am your daddy, and I’m very proud of that.
I want to be the most important person in your life and your world. I want to be your role model. That brings me to something else I saw today and something I have felt long, long before you came into being.
Every time a famous person does something that is considered bad or not right, there is some parent somewhere who says that that isn’t right, that that person is a terrible role model for children. While I don’t think that famous person should have done what he or she did do, I do feel that that parent is wrong. Famous people should not be role models for children. Parents should be role models for children. My father and my maternal grandfather were my role models when I was a child, and I want to be the same for you.
Ah, your great grandfather. Sadly, he left us eight years ago. I wish you could have met him. (Mommy never got to meet him either and that’s one thing I regret.) But in all likelihood a part of him will live on with you -- his name. If you are a boy like we think you are, I want to give you his name, or at least his middle name. Mommy has been calling you 小里仁, and the more I hear it and think about it, the more I like the name “Leland”. It’s special, it’s different, it has meaning, and it’s you.
He was a great man and I’m sure you will be the same one day. I just hope in your eyes that I will be also be a great man. I am your daddy, and I’m very proud of that.
Wednesday 22 October 2008
October 22, 2008
小里仁：
從上個星期六開始，媽媽可以開始感覺你在媽媽的肚子裡動來動去，心裡好開心，你真的很聰明，當媽媽或爸爸把胎音器放在媽媽肚子上要聽你的心跳聲時，你可能覺得不舒服吧，媽媽可以感覺到你想用力把他推開，當爸爸說故事給你聽時，你會在媽媽的肚子裡手舞足蹈，當爸爸把手放再媽媽的肚子上時，你會害羞不敢動，你真的很可愛，媽媽真的很愛很愛你，你一定要很努力很健康的用力長大，爸爸和媽媽真的很想看到你，你也要保護媽媽的身體，讓媽媽健康的陪你長大，而且你一定要記住，爸爸媽媽永遠都會保護你，讓你成為一個最快樂最棒的孩子
最愛你的媽媽 97.10.22
從上個星期六開始，媽媽可以開始感覺你在媽媽的肚子裡動來動去，心裡好開心，你真的很聰明，當媽媽或爸爸把胎音器放在媽媽肚子上要聽你的心跳聲時，你可能覺得不舒服吧，媽媽可以感覺到你想用力把他推開，當爸爸說故事給你聽時，你會在媽媽的肚子裡手舞足蹈，當爸爸把手放再媽媽的肚子上時，你會害羞不敢動，你真的很可愛，媽媽真的很愛很愛你，你一定要很努力很健康的用力長大，爸爸和媽媽真的很想看到你，你也要保護媽媽的身體，讓媽媽健康的陪你長大，而且你一定要記住，爸爸媽媽永遠都會保護你，讓你成為一個最快樂最棒的孩子
最愛你的媽媽 97.10.22
Tuesday 21 October 2008
October 21, 2008
As I said before, I can’t wait to see you. One reason is that I’m very curious about what you look like. In case you haven’t realised it, your mother and I look different. She is Taiwanese and I am Canadian (you will be very lucky and will be both); she is yellow-skinned and I am white-skinned; she has black hair and I have blond hair. So I am very curious: What will you look like? Will you look more Asian or more Caucasian? Or will you be something in between? It doesn’t really matter as we will love you no matter what you look like (hopefully you will look more like your mother as she is much better-looking than I am), but I can’t help but be curious.
Thursday 16 October 2008
October 16, 2008
親愛的寶貝：
媽咪這兩天感覺身體好多了，有時候可以感覺你在動的感覺，有時你好像很有精神，好怕你出生後會太活潑，所以媽咪決定用精油好好安撫你的情緒，明天就要去產檢了，你可以不要背向媽咪嗎？你可以面向媽媽，讓媽媽再確定一次你的性別好嗎？拜託你了，寶貝，愛你！
媽咪 97.10.16
媽咪這兩天感覺身體好多了，有時候可以感覺你在動的感覺，有時你好像很有精神，好怕你出生後會太活潑，所以媽咪決定用精油好好安撫你的情緒，明天就要去產檢了，你可以不要背向媽咪嗎？你可以面向媽媽，讓媽媽再確定一次你的性別好嗎？拜託你了，寶貝，愛你！
媽咪 97.10.16
Monday 13 October 2008
October 13, 2008
I keep thinking about how our – mine and your mother's – lives will change once you are born. It's going to be a big change. But that's okay. My life has already changed many times, and I know this change is going to bring so much happiness to both your mother and me. You are going to fill our lives with joy. And in turn I will try to ensure that your life is filled with joy too.
I often daydreamed before about passing on the things I've learned about cycling to someone. Now that you are coming I have someone to share that knowledge with. Or maybe you won't take to cycling like I have and will instead want to do something else. That's fine. If it's something I know – like hockey or soccer – I can still teach you a lot. And if it's something I don't know, I will make sure you have the resources to learn as much as you can so you be the best that you can be.
I hope you'll take to cycling though. It's a great sport. If you do, we can go riding together; there are many places I'd like to take you and show you. And maybe we can get your mother to come along too!
I often daydreamed before about passing on the things I've learned about cycling to someone. Now that you are coming I have someone to share that knowledge with. Or maybe you won't take to cycling like I have and will instead want to do something else. That's fine. If it's something I know – like hockey or soccer – I can still teach you a lot. And if it's something I don't know, I will make sure you have the resources to learn as much as you can so you be the best that you can be.
I hope you'll take to cycling though. It's a great sport. If you do, we can go riding together; there are many places I'd like to take you and show you. And maybe we can get your mother to come along too!
October 13, 2008
親愛的寶貝：
自從知道有你之後，心裡面從不能接受，到現在每天都跟你說話，習慣你在媽媽肚子裡的感覺，媽媽覺得你是一個很乖的小孩，當我需要加班的時候，只要事先跟你說，你那天就會乖乖的配合媽媽，不會搗蛋，真的表現很棒呢！
你現在已經是十八週了，時間過得好快，相信再過不久，就可以看到你了，你一定要好好努力的健康長大喔！
最愛你的媽媽 97.10.12 墾丁
自從知道有你之後，心裡面從不能接受，到現在每天都跟你說話，習慣你在媽媽肚子裡的感覺，媽媽覺得你是一個很乖的小孩，當我需要加班的時候，只要事先跟你說，你那天就會乖乖的配合媽媽，不會搗蛋，真的表現很棒呢！
你現在已經是十八週了，時間過得好快，相信再過不久，就可以看到你了，你一定要好好努力的健康長大喔！
最愛你的媽媽 97.10.12 墾丁
Tuesday 7 October 2008
October 7, 2008
You've been growing for seventeen weeks now, in a little over five months we will finally be able to see you. I can't wait to see you. Seeing you in person will be much better than just talking to you though Mommy's belly. When I can see you, I can finally hold you and hug you and kiss you. I'm going to take good care of you, I promise. I'm going to teach you all I can to help you; I hope I can teach you enough. I hope I can be a good father to you, I promise I will try to be the best father possible.
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