Friends from everywhere...

Connor -

Mommy did a great job of telling you about your day today so I won't bore you with my version of the same events. Instead, I am going to tell you a little bit about all the wonderful people out there who are thinking about you and praying for you every day. There are lots of them and they are all over the place.

First and foremost I'll tell you about your family. You have met most of your immediate family (even your "uncle" Jamie and your "aunt" Alisa) already, the only ones who haven't made it yet but are coming sometime soon are your uncle Sebastian, aunt Alexa, and grandad Rooster. They are all going to come see you before too long but even though they haven't been here yet they are constantly telling your daddy and Gigi how much they think about you and love you. But outside of them you have lots and lots of extended family who think about you every day. You have aunts and uncles and cousins galore and they are always telling mommy and daddy that you are in their thoughts and prayers. And once you get through this first part of your journey here at Children's we are hoping we can have all those people in here to see you. They all want to come in now but you aren't quite ready, even though you may tell us otherwise sometimes.

Now I am going to tell you about all the wonderful people here in Cincinnati. Your mommy was born and raised here in the Queen City and she has lots of family and friends here who care about her a lot and have known for for a long long time. We talked about your family a bit there but there are also a lot of your mommy and daddy's friends who live here and can't stop thinking about you. There are a few of them who check in on us every night to make sure that the three of us (especially you) are doing okay. We can't tell you  just how much those people mean to us but one of these days you will get to meet them too and they can tell you their versions of this story. For now though just remember that you have lots and lots of friends here in Cincinnati who love you and care about you.

Now back in Texas you have a few friends as well. There aren't quite as many people there that your mommy and daddy have had the chance to meet but from what we hear you have hundreds (maybe even thousands) of people who talk about you every week when they talk to God. I know you don't know it yet but that is kind of a big deal little man, its really a miracle in itself to have such an army behind you when you are so new to this world. But then again you are pretty unique right? In Texas you do have your grandad Rooster and another "aunt" and "uncle", Jeff and Iris. These two people were mommy and daddy's best friends in Texas and they helped us get through a lot of tough situations when we were trying to get you and mommy back here. They have also helped us through a lot of happy times, celebrating with us when the good times called for it and including us in their good times. They want to meet you too, and as soon as you are big and strong enough they said they will be on the first flight. The other two people in Texas that have been a big part of mommy and daddy's life the last few years we will call CW and MB for now, but they are also looking out for you and can't wait to say hello to you. And we can't forget the wonderful people your mommy used to work with, they have sent you letters and prayers for a long time, way before mommy and daddy started writing you these letters.

Then, there is your army of family and friends in Kentucky. Now daddy has never quite looked into the details too thoroughly but I am fairly sure that we are related to at least half that state in some way or another so there is a whole other clan of people you have in your corner. I know for a fact that your Mammaw is thinking about you every day, she tells everyone about you and wants your daddy to call her and update her on you as much as possible. Then there are your aunts and uncles and cousins who are constantly checking in on you and making sure you are doing well. They check in on mommy and daddy too because that is what family does, they love you and cherish you even when you aren't there. There are some of your daddy's friends in Kentucky too, including your "uncle" Jeff that took you swimming the other night. I know he has a whole lot of people praying for you right now and I'm sure he is already telling stories to his bible study groups about you and your heroics. So kind of like your mommy and her family here in Cincinnati, those people in Kentucky have always been there for your daddy.

Daddy also found out today that you have another village of people who are looking out for you in Colorado. Those people have been friends of daddy's for a long time and are some of the best people daddy has ever had the privilege of getting to know. They have been there for your daddy when he needed help and are the kind of friends who would do anything for you and your mommy and daddy. They even bought you a little gift when they found out you were coming and maybe soon we can get them a picture of you in that adorable little hat. When we get the chance we are going to take a trip out to see them in Boulder, its one of my favorite places to go for both the beverages and the company to share them with.

And you have lots of friends and family scattered all over the place who are sending your mommy and daddy messages about you on a regular basis and making sure you are still doing well. It takes some people a lifetime to touch as many people as you have already in your thirteen days here on this earth. I know your mommy and I can't say thank you enough to all of those people but we hope that they all (every one of you guys out there reading this and those who aren't but who are thinking of us and our little man) know just how appreciative we are for them and their support. We sure couldn't be doing what we are doing now if it wasn't for them. And one of these days when you are older you can help mommy and daddy try to say thank you to them all. : )

Well that is about it for now little man, its getting late and your little giraffe's music is putting us all to sleep. Sweet dreams son.

I love you Connor.

- Daddy

(and to all of you out there that I may have left out of this post I hope you know that the three of us love and appreciate each and every one of you more than words can allow me to express)