Letters for Sebastian

Hey there, little big man! You hit the six-month mark today. Here’s a breakdown of some of the things you’ve already done in this young but adventurous life of yours:

-strummed a guitar (you love the guitar)

-swam in a pool (you loved it and weren’t scared at all)

-swam in the ocean (you loved it and weren’t scared at all)

-Gave your mom and I a group hug

-started eating solid foods

-crawled (although you’re not that good at it yet, you kind of look like an inch-worm)

You’re a very happy baby and you have a lot of people around you that love you very much. I look forward to seeing you continue to grow and progress! Love you little big man.

Hey Sebastian! You’re growing so fast. You’ll hit the five-month mark tomorrow and I’ll be darned if you’re not triple the size you were when you were born.

Last night, as my heart broke watching you wheeze and struggle to breathe due to a stuffy nose, I realized that no matter how hard I try, I won’t always be able to protect you and insulate you from pain, strife, and adversity. That may be a good thing, though, because life is all about fighting through those tough times. Therefore, I’ve decided to let you fight those things on your own – whether it be a stuffy nose like last night, a broken heart from a relationship gone wrong, or the loss of a loved one – because I know it will help you build the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength that will help you be successful in life.

And it looks like this decision of mine has already been rewarded, because sure enough, despite your stuffy nose troubles, you were able to successfully put yourself back to sleep twice last night!

Good job, my man.

Hey Sebastian. Last night was a rough one. We lost our beloved cat BigBoi. When you’re older, if you ask me, I’ll tell you the whole story (he was an amazing cat and was taken from us too soon). Needless to say, it was tragic and unexpected, and it hit your mom and I really hard.

Life is really tough sometimes, especially when you lose something that you love. It could be a girlfriend, a pet, an old friend, or a family member, but the bottom line is that its never easy.

It’s this loss that often leads people to lean on religions, because believing in heaven and whatnot helps somehow soothe the pain. Interestingly, disciplines like Hinduism and Buddhism are actually based on the idea that everything in life is fleeting and that you don’t truly own or hold onto anything (including yourself).

In any case, while I selfishly hope that you never have to deal with loss, the realist in me knows that this is not possible. However, I will do my best to prepare you so that you make the best of the bad hands that life sometimes deals.

Was awesome! We hung out with our family as well as enjoying some quality 1-on-1 time (I showed you how to play a video game on my iPhone and you seemed to really enjoy it).

I really love you a lot and look forward to celebrating many more of these days in the future. I also look forward to the distant future, when you get a chance to celebrate Father’s Day with your own kids (if that’s a path you choose to take in your life).

Hey Sebastian. You’re really a very beautiful little baby and you’re growing so fast. You’re also blessed to have a great mother, great grandmothers, great grandfathers, great uncles and a great overall support system. I’m sure that you’ll be brought up to have strong self esteem and a feeling of being special and loved.

That said, I want you to remember to always feel fortunate to be alive. It will help give you perspective and will allow you avoid bouts of depression as well as give you a reason to be motivated and energetic. It will also make you think twice before you complain about the little inconveniences.

Life is truly a gift so don’t ever take it for granted.

Hey Sebastian. For the first time since you were born, I will be leaving you to go on a business trip. Although, I’m always a bit apprehensive about leaving on these trips (due to a slight aversion to flying) this trip will have me extra anxious.

Not because I’m afraid of flying, but because I’ll want to hurry up and get the trip over with so that I can get back to you.

Now don’t get me wrong. Going on these business trips (this particular one is to Dallas, Texas to pitch Gold’s Gym) is what puts food on our table, and so I will do my best to bring home this new piece of business. Still, I’ll be thinking about you and your mother a lot and will look forward to returning.

I love you very much, and will think about you even as I leave on my jet plane.

As I write this post, you sleep silently and peacefully next to me (except for the occasional sneeze or sigh). I really enjoy spending one-on-one time with you, and I can’t help but think that it will get more and more fun over time.

Playing sports.

Playing music.

Working on the computer.

Fishing.

Snorkeling.

Eating.

Drinking (eventually).

Watching movies.

And so many other activities and moments.

But for now, I’m perfectly happy to settle for just watching you sleep and slumber.

Hey Sebastian. Tonight your grandparents (my parents) came over for a visit, bringing along their close friends who had a gift for your mother. It was a nice visit and we’re always happy to see them, but there was one slight problem; they didn’t ask us before inviting themselves and their friends over to the house.

Vanessa was not feeling well and did not want to have any visitors, so she was put into a tough spot.

No big deal in the grand scheme of things, especially since my parents have been so helpful in the days since you were born, but just keep this in mind as you grow up. Always ask before inviting yourself to someone’s place, especially if you’re inviting other people to come along with you.

Hey Sebastian! You’re finally here with us.

Your mom is doing well and you’re a lot of fun (although your mom and I sure do miss sleep and being able to go out whenever we feel like it). You’re four days old now, and every day has been a fun-filled adventure so far. You’ve been a really cut, calm, and laid back kid and we hope you stay that way!

Looking forward to seeing you grow…

Hey Sebastian. You’ve been moving around a lot and your mother is beginning to get her first hint of contractions. It won’t be long now.

Life is going to change a lot for all three of us, but I promise that we’ll make the best of it and have a ton of fun.

We look forward to meeting you!