Give me an "A", give me a "J"

Hey boy,

Your cousin, Amo is here! He was born on Tuesday, January 8th, weighed in at 8 pounds, 10 ounces and was 20.5 inches long. Your mother and I sincerely hope that you are not that big! However, your Auntie Stef pulled it off with aplomb and both auntie and baby are doing well. When Mom spoke to Aurora that day, Aurora asked when you would be arriving. We hope it's soon but not too soon. We want to make sure you are cooked all the way through!

And then there was one...

It was very exciting for your mother and I to hear about Amo's arrival so we rushed out to Holyoke after work on Tuesday to see your aunt, Uncle PJ and the baby. Everyone was very excited and Amo is one cute kid, even with his little face all swollen and covered in what we'll call biological matter for lack of a more pleasant sounding term. We can't wait for you to be all swollen and covered in biological matter too! 

Amo's career in Holyoke's Golden Mittens boxing competition was short lived.

Auntie Stef is recovering comfortably at the hospital while Uncle PJ can't wait to get that baby home. Alexandria and Aurora can't wait for Amo to come home for the first time too. Very exciting indeed! In case it needs reiteration, your mom and I are very excited to bring our baby home too.

Is this kid cute or what? The answer is "cute".

Can't wait to get you two boys together for what we hope is the first of thousands of adventures.

Love, 

Dad

Meet the family: the Hadley Moynihans

Dear Scooter Baby,

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to the Hadley Moynihans: your Uncle PJ, Aunt Stephanie and your cousins, Alexandria, Aurora and Amo. Uncle PJ is Mom's older brother and he lives with Auntie Stef in a comfortable, New England home in Hadley, Massachusetts with their two (and soon to be three) children. Like your mom, Uncle PJ and Auntie Stef are both from Holyoke but didn't meet until after they were both out of college. When they met, Auntie Stef already had your oldest cousin, Alexandria. All three of them decided they made a good team so your uncle and aunt eventually got married and then came your second oldest cousin, Aurora. Your third oldest cousin, Amo (who will only be a few months older than you) will literally be born any minute as I'm writing this. They make up one big, happy family and live in our home away from home whenever we are in Western Massachusetts. 

In case you didn't notice the pattern, your aunt and uncle like names that begin with "A". As further proof, they have a lovable dog named Annie so you'll be able to struggle with the names Auntie, Alexandria, Aurora, Amo and Annie when you first learn to talk. For that reason, I suspect Uncle PJ will be your favorite solely based on how easy it will be for you to pronounce his name (he will also frequently give you baseball cards).  

Annie during her days fighting in the French Resistance

 Uncle PJ owns his own business, Digital Eyes Film, which is a film and television production company. In addition to being his calling, Uncle PJ's business has allowed your mom and I to participate in some fun projects and events; I'm sure there will be more to come that you and Amo will get to enjoy. Auntie Stef works at Trader Joe's (a grocery store that's fun even for adults) and takes care of your cousins when they aren't in school. Your aunt is a voracious fantasy reader and fantasy film buff so expect to be whisked away to Hogwart's or Middle Earth with her on a regular basis.  

We're not models, we just play them on TV

 Alexandria is 14 years old going on 15 and she loves horseback riding and this boy band called One Direction. I suspect they will have dissolved into nothingness by the time you are listening to music but she did tell Grandpa that they were like the Beatles so maybe they'll still be around. She will be one of your biggest fans and a regular babysitter when your aunt, uncle, mom and I need a night out. Aurora is 5 years old and is one sweet and funny kid. She will undoubtedly dress you and Amo up like princesses one moment and be playing soccer with you the next. She was everyone's baby for the last five years so scientific studies that I just made up show that she will either be relieved to pass the torch and move onto adolescence or torture you and Amo. I am totally kidding, she is sooooo (note the extra o's) excited to be a big sister and a cousin. 

You can tell that they're sweet girls because look how excited they are to get t-shirts for Christmas!

 And, finally, Amo is negative two weeks old and, like you, is resting inside his mother's belly but, unlike you, will be out in the real world any minute. As you and Amo will be only a couple months apart, you are lucky to have a cousin close enough in age that a family member can also be a friend. We look forward to the adventures of our two little boys. WARNING: your mother and aunt will occasionally dress you alike. This is not your uncle's fault nor is it mine. Remember that when you are both obnoxious teenagers and taking out your angst on loved ones. 

"It doesn't matter if you're black and white." -Michael Jackson

 As you can see, there are quite a few people waiting to meet you including one who isn't even born yet! We hope that you and Amo will have the same kind of relationship as Uncle PJ, Auntie Stef, Mom and I have and that you will both look up to your beautiful female cousins as role models (except where musical tastes are concerned). One thing is for sure, you'll always have a home base in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Love,

Dad

Meet the family: Uncle Pat

Hi son o' mine,

Your Uncle Pat is the family member introduction du jour. Uncle Pat was born on November 28th, 1986 (but we will usually give him his birthday present at Christmas because we are lazy like him to get a bunch of presents at once) in Northampton, Massachusetts at the same hospital in which I was born. He now lives in Mattapan, Massachusetts outside of Boston and works as a Clinical Research Assistant for Brigham and Women's Hospital. Uncle Pat has the same genetic Dempsey humor mutation that Great Grandpa, Papa and I have which causes uncontrollable laughter about things in which a sane person would find little to no humor. And, you will find this hard to believe when you're young if you're lucky enough to have siblings but your uncle is one of your dad's best friends (your mother, of course, is number one!). 

Uncle Pat performing Dean Martin favorites at one of his many charity galas

I am 4 and 1/2 years older than your uncle so we did not always see eye to eye growing up. Uncle Pat will tell you that I was always the instigator but, if you do have siblings, you will understand as an older brother that your uncle is a filthy, filthy liar. Despite our squabbles, I was ecstatic to have a baby brother when I was 4 and 1/2 and that feeling has never changed. We still don't see eye to eye all the time but Uncle Pat is a wonderful brother and friend to both your mother and I. He is always willing to help us out with housework or turn a boring weekend day into a laugh fest. Your uncle is a kind, loyal and generous person with a warm smile that can't help but brighten your day.

I said in an earlier entry that I had no expectations or wishes for you other than that you be happy and whoever it is that you are meant to be but I might need to amend that slightly as there is no way you will make it through life without liking Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Batman if your uncle and I have anything to say about it. Or perhaps I should say that there is no way you will understand your Uncle Pat and I unless you make a careful study of these things. Chances are good that we will give you plenty of chances to familiarize yourself with Indy and the gang while you laugh at how old your uncle and father must be if they are talking about movies that are over 30 years old.  

Spoiler alert: Your Uncle Pat is Indiana Jones

Your uncle is very much looking forward to meeting you. I can already see him taking you to Celtics' games and to the movies. I can see him babysitting when your mother and I have a night out. And I can see that if he is half as good an uncle as he is a brother then you will have a great relationship with Uncle Pat and you will have another watchful guardian in this world who will celebrate your successes or pick you up when you fall. 

Love always,

Your Papa's youngest son's brother

Meet the family: Your grandparents

My boy, 

Today it's my pleasure to introduce you to your grandparents. You actually have quite a few grandparents: there's Grandma and Grandpa (Mom's parents), Nana and Papa (my parents), Great Grandma and Great Grandpa (Papa's parents), Great Nana (Nana's mother) and Great Great Grandma (Great Grandma's mother). Confused? Well, you'll figure it out eventually. All you need to know is that you have an exceptional level of love and support from your parents, your parent's parents, your parent's parent's parents and so on. 

Grandma and Grandpa live in Holyoke, Massachusetts in the same house in which Uncle P.J. and Mom grew up but, by the time you're able to read this, they might be living down in Cape Cod in Brewster full time. You can expect many wonderful summers spent visiting Grandma and Grandpa with no shortage of fun. Grandma was a school librarian for many years which means she will always know the best books for you to read and Grandpa is a master plumber (though retiring soon) so will almost always be able to fix broken toys when they need mending. Both Grandma and Grandpa are incredibly kind and thoughtful people. Their friends and family always leave with a smile on their face when parting company with your grandparents but I suspect you'll always part with them with a frown on your face because you won't want to leave them!

Grandma and Grandpa

Nana and Papa live in Southampton, Massachusetts in the same house in which Uncle Pat and I grew up. Their house is surrounded by trees and a great place for a nature walk. However, if you're a swimmer like your mom you need not have any fear as Nana and Papa also have a place on the island of Vinalhaven in Maine. That's right! Two summer vacation spots for you to enjoy! Talk about lucky. Nana is a teacher of the hearing impaired which means she helps those who have trouble hearing learn all the things they need to know. It also means she is infinitely patient (though not with your father when he was younger!) and kind. Papa used to manage a textile factory but has had to take time off due to ongoing illnesses. This has not stopped him from making crafts or inventions when he is able and telling terrible, terrible jokes all the time. Nana and Papa love to laugh and do so often though some of us are not always so sure of the joke. Even when you don't get the joke, you'll find yourself laughing at how hard your Nana and Papa are laughing!

Nana and Papa

Grandma (and sometimes Grandpa) will be babysitting you some days while Papa (and occasionally Nana) will babysit you some other days so you will see them often. You are one lucky kid!

Your Great Grandma and Great Grandpa live in Hudson, Massachusetts. Your Great Grandma cannot wait to smother you with kisses and your Great Grandpa is excited that there will be a fourth, living generation of Dempseys. Your Great Great Grandmother lives in Illinois and is turning 99 years old this coming year! She cannot travel as much as she'd like but we'll make sure you get to meet her as soon as you can. Your Great Nana doesn't have such a good memory anymore so may not be able to play with you but your Nana and I will always be happy to tell you stories of how she once was and you can be sure that she loves you even if she can't say so anymore.

Great Grandpa and Great Grandma

All in all you have some wonderful people in your life and none more so than your grandparents (grand, great, great great or otherwise). They had the joy of watching your mother and I grow up and they can't wait to see the wonderful person you will no doubt become.

Great Great Grandma

Love, 

Dad

P.S. I didn't have any digital pictures of Great Nana so just picture your Nana but wearing glasses and much older. 

Meet the family: Your mother

Hi buddy boy,

Today I would like to introduce you to your mother. She is the most beautiful and wonderful woman in the world. You and your mother already have a close connection given that you've been living inside her belly for more than half a year, sharing her food and fluids but I suspect that close connection will continue once you're on the outside. Your mom is a kind, caring and giving person who cannot wait to be your mother.

Subliminal messaging: Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpool!

Your mom was born on September 1st, 1983 and grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She was the second of Grandma and Grandpa's two children with Uncle P.J. being the first. They lived in a wonderful house on Norwood Terrace and had a loving and comfortable childhood. Mom went to a Catholic school for her elementary education (where she learned a great Christmas song about Jesus that she will no doubt sing to you even when you beg her to stop) and then went to Holyoke High School where she was a star swimmer. After high school, your mom attended Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts where she studied Business Management, made some great friends and eventually met me!

131 Norwood Terrace, Holyoke, Massachusetts

Your mother is a great friend and is still close with her childhood and high school friends as well as her college friends (something that you'll someday find isn't common when you get older). She is quick to share a laugh and loves a good conversation. Family is very important to your mother and she has a great (and extensive!) extended family who you will no doubt love and be loved by. 

Your mother loves to bake and do crafts, likes to go to Cape Code whenever possible, is a connoisseur of fine (and not so fine) television programs, loves to swim and thoroughly enjoys things as simple as snuggling up on a cold weekend day to watch a movie or two.

I have no doubt that you two will get along famously!

Love,
Dad 

What's in a name?

Dear Scooter Baby,

Now that we got all the serious stuff out of the way, we'll move onto lighter fare. For starters, you may be wondering why this blog is addressed to "Scooter Baby". By the time you are able read this, at least 50% of your grandparents may be calling you "Scooter" despite that not being your name. Your mother and I apologize in advance and you are deserving of an explanation. 

Your mother and I have traditionally steered away from those typical terms of endearment for each other like "baby" or "sweetie" and instead have opted for our own oftentimes bizarre nicknames. One of these is "Scooter" of which I will explain the origin:

Years ago, I took to calling your mother "My little biscuit" after which she started calling me "My special Triscuit" (yes, after the snack cracker). Somehow biscuit and Triscuit became "Miscuit" for reasons that scientists are still trying to understand. After Miscuit caught on, a misspelling of the new term of endearment as "Miscuti" lead to "Scuti" being the new term of affection. This inevitably lead to "Scooter". 

Now, how does this affect you? Well, your mom and I have opted not to name you until we meet you in person. We have some ideas but ultimately decided that we'd pick a name once you make your first appearance as we feel we'll know which name will best fit. We started out calling you "Baby" but, after we received an ultrasound photo of you  when you were about the size of a pencil eraser head with the description "Baby, six weeks", we took to calling you "Little Baby Six Weeks". We found this highly amusing as it sounded like a child's toy doll and the name stuck for awhile. 

Once you started to resemble an actual human inside your mom's belly and the reality sunk in that WE WERE HAVING A BABY, we needed a more "serious" name for you, especially considering you were no longer six weeks old. Since your mom and I had been calling each other Scooter for years, you naturally became "Scooter Baby". It is highly likely that Grandpa or Nana will still occasionally call you Scooter. Again, our apologies in advance. 

This evolution in naming should clear up the title of the blog as well as confirm your suspicions that your parents are, in fact, crazy. But I hope it also shows that it's okay to be silly no matter how old you are. Life will throw challenges and sadness your way on a regular basis so always remember to be silly and laugh whenever possible. Your mom and I will experience challenges and sadness as well but we hope that we will always be able to cheer you up with our laughter and that we will be cheered up, in turn, by the laughter of our Scooter Baby.

Love, 

Scooter Daddy

Mission Statement

Hi buddy,

You are very small and we've not yet met but I've seen you and felt you inside that person's belly in which you've been living on a number of occasions over the last six months  I'm the louder of the two voices you hear most often and the one who is generally responsible for that softer voice's warm, hearty laugh that you can't help but hear and feel (hopefully on a regular basis!). Even though we've not yet met, I love you to the extent that words cannot possibly describe. 

I am your father and I can't wait to meet you.
 

You've been growing inside your wonderful mother for almost half a year and it'll be another quarter of a year before we get to meet but you are all that your mom and I can think about. We saw you all nestled up inside your mom's belly the other day and you looked cozy, comfortable and happy. That situation is one that your mom and I will work hard for the rest of our lives to ensure continues though the world can be a scary and dark place. 

It can even be scary for someone as old as your parents. 

Although we don't really talk about it, both your mother and I have a tiny fear that something will happen and that, in the worst case scenario, we will not get to meet you or that something will happen and that you will experience a harder life than we want for you. Someday, you may not be able to read this or understand it when read to you for one reason or another. Regardless of what happens, we will always love you; especially if your life is harder than most or even if we never get to meet you. We love you and that will never change. 

Part of loving you as much as we do means that I have no plans or aspirations for you. 

I want you to be happy and healthy. I want you to be whoever it is that you'll become. It's hard not to think about your forthcoming appearance in the real world: what will you be like? Who will you look like? What things will drive you? It's easy for me to admit that I'd like you to grow up to be a Liverpool supporter, watching soccer with me every weekend morning, that you'll get as excited about the Patriots as your mother, that you'll be smart, kind and have a sense of humor like your sometimes deranged parents. But, truthfully, I just want you to be you with no ifs, ands or buts. 

You are so little but you are the biggest thing that has ever happened to your mother and I.

We hope that we are worthy of the challenge and deserving of your presence in our lives. We have a wonderful support base in your grandparents, your aunt, uncles, beautiful cousins and great grandparents and they love you (almost as much as your mother and I do!) and can't wait for your arrival. There is no doubt that you will always feel loved and that your mom and I will always do what's best for you. However, growing up is something that one can only do on their own so I'm compiling my thoughts from now until you can read in the hopes that they provide a road map for you. Not so that you become just like me but so that you become better than me.

Love always,

Dad