Let me tell you about your Mom...

Dear Charlie Bird,

Ten days ago, on April 20, 2021, at 8:18pm, your Mom and I met you for the first time. You took us by surprise, deciding to make our family whole three months earlier than expected. Even at 2 lbs. 1 oz., we knew you were so strong, as your little wails filled the bright white operating room.

Before we get into your early arrival, I want to tell you a little bit about the amazing person who brought you into this world: your Mama.

We had been hoping for you for such a long time, much longer than you could probably imagine at this point. After moving to your hometown of Grand Rapids in 2018, your Mama and I started trying for a family, but we did not have any luck. What you will learn about your Mom is that she is TOUGH, which is where I know you get your toughness from. When she wasn't able to get pregnant, she did literally whatever it took to make it happen.

In the early fall of 2019, your Mom started taking medications to help us get you. After six months of the meds, we continued to have no luck. That brings us to March 2020, when the world stopped (I will explain that to you some other day), and we had to stop trying for you for a few months. In June 2020, your Mom did what's called an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), and we still had no luck. In July 2020, we decided to try In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), a process that would take months, but one that doctors said gave us the best chance to have you.

Now, here is the part of the story that shows your Mama's toughness. Starting in October, your Mom had to give herself three shots A DAY (totaling about 65 shots in all). In November, there was a procedure called "the retrieval" where the doctor took parts of your Mama and parts of Me and mixed them together to create you.

On that day, your mom started taking ANOTHER daily shot (Progesterone) that she gave herself every morning. Five days later, there was a procedure called "the transfer" where that little tiny you was placed inside of your mom. Mom continued the shots for 10 weeks after that, as you continued to grow. The happiest day of our lives (at the time) was when we found out you were real, and that you were coming on July 26. Our lives were changed as we started preparing for your arrival.

We had a big party to find out whether you were a boy or a girl. Your grandparents, aunts, and uncles came over to celebrate. You can just see how excited your Mom was when the pink confetti flew. (I was excited too! Daddy's always happy.)

Your Mom loves you more than anything in the world, Charlie. She put her body through so much just so you could be born. If you ever need someone to look up to, you're lucky to have someone so special raising you to be like her: strong, tough, and loving. You already have the "eye of the tiger" (something you'll hear your mom and Grandma K say countless times). I fell in love with your Mom long ago because of all of these qualities. If you grow up to be like her, I will be so proud.

There is so much more to your story, Charlie Bird. I could write a whole chapter on a distant land called West Virginia. I want to tell you more about your name. I'll introduce you to your Grandparents, Aunts, & Uncles soon. But for now, I just want to welcome you to the world. Sure, you're here earlier than July 26, but now we get three "extra" months with you and all of your new friends in a placed called the NICU. You're going to be so big and strong someday soon, just like your Mom, and we'll be able to take you home. But for now, your job is to be tough like your Mom.

I love you so much Charlie Bird. I am so happy you are here with us!

Love,

Dad