Dearest son,

Dear Baby Boy Eschler,

It is Friday evening, April 7 at 8:30 pm. Your Nonni and Papa brought pork chops and tater tots and vegetables over for dinner and we ate outside because the weather is beautiful. I went to the chiropractor, had an NST, and got a pedicure with your Nonni today. Your Tio Bobby and Tia Katie are about to get in their car with Emory and Elizabeth and head to North Carolina from New York because you are going to be here by Tuesday at the latest. And, honestly, it is time for you to come.

Don't get me wrong - I have enjoyed this pregnancy immensely. You have been a great child to host. My weight gain has been minimal, nausea was almost non-existent, energy was great, and the milestones were all accomplished on time. However, my feet are now swollen and the doctors want to coerce you out with a medical induction. Thus, I am hoping you come on your own... and quickly.

Just so you know, this is a bit about the world into which you are being born:

*We are 3 hours away from a "governmental shutdown." The democrats say it is the republicans fault. The republicans say its the democrats fault. Really, they're all overindulged babies who vote on their own pay raises and spend my money with reckless abandon... feel free to go into politics and change all that when you're older.

*Japan is recovering from the worst earthquake in recorded history. It happened March 11 and the world has been on the brink of a radioactive disaster ever since, as several nuclear reactors were damaged and the disaster kept relief efforts slow.

*Steve Carrell is about to leave "the Office." Will Ferrel is going to star in a 4 episode arc, which makes me really excited to soften the blow of his leaving. Your dad wants to crawl under a rock every Thursday night, but I'm really happy about it. Honestly, the show is on its way out and I'm just excited for the life this transition plan will breathe into the final lifespan of the show.

*Your mommy is a bit embarrassed to admit this, but the new JLo song is AWESOME. I loved her in college, but wanted to disavow myself of all love for her now that I am on the brink of official adulthood as someone's mother (and, she's on American Idol this season... Your father and I are vehemently opposed to all things kitchy and music-deteriorating... thus, American Idol does not happen in our house). However, JLo's song is awesome. I'm sure you've heard it in utero as I have driven down the road.

*Gas cost me $3.64 a gallon today. Not so OK...

*Charlie Sheen has completely lost his mind. Among some notable quotes are references to his Adonis genes, Tiger blood, the fact that he isn't "Bipolar... [he's] Bi-winning," and other random things. Mommy is convinced he has Bipolar Disorder and is in a manic episode.

*Your dad wants an iPad. He's really worried that Mac product control is going to go down once Steve Jobs isn't in charge. The newest iPad has problems, though... so we're not in a hurry to get one.

*The world is in a period of revolution. Historically, this trend is parallel to the last century. Mommy believes that Facebook played a part in helping people in formerly remote areas of the world realize that basic human rights and freedoms should be available to everyone. Egypt was a spark that ignited the North Africa/Middle Eastern barrel. Currently, America is in Libya with Yemen and Syria also gaining attention on the world stage. Many people are afraid that Al Quaida will have an open invitation to power or freedom in these newly emerging countries. I am going to choose to be optimistic and say that a grassroots freedom initiated by an empowered people can only be a good thing for the world at large - it was when your ancestors fought for it here on North American soil. I am hoping for similarly prosperous and peaceful outcomes in their area of the world.

*Your mommy, daddy, Nonni, and Papa love "Big Love." We've seen all 4 seasons. There is a new season that just finished which completed the series, but no one had HBO in time. We are considering watching it "by any means necessary."

*The Yankees opened their season SPECTACULARLY. The Red Sox did not win any of their first games. They did win their first one today, against the Yankees. Mommy is confident that tomorrow will right that score and they'll win the series. This is a rivalry that you will hear much about during your life. I trust you will choose wisely when the time comes.

*Jerry Sloan resigned as head coach from the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2011. Deron Williams (or DWill as your Aunt Anna called him repeatedly during our last trip out west) was traded to the New Jersey Nets on February 23. It is rumored that Deron Williams and Jerry Sloan had some sort of an altercation that caused Jerry Sloan to retire. No one ever confirmed that report. However, the Jazz had a pretty amazing season going until that point and were looking like they were going to get into the playoffs. Once the drama happened, all playoff dreams were dashed. Your father and Eschler grandparents still struggle to talk about it. We hope that by the time you are able to enjoy the games with your daddy, they will be in playoff condition once again.

There are so many other things I can't wait to tell you about and watch you learn about. I could not enumerate even a fraction of them if I had all the time in world.

But, in order to get any further, you must come out.

So, here I sit... next to your daddy on our very comfortable couch that we bought from Bobby and Katie when they moved to New York... having had all trigger points stimulated by doctors and pedicurists. Nonni and I chose baby blue nail polish (a color NEITHER of us would EVER choose) as a means of demonstrating our excitement about meeting you. Daddy got the neighbor's phone number so that Hector has a place to go if we need to leave in a hurry. The bag has been packed for over a week now. Our laundry is all clean, there are North Carolina plates on our car, your car seat is in there, and I am ready to implement the coping techniques I've been reading about for dealing with pain. Tomorrow is your great-Aunt Phyllis' birthday, so we already know that special people are born historically on April 9. All that's missing is you. I appreciate the few small hints you've given me that you are on your way... please send more.

AND GET OUT...

We can't wait to hug you once you're here... so please just get here!


Love always,
Mommy, Daddy and Hector