Picture update on Aiden

Wow.  That's all I can say. Wow.
You've been here almost 24 hours, and I have a total of TWO pictures of you.
Actually, let me rephrase that.  I personally have ONE picture of you, Grandpa Don has two.
He sent me the one of you and your mom and sister, and he's got your closeup picture, which I'm supposed to be receiving shortly. 
Regardless, only TWO pictures? 
C'mon, Jessica, Chris, Lisa, and Joe!  TWO pictures? 
Jess, you're excused because you just produced Aiden. 
But the rest of you?  Get serious! 
Just because I couldn't make it up there for the birth doesn't mean I should get shut out of the picture sharing!
So SHARE already!!
It's not like you're using actual film, ferchrissakes... it's DIGITAL!
I WANT MY PICTURES!!!

Welcome, Aiden Kelly

Yeah, Andrea, I know... this is supposed to be all about you. Well, things change, and part of the things that change would be the arrival of your new baby brother, Aiden.
Today's October 20th, and he should be arriving soon. 
(At least according to your mother, who, lets face it, would know better than just about anyone except Aiden, and as of right this moment, he's not saying anything, just positioning himself for his arrival) 
Your mom says that she's lost the mucous plug and has been having contractions, but this is just pre-labor.  The fun won't be starting for another couple of days at least (I'm betting on October 21st or 22nd myself) since the moon's not yet full. 
I'm betting he's going to make his appearance during the October full moon.
I was right about your birth, and I do have an impressive track record regarding predicting arrivals - and before you start in on me about what the moon has to do with it, let me remind you that the moon does exert a gravitational pull on the Earth - and it does affect labor. 
So anyway... Aiden, I'm your Grandpa Merlin.  I'm not going to be able to get there for your arrival, but trust me, soon enough you'll meet me and your Grandpa Don.
I'm the one who sent up all the bears you'll see around your and Andrea's bedrooms (that is, when you develop cognizance that is) - and why I'm probably constantly getting dirty looks from your mom when I'm there.
Oh well, since you're my grandchild by "adoption", just as your sister Andrea is, I get to spoil the two of you like there's no tomorrow and I don't have to answer to your real grandparents or parents about it.
And incidentally, if I'm wrong about your birthdate, I apologize.  But we'll have to see. 
Love you, little man.

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Happy Birthday, Jessica!  I'm posting this a day early, and even though you *swear* you read the blog, I know you really don't.  It doesn't matter, although I'm going to harangue you about it especially after this post, because you're going to be dissapointed that I haven't sent a card or acknowledged your birthday aside from a call. 
Suprise, this is your gift from me.  It's not much, but it'll last longer than a card or any other gift I could send, and it's from the heart.
I want you to know just how much you mean to me - something I've probably hinted at, and you might have an idea of, but never fully realized.
As you know, I don't have any human children and won't. That's why you're so special to me.  When your father and I met and I found out that he had a daughter, you weren't as much a part of my life as you've become over the years since - it's been over 16 years since we first met, and I've honestly never been happier to have you in my life.  (Even though at that first meeting, you were far more interested in your gaming system than you were in dealing with me)
I know I've only been a peripheral fixture to the events of your life, however I know you've come to realize that my love for you is as real as your father's - you've accepted me as a psuedo Uncle, and allowed me the privileged indulgence of "adopting" your daughter as my grandchild. 
That in and of itself means more to me than you will ever know, however that's not what this is about.  This is about what you mean to me.  
I've always thought of you as more than just a niece, you've always been something of a daughter to me too, although I haven't had to shoulder the responsibilities of parenthood that Don, Lisa and Joe have.  I guess missing out on those responsibilities was for the best, as my tendency has always been to simply spoil you (and now Andrea) and the only thing my interference in any crisis would have done would have further screwed up whatever was happening, and probably not for the better.  
Case in point, trying to get you down here to Atlanta.  I'll be honest, that's still my selfish goal.  I'd love to have you and Andrea and Chris down here so I could have more time with all of you.
But that's something that will remain my selfish wish, not something that I honestly forsee happening - however I can always hope, and will continue to wish for it, despite what in reality is best for you.  (But let me hit the lottery and you're not going to have a choice in the matter!)
Anyway, I just want you to know that I love you and I miss you and Andrea, and Chris, and you forever have a place in my heart. 
So, before I get even *more* maudlin, let me close by saying that I hope you have the best birthday ever, and that each subsequent one improves on the previous by light years. 
I love you.
Uncle Aldy
(to Andrea - I'm still Grandpa Merlin to you)

Road trip pictures Mission, Kansas 2009

Well, I'm currently trying to upload the road trip pictures - and not having much success unfortunately.
I do have an album set up on Facebook, here's a link: Kansas Road Trip.
It'll have to do until Blogger gets its shit together.

KC Road Trip Day 2 The day I cooked

'kay, Grandpa Don's bitching because he's trying to sleep and I want to get this down. So I'm going to make it quick.

Your biological father is a dickhead.

There. I said it. And I stand behind that statement. Despite the spin you're going to have applied to the situation by your mom, your dad, your biological father... don't care who.

Just check the police records for domestics during this time, October 2009.

Love you, darlin... but you need the unvarnished truth.

And this is it. Your biological father is unfortunately, one world class dickhead. While I have a lot to say about this situation, for once, I'm going to be relatively good and not say shit aside from what I already have.

Addendum: I'm back in Atlanta now and have reread what I posted. I still stand behind it.
Your biological father is a world class dickhead.

Kansas road trip October 2009

Well, we're here. Your reaction when I introduced you to Theodore was everything and more I wanted.
And yes, of course I took pictures - however, like an idiot the one accessory I didn't bring was the camera to the laptop connection. So, as of right now, I have over a hundred pictures of you and can't upload a single one of them.
I also took pictures during the road trip which are in the same situation.
Can't upload the damn things. So this will have to serve as an interim solution to this conundrum.
You're napping right now, so I'm taking this quiet moment to post this.
As soon as I get a connection to the laptop, the pictures are getting uploaded and then I'll post them, I promise.
I'm probably also going to be sending them to Facebook, so they'll be in more than one place.
Anyway, Grandpa Don is currently sitting in front of your Mom's desktop trying to get it cleaned down so it'll run better. I'm going to sign off and watch. It should be entertaining.

Road Trip!

Yay! I'm sitting here waiting on Enterprise to call and say they're on their way to pick me up so I can get the car for the road trip.
Which means that in just a matter of hours, your Grandpa Don and I will be there - tired, stinky from the trip, but there to see you and your mom.
The plan is to leave early Wednesday morning from Grandpa Don's house and drive straight through til we get there.
I'm bringing my laptop, so I might blog from the road, or at least from your house.
I can't wait to see your face when I introduce you to Theodore... (that's the big bear) - he's about as big as you are!
I'm also bringing you a dragon ... since every Princess should have a dragon around. But don't worry, he's friendly.
I'm so excited! I hope you remember this in a couple of years - if not, this will serve as your memory jog. (Grin)
Okay, got to run - last minute details to deal with here.
I'll be seeing you soon, darling!

Road trip pre-diary October 2009

Well, it's taken a few tries, but I've managed to secure the car for the trip. I started by using the various travel websites, and actually found what I thought was going to be a deal and reserved it. The only issue I had was that the pickup location was in Downtown Atlanta - and when I went to change it, I found that the car would be even cheaper out at the airport.
So, I cancelled the original and set it up for an airport pickup, which would have been easier because I could and would have taken the train to the airport instead of driving.
Well, because I don't use credit cards, I only use what's known (or was known) as a "debit card", I had to call the car company to find out what rules were in place for using it instead of a credit card. There wasn't an issue there, however the person at the car company and I got to talking, and I mentioned that I had set my reservation to pick the car up at the airport - when she asked me what time my flight got in, I said I wasn't flying in, I was picking the car up to do a road trip - at which point she said that to rent out of the airport and get the rate I was seeing, I was going to have to show my round trip ticket at the counter.
So that killed that reservation. We got to talking further, and she did some further checking, and found a relatively comparable rate at a location around a mile to a mile and a half away from here - which in and of itself is a win win.
Then it turns out that the location is closed on Sundays (our expected return date) and I'll have to drop the car off on Monday instead. For no additional cost.
Anyway, the car is now secured. I talked your Grandpa Don into going with a full size car rather than an economy for a couple of reasons - first and foremost, I don't want to drive or ride with my knees in my chest - and that, unfortunately tends to be the case with 99.9% of "economy" cars.
Second, I wanted room in the car to bring you some friends.
Before you were born, I made a promise to your mother that I wouldn't send up any big bears until you were walking, and at that point, all bets were off regarding you and stuffed animals.
Well, you're walking now.
Just you wait until you see what Grandpa Merlin is bringing for you.
Your mother is gonna wanna kill me.
But I don't care - you're my sunshine and I have every intention of spoiling you rotten and having the time of my life doing it.

Road Trip October 2009 The Diary

Andrea - this is going to be the first trans dimensional occurrence for us... in that I'm going to be referencing something that will occur involving the two of us, and it'll also be a shared memory - because it happened to you and you'll remember it when you read this.
For example, this is the first time that we will meet.
(You'll also be meeting your Grandpa Don at the same time, but this is my blog so the focus is on you and me.)
I cannot wait. Your Grandpa Don is going to be a stick in the mud when he finds out how many bears I want to bring you, though. So I might be stuck bringing up just one big one (or two if I sacrifice a suitcase)
What I'm getting at is that Grandpa Don and I are planning on renting a car in Atlanta and driving up to see you and your mom. At last!
You've met your Great Gramma Susan, and your Uncle Tommy, now you get to meet Grandpas Don and Merlin.
I have a number of special bears that are waiting to come live with you, Andrea. If they can't come all at once then they'll just have to wait their turn. I hope you're still friends with Pinky - he's the most special of them all. Your mother's going to hate me, I know it - oh well, what are grandparents for except to spoil the grandkids?

Thursday August 20th

Not much to report yet, sitting here getting ready for work.
I've just discovered I have over 2 weeks of vacation time to use before the end of the year - I can't afford to take it all at once, however use it I must, or I'll lose it.
I'm wondering if I can talk your Grandpa Don into a road trip to see you, hopefully before the snow comes. Don't know if that will work out because his schedule is so flaky.
I love you dearly little darling, but we've had this discussion before.
Grandpa Merlin doesn't do snow. Period.
I deal with it only when it happens in Atlanta, and by deal with it I mean I stay in my house if at all possible, and I'm certainly not going somewhere to experience it willingly.

Monday, February 25th

Okay, I got slack again.
Sorry about this, Andrea - I had a number of things going on, and blogging wasn't high on the list of "must do today" 's.
On the bright side, I did manage to send up a number of outfits for you - not that at your current age (you're a month old today - Happy Birthday!!) you're going to know or care about fashion - which believe me, is my saving grace - when you get older, if I think about sending up clothing, it's going to be in the way of a gift card - I won't embarrass you with my fashion choices.
Toys are also going to end up being your choice via gift card - no offense, but you're going to know what you want more than I will, and rather than incur your wrath I think it's easier to just send you a gift card. Unless of course, I'm sending you another bear.
Those, you're going to have to deal with.
Anyway, in the time since the last post, I've turned 47, gotten my hair highlighted, gotten talked into playing Bingo at the American Legion with Grandpa Don (and won $100), ordered a MONSTER elephant ear plant (that's going to drive the HOA up a wall), gotten involved in the Paranormal States message boards, and lost more weight.
Elaborations are forthcoming, right now I just thought I'd throw up a quick fill in.
Anyway, I have to get ready for work now...
More later.

And even more baby pics - this time with family

Your Uncle John

Grandma Lisa

This is Grandpa Joe -

This is your mom, shortly after you arrived

This is your Dad, Andrea - don't know him yet, so have nothing to add. Ask Grandma Lisa.

Still more baby pics

Welcome to the world, Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

I've been waiting for someone like you for quite a while - I'm your Great Uncle Merlin - and I'm also your Faery Grandparent - but you can call me Unca Merlin... or Grandpa Merlin.

I have great things in store for you, little one. Think of me as your "Auntie Mame", but male.

And just wait until you're a little older - your Great Uncle Merlin is gonna show you the Happiest Place on Earth - it's called Disney World. (Yes, Jess, you're coming too...although your father probably won't...he's such a wet blanket when it comes to theme parks.)

Time for me to head into work, more in a bit.

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan, Diva-In-Training

Presenting Ms. Andrea Jordan Hutchens.

Born January 24th, 2008, weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz and measuring 20 inches in length.

Ain't she something else? See that little finger? It's already got me wrapped around it.

January 26th

It's Saturday, and I'm at work.
On the bright side, it's a typical Saturday, meaning no fires to put out - I'm just sitting here updating the Windows software on my workstation, updating various spyware programs and in general just sitting here waiting for my relief to get in.
It's also only 20 days until my birthday - I'll be 47 this year. I know that sounds like an eternity to you, but believe me, it really does go a lot faster than you think. Especially when you get older.

I'm on the phone now with Grandpa Don, and he's just told me that your first pictures have arrived.
According to Grandma Lisa, they took tons and tons and they're just waiting to get to a computer to upload them from the camera.
Grandpa Don said that he sent copies to me, but they haven't shown up in my inbox yet. I can wait, I've waited 7 months for you to arrive, I'm going to have to wait for a few more months before I can actually meet you and hold you, so a few more hours or days for pictures won't matter much... (who am I kidding, I want those pictures **NOW**)

You can probably tell by now that patience is not one of my stronger attributes.

January 24th 20:00 Update - WELCOME ANDREA!

You did it! You're here! You arrived at 5:53 pm today, you weighed 8 lbs 3oz, and you measured 20 inches long.
Grandpa Don called me with the news shortly after 7:30 pm today.
Now I just have to find out where you were born so I can run your Natal Chart. I already know you're an Aquarian (believe me, Grandpa Don's going to have a field day with that one...or more accurately, you'll have a field day with that at Grandpa Don's expense...I'll help you make sure of that, believe me)
So you're now here...this means I need to get off my ass and start figuring out what to send up for you - Diapers are high on the list I know, but I'm also going to be sending up more bears and clothes - I just hope you don't grow out of them too quickly.
I think that means I have to buy bigger and hope you grow into 'em long enough to at least enjoy them before you grow out of 'em. I'm going to check with a couple of people who've had babies and see what the best option is. Always best to reference these things with people who have experience.

January 24th 16:00 Update

I got a call on the way into work from your Grandma Lisa, who said that you were on your way - your mom has dilated to 5cm, and they've given her the epidural and something to strengthen the contractions, so you'll be here any time now.
YAY!! Welcome to the world, Andrea!
I'm stuck at work and number 3 or 4 on the phone lists, but I don't care ... you couldn't wipe this smile off my face with steel wool. You're finally on your way! HOORAY!!
More in a bit.

January 24 - no word 13:00

It's Thursday January 24th, and I haven't heard anything yet.
I'll call Grandpa Don for an update shortly, but I'm not expecting to hear anything new - of course, I could be wrong and you've arrived, but we'll have to see about that.
More in a little while

January 23rd - Active labor

Well, your mom's in active labor now and has been since 3 pm yesterday. Two hospital visits, and sent home both times because she's not dilated enough, although contractions are 5 minutes apart.
You really are a stubborn one, aren't you?
At least I was partially right, labor started on the 22nd.
Whether you make an appearance now or in a day or two remains to be seen, however.
More later.

January 22nd - still no word

Still nothing. Young lady, you make a Missouri mule look like a straw in the wind.
I know it's cold outside, but you can't hold out forever - and it's a little late to make your mother move to a warmer climate so you're not inconvenienced. If you don't decide to do this on your own, they're gonna come get you...and you won't be pleased.
I think you've still got a couple of days before that happens, but just take the easy way out... you just have to wait until the most inconvenient moment possible (the middle of the night is the usual choice) and then decide to make your appearance.
That's it. Easy as all get out (at least from your perspective) - your mom's going to have a completely different perspective on the process however - but the result is you finally making your appearance and making a bunch of people very very happy.

SO HURRY UP!!