Letter to Tiny, Feb 12, 2007

Dear Tiny,

Babycenter.com suggests that we start writing letters to you. I can feel you fluttering in my abdomen right now, so I am writing this, and reading it aloud, in hopes that you can sense this, and someday, you will even read it.

I was saying to your other Mommy the other day, that I can't wait for you to experience some of the most fun things about New York City and this world. Like your first hot pretzel off a NYC street cart. Your first Peep at Easter time. Your first steamed lobster at the Jersey Shore. Your first strawberry-rhubarb pie from the Del Mar Farmers Market in San Diego. And your first Springer's ice cream cone from Stone Harbor, NJ. Unfortunately, you will find out that one of your moms is food-obsessed, and hopefully you will not inherit this trait, but will grow up loving and enjoying food like your other mother.

Food obsessions aside, Tiny, I am getting very excited for you to arrive. I heard some details about childbirth yesterday, and I am scared. The good part is, we will be in it together. And at the end of it, you will be here in the tactile world with us. Riding home in your first of many taxi rides, seeing the East River, I hope! There are so many people waiting to welcome you. You have a whole Vietnamese history and family in California that Grandma Van is eager to share with you. Grandpa Fred will teach you all about architecture and history and ancient art and hopefully take you to France for the first time, and skiing in Big Bear, CA. Grandma Tita and Grandpapa I.S. will share the amazing beachfront house with you, and welcome your little tiny cries alongside Rocco, Bean's dog, and will teach you the history of the northeast, of Pennsylvania, of the New Jersey Shore, of a family with 150 years of strong history, a family whose name you will share proudly, I hope. Mama Ingy will teach you how to throw and catch balls of all kinds, and directions, and a wonderful sense of humor, and I... I'm not sure. Hopefully I will have a lot to teach you too: Foreign languages, the love of our own English language and literature, the love of every kind of food in the world, the beautiful parks in Brooklyn, and the joy of the kindness of strangers, also known as friends whom we have not yet met. Auntie Liz will spoil you with cream puffs from Beard Papa. I cannot wait. Keep growing, and be strong. Soon.