ELEA'S NEWBORN PICTURES

TO TAE ON YOUR 2ND BIRTHDAY, FROM PAPAI

Dear son,

There was a quote from someone who said the days are long and the years are short. It is so true, as I think it was only yesterday I wrote an email to you for your first birthday. Alas, here we are and I hope I can put some thoughts together which will help you in one way or another.

Now, I want to try to add a little structure to these emails as I look forward to writing many of them in the future. My hope is you will be able to see your growth and progression easier from year to year by me adhering to some guidelines. 

I started with a question and asked "what would I want to know if my parents sent me an email?"It took me a while, but I came up with the central idea of highlights. Highlights of your life, our family, and the world. To cap it off, I plan on writing you some of the greatest lessons I have learned in my life, so you can take these and hopefully learn from them to improve yours. Well let's get into it!

There was so much growth for you this year, and I am not just talking about your physical growth. First, you learned how to crawl, walk, run and jump. Additionally, you began talking in both English and Portuguese. You are a quick read and have figured out how to manipulate the iPad almost by yourself. The only you can not do is log on, but I feel you will have mastered this by the next email I write to you.

In terms of our family, we also grew in many ways. First, your mom and I received jobs at our "dream School" in Shekou, China, and we will be moving to there this coming August. We are so excited to share all the experiences, but also to show you the world. Mom and I have grown so much living abroad, and want to give you this same opportunity. There is also the small matter of your baby sister, Elea, joining our family. She arrived on 12/02/2017 at 12:38 PM. You were not so sure of her at first, but have naturally taken the role of big brother already.

The world has also seen a lot of changes as well. Donald Tump was elected president of the US, which created much division in the country and the world. We are hoping things work themselves out, but he stands for a lot things your mother and I do not and want to teach you and your sister to see everyone eye to eye, and give everyone respect, even if they are different from you. This is a life lesson that we hope you learn, to share Christ even if you disagree with people.

Now for more life lessons. Before I do this, wanted to share a special moment we had this year. We really started to connect one day when you and your mom were painting. I remember going over and you putting your hand to mine and it was like we both saw into each others souls. Although the experience lasted seconds, it has been imprinted into my memory for eternity. Life is the accumulation of small moments, and I will cherish this one for all my days. 

Ok, now to the lesson. I want to share with you to EMBRACE life. Embrace means not to change or resist it. There are so many beautiful things God presents us on a daily basis, but often time we can not see them as we expect everything to turn out a specific way and try to control every aspect of our lives. I will discuss these matters when you are older and can comprehend them better, but know to EMBRACE what life presents you with. 

For example, I feel I expect too much of you, and at times find fault with what you are doing. However, this takes me away from being a better dad, and this is not what I want. What I do want is to suffer when you suffer, laugh when you laugh, and not hold you to the yardstick of the experiences of my life. 

Well, that is it for now, but happy 2nd birthday my dearest son!

Love you forever,

Dada aka Papai

MEET ELEA HOLBROOK

Friday, February 10th we went to the doctor for our weekly check-up.  He said Elea was large (of course she's a Scott baby) and comfortable in there. We left thinking we had another week of waiting. Fast-forward to Sunday morning, I woke up with cramps. At first I didn't think anything of it, but then I realized they were stronger and more frequent.  I told Jess and he went on a walk with Tae while I laid down. At around 10:30 we called Dr. Barini and told him we thought this was it, he said to go to the hospital when they were 5 minutes apart.  

I remember with Tae waiting in the hospital for what seems like forever, so I decided to wait until they were a little closer.  We called Keila to come stay with Tae, and Heather to watch Tae until Keila got here.  At this point the contractions were anywhere from 3-4 minutes apart.  As soon as Keila arrived we headed to the hospital.  

Once we arrived they were very close and getting more and more painful.  This time I knew what to expect, so I think I stayed calmer than I was with Tae.  I focused on my breathing and prayed a lot. I remember cursing/being mad at Adam & Eve...it was because of them that childbirth was painful.  We waited for a room, because in Brazil most women opt for c-sections they have their rooms reserved it isn't very common to have a natural birth and therefore there weren't rooms ready.  Also, in Brazil you pay up front for everything so Jess had to go pay before they would place us. While I waited I went in a room with a few other pregnant women (who were getting c-sections) and continued on with my contractions.  Jess said they were a bit in shock at the pain I was in and probably wondering why I would want to do this. 

 

Finally we headed up to the room, but Elea was ready and wanted to come soon.  I barely remember being in my room before heading to the delivery room.  What I do remember is asking begging for the epidural. The wonderful doctor who gave me the epidural arrived and from then on it was smooth sailing.  

Dr. Barini, being the calming force he is, coached me through the delivery. A few pushes and my ears heard the beautiful baby cry.  Elea, and her full head of hair, was here. Healthy. Happy. And hungry.  They put her on my chest and I stared at her amazingly tiny features, marveled at how she held her own hands, and laughed at how much hair she had. She made her way to my breast and nursed for a few minutes before they took her for tests and a bath. 

12:38 PM, our lives changed for the better.  We are now a family of 4. Elea Holbrook Kuemmerlin entered our world in a flash.  Everything about her is beautiful, our God's hand is evident in her and we can't wait to see what He has in store for her.  

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139: 13-14