A Son Is Born

Dear Augosto,

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life."

I hate to start off any of my writing with a cliche but this is one of those times where I feel that those words, tired or not, are the proper ones for this specific occasion. Because it really is your 1st day here on Planet Earth(don't worry, you are not an alien). You were born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at St. Mary's Hospital at 1:13pm. And you came in at a whopping 8 lbs. 5 oz. WOO-HOO!!!

And yet, even though this is such a momentous day--one of many that you will take part in--I also have some bad news for you. You will most likely not remember any part of this day. Not even a smidgen. Not the yelling, the screaming or even the heavy breathing. Especially if you are blessed with your father's bad memory skills--you will find out more about this as we get to know each other.

I have to admit that you probably wouldn't want to remember a lot of what happened today. Big Draconian style forceps were involved. And lots of crying. Some from you. Some from your mom. And, yes, some even from me.

And because you won't be able to recall your actual birthday and, most likely, many days/months after that, this is sole the reason I am writing this journal(some will call this a "blog" but I never liked the word because it sounds too much like bacon + log). This is my attempt to document your life(as best as I can while balancing Grad School and regular life). I am quite aware that you can't read right now...or speak English...or even use your hands properly, but those accomplishments won't be too far ahead in the future. And when those days come, and you possibly become curious about the time period you grew up in, this journal will hopefully provide you with an idea of what it was like to raise a Latino male in the 2009 and beyond.

Some days I will just post pictures. Other days it will be important events in your life or ours.

This is my first of many gifts to you.

Your Father.

asr