Happy Birthday Hudson (from Dad)

Hudson, you are now 1 year old. Congratulations! The past 365 days have taught me more than I could have ever imagined. As some day I hope you will be in my shoes, I will share some of those lessons learned over the past year.

1. Be patient. This is probably the best advice I ever received. If you can accomplish this, your job will be 90% easier.
   
2. Take a million pictures and videos. Your mother has been awesome at this and I'm so grateful. When I was doing your sideshow for your birthday, it brought tears to our eyes looking at all of your 1 month birthday pictures. To this day, we can't believe you were so little when we brought you home from the hospital!
3. Learn to relax. One thing's for sure: your life will become a lot more hectic and chaotic once you have a child. Make an effort to schedule weekends where you and your wife don't do anything but "hang out". Catch up on those movies you've been dying to watch but never had time. If you have family around to babysit, even better!
4. No one has the "right" answer. You always hear that parenting doesn't come with a handbook. While it's true, many think they know the right answer to everything from sleep training to feeding your child). Feel free to research others opinions for guidance but ultimately, it comes down to your gut feel on what's right and wrong and what works and what doesn't.
   
5. Be active in everyday activities around the house. When your wife is upstairs nursing your newborn, look around the house and see what needs to mopped or cleaned. Your wife will be so exhausted the first year that it's the least you can do.
6. Be bold and take the "road less traveled". You'll be amazed at how much your little one will pick up the first year of his life. For that very reason, when you get that sudden burst of road rage, scale it back and think about the message it's sending to your child if you scream to the top of your lungs at another person. Same goes for arguments with your wife. Even if she's acting irrational (which never happens ;) take a deep breath, and do your best to diffuse the situation as amicably as possible.
7. Stay in touch with friends and family. It'll be hard to do but when you have a free minute, pick up the phone and call a friend you haven't talked to in a while. Friends and family are the most important things in life and while they will understand your situation, it sends a special message to them that in your hectic lives, you're still thought of.

NOTE: I was thinking about adding another "lesson learned" where I was going to encourage you to invite your parents over to see your son/daughter every weekend but I think that may be pushing it ;)

We love you Hudson

Love,
Dad