You've been kicking my tummy all morning.  I like to think it's your way of saying "hi!  just playing in here!"

I try to imagine what you are going to look like, but the possibilites are endless.

I want you to be able to explore everything in the world, and wonder how I'm going to do that without wanting to hover over you, make sure you are always safe.  Things your father and I did, that I didn't give a second thought to, like climbing up on the roof of his Seattle house rental to drink a few beers, I imagine will send me into a fenzy when you do it, yelling at you and your friends to come down before you break your necks.  You'll probably be up there feigning confusion and trying to pretend you aren't sure who that crazy woman is yelling at you.

Sure you can ride on the back of Uncle Mark's motorcycle.  Right after I give him a breathe-alyzer test, field sobriety test and wrap you in bubble wrap.  I'll glare at Mark as he starts to regale when we cruised around San Antonio on the Harley. 

If your like your mama, at some point you will want to start seeing the world.  You won't be satisified by those packaged, let us guide your experience vacations.  You'll want to go to the same places that drew me, those on the U.S. "do not travel" list, the countries where you need to get shots to protect yourself from the various foreign ailments and possibly water purification tablets.  I'm going to try hard to remember these are the experiences that shaped who I am, that made me realize that people are the same at the core, only the exteriors look different.  These are the places that will expand your world view, allow you to see far beyond your back door and shape you into the awesome man I know you will become. 

Just remember to call your mama though while you are out on your great adventure.