Dearest Chubby Baby,

Today, Daddy wants to teach you a life lesson on priorities.

1. GOD

2. FAMILY

3. CHURCH

4.WORK

1

11.GOD

The first commandment says that you shall love you God above all else and there shall be no other god in front of Him. Our God is a mighty and loving god. You shall not place anything or anyone before God. Anything that takes the place of God in your life becomes your idol. For instance, if you believe working on Sunday regularly is okay, then work has become your god. If you believe that you can play cricket or go for movies instead of going to church or praying, then that becomes your god.

22. FAMILY

God created marriage, childbirth and family. We should remain a Christ-centred family. It is my(and mom’s) belief that we should be a close knit family and we should be open and transparent parents, so that you will feel comfortable sharing anything with your mom and dad.

33. CHURCH

The church of God is God’s people, called and separated by God. We have to do what we can to build up the church and take up responsibilities in the church. We shouldn’t just be church-goers, we should be active in the church. Instead of asking what will the church do for me, we should ask what we can do for the church. God-given abilities should be used for His glory.

44. WORK

God has given you unique abilities, skills and has placed you in a position. Work there like you work for God and not for men. Do better than your best and as a child of God, you should shine wherever you are. At all times, you have to remember that you are different and are a child of God and it should show in your daily walk. You will not take the wrong path, but shall work earnestly and with integrity.

Love,

Dad

Pregnancy & Mothering

Dearest Chubby Baby,

It is very difficult mothering a child. As a son, I never understood the pains that my mother would have taken. Now that I see your mom I understand the pains of motherhood. It makes me appreciate and love my mother so much more. You will never understand this till you grow up and mother or father a child.

However, as a Dad, I want to tell you what I can about your mom.

Throughout these 38 odd weeks, she went through several things. She puked hard for many months. She couldn’t sleep entire nights because she kept puking. Puking is not very easy, it is painful during pregnancy. Even though eating food triggers her nausea, she will continue to eat, because all she can think about is you growing inside her and what you need. As you grow bigger, her centre of gravity shifts. When she lies down, when she moves around, when she is travelling.. All she can think about is YOU. Her every movement reflects her care and love for you growing inside her. She spent several sleepless nights – insomnia is another side-effect of pregnancy. She stopped drinking coffee(which helps her headaches) because it is not good for you. She started eating stuff that she doesn’t like too much (spinach, vegetables, etc) because you need them. Side-effects of pregnancy are many and she endured the whole thing without me or anyone around for the first couple of months! She is one brave woman. Her mother(Irene Paati) was in Sweden and my parents(Gemma paati and Kuriakose thaatha) were both working in Chennai. I was stuck in Baroda. She went house-hunting and successfully found Elita apartments and moved into it. She managed without a maid for cleaning or cooking. I took leave and spent three months by her side till Irene paati came back.

I want you to know that your mom and me love you loads and are waiting to see you enter this world.

Love,

Dad

Daddy's joining you and mom!

Dearest Chubby Baby,

Chubby Baby or CB is our codename for you. We haven’t decided on names and we aren’t sure of your gender.

Date – 30 December 2014

Tomorrow is daddy’s last day at work. I have quit my job and am waiting to join your mom and you!

Looking forward to bonding with you and mom. Daddy is quitting without a job offer in hand. Many people say it is not the right thing to do, the job market is not very vibrant either.

But I tell you our God is bigger than all our obstacles and He is a God of miracles and nothing is impossible for Him. Those who trust in the Lord shall never be put to shame. Sometimes, God wants us to take a leap of faith.

Another factor is that family(mom and you) is very important and it is meaningless to stay away from you both. As you grow up, work hard in the field that God has put you in, but remember the following priority order:-

1. God

2. Family

3. Church

4. Work

Love you,

Dad

Daddy's First Letter

Dearest Chubby Baby,

This is Daddy’s first letter to you. (Dated - 27/12/14)

At this point, Daddy is very excited!!!!!

We don’t know if you are a boy or a girl(gender determination is illegal in India as of today). But we do know that you are God’s gift to us and you have been fearfully and wonderfully made in your mother’s womb by our loving God.

Today, your mom called me and told me that she was feeling restless and nervous about the whole labour and delivery. Your mom is a very bold and strong woman. She has managed almost the entire period from when you were conceived on her own. I am going to join her very soon, in a week at max. Am sure she will sail through the labour and bring you into this world. We are both very excited and looking forward to having you with us.

Love,

Dad