DAY 35/160

Dear Baby Milline, 

Today is the 1st day of October and the next home game for our Atlanta Falcons.  Now before I go any deeper I must say that I don't know if you'll be an Atlanta sports fan or not, though I hope you will be. I say this because it has been brought to my attention a few times by close friends that just because your parents are fans of an organization does not mean you have to be. So with that being said, if you're not a Falcons fan we may have issues. I kid, I kid, but anytime the Falcons play your team if you're not a Falcons fan we won't be friends for those 3 hours. 

Your mother decided to sit this game out today, as she wanted the ability to rest and relax and I do understand. We've been pretty busy since Friday so a rest day before the work week starts can do wonders. She eventually passed her ticket off to your older cousin, so he and I were able to enjoy the Falcons game together today. I'm not even certain your big cousin is a die hard Falcons fan, but he showed his support today at the game.  Though we came up a bit short in the end, the experience was what counted. 

I was also able to spend some time today with some other influencers on your life. You'll come to know all of these people the older you get but for now just know each and every Sunday during Falcons football for possibly the next 20-25 years Chante and Tiffany will be sitting near us. They clearly love each other and were disappointed today your mother didn't make it. They both wished to rub on your mothers belly for good luck. Chante mentioned something else, but I'll tell you that at another date when you're a little older to comprehend. 

Upon leaving the game I spent a little more time conversing about that game with your extended family. Neither of us were excited with the play selection near the end of the game nor the calls the refs made, but you win some and you lose some. Fortunately for me I was able to hitch a ride back to the train station to avoid the long lines on the Marta entrances and platforms and ended the day spending some quality time with your mom. 

Though she was not physically at the game today she did participate at home. A funny made at the game was that your mom was probably just as stressed being at home as she would have been at the game, so she should have just come. Also note, your mother told me upon my arrival back at home that you were calm all day until I got back, and once I did you became extremely active kicking etc. Guess you were excited to hear my voice and that makes me smile. 

Love You Baby Milline, 

Your Father

DAY 33/160

Dear Baby Milline, 

Today was all about spending time with your mother and close friends. We ended up going to your mother's favorite store again, but this time for you and not for her. We both agree that Targets collection of items for a baby to be is no way near as extensive as Baby's R Us, so we didn't spend much time there as most of the registry could be done online. Either it was that or your mother was tired of me nagging her about getting home in time to watch the UGA vs. Tennessee game. 

It wasn't much of a game

We ended up watching most of the game with your Uncle Lucius, Wo, and little Lawrence. This was your mother and I first time really having an infant in our apartment. Needless to say Lawrence aka Fat Christian the apartment before you could get here, luckily nothing stained. All your Uncle kept saying to me was get ready, hinting at how you will be very similar as little Lawrence. 

We spent a little time after the UGA vs. Tennessee game talking and catching up, as well as sharing a few beer favorites between the two of us. Your Uncle is very diverse in his selection of beers and has really schooled me to some new local favorites.

While your Uncle and I talked, Wo was informing your mother of things to come, as she's just went through this with little Lawrence. Your mother appeared to be really intrigued with what was being told to her, as well as enjoying the experience of looking after little Lawrence. Maybe having an infant boy around makes her want a boy of her own, smile. 

The day ended with your mother and I falling asleep to Netflix. She to her favorite Family Guy, I to this series titled Tales by Light. 

Love You, 

Your Father 

DAY 32/160

Dear Baby Milline, 

Friday September 29, was all about relaxing for your mother and I. We did absolutely nothing after work ended.  I took not one photo for this series of letters to you, and once I was in we never truly left the house outside of getting something to eat. Even with that adventure we barely made the deadline before the chef shut the grill down. 

Your mother really wanted a cheese steak, which I really don't eat, so I opted for wings instead. Upon returning home I started a series on Netflix I found called Tales by Light. Which follows professional photographers around the world. However, instead of just showcasing their photos, the series discusses and shows just the lengths people will go to capture a photograph. Photography to me is a form of art, so I do understand why someone would be willing to go so far, even placing themselves in extremely dangerous situations to capture one photo. Whether that's swimming with sharks or anacondas, standing next to bears or sea lions, or experiencing the many faces of death from war to death rituals. I get it...

Makes me wonder even how I can take my photography to the next level. I will be honest with you though Baby Milline, during this journey has truly taken my photography to another level as I am documenting my life's journey and not that of someone else. Before I use to feel showing yourself off was attention seeking, but during this journey I realize that it is not I whom am seeking the attention, but the journey is in fact for you to know more about what's going on right now. Something for you to reflect on one day and think "Hey that's my dad and mom right there." 

This is not about art or attempting to be creative, this is about true life documenting and that's what makes each day feel worth while. Though I will admit I have forgotten somedays to type this letter to you, I promise you I recall vividly what has taken place. If I forget one day or even two, I make up for it by recounting everything that takes place that day. You'll have to ask your uncles one day just how impressive my memory is. And don't tell your mother this (though she's reading these letters) when it comes to events of the past, even if I know I'm right on what happened I let her win the argument. You'll get it one day Baby Milline. 

Until Tomorrow...

Love You, 

Your Father 

DAY 31/160

Dear Baby Milline, 

Fall is hear as you are aware, well kind of. It was 90 degrees today outside and October starts this weekend. The leaves barely have changed and insects are flying all over the place. When I tell you it's hot out and people are ready for cooler weather. However, it's supposed to be below 60 one day this weekend, and then you can expect to begin hearing people complain about how cool it is. No one can ever be completely happy you will learn one day in this world of ours. 

Your mom wasn't able to make it to your grandmother's home tonight for dinner as she had a PTA meeting at work. However, upon returning home she had a funny story to tell about you inside her belly. Apparently today a few people including parents let her know that by you being in there she was telling all her business. You'll understand that statement one day, or I'll have to explain what that parent meant when he said "I'm going to tell on you, for telling all your business like that." 

But the best part of the night was your mother finally wanting to take a picture to show how much you've grown. Here you are right here Baby Milline, 

see how you're growing there. I think your mother is finally to a point where she wants to track your progress and how her body is changing. So don't be surprised Baby Milline if your mother begins to hog all the camera time now, remember my message Day 1 of 160 (smile). 

Your mom is something else I tell you, but that's your mom and I love her more and more ecach and every day. To witness her embracing all of this is a beautiful thing and I'm glad I am able to share with you snippets of the journey thus far. 

129 more days to go and I'm sure they will go by quickly...

Love You, 

Your Father 

DAY 30/160

Dear Baby Milline, 

Well today was a wonderful day as most days go. However, all day long I have been pondering what to do with the mobile stabilizer I recently purchase to start making videos with. You see the device works, but not to my expectations. For what ever reason when I attach my Moment Lens case and lens to the stabilizer it does not balance. I'm sure that's too much weight for it, as it was made specifically for mobile phones only, however if I have all of this equipment I should be using it right! So I had to make a decision, it's either take it back to Best Buy or rig it so that it works. 

Now in the past I've been quick to return, sell, and practically give away gear. Only to my dismay a few months or years later wanting those same items, and imagining the possibilities of what I could have created had I maintained them in my possession. So I decided to rig the device to make it work for my liking. What I needed to make was a counter weight to offset the weight of the case and lens on the phone. So to Lowe's I went to find some items to do this with. 

Now Baby Milline, I'm not handy man like Overton Wakefield Jones, but I am familiar with electricity and some tools I could use to make this work for me. All I needed was a set of large washers, double sided tape, and some black gorilla tape. Lucky for me they had the double sided tape were one side is actually velcro, which will allow me the option to remove the additional weight in the case I want to use only a phone in the future. 

I ended up using about 6 washers, and attempted to make it look as aesthetically appealing as possible. It works and I'm happy about that, so now I'm off to start making more short videos using my phone for now. Eventually I may purchase another camera that will produce better videos and short movies. But that will require additional software to make that happen. So these videos will more than likely be made on my phone for now, unless I find the hookup which I may have. I'll also probably use this device at upcoming events I'm attending and definitely for your gender reveal party as your two uncles both name John may not be able to attend that weekend so a Live feed will have to work. 

That was the highlight of the day for me, beyond your grandfather's fish fry and spending time with your grandmother, aunt, and big cousin.  

Love You, 

Your Father