Something I post every year...

In the spring of 2003 news came, we're pregnant!!! Our lives instantly change.

Months later, we find out we are to have a little baby boy. Excitement, tension and all things good and bad consume us. Adding to the stress, news was received by the Doctors that put a wrench in our stomach. Due to an anomaly in the ultrasound we are told there is an 80% chance our child could have down syndrome or cystic fibrosis. We stayed positive and went into team mode, our pregnancy was one of the best periods of my life.

Finally, it's time!

The most intense and emotionally filled moment occurs in both of our lives, Alden Michael Leslie Purkey is born. He is delivered, not breathing and eyes closed. They suck the goo and liquid from his lungs and the first sound he makes is a gasping baby scream. Instantly, all control of my own emotions fall helpless and I cry.. I cry like a little girl. His umbilical cord was cut and the Nurses wrapped him in a blanket and thrust him into my arms. We rushed him into the next room where I cleaned him and held our new born little boy.

He was healthy and he was... he is perfect.

Every nurse on staff that night lost the bet on how much they thought he would weigh. Due to the tiny stature of his Momma, it was anticipated he would be heavily underweight. Nope, 7lbs 6ounces, we like to call that part "Vegan Power". :)

In the last 6 years since that tremendously amazing day, Alden has grown to be the most adorable and intellectual miniature person of his age. He is loving and loyal and most of all forgiving. He knows and understands more about life than most people I meet on a daily basis. He is my reason for everything; he IS my life. I love being his Dad more than anything I've ever experienced in life…

Today, we had an early celebration for his special little day of his. He woke to streamers, balloons, gifts, friends and pancakes. We went to the Nicklecade where Emily, Jesse and Rory won him over 500 tickets so he could have whatever his heart desired, which turned out to be a giant inflatable Spider Man along with many tiny treasures of which he shared with Teagan.

Amazing

Best Mail, EVER!

This Kindergarten picture is ridiculously cute. It's almost sickening.



I've made and mailed him a couple of cards over the past few months. He's either referring to that or the Wolverine trading cards I sent him before Halloween... probably that. Either way, I see love letters to 3rd grade girls in his not so distant future.

Alden's been sick these last few days. I guess Austin went to check on him around 1am in the morning and found him asleep, on his bed room floor, laying in a pile of vomit. Poor little dude. When we talk on the phone he tells me about how his tummy hurts. He broke the news of him being sick late last week, the conversation went something like this...

• Alden: "Dad, I've got to tell you something and it's going to make you real sad."
• Me: "Oh? Tell me."
• Alden: "I'm really really sick. My tummy hurts and I have a headache. It makes you so sad, huh Dad?
• Me: "The saddest."

It's hard being away, especially when he's feeling so vulnerable and helpless. At least I know he's in good hands. I'm thankful he has the Mom that he does. I wouldn't want it any other way.

Alden: "Mom, where were all the kids from school today?"
Candace: "They were visiting their families."
Alden: "Hm... No Mom. I think they were at Walmart because it's Black Friday."
Candace: "What?! Where did you hear that?"
Alden: "I just thought of it when I was playing."