So now that the gender confirmation is complete it is time to get a registry ready, take some kind of class, paint the room, get a crib ready, get some baby clothes and other things baby related. I think some of Holly's friends are setting up a baby shower and there is going to be one at her work at the end of the month. For now we are registering at Target. It's time to begin the expenses. I figure if we start a "baby" category in our budget we can get stuff every month and when Bacon is born use that same category for diapers, food and clothes. Maybe even a little category for college. It is hard to say. In the back of my mind I am thinking we might have another Dr. Bass so the college fund may need to be big. However, student loans are pretty easy to get and state schools are just as good as others so you never know exactly how much you would need. Obviously my mind races with all of the possibilities and opportunites our kid will have. Also there is the potential tragedies that could befall him and then my mind starts to worry. But as long as the kid is healthy that is my main concern.

I think maybe all parents want their kids to be smart and do good for the world. The problem is that probably doesn't happen for a majority of parents. So expectations should be realistic, although teaching him to have the morals of superman would be great. I was telling Holly my family has tons of smart genes and her immediate family does too so we should be prepared for it. Holly will be getting her Master's degree on Monday the 18th. Her mom has her PHD and her dad was a computer programmer in Iran in the 70s. Obviously we don't know much about his side of the family. Then I have a validictorian neurologist sister at the Mayo Clinic, a father who is a M.D., a mother who has her masters in Math and was saliditorian and me who is the black sheep just having one degree. Then mom's parents were teachers and principles. My grandfather was a shrewd businessman as was his father and military service is speckled throughout the line. Then in the 1700s and 1800s there was a string of doctors and politicians and businessman. I found out yesterday that we and G.H. Bass of Bass shoes all come from the first Bass in America. So the sky is the limit with our kid, assuming genes play a role in intelligence. That kind of thinking is probably outdated though. But I really can see how smart people have life easier than regular Joes. When you can see farther in the future and can analyze situations quickly and make good informed decisions you have a definite advantage over many people.

In my visions for our child I do think in terms of acts of service and a world view that is better than mine. I would like him to be like Superman and never tell a lie and be a hero for people. I think helping people is something that is tops as to what we can do with our lives and we will teach him that. To be a doer, not to sit on the sidelines and let life pass him by. To see what is wrong with this world and to try to correct it. I will also try to instill in him a sense of humility. Obviously someone who is better than me. I think all parents want their kids to be better than them. The great thing about where we are now is that there is so much hope for him it is exciting. Anything is possible. So I shall leave with that. Visions of Bacon.