Dear Savannah

So, you are a beautiful girl! Your mother and I couldn't wait for the big reveal with the doctor, so we went to a more private viewing of your beautiful self. Your mom and I were so nervous! Up until then, it was the biggest day in your life, and one of the biggest in ours. We saw your beautiful face, and we were both instantly in love. Love at first site happened when I met your mom, and it happened again on that day when I saw you.

"She has her legs open...just like her mom." Yeah, I don't know what your mom meant, just know that your mom was too happy for coherent words, and the lady at the sonagram place thinks you and your mom like to spread your legs.

In the days and weeks since, we have redid your room, gotten more clothes than you could ever wear and gotten diapers for your beautiful little bottom. I've been so nervous about the day you come, I have worked as hard as I can to get our house looking nice so your mom and you come hope to perfection. Sadly, it won't be perfect, but I hope you like it.

I also got armed. Yep, your grandfather gave me a shotgun. It's partly because I wanted one and partly because if I see a boy looking at you the wrong way, I will use it! Yeah, I've gotten really protective of you, too. The lady with the sonagram wand was getting a little physical last time we were there and I almost had to take her out. No one is hurting my little girl.

So, baby, that's it for now. I'm so happy you are getting so big. You are nearly two pounds now, and your mom and I are literally counting down the days until you come into our lives.

a perfect kid

Hi, my little peanut!
Apparently, you aren't a peanut anymore, but you'll always be a peanut. The books say you are the size of an orange. Isn't it weird to think you were ever that small? We still don't know if you are a girl or a boy, but the money, apparently is that you are going to be a beautiful baby girl. To say I'm excited is an understatement.

So, peanut, I realized something the other day. I was thinking about what kind of kid I was hoping you are going to turn out like, I realized, I'm not sure, nor do I care if you are a jock, or a nerd or an extrovert or an introvert; whether you turn out gay or straight. Your mom and I are going to love you with every bit of our heart no matter what. What I realized is that we simply want you to turn out better than us.

We want you to have it better and we want you to be better than we ever could be. Apparently, it's what every parent wants. Your mom sets the bar pretty high. I hope you get her zest for life. I can tell you I've never met someone with so much life in them, and I just hope you get some of that. I think my generally optimistic view would be what I would hope you get from me. But, in the end, we hope you are better than we are. It's something to work towards, and it's something you will work toward for a long time, but your mom and I will hope that you are happy and we already think you are the best of us. You are the product of love; how could you be any less?

Ramblings of a ...

So, my little peanut, I saw a bubble gun today and I thought of you. If you are thinking you are too grown up to think bubble guns are cool, I say that I am 31 (very old) and I still think bubble guns are awesome. I mean, they shoot bubbles! It got me thinking of all the toys I would want to get you.

I know some of these are going to be for when you are older, but, my peanut, we are not settling for a rattler. You've got to have one of those guns that shoot ping pong balls. I had one when I was young, and let me tell you... it will annoy your mother to no end! Also, when you are young, you don't need any of those annoying noise-making toys. They are over-rated. You will definitely need one of those power wheels. A boy or girl, it doesn't matter, you will need one of those. Also, a teddy bear is a must. Those things are classics, and you can't mess with a classic. Also, I'm thinking lots and lots of legos. Star Wars legos, cars, boats, houses, you name it, we will need to get you some. Be warned, however, that your father may enjoy the legos more than you. Deal with it, kiddo, it's fathers perogative (you can look that word up).

If you are a girl, Barbie dolls are it, but none of those stupid ones like trailer trash Barbie, or Gheto Barbie, no, you will be a princess, so anything but Princess Barbie just wont do.

If you are a boy, G.I. Joes, Army Men and Transformers. They rock. It still amazes me how those transformers are a guy and a car at the same time! Also, ask your uncle how awesome Army Men are.

I also need to teach you how to fish. Don't let me forget that, it's an important part of being a Floridian. Don't let your grandfather talk to you about snook, because he doesn't know how to catch one, but we will catch catfish, drown bait, and I will have a beer; you have one of those juice packs and it will be good times.

This week, we may have an idea if you are going to be a boy or a girl. I'm terrified! Don't worry, though, peanut, we love you either way! We just want you to be healthy, and we want you here more than anything. You don't have ears yet, but we will blast some Star Wars this weekend, just in case.

More ramblings of a...

I can't really say "ramblings of a dad" yet, can I? Maybe contributor to a peanut? I'm not sure, but referring to myself as a father just gave me chills in the 'all kinds of amazing' category.

So, my peanut, your mother went to the doctor and it's confirmed; you are coming. We were so excited to hear that all is well, we were literally jumping up and down. If you felt something like an earthquake, well, sorry, but that's gonna happen as things get closer.

As we embark on this journey, I'm starting to see things that I can't wait to do with you. It's not just movies, although I can't wait to show you Bugs Bunny. You will thank me later. Also, I can't wait to take you knee-boarding! Your uncle James and I do it all the time during the summer. The secret is to pull your knees up into your chest as soon as the boat goes. It'll take you some time, but we will have patience. Just be careful, because your uncle James likes to slow down at random times. Your mom gets scared of sea creatures and stuff, but trust me, nature is awesome, and as long as you respect it, you'll be fine.

Also, make sure I get on the whole 'teaching you to read' thing. Reading and writing is extremely important. Don't think the terms "lol" and "LMAO" is writing, because it's not english. Writing is a true art form and it's in your blood, so just let it flow, because between your mom and I, you will be a natural.

Also, don't believe in racism. As Ferris Bueller says "ism's are bad, I don't think someone should believe in isms." Also, I need to show you Ferris Buellers Day Off, but be careful, because ditching school is not ok.

Ok, well, we are tossing around what to do with your room. You are going to love it. It's going to be beautiful. Your grandparents are already trying to help put furniture in there.

That's all for now, my little peanut. I'm sure you won't care too much about these posts, but just maybe it'll inspire you, or atleast let you know how much you are loved.

Ramblings of a...

Hello! I'm Kevin. So, uhh, that's that. I haven't written here in a long time because, well, life outside the internet kinda happened. I got married, and it's been a whirlwind of awesome. So, instead of just writing movie stuff, well, it's gonna be all the Hopp's all the time, and well, there's movies. This blog post, the first of a few of them, will be something different.

This post, I'm writing not for any readers, or even for myself. This post is for my kid. At the moment, it's a peanut, and an 'it.' We just found out and it will be a long time before it can read this, but it's here, just in case.

So, peanut, we don't know if you are a boy or a girl, yet. Your mom and I are incredibly excited to have you. We have wanted you in our lives for so long, and finally, a miracle came and you are in the oven.

I know it's a bit impersonal, posting my letters to you online, but your mom and I have don't have much privacy, now, with her being Cuban, and everything being online, and it'll be even more public when your born, so this is a good way for you to get used to it.

There are billions of things you need to know. I'm only 31 right now, but I'm already starting to lose my memory, so I better get a few things down:

First off, Star Wars, you'll love it. I'm pretty sure you are already old enough...at a few weeks conceived to see Star Wars. You don't even have eyes yet, but you can listen...as soon as you get ears. You need to know the prequels will never be as good as the originals, Anakin Skywalker was just pre-Darth Vader and not a whiney adolescent and I'm forbiding you to like Jar-Jar Binks. And, yes, if they have one, you can have a real light saber. I have a fake one, and it's all yours one day.

Secondly, you can't compare Star Trek and Star Wars. They both start off with "Star" but that's where the similarities end. Both are awesome, for the record.

And, there's Doctor Who. Yeah, it's british, but that doesn't make it bad. It's amazing, and I can't wait to watch episodes with you.

Your mom and I have been together for a few years and we've been married for about a year and a half, now, so there's a certain B-word that if anyone calls you that, well, you let me know and I'll take them out, but if I'm not around you can simply say that doesn't apply to you. Your mom and I have have had an amazing time together so far. We've been on all kinds of adventures together, and there are many more on the horizon, and you will be our greatest adventure and we can't wait.

As I think of more things, I'll post them so I don't forget.
Also, I'm sorry because I'm not a very good baseball player. I will still teach you to throw a ball and how to hit the ball, but I never made it to the MLB.
Ok, that's it for now. We can't wait to see you, and December is how long you are going to be in there, so it can't come soon enough.