"Dear Aren, Here's some news from Belgium, a little country somewhere in Europe. I just thanked your parents for giving you your beautiful name and for placing it on the web. Now I have evidence that this great name exists when we are going to register our Aren officially. I hope that our youngest will be as handsome as you are. Lots of groetjes from Belgium."

— Bert Verbeek
(Belgium)

"Dear Aren, I checked with Peter and he did not mind if this year you were my Valentine. Knowing that you are younger and funded only by an allowance of cookies and Nemo time, you can skip the roses and chocolates. I won’t bother you to take me out to dinner to an expensive restaurant. Neither of us drive and I don’t know how I could possibly fit on back of your “My First Tonka Truck”. So what do you say… will you be mine?? I can make really good heart shaped pancakes!!! (If you happen to say no, please don’t tell Uncle Peter. Maybe I can get a dinner out of him??)

— Aunt Kaia
(Bayonne,
New Jersey)

"I am so happy to have finally met you! I will never forget seeing your teary Uncle Harold holding you for the first time outside the church - you are so gorgeous! I know you had to be handed around and moved around a bit for the "stressful", "Goth" event (hmmm...maybe I should've had the girls wear bright pink to lighten things up?) so I hope you got through your adventure in Connecticut OK. Your Mom looked absolutely va-va-voom gorgeous, and your Dad looked pretty sharp, with his shades and his snazzy tie! I think everybody looked sad because they all knew they could never sing as beautifully as your Mommy - what a glorious voice to sing you to sleep!

- Aunt Amber
(Mystic, CT)

"I had so much fun with you at the Submarine Museum. Thanks for giving me the grand tour of the vessel. I am sorry that they didn't have a baby changing station in the nuclear sub. Maybe in the next model. Anyway, I hope the next time we go the scary guard at the gate won't yell at us for trying to get in the wrong way. "This is a restricted Nuclear Submarine Base SIR!"

- Uncle Peter
(Bayonne, N.J.)

"Hello Aren! Admit it, you love me the most! I was so happy to see you this past weekend. You are even cuter then your mamma told me. I will never forget the moment I first held you and you smiled. I love you and miss you already! Why don't you swim on up to see me, you seem to be a natural."

- Aunt Kaia
(Bayonne, N.J.)

"We saw your picture in front of the ship you took to Nassau. It seems like you will soon be able to be writing travel stuff like your Dad did when he wrote the great article in National Geographic Traveler. Get him to take you on lots of trips and you both would be a bang up writing team! We really enjoy your Web site."

- Thelma and Allen Sacks
(Annapolis, Md.)

"Happy Three Months to my handsome little nephew! You are one lucky kid...celebrating in the Bahamas! How about taking Auntie Aimee next time?"

- Aunt Aimee
(Madison, Wis.)

You are just the cutest baby. I have been following your blog since it was started. Your adventures sound like so much fun I am bringing my family to Key Largo this summer for a weeks vacation. Maybe you could recommend some fun inexpensive (because we have four kids) things for kids aged 6-10 to do while in Key Largo?

- Lynnette Nyssa
(Toledo, Ohio)

Aren responds: I love John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. It's great for kids (and babies, too).

"You are so lucky to have such cool parents! Taking you to Kennedy Space Center so young - how awesome! I grew up in Brevard County and my dad still works at the space center. It was great watching rockets and space shuttles take off from the backyard. Hopefully someday you'll get to see a space shuttle launch. It's the best! My husband is in the USAF so now I get to see planes and jets take off from my backyard here in Layton, Utah. Maybe someday you can dip your toes in the Great Salt Lake. Take care of your parents!"

- Paige Simonson
(Layton, Utah)

"We are suffering from GVIOB - Grandson Visit is Over Blues. Your mom told us you have the juvenile form of it - Grandparents Visit is Over Blues. Grandma spoiled you. She was nice enough to let your dad hold you about twice during the week but the rest of the time you were mostly in her arms. The week we had with you reminded us of how small and cute babies really are. We did all the fun things and your mom and dad did all the 'chores' so we were spoiled rotten too. When we left we were already starting to think about when the next time will be that we will be seeing you. I hope it's real soon!"

- Grandma and Grandpa Haugeto
(Suffern, NY)

"I check out your Web site to see what you've been up to and you never disappoint. Must also let you know that you are a real cutie, but I bet you hear that all the time. Keep trying to educate your parents - their crazy idea that they are going to get work done or be able to spend time on themselves while you're around has to be drummed (or should I say screamed) out of them, but it seems you are up for the task."

- Karen Cummings
(Boston)

"Hi Baby Aren,it's Anna Lynn Heine, age 2, who lives in Key West. My mom met your dad last fall in Miami at a SKAL dinner in downtown Miami. For the 4th, we went to the celebration at Casa Marina. I just got a little scared when I heard the fire poppers but I loved the show. I love babies, too! Especially cute baby boys. If you're ever in Key West again, look us up and we can meet at the Astro playground, where there are lots of kids. Or, Blue Heaven is good, too, because I can run around with the chickens. Hope your parents are getting sleep. Me, I still wake up in the middle of the night to get into their bed. Kisses and baby hugs,

- Anna Lynn
(Key West, Fla.)

"We hope you enjoy your first 4th of July. Don’t be afraid of the firecrackers and certainly don’t let the fireworks hurts your eyes. They are so beautiful. We are going to Atlanta to see our great nephew Kyle who is 18 months old and like you, has his family totally wrapped around his fingers. It’s too bad Grandma and Grandpa had to leave – they are your best friends and allies – remember that!"

- Bonnie Fontayne
(San Francisco)

"How I miss you, little baby! I just got back to Wisconsin...and I have to be honest - Auntie Aimee shed tears on the plane ride home from Key Largo...just thinking of you. What a delight to have an entire week with you...you cute, cute little one. To see you - a mere five weeks old - smiling, sleeping, squirming and looking around with curiosity. I just wanted to hold you and hold you and hold you. Do you know how happy you make us all, little Baby A? We can't even begin to describe. You, my dear, have two parents who are taking such good care of you and an extended clan of fans all across the world. I send lots of love and many, many kisses!

- Auntie Aimee
(Madison, Wis.)

"Welcome to the big time....I just came from a visit with your grandparents Haugeto and all the Carmody's and you are the talk of town :) I can't wait to meet you. Love you.

- Claire Agnes Doberrman
(Kenhorst, Pa.)

"If you feel the need to go potty, wait until you have been changed into a brand new outfit. Same goes for food that upsets your stomach. Mom and Dad will need to get used to doing the wash and you might as well break them in early - parents can be easily trained if you start young and never give up!"

- John W. Frenaye, Jr.
(Annapolis, Md.)

"We are coming on our first inspection trip tomorrow. We hope you will have all your bears, rattles, pacifiers, leisure reading material, classics and cutting edge politico/techno tomes in proper order. We will not wear white gloves the first day but it will be soon. We understand you are debating whether to get the tri-lingual "Muzzy" introductory language programs for your stroller or set it up for satellite feeds to tap into congresssional or Supreme Court live debate. Choices, choices it was a lot simpler before. It is getting late and we have to pack. See you tomorrow!

- Grandma and Grandpa Haugeto
(Suffern, NY)

"Aren, you have a LOT to teach your papa. Tell him that as an AMERICAN-born boy, you require massive doses of Hemingway for the masculine, testosterone-fix element; Fitzgerald for the romanitc-but-despairing side; Jim Harrison for the "Oh, now I get it" side; a slap in the face (or two) of some of the great WOMEN writers in American lilterature (e.g. some of Jeannie's favorites like Terry Tempest Williams--a naturalist par excellence---or Gretyl Erlych, or Annie Proulx, or some of the humble poets of the early settle of the nation, like Anne-What's-Her-Name); some David Foster Wallace for humor; a heavy dose of Craig Childs for links to the natural world; and more than you can handle of Limerick, Wilkinson, Wordsworth (who is kind of a pansy, but still a fine poet); and a thick portion of "Leaves of Grass" by Whitman. If yo're stuck in the Hebrew Bible, existentialism and despair, keep on the current reading list and you won't make it to age five. Add humor, m'boy! Life is worth LIVING! Celebrate! Jump into the Tao of Physics, child, and understand the dance that is the universe. Take wing! Teach mommy and daddy what they seem to have set aside: Ya Gotta Have HEART in your reading selections. Love, from your dear friend in Colorado (come on up and see me some time!)"

- Jeannie Patton
(Golden, Colo.)

"Willkommen to the world! Watch out for your dad's horror stories! That will ruin your sleep streak! We wish you lots of real good stories at bedtime and many hours of continued peaceful sleep for you and your parents."

- Mark and Becky Bryan
(Klagenfurt, Austria)

"Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and successful future."

- Great-Aunt Renate and Great-Uncle Tore
(Staten Island, NY)

"Congratulations from your relatives in Hokksund, Norway. We would like to send our warmest greetings to all three of you. Maybe we will see you some time in the future."

- Inger and Kjetil Torje Haugeto
(Hokksund, Norway)

"It's amazing to think that you've already been selected 'Grandson Of The Year.' From us you receive the title 'Lord Of Oceana Drive.' With much joy and love we welcome you to our family."

- Oma and Opa Elliott and Uncle Dustin
(Stockerau, Austria)

"A word of advice, Aren - enjoy your parents while you can. It may seem like you have many years to go before you get out on your own, but they really aren't that many. Enjoy the good times. They are the ones worth remembering."

- Mike Harris
(West Des Moines, Iowa)

 

"Welcome to the world! You are really lucky to have such neat parents. We live next door to where your parents used to live in Annapolis. They were great neighbors and we miss them."

- Thelma and Allen Sacks
(Annapolis, Md.)

"Dearest lovely nephew Aren, I just can't get enough of you! Your smile, your little outfits, that adooorable head of black, fuzzy hair; the way you get around Key Largo at such a young age. I can't wait to see you, little guy!"

- Adoring Auntie Aimee
(Madison, Wis.)

"Welcome to the world, baby boy. We're sorry we made such a mess of it before you arrived. Hopefully, we are smart enough to fix it up a bit! Good health, long life and much love."

- Nora Daly
(Redwood Shores, Calif.)

"Welcome newest HAUGETO ... AREN (that's Karen without the "K"!) We were all together Thursday so have been able to celebrate your birth together! Love to the four of you ... from us all."

- Aunt Beth and Uncle Bob, Noelle, Tim, Hannah and Elise, Kirstin, Trish and John, Karen and Mike, Megan and Norm ... plus the assorted four-legged ones

"Hello! It is your Uncle Harold up here in Connecticut. Since I live far away, I have been keeping tabs on you on your Web site. You are looking stronger every day. I am sure your parents are taking good care of you, and I can't wait to pick you up and hold you. God bless."

- Uncle Harold
(Mystic, CT)

"Look, I've seen a lot of babies, including mine, and I can tell you hands down flat that you are the cutest little baby boy I have ever seen. And how'd you get so big? The first-ever photo taken of you proves that nobody had bothered to even take a photo of you until you were three weeks old - no baby is that big and perfect looking just born. How was it possible? (What is your mother putting in that mommy milk... is she eating giant squid?!)

- Tante GoGo
(Columbia, S.C.)

"Dear Aren, I don't know your Daddy personally, but we're family through his Web site and newsletter (and I get to see him on TV once in a while)... I'm glad you are healthy and hope you go home with Mommy and Daddy soon..I'm sure Max will be happy to see you... Good luck, good growing, and good traveling."

- Moesta Alice

"My name is Josh and you may know my Mom, Cynthia Fontayne of the Fontayne Group. My Aunt is writing this letter for me since I am only 8" long and Boyd's Bear. Typing is something that is difficult for bears to do. Maybe when things calm down, Daddy or Mommy will read you some of my travel stories. You can find them on our travel Web site. My Aunt Bonnie used to live in Miami and her son, Dale was born in South Miami Hospital and is now almost 22 years old. Some advice to your Mom and Dad -- Start you young traveling then you won't get motion sickness! And of couse, give them a big smile when you want to get you way; this works every time."

- Josh Fontayne
(San Francisco)

"We have seen a lot of babies in our days and we are not easily swayed by a special gurgle or a challenging scream. However, we have unanimously chosen you as Grandchild of the Year because of your extreme gentility, cavalier approach to extremely agitating experiences and your obvious intellect. Your ability to have a Web site at such a young age is surely evidence of your early planning ability and organizational skills. Your uncanny insight of the benefits inherent with the better library facilities in the pediatric ward sets you off in a class by yourself."

- Margie and Harold Haugeto
(Suffern, New York)

"Willkommen, kleiner Mann. Bist Du aber suess!!!"

- The Cunningham Family
(Los Angeles)

"Now, try to be a good baby, at least until your Daddy gets over his nervousness about being a daddy. There'll be plenty of time to be a rabblerouser later in life. Say hi to your Mommy and Daddy for me, and I hope I'll get to meet you before you're old enough for your first SCUBA lesson!"

- Diane Scholfield
(Oceanside, Calif.)

"Please tell your Mom and Dad how glad I am to hear about you being here. Be nice to them and learn how to sleep through the night as soon as you can."

- Bob and Karen Cowen
(Farmington Hills, Mich.)

"Hey - congratulations! But now the fun's really started now that you've arrived. Now be nice to your folks. My wife, Christy, is a social worker at the local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, so my heart goes out to your mom and dad. Probably the best thing you can do is SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. Oh, and don't whine about the intermittent white flashes that seem to punctuate every hour of every day. They're just taking pictures to embarrass you later in life!"

- Scott McMurren
(Anchorage, Ak.)

"Aren, I'm glad to hear you are doing well!"

- Mike Boyle
(Vienna, Austria)

"Hey cute thing. Keep in touch."

- The Johnston Girls
(New York)

"Welcome to the world!"

- Lish Woodgate
(San Francisco)

"Hello Aren, Welcome aboard. We hope you live a long, happy and healthy life. You have two great parents and we look forward to meet someday soon."

- The Rangel Family (Enrique, Angeles, Carolina, Enrique Javier and Rebecca)
(San Antonio, Texas)

"Now aren't you just something else? Would love to be your adopted greatgrandmother and personal baby sitter. Have excellent references - mother of 6, grandmother to 9 and great grandmother to 2, you could be the third. Congratulations to Mom and Dad. They produced a beauty."

- Sylvia Brown
(Milledgeville,Ga.)

"We think you are cute!"

- Uncle Jeff, Aunt Aura and Cousin Tomi Elliott
(Tampere, Finland)

"I just had to tell you that you are the cutest thing I have ever seen! Smooch!!!"

- Auntie Kaia
(New York)

"Cuuuuuuuuuuute!"

- Aunt Aimee
(Madison, Wis.)

"You're beautiful. And those guys you hang with look like they could just burst."

- Terry Riley
(Santa Cruz, Calif.)