Invitation Accepted

Dear Baby Five,

We are delighted that you have accepted our invitation to become part of our organization!  After some deliberations between the founding members it was decided that our youngest member needed a cohort, thus the invitation.  Between us I don't know which co-president is more excited to welcome you.  We will both be there for your imminent arrival, one of us ideally more drugged than the other.

From experience we've calculated the best time for you to come on board will be at the end of January, 2016.  That way the current junior member will be 16 months -- providing us with all the benefits of creating "Irish Twins" like unto the age difference between team members Jude and Silas, and Mimi and Jude. 

 We've since informed the junior members of the team that we'll be adding to their ranks and, because of the overwhelmingly positive reception of the addition that occurred last fall, they are thrilled at the news you will be joining us. At present they are referring to you as "Tiger Uppercut" but we highly recommend you come with your preferred name on a business card, perhaps, or maybe via bolt of lightening. Barring that we will be pressed to choose a name for you, a process we find very stressful.  We've decided to respect your privacy regarding your sex until the day you arrive.

By accepting this invitation you will now be entitled to unconditional familial adoration and affection upon arrival and throughout your journey with us, regardless of behavior, attitude, or personality.  In the first few years with us we pledge to selflessly monitor and foster your growth and development as well as keep you safe and well loved. Co-Presidents will do our very best to run interference between you and your adoring fans. 

In the years following we will hone your behavior into an intelligent person palatable and desirable by the larger community.  You will be exposed to culture and inundated with music and theater, which you will eventually be expected to perform.  At your fingertips you will have access to literature and media that we hope will teach you about the world and its people.  The committee will do its best to encourage mathematical skills, but we cannot promise aptitude.  We will make it our life mission to prepare you -- spiritually, emotionally and physically -- for the challenges that lay in the world outside our immediate network.

I'm sure you've noted in your research that our projects thus far have had fairly successful results, but so that you can see the current status of our members I give you the following exhibits:

 A. Girl, 8.

B. Boy, 6.

C. Boy, 5. 

D. Girl, 10 months.

In choosing our organization you will be joining Mimi, Jude, Silas and Betty Lou in their daily routine, but you will have some grace period before you will need to add your abilities to theirs.  They are excited to have you and see great potential in your arrival.  Do not let them trick you into doing their part.  In the meantime, your duties include first, growing to a viable human, then once arrived you will be expected to smile, coo, and generally delight us with your very presence.  Rely on Betty Lou to show you how to wrap every single one of us around your finger.

Needless to say, we are excited to officially meet you, though your transportation unit is somewhat daunted by the physical task ahead. By the way, it has been much appreciated that you've been considerate in not causing too much turbulence in the first few months.  We consider our team so fortunate to be able to invite you into our lives -- to have the means, the inclination, and to be granted the blessing of corporate expansion.  

Eagerly awaiting your arrival!

Your Family