Dear Baby

Hi sweet baby girl,

I have been wanting to talk to you. It feels a little funny to write this letter to you before you are even in my arms, but the truth is, I love you so much already, and I want you to know how your Daddy and I are feeling as we wait patiently for you to arrive.

First of all, I am finally in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. If everything goes according to plan, you will be safely in my arms 11 weeks and 2 days from now. (But who's counting?) I am feeling pretty good overall. I have some typical aches and pains, and I'm pretty sure you're tap dancing on my bladder because I pee about 100x each day, but I have no complaints. In 2 days, I get to see you again because I'm having a growth ultrasound to see how big you're getting. I can't wait! I hope you'll cooperate and let me see that sweet face of yours.

You've been moving around a lot. I'm not very good at telling how you're moving-- kicks, punches, rolls-- but you are definitely a mover and a shaker. Something that's funny is that for the longest time, whenever I would ask your Daddy to put his hand on my belly to feel you, you would immediately fall silent. You're a little trickster already, playing pranks on your Daddy. BUT FINALLY last night for the first time, you cooperated. We were watching football on TV, and we were curled up on the couch. You were moving all over the place, so I got him to put his hand on my belly. After a few minutes, you must have felt bad for the poor guy because you started thumping away. Maybe you were giving him high fives. I'm not sure, but I know he was happy to finally "meet" you, and it made my heart happy for him to have that moment, too.

So, here are some things you need to know about your family:

You have three dogs! They're getting up there in age. I hope you'll have all 3 of them long enough to have memories of them because they're a pretty big part of our family. They whine and bark too much, and I'm sure there will be moments when I am mad at them for barking while you are sleeping, but they are sweet, and I'm sure they will love and protect you as they do your sister.

Copper, Brandy, Bailey

You have a big sister. I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure she's going to be an amazing big sister.  She talks a lot about how cute you are and she blows raspberries on my belly for you. She rubs and hugs my belly, and if I ask really nicely, she sometimes sings you a song. She already adores you, and while I'm sure you'll have some ups and downs, I have high hopes that you will grow to love and cherish one another and be the very best of friends.

It was Halloween recently-- your sister was a pretty pink butterfly

You have a huuuge extended family that loves you and can't wait to meet you. You have 2 wonderful sets of grandparents: Dede and Grandpa on Daddy's side. They live nearby, and you'll see them often. And Nanny and Grampy on Mommy's side. They live far away, so you won't see them often, but when you do, you can bet they will spoil you like crazy! You have tons of cousins. Your closest cousin is Naomi-- she lives nearby, too, and you'll see her a lot. You have so many aunts and uncles who also can't wait to love and spoil you. Family is everything to us. Both your Daddy and I grew up in very close families that love each other very much. You are so, so blessed to be born into these families, and we are so, sooo blessed that you will be joining us.

Dede and Grandpa

Grampy and Nanny

Last but not least, you have two parents who love you like whoa! No, really, we love you more than words can say. We aren't the youngest, hippest, richest, coolest parents on the block, but no one, and I mean no one, loves their children any  more than your Daddy and I love you and your sister. We would do anything to keep you safe and healthy and happy. We have so many hopes and dreams for you as you come into this world and as you inevitably grow (we learned with Nora that babies really don't keep), and we can't wait to meet you and watch you become uniquely YOU, whoever that may be.

Here we are on our wedding day-- where it all began.

Wedding day, September 6, 2003

Here's a more recent picture of your handsome Daddy. You are going to think he hung the moon. (Nora and I already do.)

And here I am showing off YOU. This was taken just a few days ago on Halloween. See how I had you all dressed up for the occasion?

Sweet Matilda, I hope you grow to realize how blessed you are. We are anxious to meet you and start showing you every day that we love you to the moon and back.

All my love forever and ever,

Mommy xo