the one to my daughter

Dear daughter,

It is 8 weeks from your due date. Your daddy and I are so excited to meet you! We have waited for you for so long now. Your daddy and I decided that we wanted to start a family almost 2 and a half years ago, but we did not have an easy path. We loved and wanted you so much that we worked with a lot of different people to help you get here. I feel lots of different things as we get closer and closer to your arrival. I have worried about you since the day that I found out you were coming, and I don't expect that will ever stop.

Right now, your daddy is panicking trying to get your room in perfect shape for you. I am amazingly calm waiting for your arrival. I suppose the closer and closer it gets, I may begin to feel more anxious, but we have waited so long for you that I can be patient a few more weeks for your safe arrival. You have been mostly kind to me during your stay :o) I was pretty sick for about the first 20 weeks, but I have already mostly forgotten that. I have only recently become a little less comfortable-particularly at night! Let me tell you, my ribs have been slightly traumatized by your stay. as you love to kick your feet or wedge your legs in them. I don't complain though because I know that it means you are growing and are just fine!

I expected to worry about being a mommy, but I haven't so far. I want to be the best mommy I can be for you, but I know that the most important thing I can do for you is love you and I already do. I am so excited for your Daddy to meet you. He is going to be an unbelievable father and he can't wait for you to be here. You have three aunts and four grandparents that are also anxiously awaiting your arrival. You also have several pseudo-aunts that are excited for you to be here! You already have two pets, a cat and a dog, that will be very interested and possibly somewhat jealous of your arrival.

I feel I should prepare you for the number of flashes that you are going to see in your life. I take lots and lots of pictures, and have a feeling that your arrival is going to increase that exponentially! Your daddy and I talk daily about all the things that we want to do with you. In the spring and summer, we spend lots of time outside, so you have that to look forward to. We have a jog stroller all ready to take you on lots of walks with your puppy. Your daddy is very excited about just sitting on the couch and holding you.

I don't expect being a parent to be easy and I expect that our lives will be changed greatly. I do expect that we will enjoy every moment, even the tough ones. I expect that your arrival will be the best day of our lives since your daddy and I got married.

I hope that you enjoy your last few weeks before your arrival into the world. Your daddy and I will be there when you arrive and just know that we already love you very, very much!

Love,
Mommy