Reflections

10 days from today is Baby M's due date. 

Will he/she come early?  Will he/she come late?  Will I be a mom to a son or to a daughter?  Today, I woke up and had breakfast with my husband before he departed to work and I started my daily to-do list...will tomorrow we be in a hospital holding our newborn baby?  Have we got everything needed to make it through those first few weeks?  What did the OB office say we need to do when my water breaks, again?  The questioning, the joy, the excitment, the fears, the pure and utter anticipation in waiting for the arrival of your newborn baby is unlike anything I have ever experienced.  It's a good wonderful thing, but it certainly tests your patience!  It's hard to believe we are ACTUALLY going to have a baby.  A BABY!!!  We will be entering into a new phase of life, parenthood.  Gosh, that sometimes seems so exciting and in the same breathe so scary.  Will we be good parents?  How will we know what to do?  Can I reach the pediatrician 24 hours a day 7 days a week?!

All the things I think every new parent thinks and worries about.

To baby M:
Today is 4.18.2011, exactly 10 days from your due date.  Your dad and I are so excited to meet you!  Everyday we pray for your arrival.  Everyday we talk about you (for hours) and play a guessing game as to who you might be - it is so fun not knowing.  We are full of anticipation, joy, and happiness. 

You are an absolute blessing from God and we feel so honored that God chose us to be your parents.  We pray that we do a wonderful job and that you love being apart of our family.  You are loved beyond words.  Your extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends love you and call daily wanting to know if you have made any progress in your upcoming debut.

Your dad is a truly remarkable and amazing man.  He has spent hours reading his "dad" books and attending all your baby visits with me, as well as, going to all the new parent classes.  Everynight before him and I go to sleep we talk about you and if tonight will be the night.  He loves that you can already hear his voice and he wants you to know who he is, so sometimes he purposely talks loud or directly into your home (my belly) so you can hear him over and over.  He cannot wait to be your father and I have no doubt in my mind that you and him will be the very best of friends.  You both are blessed to have each other. 

As for me, I have been blessed to have you all to myself for the last 9+ months (however, I am ready to share you with your daddy).  I remember when I first felt you move - it felt like a little fish swimming through my stomach or like a little bubble popping, it was wonderful.  Now at 38 weeks and 4 days your kicks and punches, rolls and turns sometimes hurt!  You notoriously kick me in my left hip several times a day.  I actually love this.  It lets me know that you're there when I haven't felt you in awhile.  You are such a big, yet small, little thing.  You are always most active in the morning and at night and ALWAYS after I eat.  You probably hear my voice more than you would like to as I love to talk - hopefully, you will love to talk too!  You are my angel and I am blessed to have you.

We love you unconditionally Baby M.  We hope to meet you very soon.

Hug you, kiss you and love you,
Your Mom and Dad