Love

Dear Babins,

Oh my sweet Mariah. You are everything we dreamed about, and you are here. If I could have imagined my perfect baby into life, it would be you. You are truly beautiful, amazing, and loving. My heart has learned to love in such a different way. I have always loved your dad, but with you, it's different. My soul just aches with joy. Sometimes when you smile at me I think my heart just might burst. You are so new here, but somehow it feels like you're the one showing me the way. I love you sweetheart, and I always will.

Love,

Mama

Still Waiting

Well we all thought you would be here by now. This last week has been so hard.  I feel like I miss you so much even though we haven't met face to face. Since you didn't come when expected, we won't be able to go to your aunt's wedding, which makes me so sad. I hope you are still healthy and happy in there, but that you come out soon. I think we'd both be a little better off in our own bodies now. We love you SO MUCH and can't wait to hold you.

Love,

Mom

Ready and Waiting

You can come now, sweetheart.  You are feeling rather large these days, and I would much prefer to hold you in my arms instead of my belly now. Your clothes are hanging in your closet, your blankets are ready to swaddle you, and we are anxious to meet you. We already love you so much, please come soon!

Love,

Mom

Love you baby

Dear Babins,

You are going to be here so soon! It is fun to think about all the places you've gone and things you've done with me since you started growing. I think our favorite place to be together is floating in the pool where we can relax and cool down and feel weightless for a bit. Last week, the doctor was feeling what position you are in (head down, facing left, back curled up to my right side) and I could feel him put his hands on both sides of your tiny head! It felt really funny. Even though it feels like you are really big inside of me, I know once you are out I will think you are so tiny.

It is really important to me to get your room all decorated and ready for you, but I know you won't notice or care! Your dad jokes that it sometimes feels like we're preparing for the queen's arrival. He has been thinking and talking about you more and more lately, and it makes my heart just melt with love for both of you. When we saw some cute baby ducks he said he wished you were here to see them, and whenever we see little newborns, he says he can't wait until we get to hold you. Feel free to come in about a month, but keep growing healthy until then!
We love you little babins!

Love,

Mom

Down in the Valley

Dear Babins,

Your dad came home excited to show me a song yesterday. He's not very musically inclined, but he wanted to show me this old folk song because he said, "maybe I can learn it as a lullaby for our baby."

"Down in the Valley (Birmingham Jail)"

It's little moments like this when I know he already loves you so much.

We have less than 10 weeks until your due date, and when I stop to think of how over-the-moon thrilled I am to meet you, I simultaneously choke up just thinking of how much I am going to miss you being inside of me. I already feel SO protective over you, and I start to cry if I even imagine anything bad ever happening to you. I just want your world to be perfect. Is this how all parents feel? How do moms ever let their babies grow up?

My tummy is a little sore today from all your kicks. I love you.

Love,

Mom

Little Friend

Dear Babins,

You are such a great little friend to carry around with me. I already feel like we're getting to know each other, so instead of talking and singing to myself when I'm alone, I get to talk and sing to you. I know I do weird stuff sometimes-- you'll get used to it. Your kicks are so strong now that your dad can feel you with his hand! He loves it.
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with how much left we have to do to prepare for your arrival. Our world is slowly starting to revolve around you; we talk about you, what you'll be like, the things you'll need, and what kind of parents we want to be for you all the time.
I signed up for our childbirth classes this week. They'll start in August, but just being signed up for them makes it feel like you're coming sooner!

Love,

Mom

Thanks for the laughs

Oh little babins, after spending the week with my parents and sisters and niece back home, I can't help but think how excited I am for you to get here and meet all of them. They already love you so much. It doesn't seem like too long ago when your cousin was the same size you are now, and now she is running around, learning to talk, and has opinions and expressions that are all hers.

As I am sitting here on the couch, you are making me laugh out loud with all of your little kicks! They were getting so strong so I lifted up my shirt to look at my tummy and I could actually SEE you moving! It looks so funny to see tiny lumps quickly come and go in different areas. I wonder where your arms and legs are. Part of me wishes I could just take you out for the afternoon and hold you. I know you need to finish growing though. We're more than halfway there! Just about 4 short months to go.

Love,

Your mom